After leaving the training grounds, Yuki returned to his room.
He found that, aside from Elisabeth, both Mary and Akane were already up.
Yuki then told the two he planned to go out to take care of some matters.
As for the two of them, they had other arrangements.
Regarding this, neither had any objections.
After giving them some reminders, Yuki bid them farewell and vanished alone from the room.
Watching Yuki disappear, both Akane and Mary felt somewhat awkward.
Though they had conversed with Yuki moments ago as if nothing was amiss, both were inwardly extremely embarrassed.
And this sense of embarrassment naturally stemmed from last night when they had used Yuki as a pillow.
Even though nothing had happened, it was, after all, their first time sharing a bed with a man, which made them feel a bit self-conscious.
"Ahem!"
"Um... Mary, did you sleep well last night?"
Akane's gaze drifted, a hint of crimson coloring her cheeks as she cleared her throat and asked Mary.
"Pretty well."
Mary smoothed her vibrant red hair, nodding with a touch of awkwardness as well.
However, she then turned her gaze to Elisabeth on the bed, her expression shifting to one of tender affection.
"But the one who slept the best was definitely Lady Elisabeth."
"Agreed!"
Akane beside her nodded in agreement.
As the two conversed, the soundly sleeping Elisabeth began to stir awake.
She rubbed her eyes, yawned, stretched, then slowly opened her eyes.
"Good morning, Akane-chan, Mary."
Elisabeth greeted them.
"Good morning, Lady Elisabeth."
Mary respectfully nodded to Elisabeth.
"Elisabeth-san, the sun's practically beating down on your behind. Are you sure it's still morning?"
Akane remarked flatly.
"(⊙o⊙)…"
"It's already that late?!"
Elisabeth's expression immediately turned to one of astonishment.
"It seems I really slept comfortably!"
Elisabeth then chuckled lightly.
Hearing this, Akane gained a new impression of this Vampire Ancestor.
"By the way, where's Master?"
"Why don't I see him? I wanted to give Master a morning greeting!"
Elisabeth then looked around, searching for Yuki's figure.
"If you wake up this late, of course you won't see him!"
"Yuki-kun went out to take care of some matters today."
A look of resignation appeared on Akane's face as she calmly answered Elisabeth's question.
"Ah! He went out!"
Hearing this, Elisabeth couldn't help but feel a bit disappointed.
"But before leaving, Yuki-kun gave us a task."
Akane added, then explained the task Yuki had assigned to Elisabeth.
Actually, the task Yuki assigned was quite simple: have Elisabeth take the two of them to find a location to serve as the Organization's Headquarters.
As for the headquarters location, they could choose somewhere within the Kingdom.
Find a quiet suburb, and the main requirement was a large site.
After hearing this, Elisabeth thought for a moment, then got up to prepare for action.
"In that case, let's first ask the King for a piece of land."
Elisabeth's idea was straightforward: since they could choose a location within the Kingdom, why not directly approach the King of Midgar?
Hearing Elisabeth's suggestion, Akane also found it reasonable.
Soon after Elisabeth finished washing up and getting dressed, she took the two to find the King.
Upon hearing their request, the King immediately agreed and quickly pointed out a location in a relatively remote suburban area.
After learning the location, Elisabeth and the others went to inspect the site.
Noon.
The scorching sun beat down on the earth, forcing even animals to seek shade under trees to escape the heat.
On a forest path, a group of people walked along a dirt road devoid of any shade.
There were about thirty people in total.
Such a large group, each holding weapons in their hands.
Despite this, their simple, worn-out cloth attire and fierce, menacing expressions made it clear they were actually a band of robbers.
As for why so many robbers were mobilized, it was mainly for the trade they were conducting this time.
And the goods they needed to trade were, naturally, the large cage they surrounded in the middle.
Inside the cage were roughly over ten young girls.
Most of them looked terrified, shivering inside the cage.
These young girls were mostly from various places, captured by these robbers.
They were to be sold to a group called the Diabolos Cult.
Though the robbers didn't know what the Cult members wanted with these children, they were bandits. As long as there was money, they dared to do anything.
And judging by the current situation, they indeed dared to do anything.
Because among the captured girls were many children from the Elven Race.
Since the Cult members had specifically emphasized capturing more elven children, they had complied.
They went to the Elven Kingdom, using various methods to capture many elven children.
After nearly filling the cage, they proceeded to the prearranged meeting point with the Cult to conduct the trade.
Soon, the robbers arrived without obstruction at a designated ruin site.
Here, they encountered a group of mysteriously dressed individuals who exuded an aura of menace.
The robbers instantly grew vigilant, each drawing their weapons.
"Are you from the Cult?"
The robber leader cautiously tested.
"Of course, Mr. Oakbow."
The Cult members on the other side nodded, confirming their identity.
They then displayed an identifying emblem, which finally put the robbers at ease.
Of course, even after confirming their identity, the robbers remained wary of the Cult members.
Because the other side had ten people, they feared being double-crossed.
"These are the people you wanted!"
The robber leader waved a hand, signaling his men to wheel out the cage mounted on four wheels.
Only after seeing the group of children in the cage did the Cult members nod with relief.
"Pleasure doing business, Mr. Oakbow."
The Cult's contact person smiled slightly, then had his subordinates bring out two chests.
Upon opening the chests, they were filled with glittering gold, silver, and jewels.
Seeing the treasure, the robbers' faces lit up with greed.
After exchanging the goods, the robbers carefully stored away the treasure, satisfied.
They hadn't expected the Cult to be so generous—offering two chests right away.
"Hahaha! Members of the Cult, pleasure doing business!"
"If you have more jobs like this in the future, remember to contact us!"
The robber leader, having tasted the sweetness, eagerly wanted more collaborations with the Cult.
However, at that moment, the Cult's contact person revealed a strange smile.
"More collaborations? I'm afraid there won't be another chance, Mr. Oakbow."
As soon as the words fell, the Cult members beside the contact person vanished, reappearing around the robbers.
Then, accompanied by a series of screams, the robbers were all eliminated, leaving none alive.
The young girls in the cage were stunned by this bloody scene, their faces filled with terror.
Such a brutal, double-crossing scene had other witnesses besides those present.
In a corner of the ruins, amid broken walls and debris, a figure appeared there.