The Mayor then turned to Astraya and me, gently patting our heads.

"And who might these lovely-looking children be?" He bent a bit to see us properly. "Are you two new here? Haven't seen you two before."

"Yes, sir. We came with our father to get some spices," I replied, as Astraya nodded.

"And what a lovely pet fish you have there. She Looks beautiful," he commented.

"It's a he, sir. Morad," I corrected.

"Oh, sorry about that! Hahaha, not a fish expert," the Mayor said with a friendly smile. "Hi there, Morad! Looks like he took offense to me calling him a she, hahaha."

Then he noticed our rose emblems. "Ahhh, you two must be the Manomancer's kids! I do apologize for my people's bad hospitality; they just get carried away at times." He stared at the men holding us and demanded, "Release them! These two children stood up for Maera, but all of you simply watched." He shook his head in disappointment.

"They are my prisoners, Mayor! I decide when they should be released!" Greyjoy confronted him, as the tension grew between the warm, small-town Mayor and this egotistical royal teen.

The Mayor then turned his attention to Greyjoy. "All she ever wanted was to see her grandson again. He is the only family she has left, as her daughter's dying wish was to keep her son safe, and now he's gone. We're not even sure if he's dead or alive. You know how much of a burden that is, Young Master Greyjoy? You see, Blackroot is more than just a town; it's where everyone knows each other, shares things with one another, and to be struggling with missing families is a deep cut, even for me. My son also went missing. Everyone here in this town has been deeply hurt one way or another, be it a missing father, mother, daughter, or son. Nobody can be truly healed from the death and missing of their loved ones. I'm sure you understand, Young Master Greyjoy." He added further, "It is, therefore, why we as a community are tied to that board, as it is the hope we have for their return one day. To burn this board… is to break our spirits."

Greyjoy fell silent for a while, then spoke. "Well, I'm sure you must have heard I wanted my statue to be built in that spot," Greyjoy replied, pointing to the previous post location.

"Of course! What a wonderful idea, especially after you promised to solve the case! The statue would be a perfect tribute to your accomplishment, and our gift to you. How does Saviour of Blackroot sound?" The Mayor used his hands to gesture in the air, causing some people to giggle in the crowd. It was difficult to tell if his tone was sarcasm or genuineness. "I have given the craftsman all he would need, and he is already working on it."

"Good, that's what I like to hear!" Greyjoy looked impressed, becoming more boastful as he patted his Mana Beast.

"Buuut… one tiny little problem, Young Master," Mayor Mostleey pointed out.

"What is it?" Greyjoy looked at him with a face that seemed to give the impression he knew the Mayor was up to something.

"You see, Young Master, that spot belongs to the board."

Granny Maera, now recovered, cried out, "Mayor Mostleey, you're here!"

"Yes, Maera, don't worry, the board won't be burnt."

"Yes, it will, and I will do it now! No one will stop me!" Greyjoy yelled.

The Mayor, as cool as ever, replied, "Yes, of course, Young Master. Anything you want. Just not that board. It can't and won't be burnt." He pointed to the notice board. "That board doesn't belong to Blackroot. That is the sole property of Manyblood."

"What?" Greyjoy looked perplexed.

"Did I not say it properly? I said it's the property of the State. It can't and must not be damaged."

"You're lying! No way in hell a property of the State would be sent to this backwater town!"

"You could check the back, as the State's insignia is placed there."

"Bullshit! I will check! Must be fake!" he spat, his cool completely shattered in front of everyone. I'd never seen this arrogant jerk lose his composure like this.

"Bullshit, indeed," the Mayor replied calmly. "Tell them to flip the board."

Greyjoy demanded, and some people flipped the board. To his eyes, he saw it. And there it was: the insignia of a golden-like color heart that represented Manyblood's ownership.

"Ahem. As you can see, Young Master, this is State property. If I could remember, what was the punishment for destruction of State property by a royal again? Hmmm? Ahh, ahh, community service, a fine in gold, and many more, depending on the Mage Court."

Greyjoy was silenced, but only for a moment. "This isn't over, Mayor!" he retorted.

"Of course, Young Master. We do have the matter of the missing people to attend to. I will do well to write to the Manyblood Task Force of an exceptional job the currently exiled son of the Bearmouth is doing—seen to have improved in character and all that. That will relieve you of your exile, wasn't that our agreement, Young Master?"

The crowd started to talk among themselves, the whispers growing louder.

"Exiled?" one person whispered. "Another whispered: "So he's not even a full royal, then?" A third supported: "Right, stripped probably."

Greyjoy glared at the rumor carriers, who gasped in fear. Then, he shocked everyone. "Mayor Mostleey, I will be on my way now!" Greyjoy said softly.

"He was exiled because of his behavior? I'm not surprised!" Astraya spoke to me, laughing.

"Shhh, don't laugh so loud, Astraya!" I muttered, but it was too late. That must have caught his ears, causing him to turn and talk as he walked away with his Mana Beast.

"Mark my words, Fulas! I will make you regret standing up for that old granny!"

We simply watched as Greyjoy went into the distance, wondering what he meant by his threat, as the Mayor got our attention.

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