9 Emergency meeting!

(In an Empire in another world...)

My enchanted armor... is quite scary.

"Demon!"

"No, that is a Devil! A real life Devil! Run for your lives!"

That's exactly what someone would say if they saw me wearing it for the first time. Before I knew what Devils looked like, then I imagine them to look like how I do now.

Let me describe it.

The armor itself has a unique design with a predominantly black-metallic color scheme. It is decorated with small silver chains, intricate and ornamental designs on the boots, lower torso and gauntlets, two sets of shoulder guards underneath the initial armored spikes mounted on the shoulders, and several large fasteners located all over the body that link each piece of the armor together.

The set also features several other spikes protruding from various parts of the body, as well as six large horn-like spikes on the very top of the helmet to accompany the large eye-like sockets in the front.

The gauntlets and the breastplate also give off a deep red glow if worn in the dark areas, especially in the Batcave where there's practically no light.

Can you picture that in your head? Probably not. Even I don't know what the fuck I just talked about. (Wiki lol)

To help the readers visualize my armor in all its glory, let me just imagine that you guys will see a picture in your head of what it looks like.... abracadabra!

And for those who can't view paragraph comments, search up 'Daedric Armor' when you have the time.

"Run for your life, my dear! My legs have given out! Save yourself!"

"I will always remember you, Lilian! I'll remember the feeling of my head between your thighs forever!!! No one can ever replace you!!!"

Oh, right. I was kidnapping someone.

I did a little ehem. "Ma'am, you don't need to worry. I came here to kidnap one person and one person only."

I assured the woman called Lilian that she's going to be just fine. She wasn't my target after all. She was a perfectly normal human.

"EEK!"

Eh, whatever.

Ignoring the Lilian woman (she fainted), I turned my attention to a middle-aged man with a nice moustache and glasses. He's been observing me from a corner of the street, not fleeing like most people around me.

Quite confident, aren't you?

With a thought, I teleported behind him. The man immediately froze up. Like in horror movies, he slowly turned around, allowing me to see his frightened eyes.

His eyes looked normal. But only because of the layer of magic concealing their real appearance.

"I've spotted the Devil! Engage with extreme caution!"

"Buy time until all the civilians have evacuated and reinforcements arrive!"

Guards started showing up. Noisy chanting reached my ears as I felt the magic in their bodies churn out offensive spells.

Time to go.

Like the others, I teleported with my target to the Batcave before anyone could intervene. He was the last one in the Empire.

How scary. To think that all this time, there were so many Devils—

A variety of spells interrupted my thoughts. I felt warm, cold, and other conflicting sensations all over.

Water, earth, fire, air... and a bunch of other magic spells struck my body.

"Miria?! Everyone?! You're all here?! Where are we?!" said the middle-aged man I just abducted.

"I don't know! What is going on, Zest?!" One of the two women I kidnapped, presumably Miria, replied. So his name was Zest.

I probably shouldn't be surprised that these Devils knew each other. But... well... it really is surprising.

The last time a Devil appeared, Earlshide Kingdom was almost destroyed. Now that I know a bit more about this world's common sense/average power level, I'm not surprised that Grandpa Merlin and Grandma Merlin were the only people who could stop them.

But there are more than thirty Devils right in front of me. And they aren't berserking. They can communicate like normal humans. And they all know each other from what I've observed.

Nothing is scarier than a smart enemy.

The world should be destroyed by now.

This is just something that defies all common sense, yet here it was.

And you know how that saying goes: To beat something defying common sense, you have to be twice as defying common sense... something like that.

"You're in my Batcave, Devils!"

As impressive and flashy as their barrage of magic was, my armor's enchantments blocked them easily. I was just as far away from death's door as ever—very twice defying common sense of me.

Still, they sure pack some firepower. If Shin was the one fighting them all at once, he could get hurt.

"How is he still standing?! Who—WHAT is that guy?!"

Sorry, Batman with prep time always wins.

"Feim!" (Become Ethereal)

Once again, I took on a ghostly, spectral form. This time, every single one of the Devils' attacks phased through me. With the Thu'um protecting me, I don't need to dodge or anything. I can just chill.

Noticeably, the Devils started to panic. They did just get kidnapped by a more Devil-looking dude that they somehow cannot hit no matter what, so it was understandable.

Explosions rang out in the Batcave. The Devils retreated and switched their tactics. They attacked the surrounding walls, yet no damage was done. Apparently, since they couldn't beat me, they aimed to run away. However, all they managed to do was destroy or melt most of my treasures. Once again, knee-deep liquid gold flooded the Batcave.

