Chapter 197

"Then next time you have something to be happy about, can I hug you too?"

"Huh...?"

Lux looked up at the other person's seemingly sincere yet playful eyes.

"Of course... you can also give me a warm hug..."

"Yes, I've learned something new." Chen Ce smiled. "I'll write it down in my notebook. Thank you, dear Miss Lux."

"Haha... you're welcome..." Lux gave an awkward yet polite smile, then got up to leave.

"Um... I suddenly remembered I have something to do... so I won't keep you waiting... see you later...!"

"Okay, see you later." Chen Ce waved goodbye.

Jonathan, the leader of the Mageseekers hunter squad, finally returned after being gone for half an hour.

He showed no displeasure at Lux's sudden departure and remained polite to Chen Ce, who stayed behind.

After the latter changed into the Mageseeker Order's uniform, he even took the initiative to enthusiastically lead the way and introduce the Mageseeker Order's military camp.

"This is our usual training ground. We can train various specialized skills such as riding, swordsmanship, and search. You can come here to train at any time—except when you are out on a mission or have other orders to follow."

"This is the rest area. We spend our lunch break here every day... Of course, if you want to go home at noon, just let me know. It's also fine if you don't want to come back in the afternoon."

"And this place, the Demon Search Hall, is where we hold meetings or announce various orders."

"Look over there..."

Squad leader Jonathan was very enthusiastic, even somewhat obsequious—he had already regarded the young man in front of him as a "recommended member" of the Crownguard family and dared not offend him at all.

Chen Ce saw through it but didn't say anything—that was fine, it saved him a lot of trouble.

The two wandered around the military camp several times.

After showing the barracks around, Jonathan lowered his voice and said, "The treatment in our regiment isn't very good right now. If anything makes you uncomfortable, please bear with us..."

"You're too kind. I came here to become a qualified Mageseekers, not to enjoy myself," Chen Ce replied politely, while inwardly sighing with emotion.

Jonathan is unaware that he will soon gain immense power... Once Jarvan III issues the "Anti-Magic Decree Plus," all Mageseekers will ascend to godhood overnight.

At that time, his power as a squad leader might be greater than that of the garrison commanders of some remote towns.

After all, he can investigate whomever he wants, and if you disagree, he can accuse you of "colluding with a magician."

By then, the Mageseekers' superior— the Mageseeker Order Commander—wished excessive power, even surpassing that of Prince Jarvan IV of Demacia to some extent.

That's pretty outrageous.

It's still relatively easy to join the Mageseeker Order right now, but in a while, even Garen's name probably won't be as effective there.

The humble and obscure status of the Mageseekers now will soon be replaced by its prestige and popularity.

Of course, that ephemeral status wouldn't last long...

"That concludes the introduction." Jonathan glanced at the Mageseekers who were training.

Just as he was about to say goodbye to Chen Ce, a Mageseekers suddenly rushed over in a great hurry.

"Captain... Captain Jonathan...!"

"Don't rush, tell me slowly." Jonathan patted the man on the shoulder.

The latter, panting heavily, first glanced cautiously at Chen Ce, and only after receiving a signal from Jonathan did he speak confidently, "We have intelligence that we've spotted traces of a mage..."

"Huh? Where?" Jonathan immediately perked up. "How did you find it?"

"In the north of the city..." the Mageseekers, "Information suggests that a woman playing a zither is playing music that appears to contain magic..."

"Music? Magic?"

"Yes... it's said that the sound of that kind of piano gives people a unique feeling... like magic..."

"Is this the only evidence?"

"Right..."

"We're far from ready to arrest anyone; we can only go and take a look first." Jonathan was well aware of his limited authority. "We can't even go in uniform—we can't alert them."

"Yes..." The Mageseekers gasped for breath, as if he had just run back from there.

"By the way, what's the suspect's name?" Jonathan asked again.

"Her name is... Sona, Sona Buvelle."

"Buvelle...?"

"Hmm... she's Barrett Buvelle's adopted daughter..."

"..."

Jonathan fell silent.

Then he turned to look at Chen Ce beside him.

Perhaps... the only way to counter magic is with magic.

"Our outstanding newcomer Chen Ce, would you be interested in joining me to listen to a beautiful zither performance?"

Barrett Buvelle was a hero.

He was also a martyr.

News of his death had already spread in Great City, and the king was preparing to hold a memorial service for him—they were friends for many years.

Besides the king, three other people were the most heartbroken.

Barrett Buvelle's wife and two daughters.

In that small manor, so incongruous with its owner's status, Lestara Buvelle received many relatives and friends who came to pay their respects. She always wore a smile, completely concealing the deep weariness and numbness in her eyes.

