It's been Two Weeks since their Master disappeared. His left hand Aide is ordering his men secretly to find him.
"Lord Michael, why don't we ask for help from Lord Rowel?" One of his subordinate asked him. They have been secretly finding him for weeks and they still have no clue where he is.
"No. Do not let anyone know about our operation." He answered. Before their Master disappeared, he instructed him about the spy on their side. That's why he needs to be cautious and will only use a few trusted people. Lord Rowel might be the Right Hand Aide of their Master, but somehow he doesn't feel right about him. After their Master disappeared, the last one who accompanied him was Lord Rowel. "How is 'she'? Are there any move from them?" He is talking about their Master's Step Mother, Lady Abelia Lurice Genoa. His instinct is telling him that she is involved in this matter.
"Last night, she went to the Capital to attend an event hosted by her Maternal Family, the Ducal House of Genoa. She was accompanied by several Knights of her Maternal Family."
"Then how about Lord Rowel? Where is he?"
"He is mobilizing a team to find His Excellency."
Michael sighed. "Call Butler Wang."
After he commanded, a 50-year-old man enter the room. He is wearing a black suit and white inner shirt.
"Lord Michael, good evening." Butler Wang greeted him.
He dismissed first his subordinates and the Three people are left in the room.
"Butler Wang, is the seal safe?"
"You don't need to worry Lord Michael, only His Excellency know where the seal is. It is safe and no one can take it away."
"Good to hear. The seal should not fall to them. Butler Wang, have you contacted the other Lords regarding His Excellency?"
"Yes. I have already informed them. Rest assured, they will also find him secretly."
"Thank you. Those Lords Were His Excellency's allies. We must find him at all costs before this get out of hands. The enemies are everywhere and we must be careful. If those Enemies in the capital finds out that he disappeared, they might make a move against our House and will soon put pressure to install a new Head of the Family as soon as possible."
After several instructions, Butler Wang left the room.
"Michael, are you doubting Lord Rowel?" Bern asked. He is also one their Master's Aides.
"What do you think? He is the last one who accompanied His Excellency before he disappeared, but he denies it and said that he was on the mission. He may have proofs that he is on the mission but I saw him on that day with His Excellency. And I don't want to doubt him but I also can't trust him."
"Then, where do you think is His Excellency? We have already searched the entire Dukedom. Our knights are also searching him throughout the Empire, but still we have no clues."
Michael sat on the sofa then he creased his forehead when something went on his mind.
"How about the borders?"
"As per the reports, there is none."
"He might not be in this Empire." Michael concluded.
Bern creased his forehead then looked at him in doubt. "What do you mean?"
"This must have been planned from the very beginning. I am not sure but there is one place closed to the Empire that we can't just barged in."
"Place… You mean, that Forest?"
"Investigate if someone or groups have been deployed near that area. If my instinct is right, we can find some clues in there."
"Are you saying that they used a Magic Circle? But Mages are rare and hiring them needs a lot of Wealth."
"Who do you think is our enemies? They can hire Mages anytime they want. We can't find him anywhere in this Empire and that is our clue. He is not in the Empire. And if he is in the other Empires, there should be news or clues. But if I am the Enemy, I would rather bring him to that Forest, where no one can enter or exit. No one will dare to investigate, am I right?"
Bern's eyes flashed in disbelief. Yes, what Michael is saying made sense. The Forest of no Return is the only Place that the surrounding Empires dare not to conquer or enter. Those who entered the forest where either disappeared or poisoned or if unscathed, they lose their minds and the worst is, attacked or devoured by dangerous animals.
On the Forest of No Return, Zhi's body is getting better and better. He helps Rin in hunting animals for food and is also busying himself by exercising and doing physical activities. In just a week, he learned a lot from Rin. He can also wonder around the forest together with his tiger partner, Yuu.
"Oh, you're back. How's your walk?" She asked happily as she walk closer to him.
"It's good. My body is almost recovered." He answered.
"Then anytime soon, you can go back outside." She replied with a hint of sadness om her voice but she immediately erased it and give something to him.
He looked at her, then to the paper and pen she's holding.
"What… "
"You need this. You need to let them know that you are still alive and kicking. You can't just appear in your House without telling them beforehand right? Based on your story, they might be preparing to replace you after a month. So you should plan everything before going back."
This girl in front of him is a no ordinary woman. He just only told her several things and she easily understood his standing.
"Thank you." He smiled at pat her head.
He took the paper and pen went back to his room.
After several minutes, he's done. He went back outside and ask her the means of sending the letter.
"Give it to me first." She said then he handed it to her.
A small magic circle appeared on top of the letter, then it disappeared.
How could he forget. This girl is a Mage. And she is the ruler of this Forest.
