Chapter 51
Inside the mansion of Zig and Media.
All of their old companions, except for Camellia, were gathered, and the unlucky soldier who lost the rock-paper-scissors game was trembling as he reported the situation.
“…So… that’s why… we haven’t found any proper traces yet… just give me a little more time…”
The atmosphere immediately became heavy. The older heroes, including Zig and Grandpa, looked either saddened or troubled, but they didn’t do anything. They were old enough to know that interrogating the soldier wouldn’t improve the situation. It was unfortunate for the soldier who was reporting, but there was one hero who wasn’t mature enough.
Werner had already approached the soldier and was emitting a sinister magical power, placing his index finger on the soldier’s neck.
“So you called us here to report that you couldn’t find anything?”
“I… this is just an interim report, and if we find more concrete evidence, I’ll report it without delay…”
“Then call us then. Is that what you’re saying, making us wait here for nothing?”
“But the higher-ups told me to inform you…”
“You want us to confirm that you’re working, even though you have nothing to report?”
The soldier who was reporting was about to wet his pants and faint. Usually, everyone would have volunteered to meet the heroes, but this time was different. The others were kind and merciful, and they wouldn’t have resorted to violence just because nothing was found. But Werner was different.
Usually, he was a cute boy who called the soldiers ‘uncle’ and bought them snacks. But when it came to matters concerning his brother and sister, he became ruthless. In the past, he had locked a soldier who made vulgar remarks about Media’s chest and buttocks in a pit full of snakes for a week. He had also captured a soldier who badmouthed Grandpa and Zig, crushed his limbs, and hung him from the bell tower of the church.
It was obvious that reporting to Werner about not finding Zig and Media’s daughter was a suicide mission, and the outcome was predictable.
The soldier sensed his impending death, and the other heroes intervened to stop the youngest’s rampage.
“How many times do I have to tell you not to use your powers recklessly?”
Werner’s wrist was grabbed by the Celestial Mage, Cheonryeong.
“Little brother, didn’t I tell you not to get excited and listen to your sister?”
A card was held against Werner’s neck by the continent’s greatest thief, Squall.
“…I understand your feelings, but that’s enough, Werner.”
Werner’s shoulder was held by the Northern Duke and the strongest warrior, Melchior.
Werner looked at them and spoke in a threatening tone, unlike the cute youngest they knew.
“Melchior, Squall, and Grandpa… are you challenging me to a fight…?”
Werner emitted a red light and released his magical power. The three who were trying to subdue him also emitted killing intent.
“It seems I have to give you a harsh lesson in etiquette today.”
“Do you want to fight me today? Until one of us bleeds and falls?”
“Just because you’re angry doesn’t mean you can say whatever you want, Werner.”
The energy of the four clashed fiercely, and the soldier who was caught in the aftermath of the collision foamed at the mouth and fainted. If he had been better at rock-paper-scissors, this unfortunate incident wouldn’t have happened.
Werner clicked his tongue and withdrew his magical power, and the other three also withdrew their killing intent and released Werner. Werner headed outside, and Media and Zig stopped him.
“Werner, we’ll find Iris, so you rest now.”
“Yes, you haven’t eaten or slept for three days. We appreciate your help, but… you need to take care of yourself too.”
Werner smiled faintly. Unlike his past, where he had to roll in the mud, eat moldy bread, and shiver in the cold, he now had older brothers, sisters, and an old man who cared about him. He was grateful for that, and he valued them so much that he was willing to go to great lengths to help them.
“It’s nothing. Don’t you forget who I am? I’m as strong as you guys now.”
Media patted Werner’s head. She did this because she found it cute that the youngest, who cared so much about her and Iris, was now claiming to be all grown up.
“No matter how strong you become, you’re still our youngest. So be careful.”
“Sigh… you worry too much.”
.
.
.
High up in the sky, Werner was searching for Iris while standing on a rock he had levitated with magic.
In his right hand, he held a lunch box that Media had packed for him. He had refused it at first, but when he saw it, he couldn’t help but feel a little happy.
“Tsk… I told you I didn’t want it.”
Werner sighed and opened the lunch box. He was very hungry, as he had skipped meals for the past three days while focusing on the search. The lunch box contained all of Werner’s favorite foods.
Roast goose, butter biscuits, shrimp marinated in olive oil, tangy garlic pickles, and melon juice. Werner was so touched that Media had prepared this for him, even though she was worried about Iris’s disappearance, that he almost cried.
Werner took a piece of roast goose and put it in his mouth. It was very tasty, with a spicy aroma and a salty flavor, and it was also very tender. The other dishes were also delicious, either because they were tailored to Werner’s taste or because he was very hungry. Either way, Werner was happy that someone had gone to such lengths to help him in this difficult situation.
Werner was chewing on the remaining garlic pickle when he spread his hands and focused in the center of the forest.
“Wind, water, trees, and earth, show me everything you see and let me hear everything you hear.”
Werner began to observe the entire forest at once. For humans who live with two eyes, suddenly being able to see so many spaces at once was mentally exhausting. No matter how great a wizard Werner was, he couldn’t help but feel a headache and stop when he reached his mental limit.
But after a quick scan, he found no trace of Iris in the forest. Werner clicked his tongue at the fact that he had come so far for nothing, and at that moment, his communication magic tool began to glow.
Werner infused magic power into the communication tool and answered the call.
“I’m busy searching for Iris, so hang up.”
A girl’s voice came through the communication tool.
“Hey! I’m also looking for her! It’s not even my job, I’m doing it as a favor for a friend. What? Hang up? I’ll cut your lifespan!”
“You’re so annoying, chirp chirp chirp.”
“I’ve put my magic research on hold to focus on the search because of you. What? Do you really want to fight me? Let’s have a magic conversation, shall we?!”
“Yes, I can beat you in just 2 seconds. Please stop showing off.”
“Your mouth is so annoying, it must be Werner.”
Werner was talking to his only close friend, a wizard, but his words were blunt, while his expression was different. In fact, she was the most trustworthy friend among the wizards, and he had been waiting for her call.
“So, did you find any clues? Where is Iris?”
“It’s hard to explain in words, come to my lab and see for yourself.”
“I’m in a hurry, just tell me.”
“It’s hard to explain in words, so just come!”
“You’re so loud, for a girl…”
“Do you want me to burn the clues?”
Ignoring his friend’s threat, Werner threw the communication tool away. It was usually quite expensive, but he threw it away because his friend’s voice was annoying. He could always buy another one anyway.
“Well, she’s still better than those incompetent investigators.”
Werner didn’t say such praise in front of his friend, but he deeply acknowledged her talent. How could he not acknowledge the talent that rivaled his own? Thanks to that talent, they quickly became friends and had a relationship where they could ask each other for personal favors.
Werner manipulated the rock he was standing on to fly to his friend’s lab in the magic tower. The problem was that instead of going through the formal procedures and entering through the door, he chose to blow up the wall of the lab with the rock and enter that way, as he was in a hurry.