The endless night meant people had to keep their Gas Lamps lit longer, and the heating in the Steam Factories could not be reduced during the day either. But energy was still a trivial matter. Although Vesta Woodland had no large coal mines as reserves, it certainly did not lack wood.
At lunchtime that day, Margaret appeared on the ship again after a long absence. As a Witch Apprentice, her seat at the table was somewhat farther back. Angelina had wanted to invite her to sit beside her, but Margaret ultimately took the seat to Siris's right:
"Following Shade's suggestion, I took people into the woods and dug open the well at the abandoned Lumber Mill. We found Ashley Bethany's corpse in the well, then found a photograph of Albert Bennett in the pendant around her neck."
That photograph had naturally been forged, so Margaret could learn the whereabouts of the boy among the illegitimate children as an ordinary person.
"The Church now knows that Albert Bennett is Father's illegitimate son. In Father's name, I submitted an application to the Church, asking them to allow that child to regain his freedom after this incident ends.
"But the Church brushed me off by saying that the current situation was complicated and that they would communicate directly with Father afterward. They also told me to leave Vesta Woodland immediately."
In name, Margaret had already set off with Sylvia to return to Weilun Dai'er City, but Margaret obviously could not truly leave. So she had first reported the progress of the matter, then would temporarily return with the fleet to Weilun Dai'er to report to King "Lion" Laine before hurrying back.
Even though Weilun Dai'er City was downstream from Vesta Woodland, the round trip would still take quite some time, so Sylvia would