"Viscount Field?"
Sitting on a chair in the orphanage classroom, Dorothy thought back to the somewhat familiar name after hearing Anna's words. She felt like she had heard it somewhere before, and after thinking for a while, she realized she had often seen this person in the newspapers.
Viscount Field, a local noble of Egwent, a hereditary viscount, and a traditional aristocrat. He had once traveled extensively abroad and, after returning to Egwent six years ago, began charitable work. It was said that he often entered the Lower City to understand the living conditions of the poor and provide relief, making him perhaps the person among Egwent's elite who understood the lower-class people best.
Recently, Dorothy had seen him in the newspapers criticizing the Egwent police system for its inaction, claiming they didn't take the safety of the lower-class people, especially the lonely and helpless, seriously. He claimed that people often went missing without anyone caring. At that time, Dorothy had even wondered if these so-called disappearances were the work of the Eucharist Society and worried about the Viscount's safety.
She hadn't expected this viscount's compassion to be so great. An annual charity gala, and after the charity, he would adopt an orphan. Six times in six years meant he had already adopted six orphans, and this year would be the seventh... Even for a benevolent noble, wasn't this number of adoptions a bit too high?
"Teacher Meshos, what's wrong?"
At that moment, Anna, who was standing to the side holding a fairy tale book, looked at the dazed Dorothy and spoke in confusion. Hearing Anna's voice, Dorothy snapped out of it slightly and replied with a smile.
"Ha... It's nothing, Anna. I just thought of something... By the way, I wanted to ask, do you know the children who were adopted before?"
Dorothy asked Anna, and Anna replied immediately after hearing the question.
"Hmm... I don't know the older brothers and sisters from the earlier years, but I know the ones from the more recent years, like Gegeer and Boom... They were all adopted by Viscount Field in the last two years. They were all outstanding students in the orphanage and were role models for me."
"Is that so? Then, Anna, have you seen them again since they left?" Dorothy continued to ask, and Anna nodded after a moment's thought.
"I have seen them... but very rarely. The children from before occasionally accompany the Viscount to many events, and we sometimes see photos of them with the Viscount in the newspapers. Also, every year at the charity gala, the Viscount brings two of the previously adopted children to participate, and we can see them then... Um, but Teacher, why do you ask?"
Anna asked in a puzzled tone, and Dorothy responded with a smile.
"Nothing, just asking... By the way, Anna, you said just now that I could also attend that charity gala? You said it's only for the upper class of Egwent." Dorothy asked Anna, and Anna nodded affirmatively.
"No problem! Since our orphanage is a focus of the charity gala, we have a few invitation slots. As long as Sister Deirdre nods, she can give you an invitation. With so many of us together, we can definitely persuade Sister Deirdre."
Anna's words were filled with certainty and expectation. Looking at Anna, Dorothy nodded.
"Mhm... Then I'll leave it to you all."
...In the afternoon, at the Grace Orphanage, in the Director's Office.
Sitting behind the desk was an old nun in her fifties or sixties, wearing a black habit and with a face full of wrinkles. She was the director of this Grace Orphanage, Sister Deirdre, and also an official nun of the Egwent Church of Radiance.
Sister Deirdre took an envelope out of a drawer and handed it to Dorothy across the desk.
"Here, this is the invitation. The time and location are written inside. Don't be late, Miss Meshos."
"Thank you, Sister Deirdre. It is an honor to be able to attend such a banquet."
Taking the envelope in her hand, Dorothy spoke gratefully, and Sister Deirdre smiled before speaking.
"If you want to say thanks, thank those children. Not many students are willing to come here for their practicum, and you are the first to be so loved by them. You deserve this invitation... Alright, I need to rest for a bit now. Fitch, see the guest out."
"Goodbye, Sister Deirdre."
Then, Dorothy left the Director's Office escorted by a balding middle-aged man. When she reached the hallway, Anna was still waiting there, clutching her book.
"How was it? Teacher Meshos, did you get the invitation?"
"It's right here. Thanks to you all, I got it," Dorothy said with a smile, waving the envelope in her hand. Anna spoke up happily as well.
"That's wonderful! Remember to come and watch our performance on time the night after tomorrow! I have to go to the final rehearsal now! Goodbye!"
As she spoke, Anna waved and ran off into the distance. Dorothy also waved with a smile, then silently opened the envelope, pulled out the invitation, and carefully checked the address.
"7:00 PM on the 25th, at the Jewel Theater?"
...At the same time, on the other side, in the Upper City of Egwent, inside the Church of Radiance.
Inside a small secret room within the church, there were currently three figures. Two were male priests in black sitting together, and across from them sat a nun with platinum-blonde hair and round glasses.
"Alright... We have a general understanding of the situation, Sister Vania. We will report your account of the events to the authorities in Tivian."
After a long interrogation, one of the priests put away the documents in his hand and stood up to speak to the nun in front of him. Sister Vania let out a long sigh of relief.
"This... this was the last interrogation, right?"
"Yes, the last one. Based on our preliminary investigation in Red Creek, the situation is almost exactly as you described. We believe there are no issues with your statement. Perhaps they will question you a few more times after you return to Tivian, but those will just be routine procedures, so don't worry about it."
"Thank the Holy Mother that there was a survivor from this tragedy caused by heretics."
The other priest also stood up and spoke. Hearing their words, the heart that Vania had been holding in suspense for several days finally settled.
Half a month ago, immediately after escaping from the crypt of the small church in Red Creek Town, Vania had sent an emergency telegram to the Tivian Radiance Diocese to inform them of the situation. The Tivian side then urgently contacted the Egwent Church, asking them to immediately dispatch a Lightbringer squad to Red Creek Town to take control of the situation and bring Vania back to Egwent for protection.
Not long ago, several Lightbringer squads from Tivian arrived in Egwent County to restart the recovery of the holy relics from Benedict's Tomb. Meanwhile, Vania in Egwent had begun several days of questioning.