The two asked Yukino about her sister's appearance, and Yukino carefully pulled out a family photo, the only picture she had of Sorano.
In the photo, Sorano looked about twelve years old. She hadn't fully grown yet, but her delicate features were already recognizable. And those features unmistakably matched Angel of the Oración Seis.
The name matched too. It couldn't be a coincidence.
The atmosphere instantly turned heavy.
Good news: they knew where Yukino's sister was.
Bad news: she was in prison… and Rhodes and Mira were among the people responsible for putting her there.
If they weren't careful here, things could turn into a misunderstanding that might make them enemies.
Yukino's hands trembled as she gripped the photo, her eyes pleading. "What do you think, Mirajane? Have you seen my sister?"
Rhodes and Mira exchanged a glance. After a long pause, they decided not to hide the truth.
Mira sighed softly and nodded, though her expression showed deep reluctance. "We… have seen her. But.."
Yukino's eyes lit up with joy at first, but when she heard that single word, "but", her heart sank like a stone.
Rhodes leaned forward, his voice calm but grave. "Yukino… do you know of the Oración Seis?"
"The Oración Seis?" Yukino repeated in confusion. "I heard they were a terrifying Dark Guild… but weren't they destroyed years ago by an alliance of guilds?"
She furrowed her brow, trying to recall. The name hadn't been spoken in Fiore for a long time.
Back then she had been only eleven years old, still focused on her studies of Celestial Spirit Magic. She hadn't known the details.
Rhodes hesitated, then said it plainly. "Your sister wasn't captured by them, Yukino. She… was one of them. One of their leaders. Her code name was Angel."
The words struck Yukino like a lightning bolt. Her breath caught in her throat, her mind blank. Her sister, the sister she had longed for these past fifteen years, had been an executive of a Dark Guild.
"No… that can't be true!" Yukino shook her head violently, tears welling in her eyes. "My sister was taken away by those people! She would never, she couldn't have become something like that!"
Rhodes kept his tone steady, though it pained him to say it. "After the battle, when the Council took custody of the Oración Seis, they uncovered their true identities. During their investigation, they confirmed Angel's real name was Sorano Agria."
He explained further, "At the time, the Council had just been reorganized. To prove themselves impartial, they interrogated the Oración Seis thoroughly, tracing their histories. All of the guilds in the alliance, including Jura's Lamia Scale, were given copies of the investigation results. That's how we learned her real name… and her past."
Rhodes' expression hardened. "Sorano was one of the children who had been enslaved in the Tower of Heaven. The Chief of the Oración Seis, Brain, took her and others away, raised them, and molded them into his guild's executives."
He clenched his fists. "The Oración Seis tried to resurrect an ancient spell from four hundred years ago, Nirvana, magic that could have destroyed the world. But they were defeated by the allied guilds. Brain died in that battle. The others, including Sorano, were taken by the Council and imprisoned."
He let out a breath. "It's been six years. The files should still exist in the guild's records… or you can confirm it directly with the Council. Either way, there's no mistake."
Mira reached out, her eyes filled with sympathy.
But Yukino's last fragile hope had already shattered.
She stared blankly at Rhodes, the photo trembling in her hands as tears spilled down her cheeks, one after another.
"Wait, there might still be some hope." Mira pressed a hand to her chin, trying hard to recall the old reports. "Because Brain, the Chief, was the mastermind, and the other five of them were accomplices who were manipulated. So technically..."
Even as "accomplices," their crimes were still severe.
Mira continued, "Also, Rhodes and I once saw Sorano rescue kidnapped children. The Council discovered she had done similar things more than once. So… so maybe..."
Her voice trailed off. Even so, Mira knew those good deeds couldn't erase Sorano's sins.
At best, it was like reducing a five-hundred–year sentence to four hundred and eighty. Perhaps a wizard's life was longer than most, but certainly not that long. In truth, it made little difference.
But for Yukino, this was the greatest comfort she could receive, her sister hadn't completely lost her way.
She steadied herself, stood up, and bowed deeply. "Thank you. Thank you for telling me about my sister. I've been searching for her… for so, so long."
Rhodes shook his head. "You don't need to thank us. After all, we were part of the alliance that defeated the Oración Seis. In a sense, your sister was..."
Yukino quickly interrupted, biting her lip. "No… this isn't your fault. My sister was the one who did wrong."
She couldn't bring herself to resent those who had captured Sorano, because they had been right to do so.
In that moment, Mira thought of Lucy. Yukino was so much like her, gentle to a fault, always ready to forgive, even those who had hurt her.
"At least… at least my sister is alive." Yukino's voice trembled, tears spilling once more. "This is the first real news I've had in years. If she's alive, then there's still a chance."
Yes, this was already the best news. As long as Sorano was alive, there was still hope.
Fiore's laws had provisions for reducing sentences. From this day forward, Yukino resolved, she would dedicate herself to this. No matter how difficult, she would find a way to save her sister.
Rhodes thought for a moment. "Her situation should allow visitation. I remember she was imprisoned at the Council's headquarters. Try applying. If it's rejected… contact us again. I'll see what I can do."
Yukino's eyes brimmed with gratitude. "Yes. Thank you, Saint Rhodes, Lady Mirajane!"
They stayed with her a little longer, making sure her emotions had settled, before they finally took their leave. Yukino clearly needed time to herself.
Rhodes left her one of his Shadow Wolves to help, while Mira extended Dobengal's hypnotic sleep by another hour. Then the couple hired a carriage, planning to enjoy the scenery as they made their way slowly toward their next stop, Gasmin Village.
Yukino sat quietly in the café for a long while, gathering her thoughts. At last, she called forth the Shadow Wolf Rhodes had entrusted to her. With its help, she carried Dobengal and began the journey back to Sabertooth.
More than an hour later, on the road, Dobengal suddenly woke with a jolt.
He leapt to his feet with a shout. "Don't underestimate...!"
"Senior Dobengal," Yukino interrupted gently, "we've already left the capital."
He blinked, then glanced around. "Where is that man?"
"Saint Rhodes and Lady Mirajane continued their journey. They've already gone."
"Damn it." Dobengal didn't even scold her this time for her form of address. Instead, he clenched his fists in bitter frustration.
That man… he had been too strong. Punching him had been like striking a wall, no, like punching a mountain. He couldn't even make him flinch.
No. If Rhodes hadn't restrained his aura, Dobengal doubted he would have even had the courage to attack.
That was the strongest wizard he had ever met. Stronger than even Master Jiemma.
And yet… someday. Someday, I'll.. I must...
But can I really surpass someone like that?
Doubt gnawed at him. At least for now, the gap seemed hopelessly wide.
The Shadow Wolf tilted its head, confused why this human swung between fiery spirit and gloomy despair.
It nudged Yukino's cloak with its paw, as if asking whether its duty was complete.
"Yes, that's enough," Yukino said warmly. "Thank you for your hard work, Lord Shadow Wolf."
The Shadow Wolf blinked. It had never imagined that one day someone would call it "Lord." Ugly though it was, it had a master who cherished it, and now, even a stranger's respect.
It curled its lips into something like a smile, then slowly dissolved into shadow and disappeared.
...
Stones Plzz
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