A massive gate appeared in front of Sorbet. The earlier blast of water magic was instantly blocked by the towering gate.
In just a single second, the attack vanished. The nobles in the room walked toward the window.
"Where did the dragon go?"
They leapt outside and climbed onto the mansion's roof. They scanned the surroundings, but nothing was there. All they saw were the traces left by the earlier magical explosion.
The fence of the Viscount's estate was destroyed. The ground in the front garden had formed into a huge crater. At the edge of the crater were two enormous footprints.
It was clearly the tracks of the dragon, but unfortunately, the creature itself was nowhere to be seen. Even when they used detection magic, they found nothing.
Three nobles stood on the rooftop of the Belack family's residence. They were Darius Belack, Lucian De Lunox, and Orion Von Crimson.
Their eyes kept moving, scanning for the dragon's location. A dragon's attack was not something that could be taken lightly. When a dragon struck, an entire city could be destroyed. That was why they had to anticipate everything.
But no matter how long or how far they searched, the dragon had truly vanished without a trace, as if swallowed by something unseen.
Darius turned his head. "Where is Sorbet?"
Orion and Lucian glanced around. Indeed, Sorbet was nowhere to be found. He had gone off somewhere, but when Orion used his detection ability, within only a few seconds he located Sorbet.
"He went in that direction," Orion replied.
Darius and Lucian exchanged looks. They wanted to accompany Marquess Orion as well, but doubt lingered within them.
Before long, Orion spoke, "You…" he pointed at Darius, "go to Sorbet's location. Meanwhile, Lucian, stay here. I will head outside Stromhall City. I'll search for that dragon's whereabouts. I'm certain it's still near this city."
Darius and Lucian both looked uneasy. "Are you sure it's safe to go alone? That dragon is a magical beast of immense power. Defeating it will be extremely difficult."
"Don't worry! If I cannot handle it, I'll fire a signal into the sky. At that moment, send as many troops as possible to support me. You can manage that, can't you?"
Darius and Lucian nodded. "Understood."
The three of them looked at one another, and finally split up, heading to the destinations designated by Orion.
Only Lucian remained behind at the Belack family estate.
**
Sorbet barged in. Guards and bystanders crowded the restaurant where Alan and the others had been eating. After forcing his way inside, he rushed upstairs.
From below, he could already see the floor cracked, some spots even caved through. Sorbet swallowed hard.
"Please… don't die," he muttered.
When he finally reached the upper floor, Sorbet froze at the doorway. His eyes widened, breath caught as though his throat had been strangled.
The upper floor was riddled with cracks, walls scorched black from fire, and the stench of blood filled the air. The scene was utterly grim, but Sorbet's eyes weren't focused on the destruction. They locked on one boy lying motionless on the floor.
"...A-Alan…" his voice broke, barely more than a whisper.
Alan's body lay sprawled, his face drenched in blood. Both legs were bent at grotesque angles, bones jutting faintly beneath torn flesh. Blood kept flowing, soaking the floor until it pooled into a dark crimson puddle.
Nearby, his two companions were in no better shape. One lay unconscious, chest rising and falling faintly, his body covered in wounds. The other had both arms broken.
Sorbet was struck speechless. Truly shocked.
He staggered toward Alan's body, pressing two fingers to his neck, checking his breath. When he realized Alan was still alive, relief washed over him.
Alan's condition was horrendous. Most likely, he would be crippled. But it was far better than losing his son entirely. Sorbet's eyes moved to the other two boys—Arzer and Arther.
Both were the same. They were still alive, but their breathing was stronger than Alan's. Alan's breath was faint, so faint it was as if death was about to claim him.
Sorbet pulled out a potion and gave it to Alan. He also gave similar potions to Arzer and Arther. Slowly, their wounds began to heal, though very gradually.
Sorbet lifted his gaze toward Warlet. "What happened here?" he asked.
Among the four of them, only Warlet was unscathed. She hadn't even been grazed. Her elegant clothes were merely dusty, nothing more.
This was strange to Sorbet. But he couldn't accuse Warlet of being the culprit. She was the daughter of a Marquess, and if she had been the assailant, it would have been odd for her not to flee. Instead, she remained there, even helping tend to Alan and the other two.
Not long after, Darius arrived. His eyes widened at the sight of his son's grievous injuries. But before he could say anything, Sorbet raised his hand.
"Your son is already in the process of recovery. So, calm yourself! It's better if we listen to Warlet's account," he said.
Darius nodded. "Very well."