The next morning.
Lorevil had Noxia stay at home while she took Ira in the family carriage.
Last night, she and Ira had agreed to meet at seven in the morning to go to the abandoned workshop on the edge of the third ring of the noble district together.
The original Thorn headquarters in the second ring of the noble district could no longer be used.
It might have been leaked by some members, so Lorevil simply sold it to Madam Sharon for a hundred thousand blood crystal coins.
The surrounding buildings gradually turned into low-rise shops and residences.
A quarter of an hour later, the carriage stopped at the entrance of a quiet cobblestone alley.
“This is the place.”
Lorevil jumped out of the carriage.
“Ahead is a workshop the family used to use for tanning leather for fine garments. After the industry shifted, it’s been empty. It’s been about two years now.”
Ira followed her out, her purple eyes quickly scanning the surroundings.
A tall old locust tree at the alley entrance blocked the view. On both sides were broken walls, remnants of demolished sundry shops. It was indeed hidden.
Lorevil’s choice of this place for the Thorn organization’s headquarters was more than suitable.
“Let’s head in now.” Lorevil took the lead forward.
“Mhm.”
The two climbed over a wall into the alley and walked towards the abandoned workshop.
Soon, a somewhat dusty-looking two-story building appeared before them.
Ira took a general look at the old workshop’s overall appearance; the windows on the second floor were all broken.
‘Why does it feel so creepy?’
Ira shivered, gathered her courage, and pushed open the door, smelling a musty, long-sealed odor mixed with a faint leather scent.
“I still have some memory of the internal layout.”
Lorevil, confident in her skills and bold, was the first to step into the courtyard, walking through weeds towards the main building. Her memory was excellent, and she remembered it clearly.
“Was this a workshop arranged for you by the family before, Master?” Ira followed behind, curiously surveying the surroundings.
“You could say that.” Lorevil chuckled lightly. It was from before the family had completely given up on her, but they weren’t so stingy as to take it back either.
“The first floor is a large workshop with ready-made partitions and storage shelves. The second floor used to be the craftsmen’s rest area, with four small rooms. The basement was for storing raw materials; the waterproofing and load-bearing are both good.”
Lorevil walked while casually explaining the floors to Ira.
She had majored in civil engineering in university, a notoriously difficult field.
Naturally, she was well-versed in such professional knowledge. An old workshop like this had thick walls, which could provide some protection even in case of conflict.
The two entered the large workshop on the first floor.
It was indeed as Lorevil had said: scattered with dilapidated wooden racks and tanning tools. In the corners were several waist-high partitions, perfect for renovation.
However, the clutter was piled up haphazardly, and Lorevil kept feeling a sense of being watched.
“Let’s keep looking,” Lorevil said.
“The concealment is fine. Few people around, convenient for setting up patrols.”
Ira pushed aside some debris and walked further in.
“We can renovate this area into an intelligence sorting zone. Each partition gets a desk and storage box, separated by cloth curtains to ensure confidentiality among members.”
Lorevil measured the partitions confidently.
Being able to use her strengths in another world was another way to shine, not to mention building her own power base from the ground up.
“That open space over there is quite large. We can turn it into a public front for a handmade leather goods shop, with two ordinary members stationed there.” Lorevil grew more excited as she spoke.
“That’s a good idea. Publicly, we’ll say we’re reopening this old workshop. It can disguise our intentions and allow intelligence exchange through leather goods transactions—killing two birds with one stone.”
Ira agreed.
The two went up to the second floor. The four small rooms were covered in dust, but the layout was intact.
“The largest one will be the meeting hall, with a long table and several chairs. The two next to it will be member rest areas. The remaining one will be converted into my temporary office.”
Lorevil allocated the rooms.
This was completely modeled after her previous company’s layout. Large companies usually had a dedicated meeting place, and Lorevil was following suit, a homage to her past life.
Finally, the two descended a steep wooden ladder into the basement.
Ira lit a candle she carried, illuminating the entire basement.
The basement had no windows but was exceptionally dry and spacious. Lorevil could see ventilation openings in all four walls and the ceiling; they could be utilized a bit too.
“Renovate it into an intelligence archive and secure room. Use secret arts to reinforce the walls to prevent information leaks.”
After just a moment’s thought, Lorevil offered her suggestion.
“Mhm. The basement entrance is hidden. Even if someone breaks into the first floor, they might not find it.”
Ira crouched down, feeling the hard ground.
“I’ll leave the renovation to you. Make a list of how many people and how many blood crystals you need.”
