"Say no more." Sebastian grinned and said, "You've got my attention."
He said, "That is one hell of a case you have there," in a tone full of expectation. "I will make my way there as soon as I can."
The talk was interrupted by a tight hush.
"Is there anything else you need?" With a serious and attentive tone, Sebastian questioned Charlotte.
With a stern attitude, Charlotte took a quick look at the paperwork in front of her. "Weapons. Everything I used to use," she firmly responded.
Sebastian spoke in a lighthearted manner. "I got it. I'll get back to you with the details," he promised before abruptly ending the call.
Charlotte let out a sigh, her frustration was evident. "Seriously, brother. Once I find you, you're in big trouble," she muttered under her breath.
The Obsidian Rose Order.
As sweet as the name sounded, it was anything but. This elite group exclusively undertook high-ranking and impossible missions under direct governance from the King himself.
But when the Obsidian Rose Order was sent out, its rivals faced only death.
There was a loud clatter of approaching hooves inside the Obsidian Rose Order hideaway. It was usual for the mages positioned in defensive positions to automatically lift their wands and prepare to cast spells in case an enemy approached.
A loud command stopped the spells as they were about to be cast, and the magic circles started to form.
"Hold!"
It was Nikolas, the Obsidian Rose Order's vice-captain.
With a gasp, Nikolas's eyes widened in recognition. "Isn't that..."
A stunning black horse screeched to a stop in front of them with a screech of hooves, and a woman sat elegantly on its back.
"Reaper!?" Nikolas said something in shock.
Charlotte gave him a charming smile.
With tears in his eyes and a beaming smile on his face, Nikolas hurried over to her. "Charlotte!"
Charlotte hesitated, startled by his abrupt outburst, as Nikolas embraced her tightly and peppered her with inquiries.
"You're alive! How long has it been!?"
Under his tight grasp, Charlotte gasped for air and whispered, "Nikolas, you're choking me."
With an eager gaze, Nikolas eventually released Charlotte from his grip. With excitement, he inquired, "Does this mean you're joining us again?"
In a bland tone, Charlotte answered, "Uh, no. All I need is assistance with things."
Nikolas's face changed to one of dejection in an instant.
"Where's Sebastian?" Charlotte looked around and asked.
Nikolas sighed and said, "He's in the office," in a disappointed tone. "It's understandable why he appeared here unexpectedly," he said, practically sobbing.
Hardly stating, "I need to see him as soon as possible," Charlotte said.
The mages, on high alert, felt the mana around them surge suddenly, and they were startled. They bent their heads politely as a man came up to Charlotte.
"Charlotte," came from a familiar voice.
When Charlotte recognized the speaker, she politely said, "Good to see you again, Sir."
It was Sebastian, the Obsidian Rose Order's current Head.
Following their small talk, Charlotte and Sebastian entered the hiding place.
When they got to the room, Charlotte projected all the papers and hints her brother had left behind onto a screen.
Sebastian appeared astounded by the pictures. "Whoa. Notable lawbreakers, the King's Guards, the Phoenix Order, and a crown prince atop it all. To summarize, Dante Vittorio abducted your brother?"
Charlotte groaned and said, "Officially they claimed he died during the mission. It appears that while tracking illicit mana-inducing substances, he was gathering this data."
"And you're positive Vittorio abducted your brother?" Sebastian enquired.
Charlotte answered, her eyes riveted on the pictures, "I can't say for sure, but something tells me he's involved."
Sebastian scowled. "Something doesn't look right... Kidnapping is not Vittorio's style. He would kill them. He detests squandering time."
After Sebastian's statements, there was a bone-chilling calm in the room, and Charlotte started to get restless.
The quiet was broken by Sebastian's voice. "And one last item. Vittorio has always been close to Steinburg and Aurelius. And... Why is he up there? Mr. Flameheart"
Intrigued, Charlotte turned to face him. "What about him?"
"He is one of my clients." Sebastian clarified, "He's the reason I was already in the area when I heard about you," and he left Charlotte with a plethora of new queries.
"Are you serious? I take it he's an Atherian? Who is this guy? What actions does he take?" Curiosity spurring, Charlotte yelled after him.
Sebastian gave her a mysterious look and waved away her questions. "He is a client. Everything about that is private, even to you."
As Sebastian took a seat close by, Charlotte couldn't shake her uneasy feeling. She inquired, "Do you think someone was impersonating Vittorio?" She voiced her doubts.
Sebastian smiled proudly and gave a less complicated response. "That appears to be the most sensible course of action. That is typical behavior. However, I think it odd that your nation's intelligence services disregarded it for a longer time."
From the corner of the room, a voice could be heard. "Maybe it was intentional."
Sebastian and Charlotte both turned to look at the speaker.
The man walked up to them and said, "I don't mean to interrupt, but I was reminded of the intelligence we received this morning. Dante Vittorio's things were taken by the Ebon Claw Cartel, a criminal organization based in Castello d'Oro. This time, the real products," he said, emphasizing the word "real."
Charlotte's thoughts were full of inquiries. "Who is he?"
The man held out his hand to shake hands. "I'm glad to have met Lady Ashford. Konrad Blutsturm is my name."