Wanted

Was the morgue building empty?

Sean suddenly remembered that back in the Black Berry Rainforest, the Witch Hunters who arrived later had taken away the bodies of Winster, Johnson, and the others. Could there be a connection between those two incidents?

Quill was a wizard who practiced the Puppet Technique.

So was Vice Dean Zajik.

So what about the other members of the Floris Family?

Since the Scholar Era, the Puppet Technique had been a mature branch of magic. Sean didn't know much about it, but he'd heard that if the Floris Family really had control over this magical path, there had to be plenty of people practicing it.

"Are they using living people to make puppets?" Sean narrowed his eyes, his voice turning cold.

Practices like this, akin to human experimentation, were explicitly forbidden in every era. And his friends were among the victims. It was hard for Sean not to feel furious.

"Take a moment to cool down. We're already investigating," Iris said, trying to reassure him.

She despised those deranged, inhuman bastards just as much. But she'd encountered more of this than Sean had. The Floris Family was only one part of the vast Witch Hunter ranks; countless other atrocities were being committed in every corner of the world. Iris had grown used to it.

Or rather, they had to get used to it.

Anger alone was useless. They had to stay calm and clearheaded. Only if they survived would they have a chance to take revenge on their enemies.

"I understand."

Sean quickly reined in his emotions and asked about the aftermath. "How has the Floris Family reacted?"

"They've made quite a fuss. Take a look for yourself." Iris pulled a newspaper from a drawer and handed it to him.

Floris Hospital was one of the Floris Family's core businesses, as well as its hub for controlling the city of Holkodo. Quill had been able to mobilize the city police because the hospital secretly controlled the entire government of Holkodo. No wonder the Floris Family was furious after they'd destroyed such an important place.

The loss of wizards and property was secondary. What mattered more to them was their reputation.

As the biggest capitalist conglomerate in West Lakel State, having one of their businesses taken down right in front of everyone was a humiliating slap in the face. It would affect the awe they inspired in governments and residents across the region, and powerful families in other states would laugh at them.

So in that sense, the Floris Family had no choice but to swallow the humiliation.

They were doing everything they could to cover up what had happened on September 1 through the only two major channels of information they had at their disposal: the internet and newspapers.

One was the book signing in Old Sigel City.

The other was the attack on the Holkodo hospital.

The former was manageable. Burg had already prepared the onlookers for what they might see.

The latter was harder to deal with.

The commotion that night had been enormous. The explosions could be heard from miles away, and the flames were visible in the distance. On top of that, someone had taken a photo of the giant light-figure Kate summoned with Elvily to restrain Zajik. It had been all over the news these past few days.

The Floris Family could only label it a "miracle" and urgently call on the government to issue a clarification. The hospital attack, they claimed, had merely been a drill. They'd misjudged how intense it would be and made it look too real, accidentally causing casualties. Their merciful "Lord" couldn't bear to watch them carry on so recklessly, and had therefore sent down punishment, destroying the main building as a warning.

Never mind whether it made sense. They just had to come up with a story to cover it up.

Then they could release a few scandals about celebrities to distract the public.

Sean couldn't help laughing at the whole thing.

It was ridiculous, but also kind of satisfying.

They'd gotten their revenge on the Floris Family, and now the family was too concerned about its reputation to make a fuss.

Then Elvily suddenly said, "Don't laugh just yet."

Sean blinked. "Huh?"

He wasn't even allowed to laugh?

Iris pressed her lips together to hide a smile and gestured for Sean to keep reading.

Sean had no idea what the two women were up to. Suspicious, he turned the newspaper over.

And saw his own picture.

"Shocking! A large-scale terrorist attack broke out in Old Sigel City on the afternoon of September 1. According to police investigations, renowned fantasy novelist Sean is a prime suspect and may be the terrorist ringleader!"

"According to official figures, 153 police officers died in the attack during the book signing. The State Police Department has formed a task force and issued a Class B wanted notice for Sean. See photo below. Anyone who spots him should immediately contact their local police station or call the hotline."

"Reward: 500,000"

Sean: "???"

Wait, they'd actually made him a wanted criminal?

You bastards, Floris Family. Do you have any manners?

Iris struggled to hold back a laugh. "Now do you see why I told you not to laugh?"

"Hold on." Sean wasn't convinced. "Why am I the only one they're after?"

He'd always known this day might come—ever since he'd decided to become a wizard. After all, the government and the police were on the other side. Issuing a wanted notice was as easy as saying the word. And this was only Class B, not the highest level. It was just a statewide alert; there were still Class A and Class S above it.

Sean could understand all that. The only thing he couldn't understand was why he was the only one they'd targeted.

Elvily, Kate, Iris, even Isha—weren't they all higher-tier than him?

They'd all been the ones killing people, too!

He'd only played support, and somehow they'd singled him out?

"Because they know a wanted notice won't work on us," Elvily said.

Tier Three wizards could learn Illusionary Form spells and had the ability to counter most firearms. In this day and age, Tier Four wizards and above could be considered high-ranking wizards, with even more tricks up their sleeves. Ordinary police officers couldn't find them—and even if they did, they'd only be walking to their deaths.

So the Floris Family wouldn't put out a wanted notice for them. They'd just look for a chance to set a trap, like they had at the hospital.

Sean was different.

If the information Quill had was out of date, Sean's patient file in the Floris Family records might still list him as Tier One. If they didn't put out a wanted notice for him, who would they go after?

"Are these people birds or something?" Sean ranted. "They're just like the young eagles in the Wild Bird Forest—always going after the easy targets!"

"There's another piece of bad news."

Iris said, "These past two days, Isha and I helped you cover your tracks. We found some cash in the suitcase you left at the motel. You withdrew all your money before going to the Black Berry Rainforest, didn't you?"

"That was a smart move, because starting today, you won't be able to withdraw any more. Your bank cards have been frozen, and your ID is on the blacklist. In other words..."

"You might have to start begging for food."

Iris blinked and offered some advice. "Or you could ask a kindhearted person to take you in."

Everything from basic necessities to the various potions needed to increase one's tier cost money.

In any era, without money, you couldn't get far.

Sean understood Iris's hint and instinctively looked at Elvily.

"What are you looking at me for?" The haughty girl turned her head away and gave a soft snort. "Figure it out yourself."