Inside the orphanage dormitory, Arlen carefully inspected every corner. The headmistress followed closely behind, answering his questions whenever needed.
After searching thoroughly, he found nothing of value—just as he was about to give up, something caught his eye beneath a bed.
With a slight use of magic, he drew the object into his hand.
It was… a button.
There was a symbol engraved on it.
Arlen didn't recognize it—but his instincts told him this was important.
"Headmistress, do you recognize this symbol?" he asked, handing it over.
The woman's pupils shrank.
"That… that's the emblem of the mayor's guard!"
"You're certain?" Arlen raised a brow.
"Yes. I saw it when I went to the mayor for help—his guards wore uniforms with this exact button. I'm absolutely sure." Her face turned pale. "But… why would this be here? Could it be…?"
Arlen's lips curved slightly, though his eyes turned cold.
"So that's how it is…"
"No wonder the army searched everywhere and found nothing. A classic case of hiding in plain sight."
"If the children were kept inside the mayor's residence, no amount of searching outside would find them."
"And this button… was likely torn off during a struggle."
His killing intent flickered faintly.
What he had assumed to be mere incompetence—
Was something far worse.
"But… why would the mayor kidnap children?" the headmistress asked, her voice trembling with anger and confusion.
"I don't know yet," Arlen replied calmly. "But that doesn't matter."
"You don't need to worry about the rest. Since Fairy Tail accepted this request, it will be completed."
"Just wait for the children to come home."
His tone was steady—absolute.
"Then… I leave everything to you, Lord Arlen." The headmistress bowed deeply, her voice filled with emotion.
Arlen waved it off.
"I'll begin the investigation. And remember—do not mention this to anyone."
"Otherwise, you'll alert them… and put the entire orphanage in danger."
"I understand."
She wasn't foolish—she knew the stakes.
Arlen nodded, then vanished using teleportation magic.
—
Walking through the streets, Arlen considered his next move.
Storming the mayor's residence directly wasn't wise.
If he acted without confirming everything, he might miss the bigger picture.
Better to gather information first.
After some thought, he decided—
To contact his father.
Connections existed to be used.
He was a mage, not a detective. Investigating everything alone would take far too long.
—
That night, after renting a room and ensuring it was secure, Arlen activated a Communication Lacrima.
The conversation between father and son remained unknown—
But by the end of it, Arlen had obtained detailed information on the mayor.
And Duke Viviamilio had said only one thing:
"Handle it as you see fit. I'll take responsibility."
—
Night fell.
Under the cover of darkness, Arlen used gravity magic to glide silently through the sky.
From above, he looked down at the mayor's estate.
Lavish.
Excessively so.
For a mere city mayor.
That alone was enough to warrant suspicion.
Around the estate, guards trained in formation.
Arlen didn't act immediately.
If he caused too much noise and alerted the stationed army, things would escalate.
After all—
He represented both the Viviamilio family and Fairy Tail.
Carelessness was not an option.
—
Like a shadow, he slipped into the estate.
Using magic detection, he located the mayor's bedroom and teleported onto the roof.
Inside, the room was brightly lit.
On the desk sat a Communication Lacrima.
The mayor—a bloated, repulsive man—stood before it, his face filled with flattery.
Opposite him—
A figure cloaked in black.
Arlen silently created a tiny opening and observed, recording everything with his own lacrima.
"My lord, the children you requested are ready," the mayor said obsequiously. "They're being held in my dungeon. When should I deliver them?"
"Good," the cloaked man replied.
"Tomorrow night. Bring them to the forest outside the city."
"I will take them then."
His voice turned fanatical.
"All of this… is for the revival of the great Zeref."
"Yes… everything is for Lord Zeref!" the mayor echoed, his face twisted with madness, fat trembling as he spoke.
Arlen's expression darkened.
Zeref.
A legendary Black Mage.
The embodiment of evil.
These people… are trying to revive him?
Madness.
Absolute madness.
For a moment—
Arlen felt the urge to descend immediately and kill the mayor where he stood.
To wipe out everyone involved.
To rescue the children.
But—
He restrained himself.
If he acted now, the one behind the scenes would escape.
He needed to wait.
Wait until tomorrow night—
And capture them all in one sweep.
"…Enjoy your last day," Arlen muttered coldly, casting one final glance at the mayor.
The man had already collapsed onto his bed, snoring like a pig—completely unaware how close he had come to death.
Arlen withdrew the recording lacrima and vanished into the night.