From the fifth night, Hannah barged into Lyria and Livy's room. Another lady worker had also bought a child cradle for the two-year-old Nahurn.
Lyria and Livy had recovered quite a lot after getting confirmation from Bella Noll, and they also wanted to be in good health when searching for Eric, so they didn't miss any more meals. In fact, they did some stretching exercises, but because they were sleep-deprived for the last few days, they couldn't do too much.
Hannah came in and told Lyria and Livy they must sleep well, and until they found Eric, she was going to sleep in their room as well.
Since Lyria and Livy's beds were joined together, they had plenty of space to add another person.
Hannah planned to sleep for half the night and then move to her room in the orphanage, as Nahurn might wake them up by crying. But perhaps Nahurn also understood that her big sisters needed proper rest, so she didn't disturb them in the middle of the night, and thanks to that, all four of them had a good sleep that night.
In the early morning, Hannah secretly left Lyria and Livy to sleep and took her daughter away.
As Lyria and Livy hadn't gotten any sleep for the last couple of days, they slept like logs—unmoving—and only woke up in the afternoon at lunchtime.
But Lyria and Livy were still not in a good mood, as Eric still hadn't returned, and they really missed him dearly. It almost made them feel they were left alone in this world. Although they were two individuals, they still felt deep loneliness, as if they were missing large parts of their souls.
They spent all day hoping Eric would return, but since he didn't, they were once again back to weeping and didn't plan to sleep. But sadly for them, Hannah once again barged in with Nahurn.
Hannah decided to have a proper chat with both girls.
So she tried her best to explain that there was no need to worry about Eric and that they should just wait, live, and eat well.
She talked and talked about the secrets of the universe, and both Lyria and Livy quietly listened.
After an hour of explaining things that even she herself had no idea of, Hannah asked Lyria and Livy if they had changed their minds—maybe waiting another week before searching.
Strangely, it was not a surprise when both Lyria and Livy shook their heads with great conviction. They were determined to go searching for Eric on the seventh day if he didn't return by then.
Hannah sighed and, in the end, also gave up.
Since none of them were feeling sleepy yet, Hannah joined Lyria and Livy in Mana Sensing Training, but all three of them couldn't concentrate.
Lyria and Livy were not in the right mind to meditate, and Hannah still couldn't differentiate between Mana and air.
Hannah had been taught how to do Mana Sensing by Eric, Lyria, and Livy, and even Wilburn had been taught, but none of them had any talent for it.
And so, the sixth day soon passed without Eric showing his shadow.
On the early morning of the seventh day since Eric disappeared,
Lyria and Livy stood inside Bella Noll's room with a determined expression—looking ready to even beat up Bella Noll to obtain information on Eric's whereabouts.
At least, that's how it looked from Bella Noll's perspective.
Bella Noll sighed. She had tried her best, and this was the final day she could hold out.
She was also worried for Eric, but sending Lyria and Livy was not the best answer, as they were not in the right mindset and were also inexperienced. But what else could she do?
Bella Noll glanced at Lyria and Livy's condition and nodded to herself.
Their states had vastly improved—the dark circles had mostly disappeared, and although they still looked pale and thin, they had largely recovered.
If they were careful, they could easily survive any wild beasts.
Bella Noll thought for a moment and first asked Lyria and Livy to sit, which they hesitated but then followed.
After sitting on the three-seater sofa, Lyria and Livy's longing for Eric was once again triggered, as he was always 'forced' to sit between them. They could even 'feel' how much Eric weighed by how much the cushion dipped under his weight, balancing their sides. And so, their eyes immediately turned red, and they started to tear up.
Bella Noll also wanted to cry. She had just wanted Lyria and Livy to relax before informing them of a few things, but it only made them even more depressed and restless.
She felt it was better to just start speaking instead of dragging it out.
She quickly thought of the best route and started with emotional talk.
"Lyria, Livy, what am I to you both?"
Lyria and Livy were stunned. They thought they would hear Eric's whereabouts and immediately rush out to find him, but what was with that question?
Lyria swiftly answered, "Grandma, you are our teacher, but in our hearts, you are also our mother."
Livy nodded with Lyria's statement.
Bella Noll smiled. "That's right, and I consider both of you as my daughters too. So, do you think a mother would like it if her daughters were running around and facing dangers?"
