The inauguration ceremony, initiated by Ace, was a success.
The House Members gave Ace a general introduction of newcomers, and now everyone knows each other and which House Member they are working for. This also helped the newcomers understand the ranking within the Thief House.
Noaâs Thief Assassin Acolytes were Thomas, who wasnât new, but her two new acolytes were rather peculiar. They were actually twins with delicate features, and they also looked exactly like clones of each other.
Their names were Anna and Annie, and they possessed a mischievous demeanor. They also belonged to a Demon Race of Mortal Ascension Heaven, known as the Starless Demon Race.
According to Thomas, both sisters were orphans, and they were nurtured by the Fiend Assassin Guild. They possessed a very special and powerful Demon Bloodline, which was highly suitable for assassins. Thatâs why Noa decided to recruit them as her Thief Assassin Acolytes.
However, Ace and others could tell that it wasnât as simple as Thomas had made it be, and Noa was hiding the truth in context. Nonetheless, no one pointed it out since this didnât concern them, and everyone has their past and privacy.
The next person was Eva, who introduced her Abyssal Thief Acolytes and Maids with great fanfare, even bragging about their backgrounds as former princesses of their empires and how Ace personally helped her ârecruitâ them for her own purposes.
Everyone had different expressions when they heard this, and the newcomers could easily guess that Ace has an extraordinary relationship with Eva.
On the other hand, Alina seemed to grit her teeth and sent Ace resentful glares, which the latter ignored, but secretly, he felt bitter about Evaâs shenanigans.
The house members pretended not to notice anything as they kept their silence while secretly gloating at Aceâs misfortune.
Moreover, this peculiar introduction also made Riana and Sofia embarrassed, while Livia humbly yet cheerfully greeted everyone as if she didnât care about such trivial things.
Then it was Winterâs turn, all of her Faceless Thief Acolytes were new faces among the Thief House, and for some unknown reason, Ace felt something strange at that moment as everyone looked at a fierce woman like a lioness with long golden mane, and tanned skin with runic markings.
Furthermore, Ace could also feel Winterâs disgruntled emotions and slight embarrassment, and he became very curious.
In the end, Winter gritted her teeth and curtly introduced herself, and then one by one introduced her Thief Acolytes.
The first was a cute, dainty girl who appeared only slightly older than Leah, and they were even sitting together, seeming to socialize with each other before Ace came in.
However, the dainty girl seemed extremely timid and blushed while shrinking her neck when Ace looked at her. Even Ace was surprised when he saw a little girl as Winterâs acolyte, and her appearance was also unique, for she had bark-like skin, leafy green hair, and limbs like tree branches.
Her name was Birch, and to Aceâs surprise, the Faceless Thief Acolyteâa beautiful woman with flowing green hair and emerald skin covered in intricate tattoosâwas Birchâs big sister, whose name was Oakley.
Oakley seemed gentle and pure as she politely greeted Ace before returning to her seat without another word, but she seemed to be closely observing Ace with a peculiar light in her bright eyes.
But then Winter secretly sent Ace a spirit transmission, which made Aceâs expression change ever so slightly, and he tried his best not to show any surprise.
According to Winter, Birch, and Oakley, they were part of an extinct race, with many startling legends, called the Nymphs.
Although Ace had no idea about Nymph Race, the actual reason behind his shock was that the system gave Winter a mission to recruit Birch and Oakley as her Thief Acolytes for an unknown reason.
Ace gave Winter a deep look, and she didnât seem to be lying. She had no reason to deceive him, since he didnât have anything against Birch or Oakley, as long as Winter found them worthy of recruitment, they were her responsibility.
âWhy would the system specifically want Winter to recruit them? What is this Nymph Race? It seems I need to talk with Winter privately. The reason behind her revealing this information is also not altruistic. She probably has something in mind...â
Ace thought as he glanced meaningfully at Winter and let her move on for now.
But when Winter moved towards the third acolyte, she paused and seemed to grit her teeth as if in a dilemma, which made Ace frown slightly because Winter was looking at the same fierce woman who appeared to have an impression on everyone.
Ace also didnât need to guess for long because when Winter seemed to be hesitating, the fierce woman suddenly stood up and proudly introduced herself.
"Iâm Elria Lionheart of the Myriad Chimera Race. Itâs an honor to meet you, the man behind the scenes!"
Ace looked at Elria with a hint of interest since she seemed rather bold and straightforward. But he still didnât understand why Winter seemed reluctant about Elria.
Just when Ace was guessing, Elria suddenly said something unexpected with eyes shining with admiration, "Sir, I have to admit that I hate men and found them pathetic, but you, sir, you have my deepest respect. You are doing godâs work here, and creating paradise on this land! Please take me as your disciple, I would very much like to learn your ways!"
Ace was dumbfounded as he looked at Elria with a confused look on his face. While Winter nearly fell on her chair and wanted to be swallowed by the Thiefâs House as a whole.
Thomasâs shoulders seemed to be trembling as if he were holding back his laughter, and other house members and acolytes, who seemed to have known about Elriaâs eccentric personality, except for the innocent children in the hall, were also holding back their laughter.
"You perverted bitch! Sit the hell down, or Iâll kill you!" Winter literally shrieked at Elria as she couldnât take this anymore and infinitely regretted the day she recruited this dastardly woman.
Ace was startled by Winterâs sudden outburst, but decided to remain silent and thought this was over. But to his surprise, Elria boldly retorted, making him dumbfounded again, and he thought he was imagining things.
Elria boldly glared at Winter and smiled proudly, declaring, "Look here, Winter darling, love canât be hidden no matter how much you try to suppress it! Thereâs no need to be shy, Sir isnât seen as narrow-minded! But if you still want to kill me, then do it, but my love shall be eternal!"