From inside the living room, Viscount Issel and Buttler Barrei observed the small inner garden where Erlin, Seira, Keira, and the former slave children enjoyed their time.

Keira and some youngest children were having fun rubbing the belly of a black and brown wolfdog. Occasionally, they would giggle. Not far from them, Seira, Erlin, and other children were cheerfully coloring fruit sketches by using a set of crayons.

"Compared to the time when they just arrived this morning, the former slave children were much calmer. They no longer showed wary expressions when meeting with maid servants or castle guards. The youngest kid also already stopped sobbing.

At first, they are indeed very surprised when they know that Lady Erlin is a member of a noble family. But Little Lady manages to blend in very naturally and it greatly helps them calm down," Butler Barrei calmly explained.

"Very good."

Seeing her youngest daughter finally had some real playmates, Viscount Issel couldn't hold back his ear to ear grin.

Actually, Erlin was a good hearted, smart, and brave kid. She also never troubled people around her, except when she played hide and seek. But somehow, children from other noble families maintain some distance from her. They played with Erlin only for the sake of obeying orders from their parents.

As a smart kid, Erlin easily realized the situation but she didn't utter any complaint and played along with the act.

Then, Lan Yan'er arrived in the living room and she immediately approached Viscount Issel and Butler Barrei.

As she looked at the kids in the inner garden, Lan Yan'er said, "I hope they don't cause some trouble."

"No, not at all. Actually, I'm happy that Lieutenant Lan brought them to this castle." After a wide smile, Viscount Issel then asked, "About the kids who will return tomorrow, can't they stay at Magwurt City until the peace treaty with Kingdom of Makai was signed?"

"I can arrange it. But honestly, it's not a wise course of action?"

In an instant, a big question mark appeared on Viscount Issel's forehead, "May I know the reason?"

Wasting no time, Lan Yan'er started explaining, "Lagra City was a wide blackened field when the kids left it.

If they come back and see it has changed into a new and modern city, and there are fifty thousand expatriate workers living in it, then the kids will feel alienated in their own home.

In that scenario, reconnecting their hearts with Lagra City will be tricky. And in the long term, it can lead to unwanted concern as children's development is easily affected by the environment they live in."

A deep worry immediately flashed in Viscount Issel's eyes. "So at the minimum they need to be arrived before the workers."

"Yes, something like that."

Viscount Issel never thought there was a serious concern behind the decision to bring the Lagra City's kids back home. The thought that he almost made a fatal blunder immediately made his back drenched with cold sweat.

"And there is also another unofficial concern Ser Viscount needs to worry about," Lan Yan'er calmly added.

"There is another unofficial concern?"

Lan Yan'er nodded and said, "After some noble families knew that more than half of Lagra City's kids have high-level academic potential and TF Amethyst had serious intention to nurture them, they immediately tried to adopt the kids."

"They dare?!" In an instant, Viscount Issel's furry soared to the sky.

"They realized that in the future these kids will become the foundation in the development of science and technology in the Amstell Continent and perhaps in the whole planet. So of course they are ready to offend you and pay the necessary price."

"Letnan Lan, may I know who these scoundrels are? I will skin them for good."

"Ser Viscount, TF Amethyst had already prevented it, so let's stop at that."

To prevent the rise of unwanted circumstances, Lan Yan'er deliberately hid that the Northern Coalition's Leaders were the culprit behind the adoption attempt.

They even directly visited her to carry out the back door deal.

And when their attempt ended in failure, they changed their tactic by approaching the castle maids who became the kids' guardian. Dozens of castle maids got swayed with the offer. They agreed to help The Northern Coalition's nobles coax the kids under their care to accept the adoption.

Fortunately, IDG managed to sniff the attempt and Harley Quinn immediately issued a harsh warning. As for the traitorous castle maids, by using any flaw she managed to find, Lan Yan'er issued an assessment that these maids were unfit to become guardians. Under permission from Viscount Issel, Amethyst Merchant then sent them to become workers in the production facilities located in Kandez Region.

"Understood." Viscount Issel calmly replied, but inwardly he swore he would retaliate.

"Thank you, for your understanding," Lan Yan'er sincerely said.

After being silent for a while, Viscount Issel then said, "Regarding the transportation for the kids, does TF Amethyst really can't provide airlift?"

Viscount Issel heard that the kids were amazingly happy when they went to Magwurt City by using an airlift. So, he hoped they could also use it when they return to Lagra City.

"I know the cost is astronomical, but I will gladly pay for it," Viscount Issel firmly added.

After a deep sigh, Lan Yan'er said, "Unfortunately, cost is not the problem."

Economic and trade relationship with Merry Gold Union and regions around Desolate Land's entrance managed to bring unimaginably massive profit for Amethyst Merchant. Right now, money was the last thing that Amethyst Merchant should worry about.

Lan Yan'er turned her gaze to Viscount Issel before saying, "Ser Viscount, I'm sure you had already got an explanation from Chief Nate, regarding the latest circumstance of TF Amethyst's aerial asset."

"Ser Nate said that because of the expansion of area of operation to the Buriek Continent, coupled with the current situation with Kingdom of Makai, TF Amethyst's aerial assets will only be available for military purposes."

After a deep sigh, Viscount Issel continued in a low voice, "But honestly, I had difficulty accepting Ser Nate's explanation."

"It's regrettable, but Chief Nate's explanation is true," Lan Yan'er then inwardly continued, 'Even though he didn't mention the details.'

Currently, of the fifties of ADG's Hercules, only 28 units were in a ready-to-fly condition. Another four units were reserved for Tiger Leap on Makai Royal City, while the rest of the units must be used as a temporary spare part. Therefore, other than for strategic and tactical purposes, all personnel and goods would be transferred by ground assets.

Of course, Lan Yan'er didn't say the real circumstance openly, as transportation capacity and capability were essentials military intelligence.

"Ser Viscount, you don't need to worry about transportation for the kids. I already tried it personally and it's a nice ride."

"I sincerely hope so."

Seeing some doubt was still lingering in Viscount Issel's gaze, Lan Yan'er immediately explained, "Ser Viscount, the bus is equipped with an air conditioner and comfortable chair, the South Highroad is wide and smooth, the teachers will ride with the kids, and the escort is adequate.

They will also make a stop in one of FOC's for refueling, good lunch, and a short rest. In short, it's a nice and safe trip. You can ask Erlin, Seira, or Keira if you don't believe me."

"I see."

Even if inwardly he was still dissatisfied, Viscount Issel chose to compromise. At the same time, with a cherry smile Lan Yan'er entered the inner garden.

As the kids looked at her, Lan Yan'er gently said, "Kidos, carry on and don't mind me. I'm just looking for a place to sit and wait for the lunch time to arrive."

As the kids lightly nodded, Lan Yan'er walked to a rocking chair on the terrace and immediately sat on it comfortably. She waited for a moment, until the kids went back to their happy activity before observing them one by one.

If the slave children stayed in the slave camp, then in one year the twelve-year-old boy would start the bitter life of a slave worker. As for the twelve-year-old girl, they had to start the painfull life of a sex slave.

The fact that she was taking a part in stopping that outcome made Lan Yan'er feel an extraordinary happiness. It was almost addictive.

And when she saw that the former slave children no longer gave her a suspicious gaze, Lan Yan'er smile became thicker in an instant. It could be considered as a great progress, as for a slave trying to trust other people from outside their inner circle was almost impossible.

'Just for a few more years, I will stay in the field,' Lan Yan'er closed her eyes as she gently started rocking the chair and humming happily.

*****