The two asked Yukino about Kono's appearance, and Yukino directly took out a family photo, which was her only picture related to her sister.
In the photo, Kono looked about twelve years old. Although she hadn't fully grown, her features could basically match up with 'Angel' from the Oracion Seis.
The two names being exactly the same shouldn't be a coincidence.
So the atmosphere became awkward.
Good news: They found out the whereabouts of Yukino's sister.
Bad news: She's in prison, and they personally sent her there.
From here on, it could easily lead to a falling out.
Yukino looked at them nervously, hoping for a definitive answer: "H-How about it? Have you seen my sister, Mirajane?"
The couple exchanged a glance, deciding to tell the truth.
Mira nodded and said somewhat reluctantly, "We have seen her, but..."
Yukino's heart soared with joy only to fall again upon hearing the 'but'.
Rhode pondered briefly, then asked, "Have you heard of the Oracion Seis?"
"Oracion Seis… I heard it was a very strong Dark Guild, which was wiped out by a coalition of several guilds over 6 years ago." Yukino tried hard to recall but couldn't think of any useful information.
The name of this guild hadn't been mentioned for a long time.
Back then, she was only about 11 years old, still in the stage of diligently learning magic, and didn't know much about such matters.
Yukino speculated, "Could it be that my sister was captured by them?"
Rhode shook his head, "No, she was one of the officers of the Oracion Seis, codenamed 'Angel'."
His words struck Yukino like a bolt from the blue. Her sister, lost for fifteen years, was actually an officer of a Dark Guild.
"No, it can't be! My sister was clearly captured, how could she become a member of a Dark Guild?"
Rhode tried to explain calmly what he knew: "We also only found out her real name was Kono after she was taken away by the Council."
At the time, the Council had just been reorganized and desperately needed to establish an image of impartiality, so they conducted detailed interrogations of the Oracion Seis, thoroughly investigating Kono and others' pasts.
Due to dissatisfaction from people including Jura within the guild coalition about their actions, the subsequent investigation processes and results were sent to all major guilds that participated in the coalition.
Only then did Rhode and Mira learn Kono's real name, and found out she had also been imprisoned in the Tower of Paradise.
The leader had taken a liking to her along with several other children, and after being taken away, she was carefully nurtured, which led to her becoming an officer of the later Oracion Seis.
The couple felt very sorry for this pitiful child, but the truth was so harsh.
"The Oracion Seis tried to activate dangerous magic from 400 years ago to threaten the entire world, which resulted in them being crushed by the guild coalition. Now, except for the leader who died on the spot, the others are in the Council's prison."
"Even though it's been a while, the guild's warehouse should still have documents from 6 years ago, and the Council can also verify it."
Rhode's final words shattered Yukino's last illusion; they weren't lying, nor had they mistaken her identity.
She stared dazedly at Rhode, tears streaming from her eyes.
"Wait, there might still be a chance," Mira urgently recalled those documents and said, "Since the leader was the main culprit and the five of them were accomplices, and they were incited..."
Even as accomplices, their crimes were still significant.
"Also, Rhode and I have seen Kono rescue kidnapped children. The Council also found she did many similar things, so, so..."
Mira was still hesitant, as even so, Kono's crimes couldn't be offset.
If a metaphor could be used, it would be roughly equivalent to reducing a 500-year imprisonment to 480 years.
Although a mage's lifespan might be slightly longer, it wouldn't be that long, so the end result wasn't much different.
But for Yukino, it was the greatest comfort—her sister hadn't completely turned bad!
She tried to adjust her mindset, stood up, and bowed to the two of them: "Thank you for telling me this! I really... really have been looking for news about my sister for so long."
Rhode shook his head, "Don't say that; after all, we did participate in the Oracion Seis suppression, so in some way, your sister was…"
"No, it wasn't your fault, my sister made a mistake…" Yukino bit her lip, unable to transfer her anger to those who captured her sister because they were doing the right thing.
In some ways, Yukino and Lucy were very much alike; both too kind-hearted, always able to easily forgive those who unintentionally or even intentionally harmed them.
"At least my sister is still alive; it's the first time in so many years I've heard any news of her… I…"
Yukino couldn't help but sob again. This was already the best news; as long as she was alive, there was still a way.
The Kingdom has laws related to sentence reduction; from now on, she will strive in this direction, no matter how many difficulties she may face, she must find a way to save her sister, in every sense of the word!
Rhode thought for a second and said, "In her situation, visitation should be allowed. I remember she is imprisoned in the Council's main headquarters… Try to apply, and if it doesn't go through, contact us again, and I'll see if there's anything I can do."
"Yes, thank you, Lord Rhode, Lady Mirajane!"
The two of them stayed with Yukino until she calmed down almost completely before leaving.
Yukino probably also needed a little time alone.
So Rhode temporarily lent her the Shadow Wolf and had Mira extend Dobe Gal's hypnosis for an hour.
The couple hired a carriage and planned to slowly head to their next planned stop—Jasmin Village—while enjoying the scenery.
Meanwhile, Yukino sat quietly in the café for a long time, thinking carefully about what to do next, only then did she call for the Shadow Wolf Rhode had lent her and leave carrying Dobe Gal.
More than an hour later, on the road back to Sabertooth, Dobe Gal suddenly woke up.
He jumped up instantly, "Don't underestimate…"
"Lord Dobe Gal," Yukino said, "We've already left the Royal Capital."
Dobe Gal looked around and asked, "Where is that person?"
"Lord Rhode and Lady Mirajane are continuing their travels; they've already left."
"...Damn it!" Dobe Gal didn't correct Yukino's address this time, instead clenching his fist unwillingly.
Too strong, a punch lands and it's like hitting a wall... like hitting a mountain, unable to shake it one bit.
No, if he hadn't restrained himself, Dobe Gal even doubted if he'd have the courage to throw a punch at him.
That is, the strongest man he had ever seen, far surpassing the power of the President!
But even so, someday, someday I will…I definitely will…
Can I... really surpass him?
Robegal fell into self-doubt.
At least for now, he saw no hope.
The Shadow Wolf didn't understand why this person was sometimes lively and sometimes dejected.
It simply used its front paw to nudge Yukino's cloak, questioning with its eyes if its task was over.
"Yes, it's done," Yukino said seriously, "Thank you for your hard work, Shadow Wolf."
The Shadow Wolf didn't expect to ever be called 'Lord'; although it was ugly, its owner still loved it.
It used its wolf face to pull out a smile, its figure slowly disappearing.