"The card Echo of Tears. Never expected to see such a card in action," Kairo was amazed, standing next to Danzan.
"The Echo of Tears doesn't just increase his speed. It makes him unstoppable as long as the ripple of the droplet has not disappeared. Once it is gone, he regains his normal abilities. That's why he is called the Mad Lightning," Nyx added on the side, equally twinkling with excitement.
"You know the rules. Attacking the Chancellor is attacking the entire Card Mage Police. Are you certain you want to lose your job and your life for these kids, even without knowing what they did?" another familiar voice echoed from the other end.
The charismatic black suit was the first thing Kairo noticed. Fabian's expression was friendly, but his aura spoke otherwise. Around him, the circuitry of the void was going wild, affected by the halo of emerald green waves that radiated from his body.
Kairo's heart sank. More and more people were arriving on both sides. This was going out of hand. Were they really going to fight just like that?
"I don't need to know what they did. I said they are coming with me. We have a meeting. You can torture them later if you wish. But now, they stay with me."
The two captains stared dangerously at each other like two hungry lions ready to assert their dominance, causing Kairo and Nyx to take a step backward. Danzan is a four-star officer, while Fabian has five stars. I doubt they're just for decoration. Will Danzan be safe if things get out of hand? Kairo's heart started beating faster. The more he waited to take action, the more things were escalating.
"We can't hold the truth anymore, Nyx. We have to tell them," he said to his partner.
Danzan lifted his card, and Fabian did the same, about to unleash their magic when a woman stepped into the corridor. Isn't that the doctor? Kairo blinked in surprise.
The moment the lady arrived, Fabian's aura receded, while Danzan's face twitched slightly in a frustrated glare. In the corridor, all the observers stepped to the side like it was some sort of queen's entrance.
"What brings the queen of annoyance to this place? We were just having fun in here," Danzan was the first to break the silence.
"You fellas almost broke the systems in place in this sector. We can't monitor everything if you keep breaking all our equipment. And you, Kairo, you have a few questions to answer. Follow the Chancellor without making a fuss and everything shall be fine."
Kairo, on the side, had a confused expression. She is Mirelle Dorothy — the five-star officer, head of the Surveillance Department, and also a doctor? Earlier he had definitely felt she was different, but to think it was her. Not only was she beautiful, but her presence alone was enough to calm the rising spirit.
"She is not only a five-star officer but also part of those we call the Inquisitors — the elite fighters in charge of keeping and escorting dangerous criminals. The idol of many in the Card Mage Police. Some even say she is equal to no one other than Magnus," Nyx said, her eyes gleaming with a hint of envy.
Kairo took a deep breath. He had heard from his father about those famous Inquisitors. In the Card Mage Police, they had one of the most dangerous jobs: dealing with deadly criminals.
"I don't expect us to be fighting between each other. For now, Danzan, stay out of this, and Fabian, you have more important things to do. You know what is coming soon. And as for you, Chancellor — be quick. Kairo has a case to resolve. And for God's sake, get the hell all back to work now," she said.
Like little machines set in motion, the officers quickly rushed out of the way, all returning to their offices.
Danzan's face twitched. "Nope. I don't feel like working today. Miss Annoyance, I receive orders only from the boss. Good day, guys. Kairo, try to stay alive in the meantime."
Waving happily at everyone, Danzan slid his hands in his pockets and walked away.
An irrespectuous fool. Keep giving him this much freedom and you won't get respect from anyone,'' Fabian added and left. One after another, the crowd dispersed, leaving Kairo to fend for himself with the chancellor. Kairo's eyes fell onto those of Mirelle. Why does she keep looking at me that way? As if she knew more than she should... Kairo had that disturbing feeling since the first time they met. Mirelle, on her part, kept her usual expressionless face and left.
...….
A few minutes later, Kairo and Nyx sat in two different rooms. As far as Kairo could see, the four walls were entirely gray—a very dull and lifeless color. Seated alone in the room, he patiently waited. Danzan could buy them time, but he still had to answer the chancellor's questions.
The chancellor moved in with the officer, this time around much calmer.
''I am Jeder. Kairo, it's time for you to explain yourself. Jed disappeared a few hours after your fight yesterday. He hasn't returned yet. What do you have to say?''
