The royal jet sliced through the sky, carrying Lucifer, General Frozy Caron, and Duke Vernos to Carpted Town—a sprawling city with over 2,000 buildings, glowing road channels, and rune-guided traffic.
To the east stood Duke Gallery, the private palace of Duke Vernos, guarded by nearly 2,000 elite soldiers.
"This way," the Duke said, leading them through the main avenue. "We're approaching Waterfox Stream—a mythical river tied to ancient legend."
He raised his communicator.
"Guards, secure a perimeter of 2 kilometers. No entry, no exit. Carpted Town is now under investigation. Alert General Vakora as well."
As they reached the riverbank, Duke Vernos pointed toward the crystal waters.
"This is the Taro River, flowing directly from Tarotaro Mountain near Taro Town. The Waterfox Stream converges here."
Lucifer gazed at the majestic waterfall spilling down the rocky cliffs.
"I'd like to visit the mountain," he said, "after we finish surveying the stream. Permission, Duke?"
"Granted," the Duke replied. "Go with General Frozy—he'll lead you to General Beigo stationed near Taro Town. You'll reach there in an hour."
Near the stream, Duke Vernos motioned toward a small statue carved from coral.
"This is Waterfox Mitsuo Kit—a legendary beasterwoman from centuries past. She purified this entire river with Mana Crown: Circle 100, sacrificing all her mana and sealing herself in deep sleep. We honor her as a guardian goddess."
Lucifer bowed reverently before the statue. Moments later, Frozy called him over.
"We recovered more victims at this riverbank—swimming students, likely swept downstream. They're still alive."
Lucifer examined the terrain.
"They must've come from higher upstream," he said. "Something disturbed the stream's flow. Let's head to Taro Town."
In Taro Town, General Beigo greeted the group and led them toward the mountain pass. There, Lucifer noticed a woman crying near a tree-lined path.
She looked up, startled. "I… I'm Martya, water mage of Circle 6 and swim instructor at Taro Academy. My son Vericon was part of the group that went missing at the river. Thirteen children vanished while swimming…"
Lucifer approached gently.
"How long ago was this, Madam?"
"Fifteen days," she said. "I've searched the whole mountain. I only have five days left—if I don't recover them, I'll be demoted. They disappeared while I was preparing lunch."
Lucifer turned to Frozy. "You arrived… when?"
Frozy nodded solemnly. "Ten days ago. We found 25 children on the riverbank, unconscious and covered in white. I came after three days of that discovery."
Lucifer looked back at Martya.
"Don't worry, Madam. We've come from the Oto Kingdom to solve this. In two days, we'll recover your students and return them to summer camp."
Reassured, Martya nodded through tears.
The four returned to Carpted Town, leaving behind the whispering waterfalls and the shadows of unanswered questions.