As the meeting in the Fire Royal Court continued, a tall, youthful figure rose—Duke Vernos, a 500-year-old Archdemon with burning crimson eyes and a noble aura.
"Your Majesty," he said to King Marshel Moto Fire III, "Carpted Town lies within my domain. May I join the investigation and support this case?"
The king nodded from his blazing throne.
"You may assist them with full authority, Duke Vernos."
Soon after, Lucifer, General Frozy Caron, and Duke Vernos arrived at the royal guest house where the 25 white-cloaked children lay in magically suspended silence.
Lucifer stepped forward.
"I will examine them for the next half hour."
Frozy checked his chrono-sigil.
"It's now the 16th hour. After the examination, we'll head to the garden for debrief."
Lucifer activated a Sonic Spirit Magic — Circle 7, using it to hear the faintest breath patterns within the bodies.
After careful analysis, he segmented the victims into two distinct groups:
13 children were infected by a white lotus-shaped fungus emitting antimagic—known as Melotas. 12 children showed signs of frost cleave wounds—deep ice-bite markings with mana damage.
He turned to Frozy and Vernos.
"Sirs, we have two cases, not one."
They exchanged surprised looks.
"How so?" asked the Duke.
"Because the symptoms are drastically different," Lucifer explained. "Thirteen victims were attacked by Melotas fungus, while the others suffered Frostcleave bites. We'll need specialists."
Lucifer immediately requested two experts:
Professor Jaspher, biologist from Soil University, renowned for antimagic fungal research. Turo Vaksisa, ice-magic specialist and recovery healer from Mertata.
Duke Vernos agreed. "I'll report this to the king. You wait here with the children—I'll bring the doctors."
An hour passed. At 17:30, Professor Jaspher arrived and nodded to Lucifer.
"Give me your hand. Let's begin with first aid."
He examined the 13 bodies and frowned.
"This fungus resembles ancient Water Fox Tentacle Fungus , A thousand years ago, a beasterwoman named Mitsuo Kit, a master of antimagic, sealed it at the riverbank after purifying the area with Mana Crown — Circle 100. It was believed dormant... until now."
Lucifer's eyes narrowed.
"Then I'll investigate the Waterfox Stream."
Together, Jaspher and Lucifer performed magical cleansing:
Lucifer cast Mana Room — Circle 20, creating a recovery domain. Jaspher used Light Spell — Seraphis Boom (Circle 10) to dispel the fungus.
The 13 children stabilized.
Shortly after, Turo Vaksisa arrived for the second group.
"I'll need ventilators and Fire Foam Extracts to regulate the mana scars," she said to Frozy.
Then to Lucifer, she added,
"Your Mana Room was well-crafted. Use Fire Heart — Circle 7 for recovery."
Lucifer complied. The frozen bodies began to thaw as mana pulses flowed through them.
With both first aids complete, Lucifer stood.
"General, Duke—let's head to Carpted Town to begin the investigation. The children can remain under doctor care."
Frozy summoned the royal jet. Engines burned blue as it landed outside.
The three boarded together. The real hunt for truth had begun.