A weird feeling of deja vu assaulted me. I ignored it and focused on the issue at hand.

I used magic to allow my voice to be heard throughout the Batcave.

"Do any of you know Oliver Schtrom, the Devil who wished revenge and destruction upon the Empire?" I shouted, and depending on their answer, I might need to kill them as well.

Once again, I felt sick. But it must be done.

"You! How do you know Master Schtrom?! Where is he?!"

The maliciousness in their hearts spiked into unprecedented levels. I could almost taste it. Their red eyes glowed more menacingly than before as madness filled the air.

The Batcave shook violently with the magic pressure they exuded. Despite being in my ethereal state, I found it hard to stay standing from the tremors that only grew stronger with each passing second.

According to the common sense of the world, this is exactly what Devils are: creatures that destroy everything in their path.

I'll take this sudden rise of aggression as a yes. When I think about it, it makes sense. Schtrom was researching how to make Devils. It was unnatural for so many Devils to exist in the first place so it must have been Schtrom's doing. These people were his successful subjects from the way they call him "master."

Were you perhaps a hidden boss, Schtrom? No, it would have been more fitting to call you the Demon Lord of this world.

"WHAT HAVE YOU DONE TO HIM?!"

The woman called Miria screamed.

"Schtrom won't hurt anyone ever again."

My words could only mean one thing.

"You spout wicked lies! Master Schtrom wouldn't fall to the likes of you!"

"It's true. I had to."

"Liar!"

Then, they pounced forward. Magic filled their bodies, and they surrounded me in but a moment.

"YOU DEMON!!!" A warcry, or was it a howl of sorrow? Indistinguishable from one another, the Devils' piercing, deafening screams entered my ears.

Their enraged attacks bore no fruit with the Thu'um protecting me. Friendly fire couldn't be avoided as weapons and magic phased past my body and brought indiscriminate destruction to their comrades. Hurting their allies was all they managed to do.

"I'll make this quick."

There is an obvious relationship between the numerous Devils before me and the Devil-making machine known as Schtrom. Maybe they know how to create more Devils. Maybe, they're still making more.

And I can't let that happen.

I can't let them live.

Today will be another unforgettable day.

I breathed in until it felt like my chest would pop from the pressure.

Three words. All it needed to take was three words.

I hesitated. I knew I shouldn't. But I needed a moment. Just a moment.

I clenched my fists. My mouth began to speak.

Three words left my lips, and the Batcave regained its desolate silence.

Bodies, lifeless, fell to their knees and splashed against the pool of liquid gold.

They sank beneath the golden lake as if they were never here. Only I was left standing.

My ethereal form returned into one of metal and flesh. A familiar sensation in my stomach returned to haunt me.

I... feel sick.

The Batcave shook. Magic power unconsciously escaped me. Cracks formed on the walls.

Those cracks grew larger and larger. Tiny pieces of the roof fell. Then larger ones. Then it was raining a mixture of solid gold and dark obsidian.

I... what have I done?

*Bam!*

A large piece of the roof fell on my head, but it was split into two by the sharp horns on my helmet. One of them almost fell on the place where a Devil had died just moments before. Miria. Just a bit closer, and the Miria body would have been...

I felt sicker than before.

I want this place to disappear.

With that singular thought, the air seemed to combust. Blue flames began to burn everything in sight.

The liquid gold completely vaporized, the bodies within turned to ashes, and the Batcave melted into itself.

I teleported to the surface. Grandpa's cabin in the woods stood there, unknowing of the massacre that happened under its nose.

"I'm sorry..."

I disappeared to another place, never to return.

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""A Devil appeared in the Empire?!""

Upon hearing the horrifying news, Merlin and Melinda jumped from their seats.

Diseum von Earlshide continued.

"Yes. Multiple witnesses spoke of a demonic humanoid kidnapping as many as thirty people; maybe more."

"...strange."

Kidnapping?

Since when did Devils kidnap people?

"How many casualties?" Merlin inquired.

Diseum von Earlshide furrowed his brows. What he was about to say defied all logic in the world.

"Apart from the kidnapped, there are none."

"No casualties?" Melinda doubted her ears.

"None. To be honest, I highly doubt something like a Devil started kidnapping people left and right."

"Why did you say that a Devil has appeared then? The culprit is clearly human."

"Because of two reasons. The first is this."

He pulled a piece of paper from his royal robes and showed it to the elderly couple.

"Is this..."

