Chapter 51

Inside Zick and Media’s mansion.

All the former comrades, except for Camellia, had gathered, and a soldier, unluckily defeated in rock-paper-scissors, was trembling as he reported the situation.

“…So… we haven’t found any proper traces yet… We just need a little more time…”

The atmosphere immediately grew heavy. Zick, the Heavenly Demon Old Man, and the other seasoned heroes wore somber or troubled expressions but did nothing. They were old enough to know that interrogating the soldier wouldn’t help. Unfortunately for the soldier tasked with reporting, there was one hero who wasn’t quite mature enough.

Werner had already closed the distance to the soldier, exuding a menacing aura, and placed his index finger on the soldier’s neck.

“So, you’re saying you called us out here just to tell us… you found nothing?”

“Th-This is just an interim report. Once we find more concrete evidence, we’ll report immediately…”

“Then call us then. What’s the point of gathering everyone here just to spout nonsense?”

“But… the higher-ups said to inform you all…”

“You have no information worth sharing, yet you want to confirm that we’re working, is that it?”

The soldier was on the verge of wetting his pants and fainting. Normally, everyone would volunteer to meet with heroes, but this time was different. The others were kind and merciful, not the type to resort to violence over a lack of results. But Werner was different.

Usually, he was a cute boy who called even ordinary soldiers “uncle” and shared snacks with them. But when it came to matters involving his older brother and sister, he became a different person. Once, he locked a soldier who gossiped about Media’s chest and backside in a pit full of snakes for a week. Another time, he crushed the limbs of a soldier who insulted the Heavenly Demon and Zick and hung him from the cathedral’s bell tower.

Reporting to Werner that they couldn’t find Zick and Media’s daughter was clearly a suicidal act, and the current outcome was entirely predictable.

As the soldier sensed his impending doom, the heroes, unable to watch the youngest’s rampage any longer, stepped in.

“How many times do I have to tell you not to use force recklessly?”

The Heavenly Demon, Wu Tianying, grabbed Werner’s wrist.

“Little one~ Didn’t I tell you not to get so excited?”

Squar, the continent’s greatest thief, pressed a card against Werner’s neck.

“…I understand how you feel, but that’s enough, Werner.”

Melchior Winterheart, the Duke of the North and the strongest warrior, placed a hand on Werner’s shoulder.

Werner glanced at them and spoke. His voice, usually that of a cute youngest, now carried a threatening tone.

“Brother Melchior, Sister Squar, and Grandfather… Are you picking a fight with me right now…?”

Werner’s eyes glowed red as he unleashed his magical energy. In response, the three also released their own killing intent.

“It seems I need to teach you some harsh manners today.”

“Shall we have a proper fight today, Sister? Until one of us bleeds and falls?”

“Just because you’re angry doesn’t mean you can say whatever you want, Werner.”

The clash of their energies was intense, and the soldier, caught in the aftermath, foamed at the mouth and collapsed. If only he had been a little better at rock-paper-scissors, this tragedy might have been avoided.

Werner clicked his tongue and withdrew his energy, and the other three also retracted their killing intent and released him. Werner headed outside, where Media and Zick stopped him.

“Werner, we’ll find Airi. You should rest now.”

“That’s right. You haven’t eaten or slept in three days. We appreciate your help, but… you need to take care of yourself too.”

Werner smiled faintly. Unlike the past when he rolled in the mud, ate moldy bread, and shivered in the cold, he now had older brothers, sisters, and an old man who cared for him. He was deeply grateful for that and cherished them enough to go all out.

“Just that much… Have you forgotten who I am? I’m as strong as my brothers and sisters now.”

Media patted Werner’s head. The youngest, who cared so much for her and Airi, now claiming to be all grown up, was just too cute.

“No matter how strong you get, you’re still our youngest. So take care of yourself.”

“Sigh… You worry too much.”

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High in the sky, Werner stood on a rock levitated by magic, scanning the ground below for Airi.

In his right hand was a lunchbox Media had packed for him. Though he had stubbornly refused, he didn’t entirely dislike the idea of being forced to carry it.

“Tsk… I said I didn’t want it.”

Werner sighed and opened the lunchbox. Having focused on the search for the past three days, he was starving. The contents were all his favorite foods.

Goose meat, butter biscuits, shrimp marinated in olive oil, sweet and sour garlic pickles, and melon juice. Even though Airi was missing and his mind was a mess, they still took care of him. Werner was so moved he nearly cried.

He picked up a piece of goose meat and put it in his mouth. The spicy aroma and salty flavor blended perfectly, and it was incredibly tender. The other dishes were also delicious, either tailored to his taste or just because he was so hungry. Either way, he was happy they had gone to such lengths for him even in this difficult situation.

As he chewed on a garlic pickle, Werner spread his hands and focused in the center of the forest.

“Wind, water, wood, earth, show me all you see, tell me all you hear.”

Werner began to survey the entire forest at once. For a human with only two eyes, suddenly viewing so many spaces was mentally taxing. Even as an archmage, Werner felt a headache and had to stop when he hit his mental limit.

But from what he could see, there was no trace of Airi in the forest. Disappointed at having come so far for nothing, Werner clicked his tongue. Just then, a communication artifact began to glow.

Werner infused it with magic and answered.

“I’m busy looking for Airi, so cut it out.”

A girl’s voice came through the artifact.

“Hey! I’m looking too! It’s not even my job, but I’m helping out as a favor to a friend. What do you mean, ‘cut it out’? I’ll cut your life short!”

“Tsk, tsk, tsk, so noisy.”

“I put my magic research on hold to focus on this search because of you. What, you really want to fight? Shall we have a little chat with magic? Huh?!”

“Yeah, I could beat you in two seconds. Stop messing around.”

“Your mouth is as annoying as ever. Definitely Werner.”

Though Werner spoke rudely to his only rival, a sorceress, his expression said otherwise. She was the most trustworthy friend among the mages, and he had been waiting for her call.

“So, did you find a clue? Where’s Airi?”

“It’s hard to explain. Come to my lab and see for yourself.”

“Every second counts right now. Just tell me.”

“It’s hard to explain, so just come!”

“Girls with loud voices are so annoying…”

“Shall I burn the clue?”

Ignoring her threat, Werner threw the communication artifact far away. Though it was an expensive item, her voice was too noisy, so he just tossed it. He could always buy another.

“Well, at least she’s better than those incompetent investigators.”

Though he would never say such praise to her face, Werner deeply respected her abilities. How could he not acknowledge a girl with talent rivaling his own? Thanks to that talent, they quickly became friends and could now make personal requests like this.

Werner manipulated the rock he was on to fly to her magic tower. Since every second counted, he chose to blow a hole in the wall instead of going through the proper entrance procedures.