Outside the cross, Bronya had finally discovered the hidden space within.
There was no login permission; the space was only open to members of the Kaslana family. Bronya quickly confirmed this, but for her, these were just obstacles that would take some time to overcome. Even in a virtual space, it wasn't completely safe. In a conventional database, there were program protections, but in this unknown space, there was no telling what dangers Kiana and Ming Yu might encounter.
The anxious Bronya didn't even think about hiding her visitor records. She just tried to use the fastest method, brute force, to crack and enter this space to bring Kiana and Ming Yu back.
As Bronya was trying to hack into the hidden space, in a private laboratory at Schicksal HQ, a long, golden-haired man in a white lab coat was engrossed in tinkering with the test tubes in his hands, occasionally checking the data on a nearby monitor and planning the next steps of his experiment.
Suddenly, a communication interrupted the man's work. After accepting the call, the man didn't even look up at the white-haired woman on the virtual screen in the air. He continued to stare at the test tube in his hand and said in a nonchalant tone, "What happened, Amber?" He didn't blame the woman for interrupting his experiment, because he knew that Amber wouldn't contact him unless it was an emergency.
Although the man didn't look up, Amber still replied in the most respectful tone, "Overseer, someone has broken into the hidden record AD1438. The visitor data shows Kiana Kaslana and two unknown entries, both located in the Far East region."
"Is that so." Hearing this, the man put down the test tube in his hand, stopped the ongoing experiment, and walked out of the laboratory. "It seems the chess pieces are all in place. Then let's go see my little kitten."
Inside the cross space, Kiana slowly woke up to find herself in a prison cell. She felt a dull pain in her back and couldn't help but hiss.
"You were far too impulsive. Grandpa Arthur is my martial arts teacher, you know. He's not someone you can handle," a familiar voice said.
Hearing the voice, Kiana finally noticed Kallen. She was chained to the wall by her hands, sitting slumped against it with her arms stretched upwards. This was definitely not a comfortable position.
Glancing around the cell, Kiana found that her own hands were also tied with ropes. She was lying on a thin sheet over a pile of straw. Although not comfortable, it was much better than Kallen's situation. The room had no other furnishings, but it was very clean, showing that even in prison, Kallen received special treatment. It was already nighttime, and the bright moonlight shone through a small window, casting a tragically beautiful light upon Kallen.
"Hmph! I was just careless for a moment. I'm not that weak," Kiana muttered defiantly.
Kallen smiled faintly, not exposing her lie, and continued, "Your friend escaped. He must be worried sick outside. I've already explained to Grandpa Arthur. You can leave tomorrow morning."
"That jerk Ming Yu!" Kiana grumbled, then thought of something and hurriedly asked, "What about you, Big Sis?"
"Me? I'll probably be staying a little longer," Kallen replied with a bitter smile, giving a vague answer.
"Oh right, I still don't know your name, Big Sis." Kiana flashed a brilliant smile and said, "My name is Kiana. That guy from earlier is Ming Yu." Kiana already knew Kallen's name, of course, but knowing it through others was different from being told by the person herself. Exchanging names was the proper way to get to know someone.
Kallen smiled slightly, naturally understanding Kiana's little thought process. She played along, saying, "Moonlight? It's an honor to know your name, my dear young lady. My name is Kallen."
"Who were those guys from earlier? Why did they capture you, Big Sis Kallen?" Kiana still remembered what the men in black had said, but rather than guessing on her own, she hoped to hear Kallen's explanation and was more willing to believe Kallen than those rude men.
Kallen thought for a moment and said, "Probably because I stole something."
Kiana quickly shook her head, unable to associate Kallen with a thief in any way. "It must have been robbing the rich to give to the poor, right? You're so kind, Big Sis Kallen, how could you steal anything?"
*Robbing the rich to give to the poor?* Kallen couldn't help but think of the days when she and Otto were phantom thieves together. That might have been the happiest time she had in the organization. But... everything was gone. She was no longer that phantom thief, and Otto was no longer that naive youth. They could never go back to that time. A bitter smile appeared on Kallen's face as she said firmly, "No, I did indeed steal something that belonged to others. But rather than robbing the rich to give to the poor, it was more that leaving that thing in the organization would only harm more people." Her tone was resolute, as if she had made a decision, bidding farewell to that past.
"I knew you weren't that kind of person, Big Sis Kallen." Hearing Kallen's explanation, Kiana smiled happily.
Suddenly, a flash of inspiration struck Kiana's mind, and she asked as if she had thought of something, "Big Sis Kallen, that thing..."
Before Kiana could finish, Kallen immediately interrupted her, "Alright, it's getting very late. Get some rest, my dear young lady." As an important prisoner of the organization, Kallen's cell was guarded day and night. Even their conversation was being monitored. The previous idle chat was one thing, but if she really leaked the organization's secrets, it would only bring harm to Kiana.
"Emmm..." Although reluctant, Kiana wasn't clueless. She knew this was probably a secret that couldn't be spoken of. After fuming for a while, she fell asleep.
Kallen looked at Kiana's pouting cheeks, feeling a little amused. *What will the ending be this time?* she wondered, watching the moonlight slowly move across the wall.
The next day, a drowsy Kiana was rudely awakened by a guard. "Get up! You're free to go. Your mother is waiting for you outside."
*Mother?* Kiana was puzzled but didn't ask. Instead, she looked at Kallen and asked, "When is Big Sis Kallen getting out?"
Kallen gave a smile and said, "I'll be fine. Don't worry about me. You should go, don't keep your family waiting."
With the guard impatiently urging her on, Kiana didn't press further. She nodded at Kallen and followed the guard out.
As soon as she left the prison, Kiana saw a petite figure dressed as a noblewoman. Not only was she wearing a long dress with intricate patterns, but she was also holding a small pink lace-trimmed parasol. This attire gave off a very aristocratic feel, but on the small figure before her, it made her look more like a doll.
Seeing Kiana come out, Bronya extended a small hand, meticulously examining her nails, and complained, "My naughty daughter, do you know how worried Mommy was?"