"An illustration of the so-called Devil's appearance. One of my spies was there when the Devil appeared."

The elderly couple gulped.

Dark and menacing. Merlin and Melinda felt shivers crawl up their spine from a mere drawing of the "Devil" that appeared.

"That crimson light emanating from within their armor... I can see why you would be inclined to believe that this person is a Devil." Merlin stroked his sagely beard in understanding. "Did your spy make no mention of the person's eyes?"

Diseum von Earlshide shook his head. "As you can see, this person's armor covered every inch of their body, even the face. Perhaps they're moving around using some sort of magic perception to compensate for their lack of vision."

"If magic is used, then..."

"Your suspicions are right. The second reason is that the spy felt demonic magic power. But it's complicated."

"How come?" Melinda asked.

"The spy wasn't sure if the demonic magic power came from the 'Devil'... or from the person they kidnapped."

A deafening silence ensued. It would take the elderly couple some time to completely comprehend the baffling information that entered their brains.

"...are you sure you're not messing with us, Diseum?"

"I wish I was. Nothing is certain. As frustrating as it is, we know too little," sighed the weary king. Diseum von Earlshide retained his serious expression that left no room for jokes. "I've made arrangements to tighten the kingdom's security, but I'm not confident. The so-called Devil was reported to have the ability to teleport, or maybe, use invisibility magic to escape the scene. Either way, it is a type of magic never seen before. A kidnapping can happen right under our noses and we can't do anything about it. It's also possible that kidnappings have already happened within our borders. My men are investigating that as we speak."

"From what you've told us, there's little we can do." Melinda said grimly with a deep frown. "Not only are they slippery, we also know next to nothing about who they are or what their purpose is. This unknown assailant is perhaps the greatest threat we have ever encountered. It feels beyond us..."

"I...!"

With gritted teeth, Diseum von Earlshide, the ruler of Earlshide Kingdom, dropped his head to the floor.

Merlin and Melinda were surprised by his sudden action.

"...I know you have retired... that you have left your heroic days behind you... I know that what I am asking for is more than I could ever return, but please, help us once more."

Diseum von Earlshide knew he was asking a lot, and he hated himself for it. To never trouble his benefactors was a vow he once swore, but here he was breaking it.

Merlin and Melinda shared a look. The slightest of eye twitches and the tilting of their heads was enough for the two to converse in silence.

Thus, it was decided.

"Kuhum, it looks like we'll be busy for a bit. Come on, Dis. Raise your head. We'll try our best."

"Thank you, Master Merlin and Mistress Melinda!"

The Magi and the Guru hadn't forsaken the world. That was terrific news to hear for the worried king.

"But remember," Melinda sternly added, "that it is only the two of us who shall be involved. Our grandsons will have no involvement."

"I..."

I can't guarantee that.

What if that Sizilien girl was abducted by that demonic entity? Diseum von Earlshide wouldn't be able to stop Shin from going after it. And if he asks his brother Thomas for help?

He stopped himself from thinking in that line of thought.

No excuses. They are my nephews. I won't endanger them no matter what.

"...will make sure they never get involved. I will never use them. They are like—no, they are family to me," said Diseum von Earlshide resolutely.

"Hohoh~ of course we know that. Just as you consider them your nephews, we consider you family too, 'Uncle Dis.'"

A cheery atmosphere graced the room. Diseum von Earlshide was particularly happy. With the two heroes onboard, there was hope they can overcome this new threat.

*Knock* *Knock*

Hurried knocks captured their attention. A voice followed.

"Your Majesty, I have urgent news!"

"Come in."

A messenger dripping in sweat entered the room. He must've ran a great deal to be in such a state.

The messenger bowed to the king and to the heroes before saying, "More kidnappings! There are more kidnappings, this time in the neighboring kingdoms!"

""What?!""

The so-called Devil has struck once more.

The messenger continued his report. Details such as the number of victims and the time of the so-called Devil's appearance were revealed.

"Impossible! It takes a few days to travel between one nation to another. One man alone can't kidnap people from different nations in one afternoon!"

"Hold on now, Diseum. It's true that one man couldn't possibly do it, but an organization definitely can."

Melinda raised a valid point. Indeed, there could very well be an organization behind the kidnappings and not one man alone.

In fact, this made more sense. Why did they think there was only one man causing all this chaos anyway?

However, it led to a frightening thought.

An organization. An organization that possessed never before seen magic. Not just one culprit but many, and they have infiltrated multiple countries.

A chill went up their spines.

