"Yes, I did want to put an end to those individuals, but then I thought, why not play this out a bit longer?"
"Pardon?" Kira furrowed her brows in confusion, not grasping Eli's intentions.
"What happens to criminals who die during an ongoing investigation?" Eli asked, a sly smile playing on his lips, hinting at a deeper plan in motion.
"They will undoubtedly stir up suspicion within their own ranks, and higher officials will start to get involved," Oliver remarked, his thoughts trailing off.
"Exactly!" Eli affirmed. He had realized that the bald man, as the orphanage director, likely had influential backers pulling strings behind the scenes.
"But how will they die?" Oliver pressed further.
"That's a secret," Eli replied cryptically, his eyes taking on a reddish-black hue momentarily.
Everyone sighed but Pearl and Arlyne already guessed what was going to happen.
"Now, what do we do with the children?" Pearl asked, her gaze shifting to the group of children who were now looking at Eli with hopeful eyes.
"We'll take them to a new place," Eli decided.
Once arrangements were made and the children were safely settled, Eli turned his attention back to the old orphanage building.
"There's no need for a place that harbours nothing but nightmares."
With a snap of his fingers, the entire building collapsed and was demolished, leaving the children in awe of Eli's powers.
"Wow!!" The children were surprised to see the powers.
Finally,
"So, that's how it gone..." Eli stood before Fiona, the elderly woman who had overseen the orphanage. She regarded Eli sceptically as he recounted what had transpired.
After hearing his story and seeing the children and saintesses with him, Fiona sighed. "Well, I suppose I don't mind taking the children..."
"Good. Here," Eli handed her the necessary funds.
"Thank you," Fiona accepted the money without hesitation, preparing to note down Asher Eli's name for the transaction. However, Eli intervened,
"Name... Leon," he stated, placing a small, hollow soul crystal in her hand.
Fiona looked at the soul crystal, not fully comprehending its significance. Yet, as she observed the reactions of the new children, some of whom were moved to tears, she nodded in understanding, accepting the unusual transaction.
"B-Big brother," the girl who had nearly been sold, called out to Eli.
"Fuck yourself, bitch!!"
Eli watched the chaotic scene unfold, with Charlotte caught in the middle like a toy. He wondered if his decision had been the right one, but ultimately shrugged it off, confident that they would sort it out.
Meanwhile, Kira, Kyra, and Oliver remained in the background, seemingly forgotten.
"So, you're not available for tomorrow?" Pearl asked, holding Charlotte in her arms.
"Well, I'm kind of busy now..." Eli replied.
"And here I was hoping for a weekend date," Arlyne muttered with a sardonic tone.
"..." Eli didn't respond, merely giving her a brief glance.
"Well, then I'll be seeing you guys later," Eli said as he left the group, patting Charlotte on the head a few times to soothe her as she teetered on the edge of tears.
Once in his room, Eli turned to Evelina.
"Is she waking up?" he inquired, his gaze fixed on the red cocoon.
"Well, I need a little time to understand her bloodline ability," Evelina replied as she collected some samples.
"Hmm," Eli mused, having already requested Adriana to check on Prisania, who was taking an unusually long time to evolve.
Observing Evelina at work, Eli smirked mischievously and slowly approached her.
"What are you doing?" Evelina asked, startled, as she felt two hands wrap around her hips.
"You seem to harbour some hatred toward me... I wonder why?" Eli remarked, hugging her tightly and resting his chin on her shoulder, taking in her scent.
"I wonder about that too..." Evelina replied, trying to focus on her task despite the distraction.
Seeing her concentration, Eli's smirk widened as he leaned in closer and...
"HIKK!!"
Evelina jumped in surprise as Eli playfully bit her neck. She turned to glare at him. "What the hell are you doing?"
"Nothing, just teasing an unruly maid," Eli said with an even broader smirk.
"Tsk," Evelina clicked her tongue in annoyance at the interruption to her work, "Fuck off-- Hmm!!"
Before she could finish her sentence, Eli sealed her lips with a kiss, catching her off guard.