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Chapter four

LOCATED

Tensed black orbs stared out of the glass wall of the throne room, onto the capital of their kingdom, where torches were starting to lit up with fire. Night. It was night already. Their troops had been searching for four whole hours.

And guess what? Thin air. That's what they had come up with. Nothing but thin air.

The Demon King's eyes flickered back to Gwendal who was listing off the places that had been searched throughout, which in summarize, was the whole capital.

Unconsciously, Yuri cast a sideways glance at Lady Cheri beside him, sitting on the throne with Greta in her lap. She was staring somewhere in space, oblivious to the conversation taking place in front of her. A soft sigh passed through his lips.

If she was still the Maou, she'd have sent out every single soldier of their army in search of her younger son.

"Gwendal," the teen spoke up, cutting off the Mazoku's report, "Can't we send out a search party in the borders or the port? Somewhere out of the capital anyway?"

Gwendal's dark eyebrows creased into a frown. "Yes, I've considered that myself, but investigating out of the capital would be admitting that he didn't leave deliberately." Lady Cheri's expression fell, a silent grief clouding over her emerald jewels.

'So, she's been listening after all.' Yuri noted to himself. "You really think he was kidnapped?" he questioned softly, not wanting to hear the response that deep down he already knew.

"That's the only explanation I can think for this predicament." Conrad, who had fallen silent by Gwendal's side all this time, seemed to stir at his brother's words. "That may be true, but with what motives?" "And more importantly, who would even gain something by abducting him?" Gunter chided in.

"Big Shimaron is who we're up against." All of their heads whipped around to the source of the voice just as Murata shut the door behind him. "Seems like Lanzhil sent out the White Crows to do the dirty job for him." the Great Sage went on while walking over to them.

"The White Crows? But Geika how do you-?" Conrad began but Murata cut him off. "On my way here I spotted them passing through the town. Even though they were using the rooftops so as not to get noticed, I'm certain it was them."

"But still, that doesn't make any sense. Why would they still obey Lanzhil's orders and mostly, what does Wolfram have to do with them?" At Yuri's query, the spectacled teen pushed his glasses up in the bridge of his nose, before raising his eyes to meet the dark gaze of his king's. "Unfortunately, I'm afraid the enemy has figured you out Shibuya."

Yuri could only blink in puzzlement at his friend. "Figured… me out?"

"He knows you can't be defeated. You're the only Mazoku who's immune to Houseki and you can even use your Maryoku in human lands. I can only assume that Lanzhil has grown quite desperate to resort to such an action." Murata explained flatly but Yuri on the other hand just appeared to be more perplexed. "He's angry with me, I get that. But I still can't see your point Murata."

"He probably thought it'd be easier for him to defeat you if you're already weakened. And who better to weaken you than the people you consider your family?"

"So, Wolfram…" Gwendal said thoughtfully and earned a firm nod from Murata in return. "Lanzhil isn't aware of Shibuya's accidental engagement to Lord von Bielefeld. He must have assumed that our Maou chose him on his own free will. And naturally, even the thought of your lover being in harm's way is capable enough to cause you a mental break down."

"But that doesn't explain the White Crows' involvement." Gunter commented, his violet orbs drifting from Murata to Gwendal and back over again.

"They're probably furious that Shibuya took out their leader and when Lanzhil offered them a chance to avenge Janus, they gladly accepted it." A horrible sensation of dread shot up Yuri's spine at his friend's words.

"But Murata… If what you say is true, then, he i-intends to do something h-horrible to Wolfram." A soft gasp reached his ears, making him turn his head to the side. Huge brown eyes were staring fearfully at him and in an instant he regretted uttering those words on front of his daughter.

"Yuri, they won't kill Wolfram, will they?" Greta asked, terror lapping at her voice, confirming the king's suspicion and he mentally cursed himself for his foolishness.

"That would make them the main target of the Maou's wrath, and I highly doubt they want that." Murata replied in Yuri's place but the ruler didn't feel relaxed at all, not with the way his friend's glasses glistened so ominously. The Great Sage was yet again hiding something from him.