"Send a message to all the nations!" Diseum immediately declared. "An emergency council must be held! For the safety of our people, we must band together! This unknown organization must answer for its crime of kidnapping innocent lives!"

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

...

The next few days became busy.

Preparations were underway as the leaders of different nations made haste for Earlshide Kingdom's royal capital.

In a time of uncertainty, they all received a message from the Earlshide King, one that gave them hope, and now, heavily decorated carriages with private armies came knocking.

"The Pope has passed through the gates."

"The King of Swedes Kingdom has passed through the gates."

"The King and Queen of Kurt Kingdom has passed through the gates."

"A Representative of Els Federation has passed through the gates."

Diseum von Earlshide was glad that his message was heard by many. A smile graced his lips as the reports came flooding in.

"The Emperor of Bluesphere has passed through the gates."

That same smile strained with the mention of that Emperor.

"I see. Keep an eye on him."

Herald von Bluesphere. Highly incompetent and highly ambitious—a dangerous mix. Such an individual was visiting.

If this sudden kidnapping incident hadn't happened, the Emperor would have been headache inducer #1. For now, he is #2.

Diseum von Earlshide will need to be careful with that man around. Thus, he readied himself to greet the guests. Not only him, so did the four individuals around him.

"Don't worry, Master Merlin and Mistress Melinda. These two will protect you from harm," said Diseum.

"Huh? We're protecting them?" said Siegfried, dumbfounded. "I don't think they need our protection. We'd probably be in the way."

"Nn."

Christina—nicknamed Chris—agreed with Siegfried for once. But the opportunity to protect their idols wasn't something they were about to pass on.

A room was prepared to host the meeting between the seven monarchs and the two heroes. A round table with nine magnificent thrones can be found inside.

One by one, the attendees arrived with their respective guards.

"Merlin... is it just me or are those two waving at us?"

"Yes they are... but I'm pretty sure they are mostly waving at you."

Indeed, a duo dressed in royal clothing was waving vehemently from across the table. Melinda decided to wave back. The duo beamed as stars seemingly glimmered from their eyes.

"I think they are the King and Queen from Kurt Kingdom," said Merlin.

"Oh! That makes sense then."

The Kurt Kingdom was known for their incredible ability in agriculture. Many countries import the produce from Kurt Kingdom because of their cheap and plentiful supply. This is possible through the magic tools Melinda created to aid in cultivation and harvesting, dramatically increasing the yield while farmers barely break a sweat. Melinda practically carried Kurt Kingdom into a period of rapid growth and development. She was worshipped by all citizens, even the royalty.

The other monarchs in the room also expressed their goodwill, either through a small wave or a curt nod.

*Bam!*

All the attendees swiveled their heads as the sound of swords being drawn filled the room.

"Woah, woah, calm down. It's just me. Why are your swords drawn, huh? Was this not a meeting I was invited to, or do you want to start a war with the Empire?"

The Emperor had kicked the door open. He strolled in and took the remaining empty seat, not minding the various glares coming his way. Behind him followed a man wearing a monocle—possibly his advisor—and an imperial knight.

"Ehem. Now that everyone is here, the meeting shall commence. We have gathered here today to address the pressing issue of the dangerous organization taking citizens and nobles alike."

As the host, Diseum von Earlshide was the first to speak. He swallowed his distaste for the Emperor. Now was a time for cooperation.

"I concur. We cannot allow this organization to undermine our hard-won stability. It is our duty to protect our people and ensure that the word of the Lord prevails," said Catherine von Prussen, the Pope from the Holy Nation of Ys. "Before we formulate a plan of action, we must first share what we know about our common enemy. Knowledge is our most potent weapon against the unknown."

Diseum von Earlshide stayed silent as the other leaders presented what they knew. He had already shared most of what he knew through his messengers. It was now his turn to receive, not give.

"So it is true that a Devil has indeed appeared? If we have all found traces of Devil magic, then it can only be the case." The King of Swedes remarked.

"Our territory has noted an increase in the amount of demon attacks in the past year. This cannot be coincidence." The Representative from Els Federation adjusted their monocle. "It has disrupted supply lines and overall trade in our region by approximately 6%. I will warn everyone here now that in a few months, our exports will be much more expensive thanks to those wicked things."

"It is the same for us. Demons are everywhere."

"Here as well."

"Could there be a connection? It seems quite likely."

"Master Merlin and Mistress Melinda, we would like your opinion on the matter."

"Hmm... demonization is naturally occuring for animals, so this sudden increase is quite unnatural."