Lyria hesitated on what to say, but Livy confidently replied, "We won't be in danger, Grandma..."
Bella Noll rolled her eyes.
What great confidence! If only all the dangers disappeared like that.
She continued, "I won't stop you from searching for Eric. I am also worried for him, but I will still wait for another week before thinking of ways to search for him somehow."
Both Lyria and Livy felt downhearted.
They knew they were causing trouble, but they truly wished to see Eric as soon as possible and return to how things were—or at least not lose him again.
They currently felt as if their skin and hearts were being ripped apart while they continued to live each day in hell.
Not being able to see Eric for so long was similar to salt or pepper being thrown at their skinless bodies—it was heart-wrenching pain.
Only they knew what they were experiencing every second of it for the last few days.
After these torturous days, both Lyria and Livy deeply understood just how much Eric meant to them.
In the past, they had only thought Eric was just a good friend, but now they no longer had any doubts about what he truly meant to them. Without him, they would rather die and disappear, as there was no longer any meaning to live or anything to look forward to. Everything seemed bleak and colorless to them.
Another seven days were impossible—they might even lose their minds.
In any case, they were as strong as Eric, so it should be fine to go wherever he had gone off to, and they were two, so it should be completely fine.
"W-we just want to search. Without doing anything, I don't want to cry helplessly and think all the negative thoughts all day. Please tell us, Grandma—we promise we will be extra careful!" Livy requested with a pleading tone.
Bella Noll sighed helplessly.
She could see that although Lyria and Livy were currently willing to have a civilized conversation with her, who knew how long it would last? Both of them might just rush to search for Eric everywhere.
"Fine, I will take it as you girls going out to gain experience. But I want both of you to return by evening. Who knows—Eric might just return while both of you are searching. Is that clear?"
Lyria and Livy hesitated briefly, but eventually, they nodded and agreed.
They could understand that Bella Noll was just concerned for them, and it was indeed possible that Eric might truly return while they kept searching pointlessly.
Bella Noll thought a little and gave some reminders:
"Remember to stick together. Don't go in two different directions, or both of you might get lost, and when one needs help, the other won't be there to provide. Always remember that this is your first outing—anything can happen. And if anything happens to either of you, Eric will be very sad. So avoid being careless, alright?"
Lyria and Livy quickly nodded to show that they understood.
Bella Noll was satisfied. As long as Lyria and Livy stayed together, they could deal with most issues and could even run away if they couldn't handle any trouble.
"Eric has gone to the southeast forest, and he might just be on the outskirts..."
Both Lyria and Livy immediately leaped out of their seats and were about to bolt out when Bella Noll quickly called out.
"Hold on! I have prepared some important supplies for both of you—take them with you."
Hearing Bella Noll was not stopping them from going, Lyria and Livy halted and wondered what she had prepared for them.
Weapons? They would be completely fine with their daggers.
Bella Noll was tired. Both Lyria and Livy didn't understand the minor dangers of the world.
"I have asked someone to buy you girls some insect repellent, clothes, first-aid meds, and a few other things. Take them with you—they are inside Hannah's office."
"Also, remember—don't let your guard down. Wildlife doesn't care if you are a king or a servant, beautiful or ugly—everyone is equal there. Also, be careful of wild animals' sneak attacks. Even though they have huge bodies, they are also experts in hiding in the smallest spaces. Alright, you may go—and return before sunset!"
Lyria and Livy noted down everything Bella Noll told them and went toward the housemother's office on the same floor.
They grabbed the backpack and, after checking the contents, went back to their rooms to grab their daggers.
Just as Lyria and Livy were about to leave, Hannah appeared and pulled them to an early breakfast she had prepared.
After Lyria and Livy were force-fed, they immediately set off toward the southeast forest.
As they were leaving, many people's eyes were drawn toward them.
Unlike Eric, who left before dawn, Lyria and Livy were leaving after 7 AM, so many pedestrians were already in the streets.
Since many people had already noticed, Lyria didn't hide and left through the eastern gate of the town.
In no time, many people throughout the town learned of the orphanage's peak 'items' leaving town.
The thugs wanted to 'try their luck,' but they also knew the scary reputation of the orphanage, so after hesitating, they eventually gave up.
This news soon reached Jack's ears—the only scion of the Eldridge noble family.