Kairo was unsure of how to answer, switching his gaze back and forth between the chancellor and Jeder.
''Jed was not kidnapped. He is on a mission with me. He needs to arrange a meeting with Harid—the one who will lead us to the mastermind behind the human transformations in town. We are close to solving the case. Do you understand now? I'm waiting for your apologies. Nyx and I were not supposed to be treated like this,'' Kairo said righteously. He was in perfect right with his actions and had nothing to be blamed for.
Still, Kairo noticed something strange. Jeder and the chancellor didn't show much change in expression, as if they already knew. A very bad feeling started rising in his heart.
''Unfortunately, my stupid son did dive into some illegal stuff. But I made my investigation—he was smart enough to divulge nothing to his acolytes and instead gave them half-valid information. He was a real spy to the end, my son. Although he did betray, his case is not as severe as those who send out vital information.''
Kairo felt like he was watching a movie. All of this was absurd. How could a spy be kidnapped? Could it be due to his wounded leg? No—even still, Jed was not a fool. The more he tried to figure out what happened to Jed, the more inconsistencies appeared. What happened after we left that day? was the question that kept disturbing Kairo.
''I will ask you to trust me on this, Chancellor. Very soon, Jed will call and you will understand the truth,'' Kairo insisted.
But the chancellor's expression was stoic.
''Kairo, I want the truth,'' he kept repeating.
''It's useless. I have other ways to make him talk,'' Jeder, who had been silent the whole time, joined in.
Beads of sweat fell down his face. The more time he spent in this place, the more his heartbeat increased. Kairo cleared his throat and was about to say something when the phone on the table rang.
Kairo's expression brightened.
''That's him! Take the call!'' he called out.
The chancellor stared suspiciously at Kairo. Observing no reaction, Kairo snatched the phone and placed it on loudspeaker.
''Good morning, Chancellor,'' a very disturbing voice echoed—the type that makes one chill in fear in the night. Kairo couldn't tell why, but he could bet his life it was the mastermind.
Kairo gulped and replied,
''Where is Jed?''
The voice fell silent. The seconds dragged into minutes, with every second feeling like an eternity. Kairo's heart was beating wildly. Jed can't be dead, right? he hoped inwardly.
The chancellor's stare on Kairo was slowly turning from calm to very aggressive.
''He is alive... but not for long,'' the voice said.
''Father please save me. He is a mad man. The kids here are... they are changed... the Surgeon, that's who they call him. Search the Surgeon—''
Before Jed could say more, the dark voice cut him off.
''We don't know each other, but I know quite a lot about you and your people. Let me finish what I started, and nothing will happen to Jed.
Give me a day, that's all I need. After that, you will regain your son. In the meantime, stop any investigation or action against me... Continue searching, and Jed will be one of my numerous trophies.''
The voice hung up.
The trio in the room were cold after the voice hung up. It was like the temperature in the room had fallen to zero degrees.
It is all my fault Jed is in mortal danger, Kairo was hit by the realization. At that time, it had only been a bad joke on him. They didn't expect Jed would be kidnapped. If he wasn't wounded with Guilty Shadow and Shadow Mark, he would have escaped but... Kairo balled his fist. He had failed on the entire line.
''I don't care how you handle this, but it was your fault. You left Jed wounded knowing perfectly the portals are one-way trips. He had to find his way here wounded, and he was kidnapped. He spoke of not acting for a day. The Surgeon probably needs less than that to finish his deed. Might be 12 hours. If my predictions are right, that means you need to find Jed in between the next six hours. Otherwise, it will be too late... Listen, Kairo. You have six hours,'' the Chancellor explained.
''Six hours to bring him back. Pass that time, I will make sure you both meet in hell. Let's go, Jeder.''
The chancellor stood up and left.
After the chancellor left, Kairo didn't move immediately. Head down, he slammed the table so forcefully that it echoed in the entire room. Jed said the children had been changed, meaning the little girl was not an isolated case.
I can't let someone else suffer this. I have to do something. I have to catch him.
Kairo stood up with determined steps out of the hall. Six hours—that was all he had to save Jed and the children.