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As he exited the temple grounds, Ryder found himself face to face with Daisy’s carriage, just as it returned.

“Oh my. I was just wondering whose horse this was… Good day, Ryder. Were you visiting a grave today?”
“Good day, Miss Daisy. Yes, I was. I just finished. I need to head to the station now.”
“Ah, today’s the quarterly meeting. Thank you for your hard work.”

“Thank you. Still, what’s going on right now? Neither the priests nor the temple head are here…”
“Well, it seems everyone’s schedules got mismatched today, and no one was available at the temple… so I was asked to look after it for the day.”

“So even Henry isn’t here? Did he go to the school?”
“No, Henry went to the temple in Parktown for the Soul Stipend communion. The head priest was supposed to go, but he fell ill… so Henry had to step in at the last minute. Miss Susie went with him. Will is watching over the children at the school.”

“I see. Since Henry is with her, then I don’t have to worry. Will is dependable as well, so I doubt there’ll be any issues.”
“Oh my, so you too have sparred with Miss Susie, Ryder?”
“Yes, I had the chance to spar with her the other day. I’m a bit embarrassed to admit it, but she took me down with ease.”
“Even you, Ryder?!”
“Yes. She’s just on another level.”

He chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck, while Daisy smiled in return.

“Oh no! I’ve been keeping you here too long. I’m sorry for delaying you,” she said, flustered.
“Not at all. But are you sure you’ll be alright on your own? I can send someone to assist you.”
“Oh, I still know how to protect myself, you know,” Daisy replied, placing a hand over her chest with a reassuring smile.

“That’s true. You hold the Assistant Barrier Master title, after all. My concern was unnecessary. My apologies.”
“Not at all. Thank you for your concern. But you should hurry—it’s already past one. Though I shouldn’t be the one saying that, since I’m the one who held you up…”
“Right. I should get going before Chief Howard’s thunder comes crashing down on me. Thank you for the conversation. Farewell!”

With that, Ryder swiftly mounted his horse, gave Daisy a final nod, and rode off. Daisy simply smiled and waved as Ryder disappeared into the distance.

◆◆◆◆◆

• Cloud Residence – 14:55

“Elrose! The wind’s picking up! Close the second-floor windows, please!” Sonia Cloud called out from the yard, her voice carrying into the house as she sat in her wheelchair. She reached for the wheels, preparing to move and bring in the laundry before the gusts grew stronger.

Sonia rarely used her wheelchair inside the house—especially after Susie had come to live with them. Since then, she had stopped using it indoors entirely.

But today was different. Perhaps it was the change in seasons, but a dull ache had settled in her knees. Years of experience had taught her not to push herself on days like this.

Susie had been worried before leaving earlier that morning, but Sonia had reassured her with a smile, insisting it was nothing serious.

“It’s already tea time… That child should be on her way back right about now…” Sonia murmured to herself while taking in the laundry. Loosening the clothesline, she carefully gathered one item after another, piling them into the basket on her lap—all without standing. As she worked, she noticed Gilbert walking toward her.

“Oh my, Gilbert, what is that bird?”
“Hehe, I caught a rare one. Thought it’d make a nice present for the young lady.”

In his right hand, two birds hung upside down, their heads drooping lifelessly. They had already been drained of blood. One, with a brown body and a distinctive white collar, was a particularly rare find in this region. Those familiar with it knew its meat was flavorful and odorless.

“That’s wonderful. That child loves birds, so I’m sure she’ll be delighted. Gilbert, you’re welcome to join us for dinner tonight. I’m sure Howard will enjoy having everyone together anyway.”

Gilbert’s expression brightened at the invitation.

“That’s very kind of you,” he said. Dinner was shaping up to be a feast. Without hesitation, he carried the birds through the north kitchen door, ready to prepare them for the evening meal.

“She should be back in about an hour now…” Sonia murmured to herself, turning to look south, toward the road leading to Cope Town. At that moment, a strong gust of wind blew in from the north, sweeping down from the Amukham Forest.

“The wind’s picking up,” Sonia said, holding down her hair with one hand to keep it from fluttering. “It’s not a very pleasant wind,” she muttered.

◆◆◆◆◆

• Amukham Forest Shallow Layer – 15:10

The forest rustled as several shadows swayed among the trees.

“Ahab, I’m here as promised… I assume we’re clear to begin? The knights haven’t mobilized, have they?”

A figure in a butler’s uniform stepped from the shadows behind the speaker, kneeling without making a sound. “No, Master Clarimonde has confirmed we may proceed as planned.”

Orbet’s lips curled into a wide, twisted grin.

“Well then, let’s get started! Ahab! Is everything in place?”
“Yes, all preparations are complete.”

“Great! Lawrence!”
“Yes!” A boy, no older than fourteen, emerged from the shadows, dressed in the same crisp butler’s uniform, and knelt.

“Leila!”
“Yes!” Another child, a girl of similar age, also wearing a maid’s uniform, appeared.

“Barney!”
“Yes!” A slightly older boy followed and stood behind them.

“Putora!”
“At your service…” A young woman, appearing to be the eldest, stepped forward from the back.

Each of them shared the same striking features—silver hair and piercing blue eyes. Dressed in identical butler and maid uniforms, they kept their heads bowed in reverence to Orbet, the figure at their center.

“Eliza and Doug are standing by, awaiting further orders,” Ahab, the eldest among them, said to Orbet.

Orbet surveyed the kneeling figures with satisfaction, then declared:
“Well then! Let’s begin preparations for the feast! It’s simple, really. Surround them. Drive them out. Lay waste to them. And then… clean up the mess. Easy, right?”

He spoke with one finger raised and one eye closed, as if winking.

“Come now, my dear comrades! It’s time to feast!” Orbet spread his hands wide in a dramatic flourish, as though performing on stage. His dark, amused voice echoed through the dimly lit forest. It reverberated through the trees, reaching deep before vanishing—swallowed as if by black water.

Orbet Mash, the Child Eater, a True Vampire, one of the lords of the dark night who had existed for 300 years.

In the heart of Amukham Forest, darkness itself began to move—silent and cunning.

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