"I can only assume that Lanzhil has grown quite desperate to resort to such an action." Murata's words repeated in his mind and now that all the information had finally sank in, his mind was beginning to clear up, absorbing the awful, disgusting realization. Wolfram could be tortured at this very moment… and it was his entire fault.

Before he had realized it, his whole body was trembling as guilt, shame and desperation surged through him. His hands clenched unconsciously into fists but he did register the stinging pain as his fingernails dug into his palm.

I didn't even get to apologize to him.Yuri thought briefly, his argument with Wolfram coming back to him, making him grit his teeth so hard that he thought they might break.

"Shibuya." Murata called up at him, not failing to notice their king's sudden change. When those black orbs landed on him, he saw so many mixed up emotions dancing in those dark pools, but then, the Maou's expression hardened.

"You… You knew what was going on, didn't you? And yet you chose to run off to Shinou Temple to discuss it with him." That last sentence definitely wasn't a question. No, it was a statement. And, except for Murata, the rest of the occupants in the room blinked astonished at the animosity with which it was uttered.

Yuri's arms began shaking again, but for a whole different reason. The Maou was pissed. No, pissed was an understatement… He was simply furious.

"If you had told us right there and then what was happening, we could have saved him!" Yuri yelled, making Greta flinch ever so lightly at her father's unusual behavior. Yes, she had heard Gwendal shout before, Wolfram too… but not Yuri. Never Yuri.

"There was nothing that could have been done, Shibuya. It was already late." Murata said in an even tone but only succeeded on angering Yuri further with his calmness. "That's a lie! We would have gone to the port and stopped them. I would have never allowed them to leave taking Wolfram with them! I would have stopped them!"

The three retainers exchanged concerned glances, knowing well enough that their king never acted this way, because simply it was so unlike him.

"Shibuya, stop!" the Sage exclaimed all of a sudden, making their heads whip to the Maou's direction again before their eyes widened.

A blue glow was surrounding Yuri's entire form, bathing him in a brilliant light. Blood was now dripping from his clenched hands, landing with small little drops on the red carpet. The very moment that his pupils turned into fiery black slits, lightning flashed outside, soon followed by the explosion of a thunder.

"I would have definitely stopped them!" he repeated in a deeper voice, but still much like his own. Murata was about to shout at him to calm down, but his mouth shut close when he noticed Yuri lifting a shaky hand to the side of his head.

Yuri stammered backwards, hand still clutching his head tightly, as if he was in pain. It was only then that Murata realized what the Maou was doing. He was trying to prevent the transformation from completing. So that's why his hair didn't lengthen. Murata observed, a smirk creeping onto his face. His friend was slowly but steadily beginning to gain more control over his powers.

However, Yuri seemed way too occupied to notice any of this. Finally registering his actions, the rage washed away in an instant, having been replaced by his previous emotions of distress.

What the heck am I doing? Blaming Murata when… it was really all… my fault? Lanzhil captured him because he wants to take revenge on me. And if I had explained things out to him, we wouldn't end up arguing in the first place… An almost incoherent sob escaped his lips and with an anguished cry, Yuri fell to his knees, slamming his tightly clenched fists onto the floor before him.

By his action, the glow that had been surrounding him seemed to course through his arms and flow onto the entire room, covering it with its brilliant radiance and making everything bathe in that magnificent blue light. Then it vanished completely without leaving a single trace behind of what just occurred.

Conrad could only stare at his king, concern swirling in his usual calm, chocolate-brown eyes. Stare as the teen's whole form seemed to overload with a variety of strained emotions, shaking from the effort to keep himself together. Having already lost his little brother, he couldn't bare to watch Yuri crumble like this too.

He had already stepped forward when he felt a hand grasping his shoulder all of a sudden. Blinking in puzzlement, the brunet turned his head to the side, brown eyes connecting with dark blue.

Gwendal regarded him for a second, before slowly, shaking his head. Not giving his brother the chance to ponder over his gesture, the dark haired Mazoku averted his gaze forward, silently guiding Conrad to do the same.

