"That's everything, sir." After almost an hour of speaking in front of him, seemingly not interested in my story, he finally spoke.
"So you're saying that there is a guy who awakened his animal spirit at the age of thirty-three, and a kid who awakened at the age of three. Sounds unrealistic to me, Lieutenant," he stated as he stood up from his seat.
"And the fifteen kids are still missing?" He looked at me with his eyes wide open.
"What's going on, Zack? Do you think the King will believe your story? Hundreds of children have died because of your negligence!!" he shouted.
He sat again and started pouring wine into his glass. "What about the Lone Wolf?" he asked.
"He was there, but—"
"Oh, so he was there, but couldn't do a thing? What is this nonsense, Lieutenant?" He started questioning now.
But suddenly the atmosphere began to drop. The wine that the chief poured started freezing. He's here.
"I'll say you should calm down, Belk." Geralt arrived out of thin air.
"The Lone Wolf," the chief replied. "I was just trying to figure out what actually happened." His voice sounded as if he was scared. His eyes were panicking.
"Looks like an interrogation to me," Geralt spoke in such a low voice.
"No… no, actually I was—" the chief started to look pale.
"What are you scared of?" As Geralt got closer to him, I could see he was trying to dominate the chief.
"Well, I… I would need to report this to the King… so… so—"
"So?" Geralt tried to intimidate him.
"So… so I have to know all the details…" it looked like he was succeeding.
"No. I will report this incident myself. So you should just stay here, get a whore, fill your fing belly with a fing beer and get the hell out of my sight!!" Geralt shouted.
The chief ran out the door, fleeing like a mouse from a wild dog.
"You don't need to do that," I said.
"That f***ing useless pig." He replied. "I will report everything to the King," he stated.
"Do you think he will understand?" I asked.
"Hahahaha! You underestimate your King," he replied as he laughed. "The kid Nathan, he was just genius and talented, that's all. Premo, on the other hand, I'll figure it out."
"The mystery behind Premo's awakening and those who backed him up, we might find a clue about the missing children," I stated.
"Here." I gave him some documents and information about the fifteen children. "That's all I have. Every detail and information about the kids and their family background."
"Family background?" Geralt took notice.
"These missing children, they were not just random kids. They belong to the top-listed richest families in Viserian Region," I replied.
"Looks like that's the clue, Lieutenant. Do you know the group called 'The Vikings'? It is a notorious group known for kidnapping children from the richest families," Geralt stated.
"I heard of them, but I thought they were disbanded ten years ago?" I asked.
I'd heard of this group before. At that time, I was still a captain. They became famous and somehow became a threat. But it was destroyed by the Pro-Hunter.
"Last week, one of the Nights Watch Patrol units saw them in the western part of Viserian Region. Looks like they've been revived by some people and are starting to operate again. If my hunch is correct, we have a suspect now, Lieutenant."
"I see. Looks like another trouble," I answered, realizing another big operation had to come.
"Will you report this information as well?" I asked.
"No. I will handle this case myself," he replied. "If I report this, the King will probably send a Pro-Hunter to resolve this." He opened the bottle of wine before drinking it until it was empty.
"Isn't that good?" I asked, wondering why he would hesitate to report The Vikings to the King.
"I am currently working to train the kid Nathan, the captain's son," he replied as he threw the empty bottle of wine he just drank.
"Nathan? Why?" Again, my confusion began to increase. "Don't tell me you want him to join the operation."
"We are not in operation yet. Besides, I see great potential in the kid." He walked around looking for another wine that the chief was hiding. "You could say I took a liking to that kid to the point that I want to train him myself."
"He's just a kid. No matter how you see it, he is just a kid. You know that, right?" I replied.
However, I knew the fact that Nathan was special. It's also almost impossible to believe he defeated Premo, a Delta Level. I couldn't just disagree.
"You should at least let the parents know what you are planning," I stated, trying to convince him. There should be another reason for him to get close to Nathan.
He just nodded and started drinking another bottle of wine he just found underneath the table of the chief.
"Seriously, are you thirsty, or is it your first time tasting wine?" I asked as I let out a deep breath.
"HHAHAHA," he cackled. "My apology, Lieutenant, this wine tastes so good, no wonder Belk got a fatass."
Is this really The Lone Wolf? I asked myself in thought.
"I should leave now," I stated before leaving him. Before I closed the door, I saw him again taking another bottle of wine. What the?
I never knew he was a drunkard.
