Walking in the midst of a bustling city, Iode and Harold held many snacks in their hands, Iode was evidently munching on them happily and lavishly.
"Here there Iode, you are going to choke" Harold spoke seeing Iode munch on a kabob grill.
"Hum hum!". Iode sounds with a mouthful of kabobs.
"How's everyone back at home in Illusium city, Randell, Maybelline, Cassandra, Peterson, and Cephas, they are all good right?". Harold asked.
*Swallows a kabob* " I'm sorry for what happened to your family Harold, you were out of reach by the time we got to know what happened, it must have been lonely all these years ". Iode said in a sad tone.
"It alright Iode, it's been ten years since the incident, because of that, I was driven to strive to make a betterment of the kingdom, plus, I've found a new family here at Kursa academy ". Harold smiled softly.
"Say, I saw that you now have a last name, the Zenivia family adopted you, they want the successor of Igor, to be in their family since that is Igor's family, it good ".
"Yeah, Harold, when will you go back to Illusium city, at least just a visit ". Iode asks.
"..."
"I'll think about that... Hmm?". Harold was saying but he got distracted by a loud bellow that sounded from his chest pocket.
Harold reached out to the pocket and picked up a green gem, he saw something was being transmitted into it. He grabbed Iode's hand and raced into an alley before viewing what news was sent to him.
The gem is a mana stone, used in all kinds of things. It can be used to amplify things like increasing loud voice so that masses can hear audibly. It can also be used to increase one's mana vessel and Mana pool, as well as to breakthrough faster from one star level to another.
Mana stone can also be used as a transmitter to send and receive messages, however, such a use would require a little modification. This use is common among the Brigades of the wizard tribe.
Viewing the message in form of a green hologram, Iode and Harold could see:
" We have gotten a new lead in the investigation, captain Harold, meet with us at the Rasak ranching. We have learned that that one of the advanced level mage from the purple tower is with you, please bring him along..." Written on the screen.
"Fascinating, let me call my squad members to meet us at Rasak ranching ". Harold said to Iode.
He tapped on the green stone as if typing something. Soon, he was done.
"Let's move".
Both of them went away from the bustling center to a lush green environment covered in evergreen grasses. Upon arrival, they met with some officers at the scene together with Maythan and Melissa.
"What is the development". Captain Harold asked.
"We found this dried up body similar to the ones recovered at Greenwish, however, this one has something embedded in it, a bone ring ". A female brigade with brunette hair said.
Captain Harold and Iode went to check the body, which was mauled, pale, dry and thin, and it was entirely drained of blood, obviously, the victim suffered a long, slow and excruciating death.
At the place presumed to be the stomach area, a bony ring was placed. It has a shiny red stone on it. The ornament might be a ring but no one would fancy a ring made out of bones, however, for some reason, Iode couldn't help but fawn over it.
His eyes dilated and stared only at the ring and was tempted to take it. A strange impulse ran across his body, he raised his hand and stretched it over to the ring.
"Iode! Iode! ". Someone was calling him however, it was nothing but a background noise. Suddenly, someone grabbed him and pulled him away.
"Iode! What on Heaters came over you". Captain Harold asked jerking Iode rapidly.
"Huh? What happened, why are you shaking me aggressively like that Harold?". Iode said, seemingly coming back to his senses.
"Why did you try to take that ring with your bare hand, it could be dangerous". Captain Harold said.
"Ring? Why on Heaters would I try to take a ring made out of bone from a dead body, I'm not insane". Iode defended himself.
"But you tried to". Captain Harold said.
"No I didn't".
"But you did".
"Huh, why would...". Iode was saying but was interrupted by Maythan.
"You did try to take it Iode, it no use denying something everyone saw"
Iode looked at the rest of the people in the vicinity, all their faces says Harold was telling the truth.
"Captain, I don't think Iode was aware of what he was doing". A female squad member with blonde hair said.
"Why did you say so ". Captain Harold asked.
"His eyes were dilated and his movement were unnatural, like he was compelled to do such ".
"Yeah, I noticed that too, it seems that ring has some compelling power that affects only Iode... But why— wait, don't tell me...". Captain Harold looked at Iode with a worried expression.
"What, what is it ". Iode asked seeing Harold's expression.
"Worry not Iode, but stay far away from the ring and the body". Harold smiled and walked a few meters away from the masses.
"Captain? ". The female squad member with blonde hair walked over to him.
"I hope I'm overthinking it, but what Iode just did there can give us an insight on the perpetrator's act and motive. Mary, we need to keep an eye on him, I have a feeling Iode can become a victim..."