"Ehem! I'd like to ask something."

The Emperor suddenly raised his voice.

The room went silent, curious as to what he might say.

His gaze wandered around the table, a small smirk plastered on his face. After making sure that everyone's attention was on him, he locked gazes with one particular man.

"King Diseum, what is your relationship with the hidden organization?"

"...what?"

Taken aback, Diseum unconsciously tilted his head to the side.

"Emperor Herald, can you rephrase your question? I'm confused as to what it is you are asking."

"Alright then. Are you working with the hidden organization or not?"

The atmosphere in the room immediately dipped. Questioning eyes jumped between the Emperor and the Earlshide King.

"...You suspect that I am working with the enemy? What made you arrive to such a far-fetched conclusion?"

The Emperor laughed. "Don't play dumb. Only Earlshide Kingdom received no losses! No kidnappings! Is that not suspicious?"

Herald remembered receiving a report that among many others, his Spymaster, Zest, had been whisked away by an unknown assailant. Then there was news of more kidnappings in other countries, all happening in a short time frame.

None of them mentioned Earlshide Kingdom even once. Somehow, only they emerged unscathed.

"We are still investigating. In fact, we suspect a professor named Oliver Schtrom was taken away," Diseum von Earlshide.

"That Schtrom guy probably went on a holiday without telling anyone! If he was kidnapped, multiple eyewitnesses would have seen a man in devilish armor appear, just like everyone else! Besides, the disappearance of an insignificant teacher isn't a meaningful loss. Tell them, Loch."

The Emperor's advisor stepped forward from the sidelines. "Yes, Your Imperial Majesty."

One by one, the Emperor's advisor announced the individuals that were kidnapped from each country. He produced a lengthy slip of paper that extended to the floor.

From generals of armies to famous mercenaries, it was indeed odd how only one person was suspected of being abducted from Earlshide Kingdom, and that it was only a teacher and not someone of a higher standing. What could a teacher be any use for?

But Diseum von Earlshide did not panic. "There is one thing we have that all the other countries do not." He gestured to his side where the elderly heroes sat. "The Wise Man and the Guru are quite the deterrent, as I'm sure everyone here is aware."

Enlightened, the suspicion of the other monarchs lessened. This is The Wise Man and The Guru that they are talking about.

It should've been me, not him! was all they could say in their hearts. Maybe they should try enticing the elderly heroes into their land...

"Bah! You expect me to believe that?"

A scoff escaped the Emperor's lips.

"They are way past their prime. I heard that the only reason they went out of their houses in the middle of nowhere was to accompany their grandsons. I don't believe that these old fogeys are capable of stopping a powerful organization of magicians. It must have been through a secret deal!"

Veins erupted in Diseum's face. Not only him, most of the people in the room was fuming.

This fucker just insulted Merlin and Melinda, the two most respected people in the world!

"I'm not that old—!"

"Calm down, auntie Melinda. Keep your cool..."

"I'm gonna teach that youngster a lesson!"

"Please refrain from anything dangerous, Mistress!"

Christina and Siegfried held Melinda back to the best of their ability. Merlin subtly scooted his seat away from her.

"Do you see this, everyone? Have I cleared your doubts? If a knight and a magician can restrain the 'versatile' Guru, what does a powerful organization have to fear?" Herald pushed his agenda further.

I'm sure of it! Earlshide Kingdom had a hand in the kidnappings!

To be suspicious of Earlshide Kingdom is only natural. If any of the other monarchs presented their suspicions less aggressively, they would have been listened to.

However.

The Emperor was an unpopular and uncouth man.

Herald had not noticed, but his advisor did.

No one in the room was impressed by his antics.

That had been the case since he kicked the door open, but it was noticeably far more severe at this very moment.

"Y-your Imperial Majesty, perhaps we should take a calmer approach—"

"Silence, mongrel! Did I give you permission to speak? You would defy my orders and speak over me?!"

"Of c-course not! I would n-never!"

The situation was rapidly deteriorating. Herald showed no sign of calming down as he berated his advisor.

"Emperor Herald."

The Pope decided to intervene. Catherine von Prussen didn't want to waste more time on the matter of Earlshide's innocence.

After all, she wholeheartedly believed Diseum's words.

Master... She... Master Melinda was pretty ruthless...

Memories of the past, of a young Catherine travelling with the Wise Man and the Guru resurfaced in her mind.

The Pope was someone fortunate enough to become the Guru's student.

