24 Request

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Realizing that he was nearly staring, Hugo snapped out of his musings before the air between them becomes awkward.

Fortunately, Hadrian either didn't notice or simply didn't mind it, seeing as he patiently waited for him to begin.

"Ahem." Hugo coughed to clear his throat. "Then, I'll start explaining."

Hadrian leaned back in his seat, listening attentively.

"As I'm sure you are aware, our world is nearly on the verge of being exposed to the humans due to the mass murders being committed all over the world." Hugo gulped, choosing his words carefully since it might gain a reaction from his guest. "After the holy gra–"

Hugo paused, becoming silent as a mouse when the air at their table changed from casual and solemn to tense and stifling.

Looking at his young guest, Hugo can't help but shiver in his seat at the sight before him.

The young man has striking features that was soft, beautiful and perfectly symmetrical. His perfect and glowing skin amplified his beauty even more.

Therefore, to behold the sight of the young heir wearing a stoic expression was like looking at a beautiful statue that was carefully and meticulously crafted by talented artisans.

But, it was the intensity of his glare that caused Hugo to pause.

While nothing can be read on his calm and regal-looking façade, there was something mighty terrifying in the young heir's cyan eyes that felt suffocating for Hugo.

'To think that he would be this intimidating. If this is him just glaring, then I don't want to know how he is when angered…' Hugo dreaded, sweating out of anxiousness.

Luckily for him, the young heir seemed to sense his wariness because the scary feeling vanish a moment later, making Hugo sigh quietly in relief when the stifling pressure had gone away.

In hindsight, it was also fortunate that there were no other people on the second floor besides them. The other customers must have left some time, which left them the only ones in the second floor.

Hugo can only wonder how normal people would endure the weight of the young man's intimidating presence, and he can guess that the result would not be good, not at all.

"My apologies, I did not mean to make you fear me. I'm not used speaking to others regarding that subject, specifically with people I have just met." Hadrian sighed.

Though taken aback by his genuine apology, Hugo was quick to collect himself and respond.

"No, no! Uh, please, I'm the one at fault for bringing the topic so carelessly, despite Lord Zelretch's warning." Hugo reasoned, shouldering the blame with a sheepish expression.

Hadrian raised an eyebrow.

"Opa has been speaking to you about me?" The young heir asked.

"Yes, nearly all the time." Hugo said with a laugh. "And even though I'm just one of his people, I can say with great confidence that Lord Zelretch is one proud grandfather."

At this, the younger man looked a bit embarrassed, but managed to remain composed.

"We're getting off topic, Mr. Faust." Hadrian reminded.

"Ah, of course. As I was saying before, after that event…" Hugo glanced at the younger man for a second, expecting him to glare.

The older Magus was inwardly relieved when Hadrian didn't reacted like before, merely waiting for him to continue his explanation.

"Magi from many different families in our society had died. This reduce our kind's numbers to 3000. But, when the mass murders around the world began, it has been decreased to a minimal amount of 1200 magi families left, and this is not even including the body counts of the normal humans."

Hadrian's cyan eyes narrowed.

"So many…" He muttered, expression darkening slightly.

"Yes." Hugo nodded grimly. "It was why the Mage's Association has declared an all-out investigation over the murder incidents to find out the true source and perpetrators behind it. Many organizations has also made official announcements to assist in the search, including Atlas and the Church. They declared the case as a state of emergency for magi to work together and put an end to it."

"Hmm, I'm not surprised they would." Hadrian said, looking down at the table in idle thought. "The murders did involve both magi and humans alike. I doubt those two groups would let such a thing go unpunished. But, I take it there is something more serious that forced you to meet with me today, isn't it?"

Hadrian gazed up to Hugo expectantly, who chuckled nervously.

"Yes, there is." The older magus said with a sigh. "And it requires the assistance of a powerful Magus, preferably a Magician just to be safe. But, since Lord Zelretch have utmost faith in you with this task, then I too will trust you with it, young master Hadrian."

"And what might that be?" Hadrian asked, slightly concerned.

Hugo began to look stressed out. The grim expression on his face was not going away, and he looked even more nervous than before.

Hadrian gave him some time, considering as the older magus seems to need it in order to compose himself.

Looking down at his coffee for a few moments, Hugo took a deep breath before looking back at him.

"The Spider." Hugo declared. "Lord Zelretch thinks that the perpetrators are after the Spider."

