After receiving permission, several Flame-Chasers members quickly entered, carrying some instruments. Ceria organized The Children of the Orphanage into a line in the corridor to receive the members' inspection.
Xi Ling watched the actions of the few people from the side, lowering her head, wondering what she was thinking.
"Miss, please come here for a check-up as well."
"Me too?"
Xi Ling frowned and stepped onto the instrument. After a while, the few people packed up their instruments and simultaneously bowed to Ceria.
"Thank you for your cooperation. This is a small token of our gratitude, compensation for disturbing your lives."
The Flame-Chasers left immediately after speaking, their speed surprising even Xi Ling.
"Did they... discover something..."
She wasn't worried about herself; after all, she was genuinely just an ordinary person, perhaps even considered physically weak. She was worried that Elysia might have been discovered.
Unsurprisingly, a few days later, those people came here again. This time, the scope was smaller; almost no one was left except Elysia and about ten other children. However, that wasn't the main point. What truly surprised her was that this group of people drew a tube of blood from her before leaving.
Touching the still-sore needle mark, Xi Ling frantically ran through deductions in her mind.
"Why did they take my blood? Anti-Honkai Serum? No, I don't have Honkai Energy adaptability, so it can't be that. Does the laboratory need blood for experiments? That's also unlikely. For an organization as large as the Flame-Chasers, obtaining a little blood should be easy. It's improbable that they would need to approach me..."
"Xiao Ling, what's wrong? You've been spacing out these past few days..."
Ceria's worried voice came from behind her. Upon hearing it, Xi Ling immediately responded with a gentle smile.
"No, I'm fine. I was just wondering why they suddenly needed to conduct physical examinations."
"Perhaps the government cares about The Children. Getting a physical examination is a good thing, so don't worry about it too much."
Xi Ling offered no comment on Ceria's statement. If the Previous Era's government truly cared about The Children, they should have done this when they first arrived, not waited until now. Furthermore, given the conspicuous Flame-Chasers logo on those people's clothes, Xi Ling absolutely refused to believe they weren't suspicious of The Children.
"I hope so... Ah, it's almost dinner time. I need to go make dinner for The Children first."
After Xi Ling left, Ceria sighed where she stood. How could she not see what Xi Ling had figured out? However, as the director of the Orphanage, she also had to consider the other children.
"I hope The Children will be safe..."
..."Are you saying you want to go out into the world and search for the Elysian Realm mentioned in the stories?"
"Mm, can I, Ceria Mama?♪"
"Of course you can, but wouldn't it be too dangerous for you alone?"
"I can help look after her, Ceria. However, I apologize for the burden of having you care for The Children of the Orphanage."
"It's alright. With you accompanying Little Elysia, I feel more at ease."
"Mm, there's a stack of cash in my room's drawer; consider it my farewell gift. Under the bed are the toys I promised to make for The Children; please give those to them."