Lorevil turned to look at Ira. “Prioritize repairing the shop front and the basement. Ensure normal operation first, then gradually improve other areas later.”
“Understood.”
Ira bowed in response. “I’ll go contact the members right away, have those skilled in carpentry and repairs come start work. Aim to complete the preliminary renovation within three days.”
“I’ll leave it to you with peace of mind then.”
Lorevil looked at her efficient, capable demeanor and nodded in satisfaction.
Then, Lorevil walked to a ventilation opening in the basement, pushed aside the grate, and could see the top of the locust tree at the alley entrance.
Once the workshop renovation was complete, Thorn’s intelligence network could radiate throughout Holy Blood City from this center, and this place would become her Thorn headquarters in Holy Blood City.
An hour later.
The two walked out of the workshop; the morning mist had already dissipated.
Lorevil looked back at this abandoned building about to be reborn, a faint smile curling at the corner of her mouth.
—
—
—
At eight-thirty in the morning.
Elini, having bathed and changed into clean athletic wear, with a small training bag on her back, rang the doorbell at Lorevil’s residence.
The door opened quickly, revealing Noxia’s petite figure.
“Madam Noxia, we’ve met before. Let me introduce myself formally. I’m Elini, a third-tier Vampire who has awakened concealment abilities.”
Elini gave a slight bow, her tone respectful.
“Mhm, please come in.”
The lovely-looking Noxia made a welcoming gesture. Since she was a guest, she should be properly received.
“T-too kind of you.”
Elini, feeling overwhelmed by the honor, entered the living room and looked around curiously.
The living room of Lorevil’s residence was warmly decorated, with several thriving potted plants in the corners.
It seemed Madam Noxia took meticulous care of them.
“Would you like tea or blood wine? There are some breakfast items left over from this morning, would you like to try some?”
“Tea is fine, thank you, Madam.”
Elini found a seat near the sofa, sat down, placed her hands properly on her knees, her small face looking reserved.
Soon, Noxia came out with a cup of warm tea in one hand and a delicate blood-berry pastry in the other.
She handed the teacup to Elini and then sat down on the sofa herself.
Noxia took a small bite of the pastry with her red lips, her cheek puffing out slightly as she chewed.
“Madam Noxia, you’re eating…”
Elini looked at the pastry, which was clearly high in sugar, a hint of shock on her face.
Hadn’t she specifically confirmed with Lady Lorevil that Madam needed a plan to exercise?
“It’s leftover pastry from breakfast. Want some?”
Noxia swallowed the small bite of pastry, tilting her head in confusion.
“Pastries have a lot of sugar. Eating them for breakfast will make you gain weight.”
Elini explained seriously, her gaze unconsciously falling on Noxia’s slightly plump little belly.
Under Lorevil’s doting care these past days, Noxia’s originally thin body had gradually gained some flesh.
Her fitted homewear faintly revealed the curve of her waistline. Her slender thighs would probably show a cute plumpness if she wore stockings.
Noxia looked down, pinched the soft excess fat on her little belly, and frowned slightly.
She did seem a bit plumper than before.
She looked up at Elini, asking with a hint of grievance, “But Lorevil eats the same breakfast as me. Why doesn’t she gain weight?”
“That’s because a third-tier Vampire’s constitution burns energy faster, and Lady Lorevil usually exercises regularly, right?”
Elini countered.
“I think so. She went to train at the academy’s practice field a few days ago.”
Noxia put a finger to her lips, carefully recalling.
Elini nodded understandingly and asked, “Then, Madam, let me ask, have you ever had systematic exercise before?”
“Um… when sick, occasionally going out.”
Noxia’s voice dropped, awkwardly and uneasily rubbing her hands in front of her belly, a faint blush rising on her cheeks.
She knew how poor her constitution was; she hadn’t even done basic exercise much.
Elini already had a good idea. Translating Noxia’s words, it meant almost no exercise experience.
She continued asking, “What are your usual hobbies?”
“Watering flowers, and… cooking.”
Noxia straightened up, answering with a bit more confidence.
She was very good at these two things, and Lorevil often praised her for them.
“Clearly, Madam, you have neither had systematic training nor been in good health since childhood. Our premise is to ensure your physical health while supervising the gradual refinement of your figure, consuming the excess fat brought by sugar.”
Elini quickly revised the training plan.
Looking at Madam Noxia’s routine, it was regular, but she lacked daily activities that sufficiently exercised her body.
Lady Lorevil’s original intention probably wasn’t to turn Madam into a muscular female warrior, but to hope she could be healthy and confident.