Chapter 110: Adoption |
“Was Viscount Field really the leader of the Crimson Eucharist? The mentor Bill had mentioned?”
Dorothy hadn’t quite anticipated this possibility. Truthfully, she found it difficult to believe that Viscount Field—a nobleman who genuinely engaged in charity every year—could be such a two-faced figure.
She had harbored some suspicions about Viscount Field in the past: his habit of adopting one child each year, the mystical songs sung by the children, his return to Igwynt six years ago, and the fact that Clifford had once told her he found what he had been searching for six years ago.
But it wasn’t until Dorothy saw Bill rush directly to Viscount Field’s private booth after discovering the problem that she became almost certain that Viscount Field was indeed the mentor of the Crimson Eucharist.
In fact, Dorothy could have verified the mentor’s identity earlier through divination. However, when she attempted it, the system notified her that the information she sought was shielded—protected by anti-divination tools utilizing the spirituality of Shadow and Revelation. As a result, Dorothy refrained from proceeding with the divination.
While she could have forced multiple attempts and competed in a resource battle to overpower the opposition’s anti-divination tools, Dorothy was unsure if her limited reserves would suffice. If she failed, it would all go to waste. Her Revelation could recover, but Lantern resources were finite.
Moreover, even if she won, the opponent would become aware of being targeted due to the depletion of their divination resources. Not wanting to alert them prematurely, Dorothy decided against pursuing divination regarding the mentor.
After tonight’s events, however, she no longer needed divination to confirm her suspicions.
"It seems I’ll have to step up my actions against the Crimson Eucharist… But for now, I should find out exactly what they’re discussing."
"What? He’s done reporting already? That was quick."
Without overthinking, Dorothy continued controlling the gecko, which climbed to the window to eavesdrop.
To her disappointment, Viscount Field was simply watching the performance inside while chatting with two children. His butler was serving them, and Dorothy failed to obtain any valuable information.
As time passed, the event neared its conclusion. Inside the booth, the elderly butler standing behind Viscount Field poured him half a cup of tea and leaned in to whisper,
"Sir, it’s almost time. You’re up next."
"Ah, understood, Luer," Viscount Field replied.
He finished the tea in one gulp, bid farewell to the children beside him, and left the booth with his butler. Seeing this, Dorothy thought, "So, the event is ending? What a shame—I didn’t gather anything useful."
Shortly after, the final performance concluded onstage. The host returned to the center of the stage and addressed the audience.
"Wonderful moments always seem to slip away so quickly. Ladies and gentlemen, we’ve reached the final segment of this splendid evening—the charity auction, where everyone can showcase their love and generosity."
"First, as is tradition, let us welcome the honorable Viscount Field. He will adopt his seventh foster child from among tonight’s performers and kick off the donations! Please give him a round of applause!"
Amid thunderous applause, Viscount Field, supported by his butler, ascended the stage. Joining him were the orphanage children who had performed earlier, now standing behind him.
"First, I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to all of you for attending once again. By the grace of the Holy Mother, we have gathered here today..."
Viscount Field began with polite formalities, then turned to the children. Under their expectant gazes, he walked slowly among them, scrutinizing each one.
Finally, he stopped before a little girl, smiling as he asked her, "What is your name, my lovely lamb?"
"My name is Anna, Your Lordship!"
Anna, struggling to contain her excitement, lifted the hem of her white dress and curtsied. Viscount Field smiled, took her hand, and led her to the front of the stage amidst the envious gazes of the other children. The audience erupted into applause.
Holding Anna’s hand, her face flushed with excitement, she waved her free hand toward the audience, her eyes landing briefly on Dorothy’s direction.
Dorothy joined the crowd in smiling and clapping. Yet, inwardly, her heart felt heavy.
"It seems I’ll need to act quickly…"
…
After the adoption ceremony, the donation segment followed. Spurred by Viscount Field’s lead, the attendees generously contributed what they could. Dorothy joined in and donated ten pounds.
Viscount Field concluded the evening with a final speech, announcing that he would visit the Charity Orphanage the following day to formally adopt Anna as his seventh foster child. The host then excitedly declared the event over, bringing the Igwynt Charity Show to a close.
As the crowd dispersed, Dorothy promptly left her seat. To avoid encountering Bill by the exit, she climbed out of an unguarded first-floor window and made her way to her carriage.
Once inside, she released her raven corpse marionette, which circled above the theater entrance to monitor the area. Before long, she spotted Viscount Field exiting the building with his butler’s support.
She watched as they boarded a luxurious, three-horse carriage, which then began moving forward. Dorothy followed from a distance, using the raven’s aerial view to maintain a safe distance.
Initially, the pursuit went smoothly. But gradually, Dorothy noticed a problem.
Her single-horse carriage couldn’t match the speed of Viscount Field’s luxurious three-horse carriage.
"Ugh, their horsepower’s way better than mine!"
Tracking required similar speeds, but Viscount Field’s carriage was far superior. Dorothy’s modest one-horse carriage lagged further and further behind.
She couldn’t rush through the streets recklessly—it would attract too much attention and risk exposing her. The police might even stop her. When she bought her carriage, it was intended for city travel; a one-horse carriage was sufficient at the time. She hadn’t anticipated a situation like this.
"Next time, I need to buy a more powerful carriage…"
With some frustration, Dorothy watched the distance widen until it exceeded the three-kilometer range of her marionette control.
Unable to keep up, the raven marionette lost sight of Viscount Field’s carriage, which disappeared into the northern mountains outside Igwynt.
It was said that Viscount Field had built an estate and several villas in the forests of the northern mountains. He rarely invited anyone there, maintaining an air of mystery among Igwynt’s citizens.
Having failed the pursuit, Dorothy stopped her carriage and leaned back in her seat, exhaling deeply.
"Tomorrow’s the adoption… Maybe that’s another opportunity. Looks like I’ll need to send my brother another bouquet."