"Don't worry, it will only appear in front of that person. After he reads it, he can send a reply back using the embedded magic circle. Also, no one can see it except him." She explains.
He just nodded without any hesitation. During these days, he found himself trusting the girl no matter what she says. He didn't doubt her nor ask her intentions anymore. He also feels that something is awakening on his heart.
"Is there something on my face?" She asked him after being stared at intensely.
"Do you… Do you want to go back with me to the Empire?" He asked her unknowingly.
This time, she was the one taking a back. Her face showed that she was surprise.
"I'm sorry for asking – "
"Are you not afraid that someone like me will enter the Empire?"
She's known to be a witch. She was despised and was abandoned in the forest. She is not a normal person.
He can see thru her eyes the doubts and fear.
"I was abandoned in this Forest for 10 years. Those people might be still alive."
"You are no longer the girl that they have abandoned in the past. You are now the Ruler of this Forest. A Mage to boost. Those people can no longer harm you. And besides… I will not let them."
After hearing those words, she finally smiled.
"Em. But I need to do something before I leave the forest. So you just need to wait for me in the Empire."
He touched her cheek then pinched it.
Days later, in the Clovis Empire.
"Lord Michael, there are gossips regarding His Excellency's disappearance. It is now creating a sensation in the Dukedom and on the Capital. What should we do?"
"Looks like they are being impatient, send this to the media and newspaper company. Tell them that his Excellency is just on leave." He said grinning from ear to ear.
Last night, he got a letter from their Master. They have exchanged information and prepare a plan to fight back. Because of that, he hasn't had any sleep. He has black lines under his eyes. But it was all worth it. His Master is alive and that is the most important thing.
Days after his instruction, the Media reported the whereabouts of the Young Arch Duke. Yes, Ezekiel is the only Arch Duke of the Empire. His full name is Ezekiel Genesis Rheid. He is 29 years old and the only son of the Late Archduke and Archduchess. His Father remarried when he was 15 years old. Then 5 years ago, his Father died due to an accident.
He succeeded his Father at the age of 20 and has made their Dukedom more flourished and mighty done before.
Lady Abelia broke the tv and smashed everything on her room. She was angry after watching the news.
"How could it be? Why is he still alive?!! Are they playing tricks on her?!! "
"Madam, please don't be angry." One her maids console her.
"How could I not? That bastard is still alive? How can he be?? He was already abandoned in that Bloody forest!! Call Rowel right now. I want to hear his explanation!! "
The maid nodded her head then dialed Rowel's number.
After two rings, the other line answered.
"Abelia…"
"Have you watched the news? What is happening Rowel? Why is he still alive?"
"You don't need to worry. I already assigned some men and sent it to the villa. I will inform you the soonest once they returned."
"If he is still alive, kill him immediately! I want him dead. Understood?"
"Yes. Yes. You just need to relax and take your time."
After that, the line disconnected.
She was still not convinced. So, she dialed an unknown number and instructed them to visit the Villa. If he is still alive, there's a chance that he is gravely injured. She needs to struck while the iron is hot.
Once she succeeded in killing him, her 10-year-old son will be the next Head of the Family. And since he is still not yet an adult, all the power and authority will fall on her feet. Her 19-year-old daughter will also be married to a Powerful Family. The Genoa Family will gain access to unlimited resources.
Everything will be perfect once she gets rid of the Young Archduke.
That's why she should not fail. She had planned this the moment the Ezekiel was born. Everything should go with her plan. Or else, everything will be useless.
On a rural area, there is a Villa near the Mountain. This is one of the Properties of the Archduke.
Several Men in fully gear suits invaded the villa.
They have checked every corner until they decided to open the Master Bedroom.
Once they've open it, they saw something on the bed. Without hesitating, they fired their riffles and a rain of bullet pierced to the bed.
After several minutes, the captain instructed one of his subordinates to check the bed. He flipped the blanket and only a Pillow and a Doll was there.
"Damn it!" The Captain cursed. He took his phone and before could make a call, one of his subordinates find a note on the dolls hand.
"Captain, I found something." He took the note and hand it to their Leader.
The Captain hold down his phone and open the note. He creased his forehead and read the letter out loud. "Game Over?"
As soon as he said it out loud a magic circle appeared on the ground and all of them disappeared from the room.
"Where did you put them?" Zhi asked. They are watching from the Forest of No Return.
"My babies are hungry." She grinned and moments later, they heard several gunshots from afar. "That will serve them a warning. You can now go back." She added.
He strokes her hair then smiled. "Thank you."
Their plan is successful. His body is also at its best. Now, he can go back to the Empire and have his revenge.
"I'll be going home. Meet me at the Villa." Michael read the letter and his face flashed an interesting smile.
Their Master is coming back home.