"Y-yes."
"Understood."
"We promise to complete the task you've given us."
"Please, don't kill us."
"It was Brain! Brain forced us to do all of this!"
After witnessing Brain get one-shotted by Ide, the staff of the Bureau of Magical Development saw Ide as a terrifying god of death they absolutely could not provoke.
So when Ide spoke, they nodded frantically like quails pecking at grain, terrified that he would chop them into pieces if they hesitated.
"Cut the crap!"
"Get to work!"
Ide cut off their begging and urged them to move.
"Yes!"
"Right away!"
The minions didn't dare waste another word. They scrambled back into the massive Bureau building, tripping over themselves in their haste.
And so, under Ide's supervision, one child after another—victims of Brain's trafficking—was brought out of the Bureau, safe and sound.
"Ide, I've already reported the situation at the Bureau to the Magic Council."
"They're sending a special unit that deals with Dark Guilds to meet us here."
Ur stood beside Ide, gently holding his hand. Her voice was serious.
This wasn't just a case of a Bureau Chief going rogue. It was a full-blown hostile takeover of a government institution by a Dark Guild.
"Hm?"
Ide felt Ur's hand trembling slightly.
He turned to look at her. Ur was leaning against his shoulder, tears streaming down her face. Her eyes were filled with regret and fear. "Thank god you saw through Brain's true colors in time, Ide! Otherwise... our daughter would have become a test subject for the Bureau, wouldn't she?"
"I'm such a failure as a mother."
"I almost sent Ultear into a living hell."
Ur's whole body shook with residual terror. She couldn't imagine the pain and despair she would have felt if she had actually been deceived by that bastard Brain and handed her daughter over to be experimented on.
"Ur, the future you're afraid of didn't happen, did it?"
"As long as I'm here, I will never let our daughter fall into danger."
Ide pulled Ur into a tight embrace to stop her shaking. His voice was confident and calm.
"Mmh."
Comforted by Ide's warmth and strength, Ur slowly regained her composure. The fear and anxiety began to fade.
She wasn't alone. She could rely on Ide for anything.
---
About an hour later.
BOOM!
With a deafening roar, a massive Magic Airship bearing the crest of the Magic Council appeared above them.
Hummmm!!
Moments later, the Council airship slowly landed in front of Ide and Ur.
Before they could speak, the hatch was pushed open with force. A spirited middle-aged man in his forties or fifties, with short, graying hair, rushed out.
"Apologies, I'm late."
"I am Council Member Torg."
"I also serve as the Warden of the Great Magic Prison, BLACK VOX."
"Leave these scum to me. I'll handle them."
This seemingly ordinary middle-aged man was one of the nine members of the Magic Council.
He was also a man of real power, overseeing the magical prison system.
"Ur."
"Ide."
Facing this man who claimed to be a Council Member, Ur and Ide introduced themselves naturally, then exchanged a glance.
After the incident with Brain, Ur was now extremely cautious. She didn't dare trust anyone easily except Ide.
"Mmh."
Ide gave Ur a subtle nod. The moment Torg arrived, Ide had already probed him with Observation Haki.
His Haki confirmed that Torg was indeed a genuine Council Member, and more importantly, he was a man of integrity and justice who detested evil.
"You'll take responsibility for sending these children back, right?"
Ide asked, confirming Torg's intentions.
"Of course."
"I will personally ensure that every single child here is returned to their parents' hands."
Torg replied with firm determination.
There were hundreds of children here. Locating their families and sending them home one by one could take years, even if everything went smoothly.
But Torg, as a Council Member, was determined to do it himself. He saw it as his duty and responsibility.
"Good."
"You're a good Councilor."
Ide smiled. His Haki told him Torg wasn't lying.
"Mr. Ide, Ms. Ur."
"Thank you for removing the cancer that was Brain."
"Is there anything I can do to help you?"
Torg noticed the infant in Ur's arms and asked gently.
"Councilor Torg."
"Do you know where we can find a Dragon Lacrima?"
After exchanging a look with Ur, Ide turned to Torg and asked.
"Uhh?"
"A Dragon Lacrima?"
"That... is a difficult request."
Torg paused. He hadn't expected them to be looking for something so rare.
"You don't know?"
Ide sighed. As expected, rare items like Dragon Lacrimas weren't easily found.
"I will keep an eye out for you. If I find any information about a Dragon Lacrima, I will notify you immediately."
Torg paused for a moment, then asked, "Where should I contact you? The Kingdom of Iceberg?"
Even Torg had heard of Ur, the Ice Wizard. After all, she was a genius the Council had shortlisted as a candidate for the Ten Wizard Saints.
"No."
"We plan to continue west, to the Kingdom of Fiore, to find Senior Makarov."
"We heard that Senior Makarov's grandson suffered from the same condition as our child, and was cured by a Dragon Lacrima."
Ur explained.
"Is that so?"
"So you are heading to the Fairy Tail Guild?"
"Understood. Once I find a Dragon Lacrima, or get any leads, I will send word to Fairy Tail immediately."
Torg said with a smile.
"Councilor Torg, thank you for your help."
Ur bowed slightly to show her respect and gratitude.