Furrowing slightly, the soldier did as he was instructed, only to have his eyes widen even for a moment. Closing them slowly, a soft smile pulled at his lips, realizing what his brother meant to tell him. His interference was no longer needed.

Yuri was shaking, not caring what the others would think anymore. After all, all of his retainers were aware of how weak he was underneath. So, why try to hide that? When a hand was laid gently on his shoulder though, he head moved on its own accord. At the warm, green eyes that met him, he couldn't suppress the sob that passed through his lips at the resemblance they held to a certain someone.

"Cheri-sama…" he breathed out, tears welling in his eyes as he was reminded of her sorrowed filled gaze a while ago. "Forgive me, Cheri-sama… because of me, Wolfram was… If it wasn't for me, he wouldn't have-" He went stiff, not getting to finish his sentence, when Lady Cheri knelt down beside him and pulled him into a tight embrace.

His eyes went wide. But Cheri-same didn't pull away. She just held him tenderly, held him until his trembling ceased to a stop without him realizing it. Only then did the woman released her hold on him. With gentle moves, she used her thumb to wipe some of the tears that had escaped from his eyes.

"Such a kind heart… it shouldn't be burdened with such unfair feelings." she said softly, her palm now moving to cup his cheek lovingly. "Wolfram would be utmost pleased by your concern for him."

Biting his lower lip so as not to shed any more tears, Yuri leaned his head against the warmth of her hand, his eyes faltering close unconsciously.

Lady Cheri smiled warmly. The king reminded her of Wolfram so much at a time like this. When he was younger, her son used to always come to her, seeking the kind of comfort that only a mother could provide her child with. And she'd always soothe him just like he soothed the double black. Because no matter of his position, Yuri was still a teenager, and a sensitive one when it came down to those dear to him.

And when the boy opened his eyes again and flashed her an uncertain but so obviously grateful smile, she couldn't help but return it good-naturally. Then, Yuri stood up, holding out his hand to assist her do the same, in a very gentlemanly manner. She shook her head lightly, but the smile was still on her face when she accepted his offer.

It was only a second after they had gotten back on their feet and Yuri found his arms full of Greta all of a sudden. "Greta?" he couldn't help but ask in puzzlement. The girl looked up at him but her arms were still tightly wrapped around his waist.

"I just… I just don't want to lose you too." He blinked. Then blinked once more. Lose him? But he wasn't going any- His eyes doubled in size. No, his daughter wasn't referring to him going somewhere. She just didn't want him to lose himself like he did a while ago. He hadn't realized it by now, but he must have definitely given her quite a shock, acting so angry and then so… guilty?

He pressed her against him so suddenly, that he could feel the girl's grip on him falter for a moment from the surprise. "You aren't going to lose neither of us, because simply, I'm going to bring Wolfram back. I promise." Greta broke the embrace, a huge smile spreading on her features and she nodded at him vigorously.

"Shibuya." Looking up, he locked eyes with the other teen, his eyes voicing the apology from his earlier snap. And Murata gave him a shake of the head, showing him that he wasn't offended in slightest.

"Because I'm only making theories here, I sent a messenger pigeon to someone who might be able to help with our situation. I requested him to take a look at Lanzhil's castle for us. Soon, we'll know for certain if Lord von Bielefeld is indeed held as a prison there." Yuri gritted his teeth at the word prison but then something else caught his attention. "Who did you ask for help, exactly?"

Murata readjusted his glasses on his nose, his black bangs shadowing his eyes. "Don't worry, I wouldn't toy with something as important as this. I assure you, he's a reliable source."

Yuri sighed, knowing for granted that he wouldn't be extracting any more information than that.

"If our assumptions are indeed correct, the ship will not reach Big Shimaron until early in the morning. Whoever that source is, we won't be getting any news from him until that time comes." Gunter commented, earning nods of agreement from the two brothers and Murata.

"Heika, there's nothing else we can do for now," Conrad said, turning his attention back to Yuri, his concern kicking in again, "I believe it'd better if you went to your room now. You need to get some rest. We all do." he added quickly, foreseeing his godson's words before he even uttered them. What about you guys? You need to rest as well. Oh, yes. Their king could be very predictive.

