Chapter 30 – The Discovered Hiding Place
While the battle raged, Sister Lysithea, who didn't know how to fight, had gathered the children in the hidden attic. They were huddled together, trembling in the dark. Joker and Harley seemed barely bothered—eyes gleaming, as if this were a new game. Kuroe (with Loki's Mark) smiled sideways, murmuring "I warned you… fire is coming." Lirien (the prophetic elf) cried softly, whispering: "I saw this… chains and blood… in my vision yesterday." Marina released nervous steam, Astrid growled like a little beast, Sylvara and Rina clung to each other in silent tears.
Lysithea hugged them all, whispering Lunalie hymns to calm them. "The goddess protects us… stay very quiet…"
But the traffickers, after defeating Mirella and Graciela, searched the orphanage. Vorak found the attic hatch. He yanked it open hard, revealing the group.
— Ah, there's the fresh merchandise — he growled, hungry eyes sweeping over the children and lingering on Lysithea. — And a pretty little nun to sweeten the deal.
They dragged everyone out to the front garden, under the blood-red moon. They bound the children with anti-magic chains (heavy, cold, burning the skin). Joker and Harley didn't resist, only exchanging knowing glances. The two unconscious nuns were tossed beside them, loosely chained, bleeding but intact—Vorak shouted: "No one touches the merchandise without Duke Valthor's permission! He samples first, or we sell them virgin for more gold."
Lirien, in her earlier vision, had seen exactly this: cold chains, familiar faces unconscious, and a greater shadow approaching.