We live at the foothills of Dragon Peak.
Search for a clue.
“We did something bad to Mary.”
Soon after leaving Lady Linze’s mansion, we hurried to the Variety Family. There, too, we explained the problem that had occurred within the family and said we had to return quickly.
Mary, who had thought she could live with Madrine from now on, watched us leave with a very sad expression.
“Don’t worry, Elnea. Mary is strong, despite how she appears. Besides, I’ll spoil her rotten when we return.”
“In that case, we need to come back soon!”
I, Lyra, and Madrine rode on Nimia’s back and headed west through the sky.
“Lady Revalia also seemed a little disappointed.”
“That’s right. It was unusual for Revalia to be so cooperative, so it’s a bit of a shame. For her to show such genuine concern, Revalia is truly a part of our family.”
The reason we chose to ride on Nimia instead of Revalia for our return journey was Revalia’s suggestion.
“Tch. That brat is faster than me. You guys ride on her and return first.”
It was true that Nimia, an ancient dragon species, was physically superior to Revalia. However, it was rare for the proud Revalia to recommend someone else over herself.
“Revalia must be tired from bringing Lyra along. She said she’d be late, so we should be grateful for Revalia’s kindness.”
“Yes, indeed!”
“That’s right.”
Thus, we were carried by Nimia and hastened our journey back to the Armēdo Kingdom.
“Grandpa! Mistral and Sefina!”
“Calm yourself, don’t be hasty. Panicking here won’t solve anything.”
Nimia flew without rest, and the next day we reached the Dragon Forest. She proceeded directly to the Moss Garden and safely delivered us.
At the center of the Moss Garden, old Sleigsta, with a body like a small mountain, stood serenely. We quickly ran up to him.
” ” ” Elnea-kun! ” ” ”
Then, Yufilia, Nina, and Ruiseine, who had rushed over in the same way, appeared.
“Welcome back, everyone.”
“I’m glad you’re safe.”
“I’m glad you’re energetic.”
“Ruiseine, is your pupil alright? Yufi, Nina, you’re both safe too. That’s good.”
We, the family gathered in the Moss Garden, embraced each other, confirming our safety.
However, Mistral and Sefina were nowhere to be seen.
“Grandpa, what happened to Mistral and Sefina?”
We looked up at old Sleigsta again.
Then, old Sleigsta looked down at us with his golden eyes.
“Hmm, this is troubling. Unfortunately, I don’t know the details either. All I can say is that both Mistral and Sefina are still missing.”
“Even you don’t know…”
Lyra had sent an urgent message, and our faint hope that even a small clue might have appeared by the time we returned was dashed.
Nevertheless, we couldn’t afford to buckle under here.
“Even the slightest… just a tiny thing, do you have any clues?”
Before we left, was there anything unusual? Did their words or actions leave any clues?
I looked around at everyone.
Then, Yufilia and Nina raised their hands first.
“I heard Sefina went to the Northern Land alone, so Nina and I followed her.”
“We managed to catch up with Yufi to where she must have been camping for the night.”
“Yufi, Nina, were there any clues left there?”
In response to my question, both of them shook their heads.
“Unfortunately, there were no clues pointing to her destination.”
“But there was a fire left burning.”
“Huh? What do you mean?”
Yufilia and Nina chased after Sefina and entered the Wyvern Hunting Ground.
Finding a campsite with a burning fire there meant that Sefina should have been there until just before they arrived.
Yet, Sefina suddenly disappeared?
“Were there any signs of a struggle?”
“No.”
“Did it look like she moved for some reason?”
“That was absent too.”
The two of them initially thought she had stepped away for a moment, perhaps to use the restroom, and waited at the campsite. However, Sefina never returned.
“Then, Lady Restoria flew in and told Nina and me:”
“‘It’s dangerous, so hurry and evacuate to the Moss Garden.'”
Lady Restoria, though not part of our immediate group, was sitting quietly near old Sleigsta.
“I cannot trouble Lady Restoria. I tried to bring my twins back, but…”
“Kururu. It’s an emergency, so I’ll help.”
Old Sleigsta bowed his head apologetically, and Lady Restoria smiled.
“Thank you.”
We thanked Lady Restoria.
Old Sleigsta must have noticed Sefina’s sudden disappearance. That’s why Lady Restoria flew all the way here to inform them.
If Lady Restoria hadn’t alerted them to the abnormality, Yufilia and Nina might not be here now and could have also gone missing. Thinking about it, I can only be grateful.
Furthermore, not only did she fly to inform Yufilia and Nina, but she also remains here in the Moss Garden, helping to suppress Ruiseine’s pupil rampage.
Incidentally, Lady Karuna is nowhere to be seen.
She may have gone to search for information about the rogue Female Immortal who possesses the Magic Eye.
“So, we should consider Sefina to have been suddenly ambushed and kidnapped or abducted?”
I don’t want to imagine the worst, but if I consider the possibility…
If she had been attacked by someone, there should have been signs of a struggle. And in the worst-case scenario, if Sefina had lost her life, her body should have been left behind.
But at the campsite, not only was Sefina’s figure absent, but there were no signs of a struggle.
Moreover, it’s possible she was by the campfire until just a moment ago.
In that case, isn’t it most reasonable to assume that someone ambushed Sefina and abducted her?
Everyone, including old Sleigsta, nodded at my thoughts.
“But there’s no trace of Sefina’s presence anywhere, is there?”
When I confirmed with old Sleigsta, he hummed in response.
“Mistral and Sefina. I cannot track the presence of either.”
“Not just Sefina, but Mistral too… That’s it! When did Mistral’s presence disappear? Before Sefina’s? After? What was the time interval?”
