Chapter 164: The Conspiracy
In the end, Alaric’s soldiers took custody of the human traffickers after first escorting the rescued children to the House of Mendel on Narra Alley. Their arrival was quiet, but the weight of what they carried echoed louder than any horn or shout could.
The three closed carriages rolled into the backyard under the cover of night, their wheels crunching softly on the gravel.
From the kitchen window, Reya caught sight of the unfamiliar wagons and frowned in confusion. But as soon as the doors opened and the children began to step down with the assistance of Jethru, Lara, and Percival—some blinking against the lamplight, others too dazed to react—her heart lurched.
Sandoz, who alighted from another carriage together with Ivan and Ivy, clenched his fists, and his look was somber as he recalled the harrowing experience he had two years ago. His young voice broke the silence with a fierce promise. ’When I grow up,’ he muttered, ’I’ll wipe out every last one of those monsters. I’ll cleanse Northem of them all.’
Reya, on the other hand, covered her mouth with trembling hands, tears spilling freely as realization sank in.
"Reya," Jethru’s voice cut through the emotion like steel, calm but stern. "Stop crying. These children need strength, not tears. Go prepare something for them to eat."
Lara’s voice followed, gentler. "Please make it light, Reya. They probably haven’t had a proper meal in days."
"Of course, Miss." Reya nodded slowly, still in a daze. She stood motionless for a moment until Jethru nudged her toward the kitchen. With a gasp, she turned and hurried away.
At the living room, Bener and Gideon stood frozen. They had been waiting for Percival, but instead, they were greeted by dozens of children—dirty, shaken, and silent. Many still had the vacant look of the recently traumatized, while others clung to one another like lifelines.
Their eyes fell on their sister, whose clothes were stained with blood.
"What happened?" the two brothers asked Percival.