Zebulon found the men left by Jade inside the basement. He sighed and found the dead bodies and blood everywhere. He wondered why she let them live.
"You are late." The man said to him. Zebulon nods knowing well the reason she lets them live.
"What else she said?"
"I did your work so be grateful, until next time."
Zebulon chuckled. Of course, only women can disrespect him. He walked out and headed to his next location. He already informed the royal guards, and they will clean up soon. He teleported himself into the black market. He walked inside the famous motel straight towards the man he was looking for the head of the motel Alvaro. Although it's a motel he is the one who has the most crucial information. He found him between women. A disgusted expression made its way onto his face. When Alvaro noticed him, he sent them away and grinned at his client.
Should I kill him? Zebulon thought.
"You are always so busy man. How about having fun for free?" The man asked.
"Alvaro, I don't have time for nonsense. I want information." Zebulon warned him.
"Come on man. Every man loves a woman's body." Alvaro smirked at him.
"I don't care what you do with them until you give me the information I want."
"Rude guy, anyway what do you want to know?"
"Where are the kidnapped kids taken to?"
"As per I know they will be brought here and an anonymous person will take them. No one knows him."
"Alright." Said Zebulon handing him money.
"Won't you as when?" Alvaro tried to lure more money out of him. Zebulon smirked.
"On the day of the festival, everyone will be too occupied to notice anything suspicious even the Emperor." Zebulon's answer made Alvaro disappointed.
"Of course, you are smart."
Zebulon thought wandering to Jade once more. He wonders when she will be able to find this place. But then again he knew she would reach here soon.
"Since you are my long-term client and good friend let me tell you beforehand things will be bad here," Alvaro warned Zebulon.
"Nothing else can be more bad than me."
Alvaro chuckled with a nod. "You are strongest but don't destroy my place in the process."
"Can't promise."
With that, Zebulon returned to Imperial Castle. His task is finished, all he has to do is report back to the Emperor. But first, he has to find out how bad things will be during the festival and he knows who can give him answers.
After the tournament, the festival will be held for the winner and the celebration of the upcoming year. This tournament will be special since it will be held after a year, unlike the festival that is held every year.
...
Jade lay on her dad's lap exhausted after reporting everything to him. Lucifer instead feeds her fruits even when she protests. Eventually, Jade gave up and had her dad on his way. Once Lucifer is satisfied he starts braiding his daughter's long hair.
"Dad, aren't you going to be serious about this whole situation," Jade complained in ca an't tone.
"My daughter is taking care of it so I am not worried at all."
"Then at least give me some direction. I know they will be in the capital but it's huge. It will take a month to find them."
"If it's capital then the location will be back market then to the person who did it," Lucifer explains. Jade looked up at him curiously.
"Then I have to catch them at the black market."
"Yes, now guess when they will be exchanging kids with money."
"Maybe when everyone is occupied. So tournament or the festival. They are the only major events this month, Right?"
"My daughter is smart just like her father."
Jade stood up her energy levels up. She hugged her dad happily.
"Thanks, you solved everything. But one more thing I need to make a fake ID to enter in there." Jade said pulling away from her dad. Lucifer smirked and handed her his ID. Jade gasped. Then she looked at him sternly.
"Why did you have this?" Jade question. Lucifer realized what she meant. He shook his head.
"I got it since they sell information," Lucifer explained.
"Oh, I thought you had some hobbies." Jade grinned. Lucifer rolled his eyes and pinched her cheeks.
"Keep your head in the dark kiddie. You are too young to say such things."
"Come on I should know about it. Thanks for the ID."
"You are welcome."
...
The head of the Phoenix Sect listened to his people who claimed to see something dangerous near the borders. Unlike the strong and responsible Head, his son is the complete opposite of him. His son Rian sat half asleep beside his father. Hopefully, his father didn't notice it yet.
"We saw monsters near the border." The citizen claimed.
"What exactly happened and what was it like?" Questioned the head.
"It was dark. We saw red eyes and smelled something foul."
Rian felt the soft slap on the back of his neck completely awakening him. His eyes widen but soon he calms down when it's not his father but older brother Ezio. He glared at him.
Ezio shook his head in disbelief, he wondered how could they be related when he had completed the opposite. But no matter what he thinks he cares for his brother. Ezio whispered to him.
"When we are meeting people focus and try to help them."
"But you and Dad are here," Rian whispered back.
Ezio wants to hit him again but controls himself. Once the citizens were gone the Head glanced at his son Rian and question.
"You were sleeping again, weren't you?"
"He trained too hard the last day. He was tired. The risk goes on I will talk to you later." Ezio said quickly preventing Rian from getting one more lecture. Rian walked out bored and left.
Unlike his brother, Rian grew up getting criticized by people. His brother Ezio was perfect just like his father but no matter how hard he tried people around him criticized him. As a kid, he believed them and gave up thinking his brother was here and he wasn't needed at all. Also, his younger sister Hestia is firey and capable of being a leader unlike him who no matter how hard he tried was never pleased with himself.
His father and mother didn't criticize him but they got tired of his rebellion and his acting all immature.
Rian got into the empty forest and focused on his mana. He felt the heat rise as he muttered.
"Fire of Purification."
He opened his eyes only to get disappointed when it didn't work. Without giving up he tried to raise his fire but gave up in the evenings. Unlike his people, he can't seem to use fire. To him, it was supposed to be easy like breathing but no.
He flies back to his home and meets his family ready for dinner. Hestia welcomed him warmly but Rian couldn't smile back exhausted and disappointed in himself. Hestia noticed it but let it go knowing her brother was already having too much. Settling down they eat dinner in silence until head announced.
"This year Rian will participate in the competition. Bring glory to us."
Rian eyes widened, and he stood up shocked. Ezio and Hestia have expressions of astonishment. Rian mother shook her head.
"But Dad you know I can't do it." Rain protest.
"You will and it's decided."
"Without asking me." Rian's voice rises. His dad glared at him.
"Dad, you need to think about it again." Said Hestia trying to lighten the situation.
"Until when he is going to be like this. He is my son and have to take responsibility one day."Yelled the Head.
"Ezio is here to take legacy even Hestia is better than me. You don't need me," screamed Rian.
"Stop and sit."
"No, it's not fair. Do you want to embarrass me in front of that powerful sect?"
"Do I need to? Don't you think you are an embarrassment to me?"
"Dad Stop and Rian sit we can talk after dinner." Ezio cut them off.
Rian nodded and dashed out of the house. Hestia sat up following her brother while Ezio tried to calm his father down. Rian flies up in the process knocking people out due to his massive wind. He jumped back on the ground trying to help them but they backed away.
"You almost killed my daughter." one of the men yelled holding his five-year-old daughter.
"I am sorry." Rian apologize.
Hestia soon came out and helped the injured up. Hearing the accommodation head and his family members walk out. The leader's anger rose to a peak finding his people injured.
"Why would you take your anger out on innocent people? You know what I give up. You aren't capable of being one of the leaders." Rian's father yelled at him.
"I am sorry. It was a mistake." Rian apologizes genuinely.
"Enough. Get out of here."
Rian legs almost gave up but he held up. Turning away he ran out of the territory. Finding a safe distance he flew up in the sky and left his home.
The head and his family didn't realize that they wouldn't be able to see their son for a long time.
Children sure make mistakes but disgracing them leads to nothing but them hating themselves. And it's better to die than to make your children hate themselves.