Behind the Mystic Eyes Killers, Hadrian's cyan eyes widen in shock.

"When you mean 'by after', do you mean…?" Hadrian trailed off in disbelief.

"Yes, we think that they are after the Spider to awaken it." Hugo answered with a nod.

Hadrian leaned back in his seat in shock.

"That can only end in disaster, if that's the enemy's goal." He pointed out. "The Spider's temperament is quite volatile, even amongst the 27 Dead Apostles. If that thing wakes up, many people will die, no exceptions."

"Which is why we have to do everything in our power not to let the enemy get to the Spider." Hugo said, giving him a pointed look.

Noticing the silent question in his eyes, Hadrian has no intentions to refuse, but he also wanted some answers first before he can agree.

"Has the Mage's Association been informed of this?" Hadrian asked, fingers drumming the table in thought.

"Yes, but since the search is still ongoing and the casualties that they suffered from the last war was still fresh, the amount of help that they can provide is minimal at best." Hugo shook his head with a resigned sigh. "Lord Zelretch has personally taken upon this task himself, but as you know, in his condition, he might not be able to assist actively in case the Spider is woken up."

"No, that won't do at all." Hadrian agreed, knowing of his grandfather's condition.

Despite being turned into a Dead Apostle, Zelretch still aged like a human.

Being turned might have helped slow the process down, but the fact remains that his grandfather was no longer in his prime as he once did before he fought Crimson Moon.

Granted, he still has the Kaleidoscope, but as time goes by, his uses for the Second True Magic decreases over time, reducing its to mere spells that only requires small cost in prana and not the powerful ones like he did when he punched the Moon back to orbit to prevent it from crashing into the surface of the earth.

It was one of the reasons why Zelretch seemed eager to train Hadrian at an early age, so that he can pass on his magic, his legacy, to his grandson.

At the same time though, his grandfather seemed content to let Hadrian learn the ways of the mystical arts at his own pace, to let him cherish his freedom and have a sense of normality in his life.

However, reality can be quite unforgiving, and it's forcing their hands to choose and deal with troublesome issues such as this.

Hadrian closed his eyes with a tired sigh.

'First, the re-audits yesterday, and now this. Opa said it would be simple. To think it would get this complicated. Seems like I'll have to up the pace of my research and studies…'

Opening his eyes, Hadrian turned to look at Hugo, who was patient and courteous enough to let him think in peace.

"So, where do I come into this?" He asked.

"We're hoping that you might be willing to assist us in searching for the suspects that are targeting to wake up the Spider." Hugo looked at him imploringly.

"The enemy has yet to know the location of the Spider's nest, which works in our favor since we can use that time to search for the perpetrators that might be in the city. I heard from Lord Zelretch that you did a re-audit of the recent murders in this city, may I know how it went?"

"Troublesome." Hadrian answered with a huff. "The suspects left no clue that can be pursued and I have checked thoroughly in the city. Nothing useful came up in my search, but my retainers did find something. There are people following us in the city, and they might be the suspects trying to locate the Spider's nest."

"Ah, so you have encountered them then?" Hugo asked, hopeful.

"No." Hadrian shook his head, causing Hugo to slump slightly in his seat in disappointment. "We didn't get to encounter any face-to-face, but we have our suspicions that they are here in this city. Or perhaps, some of them are. We're not exactly sure since the encounters had been brief and dangerous."

"What do you mean?" Hugo asked, curious.

Taking a deep breath, Hadrian briefly went on an explanation of what happened to his retainers.

"Oh, so that's what happened." Hugo blinked in surprise. "Wait, then the building that got bombed down –"

"– was one of our doing." Hadrian nodded. "It had to be done, or those creatures would have roamed free if the bounded field got unraveled."

"Perhaps that is for the best." Hugo agreed, grimacing at the thought of the worst case scenario.

"So, what now? I had been told by Opa that you'll be leading me to somewhere." Hadrian said.

"Ah yes, I have been instructed to escort you to some place he has made investments in. But, does this mean that you'll be helping us, young master?" Hugo asked, just for clarification.

"Of course, now lead the way. It's better to get to the bottom of this as soon as possible." Hadrian said, standing up from his seat.

"Very well then." Hugo smiled for what seemed like the first time since their meeting.

As Hugo lead him downstairs to collect the others, Hadrian can't help but shake his head at the sudden turn of events.

'Hmph, would love to hear how the others would react to this.'

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