Only when everyone lay groaning on the floor did Liang Lin stop. She roughly wiped the splattered blood from her face with the back of her hand, spat, and muttered, “Disgusting. I’ll need to wash my face ten times—no, twenty.”

“Look over there.”

Liang Di stepped inside and pointed ahead.

Just moments ago, Liang Lin had been lost in bloodlust, oblivious to the room’s horrors. Now, following Liang Di’s gesture, she froze—a chill shot down her spine as she sucked in a sharp breath.

In the shadows sat several chairs. Pale-faced girls, utterly bloodless, were bound tightly. Red tubes pierced their wrists. Correction: tubes stained deep crimson with blood.

The chamber was vast. Huddled in a corner, gagged and bound, shivering in ragged clothes, were more girls—lured by lies or knocked out and stolen.

Among them, Liang Lin spotted a familiar face: Laura.

She cut the ropes, pulled the rag from Laura’s mouth.

“Hey, you okay?”

“Waaah—!” Laura clung to Liang Lin like an octopus, wailing, “Thank you! Thank you! If you’d been even a second later… I would’ve…” The memory of that vile man reaching for her made her stomach lurch. Thankfully, Liang Lin and Liang Di had burst in just in time.

Liang Di frowned, strode over, grabbed Laura by the collar, and yanked her off the flustered Liang Lin. “How can we free the others if you cling like this? Go wait over there.”

Sniffling and trembling, Laura shuffled to a corner. A glance at the corpse on the floor hit her with a metallic wave of blood scent. She dropped to her knees, dry heaving.

One by one, the girls were freed. But one strapped to a chair—drained dry—had already breathed her last. For the first time, a trace of desolation flickered across Liang Lin’s face. She hated this: watching someone she was meant to protect die before her eyes, as if whispering her own failure.

A voice echoed in her mind:

*“The mission of every Kronin Family member is set at birth—to protect all innocent lives. For this, we may use any means. We may sacrifice everything.”*

Liang Lin gently stroked the dead girl’s cheek and closed her lifeless eyes.

“Rest in peace. May your world know no more pain.”

Liang Di watched silently.

*Why that sorrowful look? She didn’t even know her. A stranger. Why grieve? Shouldn’t she feel relieved? The case is closed.*

Liang Di couldn’t understand. All she knew was this victory would earn her more public support. Kind old Master Donathew would take note. She was one step closer to becoming head of the Langwendi Family.

Inside the Demon Spire on the Sotran Empire’s border, a tall woman gazed into a magic crystal ball. She zoomed in on Liang Di’s face.

“Look~ Still so bewildered. Monsters can never learn to love…”

“No,” a gentle voice interrupted. “I believe she can. And… our little monster isn’t as cold as we think.”

“Your hope is simple. But… I hope so too.”

Elsewhere.

Liang Di checked her pocket watch. 7 a.m.

“Let’s go. We’ll hand the baron and his wife’s arrest to the local knights. Though… the order needs cleansing. There’s a traitor among them.”

“A traitor?” Liang Lin set the girl’s body down.

“Obviously. How else would such a simple case drag on? Someone shielded them.”

The return journey unfolded under clear, sunlit skies—unlike the gloom of their arrival, as if celebrating their victory. Only now, two more rode in the carriage.

“M-Miss Liang Lin! So you’re… the famed young ladies of House Langwendi!” Laura fidgeted, rubbing her hands, stealing shy glances at them. Beside her, Gratice sat tightly bound and gagged, letting out muffled, furious grunts. Anyone could tell she was cursing—viciously.

“I get keeping Gratice,” Liang Lin sighed, rubbing her temples. “But why bring the nun?” She shook a fist lightly. Gratice’s eyes welled up, and she finally stilled.

“You’ll learn later. Don’t ask.”

Liang Lin didn’t press. Too many secrets. Digging too deep only sparked anger.

Near Orlando City’s gate, the carriage halted. A crowd surrounded it—fruit baskets, fresh flowers, steaming dishes in hand. News of the baron’s arrest and exposed crimes had spread like wildfire. Thanks to Liang Di’s discreet arrangements, everyone knew the heroes: Miss Liang Lin and Miss Liang Di of House Langwendi.

“Please accept this small token…”

“Thank you! Without you, how many more girls would’ve vanished?”

“You’re heroes!”

Liang Lin, accustomed to such scenes, stood, opened the window, and waved.

“Thank you! We can’t take your gifts, but we feel your kindness deeply. This is what the Langwendi Family does. Orlando City is under our protection.”

The carriage rolled onward, leaving faint wheel tracks on the muddy road.

“Alright.” Liang Di pulled the gag from Gratice’s mouth. “Now. Let’s talk about you.”