The Unknown Mission?!

"If you are worried about having a duel... No, I will not be using too much power to plow you through. Since you could face Z off that easily, I won't have to worry about you doing badly in combat. So how about it? Would you like to be the new Swordsman Pillar?"

I contemplated it for a bit until I recalled the promise I made with the Slayer.

"I would love to but on the condition that I can choose my first mission. I want to join in and help Bryan with the mission in Briton. The one regarding the missing children and live dolls incident. Would that be alright?" I asked sternly.

Mavislin stared at me blankly while Z choked on his drink. The Galaxian Mage looked flustered when he tried to wipe himself down, and the Valkyrie struggled to get her words out.

"What's wrong? It's the mission that bad for anyone to take up?" I asked, perplexed about why the two Mage had those reactions.

"That mission in Briton was not for the public to know. Hell, we weren't even going to let our juniors or underlings take part in that horror scene. We were on our way to patrol that area when we sensed a disturbance in the forest, which was Bryan and you sparring."

"And as for the missing children part, I've got no head or tail about such instances," explained Mavislin, with her face going super pale as if it wasn't white enough.

"Well, I wouldn't say the word 'patrol.' It was more like an invite. Lady Mavislin Roydon was invited to have dinner with a Mage named Fabian within the Briton Domain. When asked why the guy said that it was to thank the Valkyrie for saving his life as a young child."

"I didn't like the idea that some random Mage was inviting our little Valkyrie to dinner within the lowest part of the Briton Domain. Thus, I decided to tag along with her as her chaperone. I had no idea I'd be dealing with dolls and missing kids..." answered Z.

I sincerely hoped that Z would've said 'Bouncer' instead because he would surely fit the part. But then I realized that this guy probably didn't go clubbing often. I thought it was kind of sweet that despite being the most powerful Mages in the world, they still fret for the younger ones' safety.

I would be fretting for the person who had invited her for a meal if he rubbed Mavislin in the wrong way.

"We both had no clue that there was a problem arising in that part of Briton. Plus, it is not my Domain to call the shots; it's the High Queen area. I am in charge of the Albion Domain, while Z is in charge of the Urnsfield Domain."

"And I do not want to step over her authority there. She can be quite scary when we cross her," said Mavislin.

"High Queen Meslander doesn't talk to the King over there, so I guess she wouldn't have known about those incidents. Either that or the Duchess didn't ask for our help at all. Or it could be that the incident doesn't regard the Mages community," added Z, thinking hard.

"The mission is about dolls coming to life and missing kids... I think it's more than enough reason for us to step in. Any disruption to the peace of the Domains with the use of Magecraft can be a reason for our members to be activated to the scene," argued Mavislin.

"What makes you so sure that the missing children incident correlates with the dolls coming to life? It could be only a coincidence that two issues are rising at the same time."

Z does have a point somehow, but I highly doubt so, judging by what Bryan had told me about the incidents. Seeing the two Mages spill out the truth made me tongue-tied. I recalled the Slayer saying that the Duchess summoned him to help in this issue but not the Arks.

And I would've thought Mavislin knew that her Slayer was going to take up the job. Oh no! Was that fact supposed to be secret from Mavislin?! I placed both hands onto my mouth while my eyes widened in shock and dismay.

"What's wrong, child?" questioned Z.

"I don't think I was supposed to let you guys know about the mission. I think Bryan wanted to head over there alone..." I whispered, backing away.

"Alone? That'd be impossible since it's the High Queen's Domain. Those two aren't exactly on good terms. And if this incident happens to blow up, I don't think the Slayer can survive by himself. Not to worry; if he gets angry at you, I will confiscate his dinner," explained Mavislin with a big smile.