Magic power surged as a great gust blew, the two immense power met in a violent collision.
Even though no explosions could be heard, Motoki felt like he could hear great rumbling sounds. His mind went blank as the mana wind assaulted him.
"Argh…"
Motoki got sent flying into the window behind him, Natsuki supported him with quick teleportation, preventing him from turning into a human kite.
Motoki got to his feet and he applied pressure to his hurting chest.
He got sent flying through their magic outbursts. If Vatler was the one who did this, Motoki would have been okay. After all, he is the one below primogenitors. Motoki didn't think the harmless-looking teacher from his school would actually be so powerful. It was completely out of his expectations.
More importantly…
He heard the corridor cracking around him. The window of the operation room also shook as if it would shatter anytime. He screamed towards Natsuki.
"Natsuki-chan, stop them!"
If they really fought here, unleashing vassal beasts, it would spell doom for this entire building. This building is an important structure of the Keystone Gate.
Even if the whole place doesn't collapse, Motoki is sure they can still sink the island by themselves.
Everything will be over when that happens…
"Tsk…"
Natsuki clicked her tongue.
"Hey, you two. You wanna fight? Go fight on that snake guy's ship, don't cause trouble for me on this island!"
Natsuki's voice wasn't loud. Between the cracking noise and the magical wind, she's almost inaudible. Vatler and Wu Yan still heard her.
After a brief moment of hesitation, they stored away their magic power.
No matter if it's Wu Yan or Vatler, they both listened to Natsuki. If they pissed her off, they would be in a heap of trouble.
The violent gust died down when they calmed down.
"Yeah, I confirmed it again. Vatler…"
Wu Yan turned around.
"You're a piece of shit."
"Yeah?"
Vatler closed his eyes.
"On the contrary, I like you!"
Wu Yan heaved as he calmed himself down. He bitterly laughed as he apologized to Natsuki.
"Sorry, Natsuki, I got a bit… riled up."
"It's okay…"
Natsuki smiled.
"I fully understand your feelings."
Vatler accepted their unfriendliness with a relatively open attitude. What an annoying fellow.
"Come now, I am here with information, trust me."
Natsuki glared at him for a few seconds before looking away.
"Fine, let me hear it…"
Vatler smiled wider and he looked at the operating room near him.
"A baltic country, Aldegyr kingdom's armored knight flight unit disappeared yesterday."
Wu Yan couldn't connect the dots, the information didn't seem to tally up with the situation at hand. Meanwhile, Natsuki tensed up after hearing Vatler's story.
"Are you saying this incident is related to the Aldegyr Kingdom?…"
"That I do not know."
Vatler candidly replied.
"I just thought the timing and location suspiciously coincided with each other."
Natsuki listened with furrowed eyebrows whereas Wu Yan crossed his arms.
"And? When you smelled a potential toy, you came running hoping to get it on the action?"
"Oh, pish-posh…"
Vatler shrugged.
"I am planning on obediently sitting this one out. I don't have the slightest intention to interfere."
"You? Neutrality?"
Forget Wu Yan, even Natsuki and Motoki cast doubtful glances his way. Nobody bought his crap.
Unlike his handsome and gallant appearance, he's actually a hopeless battle junkie. For an immortal like Vatler, fighting strong opponents made for a good pastime.
"Yeah? If you're not here to stir up trouble, why are you here?"
Wu Yan sneered.
"Don't tell me you're just here to relay information?…"
Vatler raised the corners of his lips.
"I feel like things would be more interesting if I gave you the intel."
"Oh?"
Wu Yan ripped on the guy.
"You chose to stay on the benches when you can play on the stage?"
"Well…"
Vatler turned around. He waved his hand.
"That's all for now. I gave you the information, it's up to you what you do with it…"
Vatler turned his head back, he left them with another sentence.
"Right, this won't be as easy as the Black Death Emperor Front Incident. If you're not careful, even Kojou might die…"
Then, he disappeared in a burst of golden mist.
"That bastard."
Wu Yan cursed.
"Don't stress yourself out over him…"
Natsuki shook her head.
"If you were to cross tongue with that slimy snake user, you're going to die from stress despite your rapid regeneration. He just has disagreeable taste."
Motoki came over, he furtively glanced at Wu Yan before asking Natsuki a question.
"Natsuki-chan, can we trust his words?"
Natsuki's eyes flashed with brilliance.
"I hate that snake guy's guts, but, his information can be trusted."
"What do we do then?"
Natsuki turned towards Wu Yan.
"Wu Yan, you're in charge of this case."
"Ha?"
Wu Yan yelled out loud.
"Why me?"
"Got a problem with that?"
Natsuki asked.
"You're an assault mage, you're not on probation anymore, I trust you don't need me to babysit you on your mission, or do you?"
"No, it's not that…"
Wu Yan scratched his cheek.
"Why don't you settle this yourself?"
"The snake dude already said it…"
Natsuki looked at where Vatler disappeared to.
"This incident might even be the death of a primogenitor like Kojou. You don't need a burden like me around, it's only apt that you go solve this by yourself."
"Burden?"
Wu Yan was baffled.
"How are you a burden?"
Natsuki stayed silent, nobody saw the brief sadness and frustration on her face, she didn't say anything. Then, in a tiny voice, she continued.
"In my current state, I can't use my full power…"
"What was that?"
Wu Yan got closer to her.
"I didn't catch that."
"Anyway!"
Natsuki ordered him.
"You're in charge of solving the case here while I go investigate the case of the missing flying unit of the Aldegyr Kingdom. Report to me if you encounter any problems."
Wu Yan bitterly laughed when he saw Natsuki giving him a stern look with her doll-like mien.
"Fine, I get it. I will get to the bottom of this."
Natsuki stored away her stern look and she nodded…