“That’s a good question. Mistral disappeared a little before Sefina’s presence ceased.”
“In other words, their presences suddenly vanished in different locations without much time elapsed between them?”
Mistral also disappeared on Dragon Peak.
The situation was similar to Sefina’s, though in a different location. If so, their disappearances seem to be related incidents or accidents.
However, would similar events occur simultaneously in the Dragon Peak and the Wyvern Hunting Ground?
Furthermore, if they were abducted by someone. would old Sleigsta, an experienced ancient dragon species, lose track of them?
Even with old Sleigsta’s abilities, he has not yet been able to find the whereabouts of Mistral and Sefina from the flow of the dragon veins.
“In that case, perhaps they were taken to a place so far away that Grandpa can’t detect them, or perhaps to a place without dragon veins… like the sky?”
In response to my question, old Sleigsta closed his eyes and replied.
“The sky is unlikely. While it’s true that dragon veins don’t flow in the sky, if someone were to exist there, others would surely notice?”
“Now that you mention it, that’s true.”
Not just in the Wyvern Hunting Ground. If someone were present in the sky above Dragon Peak, dragons and other races would quickly sense it and become wary.
“But what if it was higher than the clouds?”
“But what if they took them and moved away quickly?”
Let’s examine Yufilia and Nina’s deductions.
“Above the clouds. While dragons and various other winged races can fly, only a limited number can fly beyond the altitude of the clouds, right?”
“Ancient dragons can fly.”
“Individuals with excellent flight capabilities, like Lady Revalia, can also surpass it.”
Everyone nodded at Lyra and Ruiseine’s words, but I tilted my head.
“But even if you can fly above the clouds. If there are no clouds in the sky, you’d be completely visible, wouldn’t you?”
“Elnea-kun is correct.”
“Elnea-kun’s point is valid.”
Except during seasons when clouds like the summer storm clouds or winter snow clouds cover the sky. Now, it’s late spring. The sky is crystal clear, and clouds are only scattered. Even flying higher than the clouds at such altitudes, it would be incredibly difficult not to be seen.
“Therefore, the possibility of being taken to the sky is low. Then, next. What about the possibility of high-speed movement after abducting Mistral and Sefina?”
“To my knowledge, I don’t know of any race that can move faster than ancient dragons?”
“Hahahaha! What about spatial transfer?”
It is no exaggeration to say that no race can compare to ancient dragons in terms of physical ability.
However, even ancient dragons cannot fly so fast that they are completely unnoticeable.
In that case, Lyra’s opinion is currently the most probable?
“But who can perform spatial transfer…?”
All eyes turned to old Sleigsta.
We are not doubting old Sleigsta.
Everyone is trembling, wondering if the culprit is someone with supernatural powers like old Sleigsta.
Old Sleigsta. The Giant Demon Lord and his subordinate Charlotte. The Witch. There are others, but as far as we know, only those with overwhelming power can perform spatial transfer.
If Lyra’s words are true, then our enemy is one of these special individuals.
“No, it’s too early to jump to conclusions.”
I raised my voice, dispelling everyone’s anxiety.
“Furthermore, no matter who it is, we will not forgive anyone who threatens the safety of our family!”
We have decades, centuries, of life ahead of us. It is unacceptable for our family to be incomplete during that time, and we will strive to ensure it never happens.
Therefore, this time too, we will find Mistral and Sefina and restore peace!
My determination was echoed by the will of every family member.
“We will surely rescue them.”
“Mist, Sefina, please wait for us.”
“We will retaliate.”
“We will take revenge.”
Old Sleigsta quietly observed our resolve.
“Alright. Then, first, let’s re-examine the scene where the two disappeared!”
Even if Yufilia and Nina overlooked something, we might discover something new by re-examining it together as a family.
Also, it is necessary to investigate the place where Mistral disappeared.
However, we don’t know what will happen from here on out.
Therefore, individual actions are prohibited.
We must stick together and act as a group.
Nimia spread her large wings.
She was ready to depart at any moment.
However, before we could make any move to depart, old Sleigsta asked in a low voice.
“Going? Then, what will you do? Will you face this challenge armed with the weapons I have entrusted to you?”
That’s right. We do not have our weapons.
We let go of our beloved weapons so as not to be swayed by power, in our pursuit of it.
But there is a high probability of danger awaiting us.
Can we respond adequately without weapons?
I closed my eyes and thought.
We decided not to rely on power and let go of our weapons.
However, due to an unexpected family crisis, we find ourselves in a situation where weapons are necessary.
What should I decide…
I pondered for a moment.
While thinking, I looked at everyone in the family.
To my surprise, they all had unexpectedly bright expressions.
Huh?
Perhaps everyone has already found their answer?
In that case, I must make a decision too.
“Grandpa.”
“Let me hear your answer.”
Nodding, I spoke my thoughts without hesitation.
“We don’t need weapons!”
That’s right. We will not retrieve our weapons.
“Let me hear the reason.”
To old Sleigsta, who asked, I replied.
“Because,” I said, “even Mistral, the only one amongst our family who didn’t relinquish his beloved weapon, disappeared without leaving a trace. In that case, I feel bringing weapons would be like pouring water on a scorched stone.”
Moreover, I thought.
“Reclaiming our weapons now, to put it nicely, would be a flexible response. However, if we so easily trample on past resolutions, I feel we will eventually make a grand, irreversible mistake. Therefore, we will not ask for our weapons back. We will challenge this without weapons!”
Well, if the opponent is an transcendenta, then wielding weapons would be a futile resistance anyway.
Above all, I have a strong feeling that this problem requires “heart” more than “power.”
Mistral and Sefina are surely safe right now.
I feel the answer lies ahead, by strongly believing that in my “heart.”
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