I Got Reincarnated As The Ntr Protagonist In An Online Game-Chapter 42: Where are the Children?

Junior entered the room, which was sparsely furnished with a small bed, a wooden chair, and a desk cluttered with scattered papers and worn books. Miss Yor sat by the window, her back to him, staring out into the darkening garden. Her hands rested in her lap, fingers tightly interlocked, her pale knuckles betraying the pressure she exerted.

"Miss Yor," Junior said gently, closing the door behind him.

She turned slowly, her tear-streaked face reflecting exhaustion and fear. "Your Highness," she said, her voice trembling. "You’re here..."

"I came as soon as I heard," he said, his tone soft but firm. "Emma told me what happened. I’m sorry for what you’re going through, but I need to ask some questions. Anything you’ve noticed could help, even the smallest detail."

Miss Yor nodded, her hands shaking slightly as she gestured for him to sit. "This isn’t the first time, Your Highness," she whispered. "Anya is the one of the children that had vanish from the orphanage ".

Junior leaned forward, his brows knitting together in focus. "Did you notice anything strange before they disappeared? Sounds, unfamiliar people, anything out of place?"

She shook her head, her brow furrowed. "Nothing. Everything seemed normal... But—" She hesitated, her gaze darting toward the window.

"But what?" Junior pressed, his voice calm but firm.

Miss Yor took a shaky breath. "Before each child disappeared, I felt... something. Like someone was watching us. It wasn’t something I could see, but the feeling was there, creeping under my skin. And lately, it’s constant, stronger in the evenings. When the sun sets, it feels like the shadows themselves are alive."

Junior’s jaw tightened. "This feeling—does it grow stronger when you’re alone or in a specific place?"

Miss Yor swallowed hard and nodded. "One evening, I couldn’t ignore it. I followed the direction of the feeling, and... I saw someone. A figure cloaked in black, standing just a bit further from the orphanage. He wasn’t moving, just watching the orphanage. I could feel his... bloodlust, like it was piercing through me. My instincts screamed at me to ignore it, so I kept walking and didn’t look back."

Junior’s eyes narrowed, his mind piecing together her account. "That’s enough to go on for now. Thank you, Miss Yor."

As he began to rise, Miss Yor grabbed his hand suddenly, her grip firm despite her trembling. She motioned urgently for him to lower his head, her wide, frightened eyes darting around the room.

Junior leaned closer, his confusion giving way to concern as he noticed the sweat beading on her brow and the way her body seemed to tremble with fear. He bent his head, bringing his ear close to her lips.

Her voice was barely a whisper, but the weight of her words hit like a thunderclap. "It’s the work of demons. They threatened to kill me, Emma, and everyone in this city if I didn’t... bring them one child every day. I’m sorry, Your Majesty. I didn’t want to die. Please, help me..." Her words dissolved into quiet sobs, her face buried in her hands.

Before Junior could respond, a chilling voice echoed through the room, smooth and feminine yet dripping with malice. "This is why you can’t trust humans," it said, followed by a burst of cold, mocking laughter that seemed to seep into every corner of the room.

"They’re here!" Miss Yor screamed, her body shaking violently as she clutched at Junior’s sleeve. Her voice cracked with terror. "They’re here!"

The temperature in the room dropped abruptly, and the room just became dimmed. The shadows along the walls began to stretch and twist unnaturally, their forms shifting as if alive. Junior stood, his hand instinctively reaching for his sword, his sharp eyes scanning the room for the source of the voice.

Helen burst into the doorway, her face pale but resolute. "What’s happening?" she demanded, her gaze darting between Junior and the trembling Miss Yor.

Junior’s voice was steady but laced with urgency. "Get Emma and the children to safety. Now."

Helen hesitated for only a moment before nodding and rushing back toward the main hall, her footsteps echoing down the corridor.

"Please take care of yourself young master " screamed Helen .

"Yes I will ,you too " replied Junior .

Junior turned his attention back to the room, his grip tightening on his weapon as the shadows coiled around him like serpents. "Show yourself," he commanded, his voice cutting through the unnatural stillness.

The laughter grew louder, the air thick with malice.

"You got a pretty face. It would be a waste to kill you," said Serah, her voice smooth and mocking as she phased through the darkness. She emerged from the shadows to Junior’s right, her presence accompanied by an unnatural chill.

"Who are you?" Junior demanded, his body tensing as he instinctively jumped backward, putting distance between them. His sharp gaze fixed on her, and then his expression hardened. "I don’t need to ask. You’re a demon."

"Bingo," Serah said with a playful smile, tilting her head as she clapped her hands slowly, the sound echoing eerily in the room. "Wow, nice reflexes, I must say." She leaned forward slightly, her piercing eyes scanning him with unsettling curiosity. "You look different. The shape of your mana flows differently. Did you practice swordsmanship?"

"You don’t have the right to ask me that, you demon," Junior snapped, his voice filled with controlled anger. He shifted into a ready stance, his blade steady in his hands. "Today, you’ll pay for your sins. But first, bring back all the children you kidnapped."

Serah’s smile widened, a cruel glint in her eyes as she placed a hand on her hip. "I think that’s going to be impossible," she said, her voice dripping with mockery.

"What do you mean by that?" Junior shouted, his grip tightening on his sword.

"Maybe because..." Serah paused, letting the tension build as she leaned closer, her voice lowering to a cruel whisper. "...they’re already dead."

Her smirk widened into a wicked grin, her expression brimming with sadistic delight. Junior’s heart clenched at her words, his mind racing as anger surged through him.