"Where did you encounter that kid?" asked Ysabeau.
"In the Briton Domain, around the 26th to the last district. He ran towards the woodland area. When I wanted to go in, the guards stopped me and said they couldn't allow me to go in without permission from the Viscountess. I wanted to say who I was, but I was lazy to give chase."
"The last district has some weird construction going around the back area. A Mage named FB had bought that plot of land and finally figured out what to do with it. But that's not too important because I've been notified of something happening for the past few weeks," answered Ysabeau.
"I thought you were off work?" asked Raiyen.
"Please, being second-in-command means that you would be activated no matter the day. And since I was in my room most of the time, I had a chance to read through some data about Briton's progress. By doing so, I've found a single problem that no one has addressed."
"And I'm surprised that the Vigilante hasn't picked up on this abnormality yet."
The High Queen straightened her back as everyone kept silent to listen to her findings. Except Kai was busy gurgling and laughing as he thought squeezing cheese was fun.
"Every day, the Arks would have members on patrol throughout the Five Domains. We are the ones who sent them there to keep the peace and update us about the area's wellbeing and issues. I'm ashamed about what I've found, but I could see why no one was alarmed."
"Despite the fact we've got eyes all around, they've failed to let us know that over four hundred children have been stolen from their beds and families. Specifically, the children were all the same age, and the parents didn't feel the need to report crimes since it was so minor."
"And no one came to report such a thing?!" asked Z, shocked at the High Queen's research.
"Nope, because the Elemental Energy levels have been constant throughout the past few months, and the one doing the kidnapping got a team working throughout the Domains to cover their tracks. Whether it's a sophisticated team or pure luck, we should let our guards down."
"Each day, a child in every Domain goes missing. Some have labeled it as kidnapping, while others said the kid was running away from their homes. But one thing is constant is that all the kids were never seen again. So we can safely say it's due to Magecraft because..." announced Ysabeau.
The High Queen then shifted the attention towards her husband, trying to wipe the children's mouths as they were done with their meals. The Headmaster felt the impending gaze of the Mages and cleared his throat.
"Oh yeah, that's right. The old victims of the Congregation's brutal experiments and regiments have resurfaced, and I'm sure they are out for blood. I feel that they were the ones responsible for kidnapping the children. Because each of us knows about these Mages," replied Gillian.
"How could you be sure? Maybe it's them going about their everyday lives and ready to come out from hiding? Not everything needs to be connected," said Tomoe, raising an eyebrow at the Headmaster.
"I hate to say this, but the fox had got the point. How could you relate them to the missing kids? As Ysabeau said, the kidnapping of kids was most likely caused by a team of people, and six Mages won't have the power to do so," replied the Time Mage.
"Given the time frame and circumstance, I wouldn't rule out that fact just yet. It's one child per day, so it's not that difficult to do for a single Mage. And if the children were hanging around late at night, they would be easier targets. My concerns now are that I'm after a missing noble."
"Before Earl Yan died, he did write to me about some guy who started adopting orphaned children within the Teuton Domain. But, after that, I never heard of any news about that incident. So not only I can't find the Orphanage that this noble had, but I can't find the guy himself."
"I'm only concerned about that guy because he reminded me of a victim during the program I led in the Congregation. Being a philanthropist is noble, but when you are taking kids from homes and labeling them as 'orphans saved by you,' you're no better than a nutcase."
"And this guy would be far from normal if he is walking around broad daylight without a restraint. My program ran for a decade right before Ysabeau came along. And all the people I've been given to research or train were lunatics and criminals. So I've got the short end of the straw."