The moment the reinforced door opened, every girl inside the holding room recoiled in fear.
They hurriedly retreated toward the farthest corners of their cells, pressing their small bodies against the cold walls while staring at the entrance with frightened eyes.
Some clung tightly to one another. Others covered their heads and trembled, already expecting pain to follow.
Xiao Feng slowly entered the room with Koharu.
Kisara followed behind him, while Rem and Ram walked on either side, carefully observing the imprisoned children.
The sight before them caused Rem and Ram's expression to darken.
The girls were thin, exhausted, and covered in old wounds. Several still had metal restraints around their wrists and ankles.
When Xiao Feng saw the terror in their eyes, a trace of distress appeared on his face.
"Don't be afraid."
His previously cold voice became warm and reassuring.
"We aren't members of the IISO. We've come to rescue you."
The girls remained motionless.
Their gazes nervously moved between Xiao Feng, Kisara, and the twin maids.
They had heard comforting words before. Those words had always been followed by another experiment, another punishment, or another broken promise.
Seeing their distrust, Xiao Feng's fingers slowly tightened. The anger buried within his heart rose once more, but he forcibly suppressed it. If he allowed his killing intent to leak out now, he would only frighten the children further.
Rem stepped forward slightly and lowered her voice, "You do not need to be afraid. Rem and the others will not hurt you."
Ram nodded beside her, "Ram confirms that everyone here has come to help."
Although their words were gentle, the girls still didn't dare to leave the corners of their cells.
Xiao Feng understood that words alone would never be enough.
He raised one hand.
"Heaven Sword Art."
Golden Sword Qi condensed above his palm before separating into dozens of thin streams.
The sword lights flashed throughout the room with extraordinary precision.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
Every lock, chain, and restraint was severed simultaneously and the iron cell doors slowly swung open.
During this process, not a single child was harmed. However, none of the girls moved. They didn't care about Xiao Feng's show of supernatural power and they didn't believe this sudden freedom was real.
Xiao Feng lowered his hand and looked toward Koharu.
"Koharu, I'll leave the rest to you."
"Leave it to Koharu, Onii-chan!"
Koharu puffed out her chest confidently.
Xiao Feng gently placed her on the ground. Then he looked toward Rem and Ram.
"Go with her and help calm the children."
"Understood, Master," X2 Rem and Ram replied simultaneously.
Xiao Feng turned toward Kisara.
"Kisara-san, accompany them as well. Koharu can reassure the girls, but she may need your help."
Kisara looked at the frightened children and nodded without hesitation.
"Got it."
Koharu stepped toward the nearest open cell.
Rem walked close to her left side, while Ram remained on her right. Kisara followed a short distance behind them.
As Koharu approached, the illusion covering her eyes gradually disappeared, revealing their natural crimson colour.
Several girls immediately noticed the change in Koharu.
"Red eyes..."
"She's one of us..."
Koharu stopped before them and gave a gentle smile.
"Yes. Koharu is also a Cursed Child."
She pointed back toward Xiao Feng.
"That is Koharu's Onii-chan. He saved Koharu, gave Koharu a home, and promised that Koharu would never need to be afraid again."
Rem crouched beside Koharu.
"Master always keeps his promise."
Ram nodded seriously, "Ram can confirm that Master never abandons those he accepts as family."
Koharu extended her hand toward the nearest frightened girl.
"Come with us. Onii-chan came here to save everyone..."
The girls looked at Koharu and their eyes wavered.
Koharu didn't give up and continued trying to persuade them.
About half an hour later,
The fear in the girls' eyes had gradually faded and a few of themey had left the corners of their cells and gathered around Koharu, Rem, Ram, and Kisara.
"Onii-chan will take care of everyone," Koharu declared proudly.
"He may look frightening when he is angry, but he is actually very gentle."
The girls cautiously looked toward Xiao Feng.
He stood near the entrance with his arms crossed, silently observing the underground corridors through his soul perception.
Noticing their gazes, he softened his expression.
"You don't need to be afraid. The people who imprisoned you can no longer hurt you."
A small girl nervously raised her hand.
"Will... will you really give us a home?"
"Yes."
Xiao Feng answered without hesitation.
"I will give you home."
The simple words caused several girls' eyes to become moist.
They had dreamed of hearing them for so long that they could hardly believe they were real.
Once the girls had calmed down, Koharu began telling them about Xiao Feng in great detail.
She told them how he had rescued her, bought her beautiful clothes, given her a safe place to sleep, and promised to protect her forever.
"Everything about Onii-chan is amazing," Koharu declared proudly.
The rescued girls listened with shining eyes.
To them, Xiao Feng already seemed like a mysterious hero who had descended from the heavens to save them.
At that moment, Koharu's expression suddenly became serious. She leaned closer and lowered her voice.
"But everyone should be careful.".
"Why?"
"Is Saviour Onii-chan dangerous?"
Koharu nodded solemnly.
"Onii-chan is a lolicon. So some of you might end up marrying him in the future. You better be careful!"
The room became completely silent.
Several little girls blinked in confusion, while the the sensible ones immediately became embarrassed.
Kisara's expression stiffened, "A... lolicon?"
"Yes. He likes cute little girls very much."
"But don't worry, Sister Kisara," Koharu teased with a sly smile. "I've noticed the way my brother looks at you, especially at your legs. I'm sure he likes you. You don't have to worry about him being a lolicon when he has you. Your opponent is so big."
Kisara's face turned bright red, and she stammered, "Who… who said anything about me liking him? And why would he like me?"
The other girls giggled softly at Kisara's flustered reaction.
"And besides," Koharu added cheekily, "I've already decided that I'm going to marry my onii-chan. We'll have lots of kids together!"
The bold declaration sent another wave of blushes through the room, including Kisara, who was too stunned to respond.
It is fortunate that Xiao Feng had gone out to the lower floors to take care of trash. Otherwise, Koharu would get a beating for ruining his reputation.
It's true he liked kids but he isn't a lolicon. He only likes them from universal perspective.
Koharu's expression grew serious as she addressed the girls. "Listen, everyone. My brother is going to teach you something amazing. It's a special cultivation technique that will help you fight the Gastrea virus inside you. If you practice it well, you won't have to worry about the virus taking over!"
The girls' eyes widened with hope, and they nodded eagerly.
"Sister Kisara, you should get your share too," Koharu added, glancing at her. "That way, you don't have to worry about the virus either."
Kisara lowered her head thoughtfully. She had no virus to worry about, but she needed strength—strength to avenge her parents. If this cultivation method could help her achieve that, she couldn't afford to refuse.
She smiled and said, "Don't worry about me, Koharu. I'll be fine."
After looking at Kisara, whose head was down, Koharu thought, "It seems sister Kisara is quite concerned about the cultivation method."
What Koharu thought was true. Kisara wanted to avenge her parents, then she must have strength.
...