People gathered in the open space of the manor, recounting Barrett's deeds over and over again in sorrowful tones. He was so humorous, kind, and brave in life, and he always became the center of attention.

Even now, even though he is dead.

Barrett's biological daughter, Karina Buvelle, sat silently weeping in a corner of the manor. She could understand the smile on her mother's face; she knew that strength was a thousand times more painful than the sorrow in her heart.

Sona, holding her violin, played on stage, her fair fingers deftly sweeping across each string, the melodious tune carrying a moving sadness. As the music played, many people recalled their memories with Barrett.

People wept for it.

But Lestara knew something... She looked at Sona, her beautiful brown eyes even carrying a hint of pleading.

She wanted her daughter to stop.

She has already lost her husband, she can't...

But Sona didn't stop.

Born mute, she could not express her emotions to the world through sound, so the music became her only channel.

She played with all her might, and the music contained her sorrowful heart and endless longing.

It also includes...

Things that interest the Mageseekers.

Several people, all dressed in formal attire, entered the manor. They sat silently in a corner of the manor.

They expressed their condolences to the hero Barrett Buvelle and interacted with others... They certainly didn't sneak in. Their mourning for Barrett was genuine and heartfelt, but its purpose was undeniable.

They watched the girl on the stage silently, and the uniquely shaped instrument aroused their suspicion.

Lestara noticed these "uninvited guests." She knew why they had come.

But she couldn't act rashly.

How do you feel?

Offstage, team leader Jonathan whispered a question to the young man beside him.

"It... sounds pretty good?" Chen Ce scratched his head, pretending not to understand.

"It's beautiful, you could almost describe it as 'celestial music'." Jonathan didn't point it out, just smiled and nodded. "So, what was it like going on your first mission?"

"Hmm... a little nervous?"

"It's normal, but there's no need to be too nervous."

"OK."

"Keep watching." Jonathan stopped talking and refocused his attention on the beautiful piano music.

He certainly didn't expect Chen Ce to understand anything—he was just a newcomer, his perception of magic was still very immature, he probably wouldn't even know what magic was if it hit his face.

He wanted Chen Ce to come simply to avoid trouble for himself—or rather, to find a "protective umbrella" for himself.

Barrett Buvelle had just sacrificed his life, and he was already suspecting the family of a fallen hero... This kind of behavior could easily get him into huge trouble—frankly, he didn't want to do it.

But there's really no other way.

The intelligence has already come in; at the very least, they have to come and make a show of it...

Now we can only rely on this newcomer's connections... If something really goes wrong, at least the Crownguard family can put in a good word for us...

Jonathan was already planning to just give a perfunctory appearance and then leave.

But just then, one of the Mageseekers frowned. "Captain... I can sense it, this is indeed the aura of magic... there's magic in her music..."

"Are you sure?" Jonathan adjusted his posture slightly.

"I'm sure..." the Mageseekers nodded. "There's no mistake... My family was killed by Black Mage, and I hate that evil aura to the core..."

"Oh, then let's get ready to move in." Jonathan took a cigarette out of his pocket, lit it, and said to Chen Ce, "Rookie, your first mission has arrived."

"Hmm?" Chen Ce asked, puzzled.

"After Miss Sona finishes playing this piece, go backstage and ask her what happened."

"Oh..."

"If we confirm there's a problem, please have her come with us."

"OK."

Chen Ce nodded in agreement.

Jonathan lit his cigarette, but the Mageseekers beside him was somewhat dissatisfied—it was too unwise to entrust such an important task to a newcomer.

However, he cannot question his captain.

The group waited quietly for the song to end.

After the song ended, Sona bowed and left. The people in the audience didn't seem to make any special moves, Lestara secretly breathed a sigh of relief—but she didn't notice that Chen Ce had already slipped backstage.

After avoiding everyone's sight, Chen Ce used [Deceive] to become invisible and followed Sona.

The girl, who may have a bust size of more than 36D, sat down in the backstage dressing room, with the magical harp placed beside her.

She stared blankly at the zither, her eyes suddenly beginning to redden.

Then, two lines of tears fell.

Silent weeping.

Then a voice sounded behind them, "Ahem..."

"...!" Sona instantly became alert, turning around and hugging her harp tightly.

Looking at the young man before her, she vaguely guessed what was going on.

"Don't be nervous, Sona," Chen Ce said softly, deliberately omitting the suffix "Miss," as if speaking to an old friend.

The girl nervously took a half-step back. She wanted to shout, but how could she call out when she was mute?

[Who are you...] she gestured in sign language.

"My Chen Ce." To be honest, Chen Ce couldn't quite understand the other person's sign language, but he could guess the general meaning in this situation. "Don't be nervous, I'm not here to arrest you."

[So what do you want to do...?]

I'm here to help you.

[Huh...?]