Chapter 68 A Father's Woe
Two men wearing luxurious silk robes slowly made their up the stairs toward the Count's study. One of them was a portly middle-aged man with a head full of black hair and a thick beard covering most of his face.
The man had gem-studded rings adorning most of his fingers, and a thick golden chain around his neck. This ostentatious person was none other than the owner of the Black Pearl Tavern, Emory Atkinson.
Anxiety marred his face as he clenched his fists so hard that nails dug into his palms, causing them to bleed slightly. The other person, an old man with white hair and a long white beard, walking beside him saw this and sighed.
"Lad, I know what you're going through, but we're about to meet the Count. Don't let emotions cloud your judgment. Keep that temper in check, will you?"
Emory looked at the old man who was looking at him with a kind smile. In the end, he nodded. He respected this old man quite a lot. Not only was he a Magus, but he was also a friend and mentor to him.
"Karl… do you think that troublesome son of mine might still be alive?" Emory asked as his eyes reddened a little.
Roland was Emory's youngest son and although the kid was a good-for-nothing wastrel, he was still his own flesh and blood. So when Emory learned that Roland had disappeared, he was furious!
He had turned everything upside down and personally gone to look for his kid. But in the end, Emory couldn't find him. That is why he was here at the Count's manor right now.
Listening to Emory, Karl stroked his long, white beard like a wise sage and gently replied. "I don't know."
Roland's eyebrows twitched. If you don't know, then why act so knowledgeable?
The duo soon arrived at the entrance of the study. Count Hannes' butler was already waiting for them. As soon as they arrived, the bald butler bowed respectfully. His shoulders were trembling and he was sweating profusely.
"T-The C-C-Count is waiting f-for you, my l-l-lords." He managed to spit out the words with great difficulty.
It couldn't be helped, after all. These two people were mighty Magi, their very presence made it difficult for mortals like him to breathe. Moreover, Magi were very rare in the city and the common people were not used to being around them.
The butler opened the door for them and immediately turned around and fled. He was afraid if he stayed there any longer, he'd be out of breath and pass out.
The two Magi walked into the study and their eyes landed on the blond and broad-shouldered middle-aged man who was sitting behind a mahogany desk.
"Greetings, Count Hannes." Emory and Karl put their right hands over their chest and bowed ever so slightly.
"Gentlemen." Count Hannes got up from his seat and walked toward them. "Thank you for coming all the way here."
He came in front of Emory and placed his hand on the latter's shoulder. "My friend, I heard about what happened. I'm deeply sorry for your—"
"Watch your words, Count Hannes!" Emory could barely contain his anger. "My son is not dead!"
Seeing this, the Count sighed. "Forgive me, I misspoke."
Emory looked at the Count's face that showed nothing but penitence, and clenched his fists tightly. He wanted to say a lot of things to this man.
Why hadn't he done his job as the lord of the territory?
Why did things have to get to this point?
Why did his own son have to disappear?
In the end, he swallowed his words and lowered his head. "Forgive me, Count, I…"
"You don't need to apologize, my friend. Come, let's sit." Count Hannes faintly smiled and then guided the two men to the couch nearby. He grabbed a bottle of bourbon from his cabinet and poured them a glass each.
As soon as the liquor was poured into his glass, Emory grabbed it and downed it in one go. The Count didn't mind it and simply gave the bottle to Emory after he'd made himself a drink.
He looked at the two Magi in front of him and began, "I've already deployed my personal guards and ordered them to thoroughly search every nook and cranny of my city. Moreover, I've also hired mercenaries to aid them with the search."
Karl took a sip of his drink and asked, "I reckon you haven't been able to find anything as well?"
Count Hannes smiled bitterly. "I'm ashamed to say this but I haven't. All I've been able to gather are traces of dark magic being used. Other than that, nothing."
Dark magic, or to be more precise, magic that used negative energy was a taboo in the Magus community. Not only was it the antithesis of positive energy, but it was the life force of undead creatures!
Magi that engaged in dark magic were frowned upon by various cultures. After all, dark magic left only chaos and destruction wherever it appeared.
Emory shook his head and spoke, "Those useless mortals won't be able to find anything if even us Magi couldn't."
Suddenly his eyes lit up as he thought of something. "Count, why don't you ask the Clover Academy for help? I'm sure they'd be able to do something about this."
But soon he began frowning. "No, even if they do come here, it'll take them at least a month, maybe more. By that time, it'll be too late for my kid. Who knows what he's going through right now?"
"You think I haven't reached out to Clover Academy already?" The Count replied, a trace of anger and helplessness evident in his words. "But no one from there showed up. We can only depend on ourselves."
"There's only three Magi in Hannes City, and all of them are in this room right now. I'm sure with us working together, it should only be a matter of time before we find the culprit." Karl encouraged the two.
Emory nodded and so did Count Hannes.
"Very well. I've already tripled the patrolling guards starting tonight. I'm sure if something happens we'll find out soon enough." The Count stated as he looked at the two men.
He got up from his seat and instructed solemnly, "Prepare all the material components that you might need. Starting tomorrow, we will personally head out to investigate."
Emory nodded with a determined look. Wait for me, son. I'll save you no matter what!
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