Before Yuri had time to protest, Gwendal took a step forward. "I will escort you to your quarters, Heika." Then tone he used was so familiar to Yuri that he could easily decipher its meaning. No arguments would be acceptable. Heaving a sigh, Yuri bent down to place a soft kiss on Greta's forehead and then, after bidding everyone else a good night, followed the green clad Mazoku out of the room.

"I'm not a child you know," the teen said while nodding approvingly to the guards that passed them by, "I don't need anyone telling me when to go to bed."

"A child refusing to admit he's a child. I wonder if I'm the only one considering it weird." Yuri sent a sideways glare from the corner of his eyes. "Would you stop calling me-"

"If your previous breakdown wasn't childish, then tell me what it is you call it, Maou Heika." Yuri froze. He… really acted like a child, didn't he? That's right… Such a reaction isn't acceptable for a king. Willing his legs to keep walking, the rest of the way they passed it in silence.

When they finally reached the Maou's room, Yuri went inside, expecting Gwendal to go back to join the others. He wasn't to be blamed then at the confusion that washed over him when the other followed after him. "Gwendal, what are you-"

But the earth wielder cut him off by taking hold of his wrist and nearly dragging him in the bathroom. Yuri yelped at the unexpected action but thankfully managed to steady himself in time and didn't stumble down. Gwendal reached the sink and let the water flow before pulling Yuri's hands and placing them under it.

The teen hissed when the cold liquid came in contact with his palms, realizing for the first time that deep cuts smeared their surface. Weren't those nail marks? Strange, he didn't remember hurting himself. Great, now he had even succeeded on injuring himself.

Gwendal frowned at the damage. He closed the water flow and looked around the room in search of a first-aid kit. Finally achieving his task, he pulled out some bandages before turning back to his king… only to frown deeper.

The blood, the nail cuts, it was all gone. The skin seemed to be perfectly untouched.

"Neh, Gwendal…" His attention was snatched back to the teen and he could help but take notice of how the double black's eyes were shielded by his dark locks. "I've really failed you, haven't I? Especially with what happened to Wolfram. It's because I'm so weak, isn't it? If I were stronger, I would have started a war against Big Shimaron for what Lanzhil did."

Gwendal's left eye twitched. How did it come down to this? he thought while bringing a hand up to rub his aching forehead. "Just because you have different principles than the other kings, it doesn't make you weak." he muttered in a low breath, hand lowering to stare at his king.

"And I know for certain that Wolfram would be furious if he learnt that you shuttered this new era of peace that we have been working on all these years because of him. And this," he took one of the boy's healed palms in his, making him jerk out of his thoughts and look at him with a wide look, "is proof enough that strength isn't something you lack, your Majesty." he finished and let go of Yuri's hand.

At the stunned expression on the teen's face, Gwendal's lips cracked into a tiny smile. He turned on his heels and with no further comments exited the bathroom. He had already taken hold of the door handle when he heard his name being called and paused.

"Thank you." Yuri muttered softly, a light blush coloring his cheeks but smiling nevertheless.

"You aren't weak, Heika. You are just kind… perhaps too kind for your own good." Gwendal replied with his back still at Yuri.

"But kindness doesn't have to be a weakness. On the contrary, it makes you an even better person, especially if you can extend it to others." At those words, stated so casually as if they were a fact, Gwendal whipped around in the blink of an eye, staring at the boy with a wide eyed expression.

Yuri blinked, puzzled. "What?" he asked incredulously, his black eyebrows creasing into a small frown, not understanding what he had done wrong this time.

Gwendal's expression seemed to soften at that and he shook his head. "It's nothing. Have a peaceful night, Heika." he replied and without even giving his king the chance to answer back, he opened the door and stepped out.

"Just as expected of you, Maou Heika." the Mazoku whispered to himself after the door was securely closed behind him. Shaking his head, he proceeded on going back to the throne room where the others were bound to be waiting.

END OF CHAPTER FOUR

Oh, that was a long chapter. I only realized it after I was done writing it.

Anyways, please review for me! ^^