As expected of the hero, the lessons were inhumanely difficult. Failures were met with harsh punishments, causing the young Catherine to pass multiple sleepless nights. It became a bit of a trauma.

In the end, Catherine did become the Pope though. The results speak for themselves.

Master Melinda seems to have gotten crankier. Has old age made her like that? Either way, even I wouldn't mess with her, so it should be the same for the organization.

To prevent her former master from going berserk, Catherine decided to take matters into her own hands.

"Emperor Herald, you have presented no evidence to back your claim. It is all mere speculation. I must also point out that despite their old age, the Wise Man and the Guru are still likely to be the strongest people of our era. Magic doesn't weaken with age. It is best that we forget this subject matter and continue with the meeting."

But the Emperor remained foolishly bull-headed.

"I wasn't talking to you, wench—!"

Finally, he spoke out of line.

Right then, a sudden pressure dropped on the Emperor's shoulders. Not only him, everyone in the meeting room experienced an invisible force press down on them.

All the guards present drew their weapons. At least, only the stronger ones managed to. The weak ones couldn't lift their arms to grasp at their weapon's hilts. One even directly passed out from the shock.

The source wasn't hard to guess.

"This power...!"

"A-Amazing..."

"The fairy tales were true!"

"Kyaaa~! Master Merlin is so cool!"

Indeed, the Wise Man made his move. Merlin continually released absurd amounts of pure magic power into the air. But it was different from simply letting it run free. No, it was controlled. It moved with the will of a hero that defeated a Devil and an innumerable number of demons in their lifetime.

It was like this, but it also wasn't. How did you do it, Thomas? How did you do it without magic?

The domineering pressure was so heavy and abrupt that the Emperor ended up biting his tongue.

An unlucky coincidence, really. But at least the blabbering fool had shutted up.

The meeting went smoothly after that. After the information exchange, the next subject matter was the creation of a countermeasure.

"I have a solution." Diseum extensively discussed with Merlin and Melinda about this matter. "Master Merlin and Mistress Melinda, along with other masters of magic in the military, will begin teaching magic in the Advanced Magic Academy to nurture powerful magicians. I have also talked to the Sword Saint Michel to do the same in the Knight Academy."

"You plan to create an army?"

The other monarchs free skeptical. Wouldn't this give Earlshide too much power?

"No. I simply wish to give our citizens the strength and security to prevent a panic from spreading. We've already established that we are fighting an organization with highly skilled members. The stronger our forces are, the more confident the masses in their safety, the better. Besides, I encourage that you will also send your own talents. Every nation can benefit from this collaboration."

Merlin spoke up. "Apart from teaching, I'll be researching the organization's magic. Melinda will develop defensive and surveillance magic tools for finding and defending against Devils. I'd like to request your help on the matter."

"Of course! No need to ask, Master Merlin!"

"I'll send over personnel to aid your research!"

"Any materials the heroes may need will be sold at discounted prices. Rely on the Federation to find anything you may require."

"..." (My tounge hurts... why is no one healing my poor tongue?!)

The meeting spanned hours. Night fell, and the meeting had to be continued the next day.

By the time they had discussed all that needed to be discussed, the monarchs returned to their domains, ready to deliver news of a new alliance.

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"The rumors were true? A Devil was out kidnapping people?"

"Yes, but it wasn't a Devil. It couldn't have been, Shin. We've determined it to be a hidden organization. They are next to impossible to find, what with their teleportation or invisibility magic."

"What do you mean, Grandpa?"

"The organization members would appear one moment and disappear the next. You know, it reminds me of the invisibility magic you developed."

"Well, I didn't teach anyone how to do it. Thomas doesn't count since he just replicated it... wait, teleportation? Didn't Thomas use that back then in the alley..."

"What was that?"

"Ah, nothing. I just remembered something. Speaking of Thomas, I haven't seen him around. Where is he?"

"I don't know. He must be busy. Maybe he's still out looking for work or a place to stay. I remember looking for a house when I was younger. It was so hard to choose when I had so many options. He's probably going through that."

"...if you say so."

"What's with that look?"

"...nothing."

"Yeah, no. Tell me. Speak what's on your mind."

"Well, it's been a few days since we've seen him... And it's been a few days since the kidnapping rumors popped up..."

"And?"

"What if... there's no way."

"No way for what?"

"Uhh..."

"???"

"uuuhhhh..."

"Come on. Spill."

"...what if Thomas got kidnapped?"

"..."

"..."

"...That's a bit too farfetched, Shin."

"I think so too."

Then a year passed. Thomas never came back.