Chapter 21 Another Agenda

Alastor contemplated for a while after hearing the explanation while Meliore was silent, there was not much expression on her face. Arean was different though, she jumped up from where she was sitting and marched towards Astrophos. Icicles appeared around the man at every step she took towards him.

"Do you take us as fools?" She sneered with her hand on her hips. "That explanation is too lame, don't you have any other believable statements?" The glare aimed towards him intensified, like she was actually going to kill him.

"I've only said what I saw and if you find any lie in my explanation then you are free to punish me. What I said was what I saw, nothing more and nothing less." His voice was steady and the other Grand Mages did not detect any fluctuation from his emotion.

Meliore narrowed her eyes but remained silent, she had been observing the man ever since he entered the room. Every action and every word he did and said showed no indication that he was lying. She looked at Alastor but the man was still focused on Astrophos.

"Hah! If you won't tell the truth, then I'll just put holes in your body!" The icicles started to move towards him and just as they were to graze his skin, all of them melted.

"I'll believe you for now but we will still conduct our own investigation regarding this matter." Alastor stood up from where he was seating and went to stand in front of the man. He patted Astrophos's shoulder as he leaned forward and whispered. "Whatever you are hiding, I'll eventually find it out."

Astrophos did not flinch, he held it in. Alastor stepped back and returned to his seat, he gave Arean a look and there was nothing she could do but to follow the man.

"Are there any more questions you have for me?" Astrophos was ready to leave the room but it would be suspicious if he seemed enthusiastic to get away from them.

Alastor intertwined his fingers and rested then on his crossed legs. "Yes, now that we heard your side of the incident, we will move on to the other matter that we came for. Grand Mage Jagan's nephew."

Astrophos closed his eyes, as expected they also knew about him. He doesn't have a clue why the Magic Tower was obsessed with Grand Mage Jagan and even his nephew. He had been hoping that, they won't bring it up but they still did.

'What was so special about that child?' He could not help.but wonder. Based on his observation, Ezio was not that extraordinary, he did not have enough mana to become a mage and he has mo outstanding skills as a fighter. The only special thing about him was his ability to say that name without taking damage.

The change in his expression and the sudden fluctuation in his mana indicated that he must have met that nephew. "I guess you've met him already, we are also here to take him with us. Now that his uncle is dead, he had not other family to take care of him. We are the closest to family he will have." Alastor spoke of those words like it was easy to coax the child.

Astrophos could only internally shake his head. He already knew that it would be difficult for them to convince Ezio because right now, he hated mages. And undoubtedly, that man will not allow it since he found the child amusing.

"Yes, I have met him and he doesn't really like my presence," he opened his eyes and answered. He returned to his usual demeanor and showed no other reaction from then on.

"And why is that?" The other man asked again, he was now looking at Astrophos. All of his attention was now given to the man.

"I am not sure myself. I have tried to approach him so many times but he insisted on not having any connection with me," he simply answered. He could feel their gazes boring at him but he endured.

"Do you know where he is now? I might be able to convince him," Alastor retracted his gaze and went to being like an amiable person. "Or better yet, you could show us the way."

Astrophos had no other choice but to lead them to the bake shop. Four pair of eyes looked at the two-story structure and the simple sign board with the words 'Vergessen Bakery' hanged on the front. They could also see people going in and coming out of the place.

"This place seemed popular, why don't we go im and take a look." With Alastor leading them, they entered the place.

They were greeted by the butler, "Ah new faces, come, come what kind of pastry are you looking for?" He acted enthusiastic upon seeing them. He even led them to the display rack where their freshly baked goodies could be seen. Then he noticed Astrophos, "Ah, Mr. Astrophos! I'm happy yo see you again here, are they your acquaintances?"

Astrophos nodded, "Yes, they came here because they wanted to meet Ezio." He did not hide the reason for their visit because he knew that the butler already knew about the situation.

"Oh, are they porhaps acquainted to Mr. Jagan also?" He acted ignorant but Astrophos could tell that the butler was only pretending.

"Yes, so could you please call Ezio here?" There's no way of avoiding it anymore and he can't hide Ezio's whereabouts long because he was sure that people of Moonvale were already aware that Ezio was under the bake shop's owner.

The butler's face slightly lost its mile then he threw a look at the curtain covered door leading to the kitchen, "I think you should wait for a while. Ezio and the master are still baking and the master doesn't want to be disturbed." He explained after giving them an apologetic smile. "If you would like, you can have a seat on the vacant table on the corner while you wait fort them to finish." He pointed at the vacant space.

"Alright, then we should order while we are here," Alastor gestured for them to pick out any treats they want.

While the butler was preparing their ordered sweet treats, the four of them went to sit on the empty space. Their order swiftly came and they started to eat in silence.

The kitchen was busy but the presence of the visitors did not escape Cygnus's notice thus his mood improved. Ezio noticed the change so he looked at the butler who just entered to take some more cookies. "Is there something wrong, young master?" He asked after noticing Ezio's gaze on him.