Following the old man's narrative, Rayn and Laxus, who had already adjusted his mindset, also learned what had happened.
As the request form stated, within seven days, three children in the village disappeared one after another.
There was no pattern to the time of their disappearance.
The first was on the afternoon of seven days ago, the second was on the afternoon of six days ago, and the third was on the night of the day before yesterday.
And throughout the whole process, there was no sound.
They had also searched many places, but they had not even found any signs of resistance.
"Were they controlled by magic? Or were they knocked out?"
After hearing the story, Laxus subconsciously stated his guess.
And hearing his words, the expressions of the three women immediately darkened, and the sadness in their eyes could not be concealed.
Even their husbands gritted their teeth tightly, their chests heaving rapidly.
"I don't know, but at least there's some good news."
Rayn stopped rubbing his fingertips, raised his eyelids, and said calmly.
"They weren't killed on the spot, so it's highly likely that they are needed for something, which means there's a chance they're still alive."
At these words, the villagers, who were still heartbroken, their eyes immediately lit up.
"But it's just a possibility."
Sensing the look in their eyes, Rayn added.
"I know, my child is very well-behaved and will be fine!"
"That's right, that's right!"
"They will all come back safely."
As if to soothe their anxious hearts, as if to pray, the three women kept whispering.
But compared to before, their eyes were much brighter.
"Mr. Wizard, is there anything else you need to ask?"
The old man, seeing that their emotions had stabilized a little, asked Rayn.
"Are there any other villages nearby?"
After thinking for a while, Rayn asked again.
"There are two more villages, both on the edge of this forest, but they are some distance away."
"During the time the children were missing, someone from our side went to check, and they also had children missing."
The old man seemed to understand Rayn's meaning and gestured in two directions towards the forest.
Following the old man's finger, he looked.
That was the place where Kanna had smelled the disgusting smell.
Clenching his fist lightly and placing it in front of his lips, a rough blueprint appeared in Rayn's mind.
That group of people used the forest as a base to kidnap children from several villages.
The villages on the other side had missing children.
Even if they issued a request, it would not necessarily be the Fairy Tail guild.
After all, this world did not only have one guild.
In terms of proximity, it was natural to choose a guild that was closer.
That group of people should also know that their actions would attract members of the guild who accepted the request.
If their strength was strong, they might not care, but with this strength, they would not be so sneaky.
So they should also be preparing to retreat, right?
Thinking of this, Rayn put his hand down and nodded to the old man.
"I understand. Then we'll go in and take a look first."
"Laxus, let's go."
Then he glanced at Laxus at his side and called out.
"Kanna, I'll trouble you to lead the way later."
Rayn said softly to Kanna.
Before, he was worried that those people were not the ones he was looking for.
Now, the old man's words had already increased the suspicion of those people.
In short.
Whether it was them or not, it was always right to look for them first.
"Hey! Where are you going?"
Laxus was a little confused. Just asking these and then ignoring them?
"I'll explain on the way. Let's follow first."
Rayn's urging voice came from the front, so Laxus could only choose to follow.
He was not yet sure where to act.
Since Rayn had an idea, he would follow and see first.
If it didn't work, he would mock him severely.
"God, please…"
The few women in the original place whispered a prayer.
A man looked at the old man and asked with some hesitation.
"Village chief, can they really find the children?"
The other two men also looked over.
They didn't investigate anything, just asked a few questions and left.
It was really hard to be convinced.
The old man's gaze followed the three departing figures and he sighed.
"Sigh, besides believing, what other choice do we have?"
They were just ordinary people. Faced with people who might have used magic to kidnap children, even if the other party was in front of them, they could not be sure.
At these words, the three villagers immediately fell silent.
The women at the side prayed even more urgently.
In the forest.
Three figures shuttled quickly through it.
The grass they crossed had not yet stopped swaying when their figures disappeared.
Laxus quickly followed beside Rayn.
Looking at his posture of seemingly heading straight for a certain place, he couldn't help but feel suspicious.
"Do you know where they are?"
"Kanna smelled some disgusting magic in the forest, and with what the village chief said just now, it's highly likely."
Without hiding anything about Kanna, Rayn responded while maintaining a steady breath.
Magic affects people, and people also affect magic.
People who use fire magic will have a fiery hot characteristic in the perception of others.
Those who use ice have a cold feeling.
And some wizards who use dark magic and have improper thoughts.
In perception, they become a disgusting aura full of negative emotions.
"Does this little kid have this kind of ability?"
Laxus's surprised gaze fell on the small figure.
After entering the forest, he had a subtle feeling.
That pair of small chubby legs could actually run at such a fast speed.
And looking at her calm aura, it was obvious that this was not her limit.
If it was just this, Laxus would not be too surprised.
After all, after using Take Over magic, one would receive different enhancements according to what was taken over.
It was a bit strange to have this kind of speed and stamina.
But it was still within the acceptable range.
But to be able to detect the aura in the forest from outside the forest.
This was a bit exaggerated.
Laxus didn't know how big this forest was.
He only knew that on the way here, the endless green was boundless.
It was obvious that it would not be small.
"No wonder the old man let you come together."
Laxus suddenly understood.
This amazing perception was indeed very suitable for this kind of mission.
Laxus took Rayn's 'smell' as a way of saying perception.
"Yes… that's right."
After pondering for a moment, Rayn agreed readily with Laxus's statement.
Anyway, Laxus would come up with a reasonable explanation.
And he didn't know anything. It was all arranged by Makarov.
The dense trees covered the sky.
Rayn also could not determine how long they had been running.
"It's right ahead."
Just then, Kanna suddenly pointed ahead and said.
"Laxus, let's stop first."
As they were about to reach their destination, Rayn instead asked Laxus to stop.
As for Kanna, even if he didn't say it.
Seeing Rayn stop, she would also stop.
"If you're scared, you can stay here. I'll go fight."
Laxus, who had stopped, looked at Rayn with a disdainful smile.
"Don't worry, I won't tell the old man. After all, you were of some use."
He admitted that Rayn's performance just now was indeed a bit beyond his expectations.
But it didn't mean that he approved of Rayn.
"Are you stupid?"
After Laxus finished speaking, Rayn looked at him as if he were looking at a fool.
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