Chapter 123 - Missing People

Azriel felt dizzy. At that instant, a few more facts were combined in her head. Maylie was assisting her senior reporter to gather information about some missing incidents that were happening all over the country. She said the royal family seemed to be investigating that. Sophinea was staying in the underground tower for safety reasons because of recent serious incidents, and they were related to nameless wizards. Pendelok said that he could not share that at his will. It was something that even Charles, who was the king, investigated by personally visiting the underground tower.

‘If they are all connected.’

If nameless wizards, or more embracingly, people with unnamable mana were missing all around the country, and if Sophinea was staying in the underground tower in case of missing and the royal family was investigating it…

‘And if Rhema is really killing nameless wizards because of his duty as a watchman…’

Rhema often went out not disclosing his purpose. He could manipulate memories, pause time, and turn humans into dust, making them disappear without a trace. Azriel felt dizzy. She pressed her forehead. No, I’ve gone too far. That can’t be. If, by a chance in a million, he’s been killing people, he must’ve killed only bad wizards. Think about Tarbo Tameion. He’s even done human experiments. There must be a reason… If it’s really a watchman’s duty, if he has to do it…

‘Will I have to do such things if I become a watchman like Rhema?’

Eternal and miserable life-Rhema had described the decision to become a watchman that way. Inside her chest became cold as if a piece of ice was stuck. Suddenly, a warm and soft touch tapped her cheek. When she turned her head vacantly, Marthi, who had been sitting on her shoulder in his translucent form, tilted his head as if to ask what was wrong.

“Azriel?”

Edith called her in a worrisome voice. Sophinea was looking up at her still. Azriel shook her head and smiled. “It’s nothing.”

She pushed aside her assumptions and guesses to one corner as they were hovering dizzily in her head. And she opened her mouth calmly. “I will be staying in the underground tower for a while from now on. While I’m here, I will try to name Sophinea’s mana.”

Edith and Sophinea’s eyes were widened at the same time. Looking at them this way together, she could easily tell that they were mother and daughter. Edith asked falteringly. “Is, is that possible? Naming unnamable mana…”

“I have something in my mind, but I don’t know if it’ll work. I will try it first and tell you.”

“Oh, God…”

“But don’t expect too much. I can’t guarantee it’s success.”

Rhema said that there were even specific procedures for naming such children’s mana. She could not ask Rhema about the cure for nameless wizards in detail, at least for now. Even though she did not know about detailed steps, there was something she could vaguely guess by combining what she had learned and heard.

“It’s, al-right,” Sophinea suddenly opened her mouth. When Azriel looked back, the girl continued with a calm face. “I’m, use, used to hearing, that, that, this can, can be fixed. So, I, I’m fine. I, I am, ha-happy, enough, that I, I get to talk, talk like this.”

Sophinea said in a deeply harsh and stuttering voice with effort and smiled like she was really happy. “Th-ank you.”

Azriel stroked the girl’s head without thinking. Sophinea narrowed her eyes as if she liked it. Her smile was a little more brightened like Azriel used to do whenever Rhema stroked her head in the past.

*

Azriel returned to the room and opened the bundle of reporters that Edith handed her. Looking closely, it was quite a large amount. She turned the pages, speed-reading it and began picking out useless information. She usually could not hear sounds very well once she began concentrating. So, she did not hear someone knocking on her door. At last, Marthi, who was rolling on the bed, got up and pulled his master.

“Someone is here, master,” Marthi said.

“What…? Oh, thank you,” Azriel said.

When Azriel got up, Marthi quickly hid under a blanket. She then opened the door right away. Pendelok Palaios was waiting at the door.

“I came upon receiving your message,” Pendelok said.

“Welcome, Sir Palaios,” Azriel greeted.

“It’s a little awkward to hear you call me with such respect. Just call me grandpa freely.”

“If that’s more comfortable for you.”

“Can I come in?”

“Sure,” when Azriel stepped aside, Pendelok came in. She led the old man to the table and said. “I’m sorry. I just unpacked, so I have nothing to serve.”

“That’s fine. I heard that you were renting a room in the underground tower starting today.”

“For what occasion did you leave me a message?”

“I discussed it with His Majesty. He wanted to tell you this directly…,” suddenly, Pendelok looked at her with meaningful eyes. “Come to think of it, His Majesty wanted to see you very much. He couldn’t come out because there was an urgent matter. He was trying to sneak out but was caught by Sir Ash.”

“D, Did he?” Azriel suddenly remembered Charles’ confession that he was in the middle of falling for her and the ball in a few days. She had completely forgotten about it. Azriel flustered a little and changed the subject. “By the way, what did you discuss with His Majesty?”