But if Geralt was right about the Vikings, it's big trouble. I still wonder what Geralt is trying to achieve with Nathan. He probably saw something in the kid that we couldn't see. Why would the Vikings take those children? There's so much more I need to learn. I can't let another person or child die.
Honestly, it's easier for me if the Pro-Hunter took the job instead, I mumbled.
Another two days of travel before returning to Viserian, the biggest region of Luzvimin Imperial Kingdom. Unlike Luziana, a region full of cities and people, Viserian is covered in forests and mountains. Many natural resources can be obtained in this region, and yet many villages are isolated due to its massive territory. It's also the middle region, which means it has easy access anywhere, perfect for a terrorist hiding place like the Vikings. Just finding their hideouts will be a challenge.
Aurelia Xavier's POV
"Good morning, Mom!" Nathan walked out of his room early in the morning, seemingly in a rush.
"Hey, Nat, take your breakfast before leaving?" I asked.
"I'm good, Mom, I need to go." He left without eating anything.
After that incident at the school, my son Nathan seemed strained. He always went out to train with his magic and skills. I heard what he did last time, but this is unhealthy for him.
"Did he go out early again?" William came out from our room with his crutch supporting him as he walked.
"As usual," I replied. "Here, eat some breakfast."
I helped him sit on his chair and served him hot soup and bread.
"I'm worried about our son, William. Do you think he's okay? I mean, he looks pretty stressed lately," I spoke as I sat beside him. "I am worried about our son."
"He will be alright. Whatever he does, let's just support him." He gave me a weak smile and continued to speak.
"When he is in trouble, we can always go at his back. We can always guide him, that's our job," he replied, trying to ease what I felt, but his face told the opposite.
"Lieutenant Zack just arrived yesterday. He came to our house when you were out for groceries," he stated, seemingly informing me of something.
"What?" I asked. "Did he tell you about his report from the central office?"
"Yeah, he's fine," he replied. "He says Geralt arrived and provided some useful information."
"That's the guy you're working with, right?" I asked.
"Yeah," he replied, anxious.
So I asked, "What's wrong?"
"Geralt wants to train Nathan," he answered.
"Oh wow, really?" I said. "He looks tough."
"Honey, he wants to take Nathan and train him. That means Nathan will be far away from us," he replied.
I was speechless for a few seconds after I heard that. I was confused and suddenly realized I couldn't let that happen. I couldn't imagine Nathan without us and with just some random people. Of course, I was worried and opposed to that idea.
So I said, "You know we can't agree on that, right?" I asked my husband, who seemed to have already decided.
"You can't, right?" I asked again, clarifying things.
"It's for Nathan," he replied.
"William, are you out of your MIND?" I replied with my tone rising. I was upset.
"You didn't even discuss this with me. He's just eight years old!" I asked, as my blood rose.
"Oh my God, William, this is absurd." I walked outside to calm myself and to give my mind time to think.
William followed me, he spoke as he held my cold hand. "Honey, I know what you feel, but we can't just let Nathan's skills and potential go to waste. Nathan is genius and he will definitely become stronger. He will make us proud."
"You know he can train without leaving," I replied with my eyes starting to water.
"I know, but if we let him stay here and do what he can do better outside, we're just trying to hinder his growth," he replied, as he tried to convince me.
"This is not for us to decide," I replied, hoping that Nathan would disagree.
Later that night when Nathan came back, I prepared dinner for the three of us. This time we would discuss the situation with Nathan, hopefully he would reject the offer.
But I wasn't even surprised when I heard his answer.
"I will come."
"Nathan, son, are you sure about this?" William confirmed for the second time.
"Yes. There should be another way to train, right?" I confronted, trying to convince him not to go.
"I mean you can always train here with your father. He can also ask Lieutenant Zack for further assistance. Why do you need to go far away from us just to train?"
"I already thought about that, but I need experience. I need to get stronger," he eagerly replied.
"Why do you want to become stronger? Nathan, look, it doesn't matter what you are, it doesn't matter how strong or weak you are, I will always be proud of you—me and your father."
"Because I want to be a Pro-Hunter, Mom," he replied. "And I can never protect you and Dad if I am this weak. I know both of you are worried, but I am your son. Can you please trust me?"
"Looks like you already decided," I replied with worries on my face.
Of course I'm disappointed, but if this is his decision then I will just support him.
"Okay then, I will let you go."
"I'll inform Lieutenant Zack tomorrow," William stated.
"Thank you, Mom, Dad," he replied. "I'll promise not to make you worry. This is a great opportunity for me. I can't just let it slip away."
I really hope this is the right decision.