CHAPTER 796: ANOTHER MISSING PERSON

Alex couldn’t understand it.

How could a woman who had been speaking proudly about her daughter yesterday claim to not know her the very next day?

It made no sense and further added to his worries that something was going on in Sklaviunt, something that had managed to stay under the radar for quite a while.

What it was, though, was lost to him, further adding to his annoyance.

The fact that Dolope’s current state was somewhat similar to Leokhares’ made him consider the possibility that both cases were similar.

Hopefully, Arwen would be able to find something in the library.

In the meanwhile, perhaps it was best not to rile up Dolope.

Just then, Dolope remarked. "Well, if that’s all, I believe I should be taking my leave. We wouldn’t want the auspicious time for prayers to pass."

"Agreed." Alex nodded as he stepped aside for Dolope to pass with Philo.

As the two made to leave, Alex suddenly remarked. "Miss Dolope."

"Yes?"

"Does the name Hermione mean anything to you?"

"It is a beautiful name," Dolope admitted with a smile. "If my husband were still alive and we had another daughter, I’d have loved to name her that."

"I see," Alex muttered before asking another question. "Do you know anyone by the name, Leokhares?"

"Not at all," Dolope said with a shake of her head.

Though worrisome, Alex didn’t think much of it just yet.

The lower districts were quite large with a significant population.

One couldn’t expect the other to know the identities of everyone in the area.

It would be best if he checked out Leo’s home before making any judgment.

With that, Dolope turned to leave, only to pause after a few steps forward as she appeared to have recalled something.

"Sir Smith."

"Yes?" Alex appeared hopeful only for that to be dashed as Dolope remarked.

"Perhaps you might want to check on Melita. I heard from some of her neighbors that she didn’t leave for work this morning."

"I see," Alex remarked, doing well to hide the disappointment he felt. "I’ll do so."

"Alright then."

Finally, Dolope left with Philo, with Alex staring intently at her departing back.

He couldn’t quite imagine it, not being able to recall that his daughter ever existed.

Just the fact that he couldn’t recall her face had left a gaping hole in his chest.

Any more than that and... no, it was best not to even think about it.

Shaking his head, he swore to get to the bottom of things after which he continued on his way.

It didn’t take long for him to arrive at Melita’s home.

Alex knocked at the door before taking a step back to wait for a response.

However, there was none even after almost two minutes of waiting.

He proceeded to knock again, and after a minute of no response, he kicked the door in, granting him access to the house.

He wandered into a clean living room with a radio placed on the center table.

Snapping his finger, yet another him emerged.

"Check this floor, I’ll check the second."

"Understood."

The two quickly parted with both prepared to snap at a moment’s notice.

After almost fifteen minutes had passed, the duo once again reconvened in the sitting room, their expressions revealing their displeasure.

"Where could she be?" the first Alex couldn’t help but ask.

The second let out a sigh. "If I were to guess, she’s been taken."

"By the cult?"

"We can’t be sure if it’s a cult. However, it appears to be the same as Theoren’s disappearance."

"Do you think it’s the same as the case with Leo and Dolope’s daughters?"

Alex pursed his lips. "We can’t be sure. Though all four are missing, it’s almost like the little girls have been erased from the minds of those closest to them... or is it that their existence was erased from reality itself?"

"So two different culprits?"

"Maybe, maybe not." the first remarked. "Perhaps the abductions have been done by the same individual, only that one is significant and the other is not."

"Like the ones we can remember are a smokescreen to take us away from the abductions of the little girls?"

"It is possible. However, we can’t be certain yet. We need to carry out further investigations before we can ascertain anything."

"Agreed."

Then, the first got to his feet. "Come, we’ll check out Leo’s place then we head to Dolope’s."

"Alright then." the second said before adding. "Be careful. We have no idea what we are up against."

"I know."

With that, the second vanished, leaving the first to continue the investigation.

He snapped and quickly engulfed the house in an inky blackness.

This lasted for a few seconds before the blackness receded at which point Alex let out a sigh. "Nothing."

Taking one last look around, he proceeded to take his leave, closing the door behind him as he left.

***

There was no one named Leokhares in the vicinity.

That was the answer Alex got from all those asked about Leo’s whereabouts.

Just like Niobe and Hermione, Leokhares had been forgotten as well.

Before now, there was a pattern... Now, even that was gone, leaving behind more questions than Alex could hope to get answers for.

"What do you think?"

In such a situation, Alex was glad he could conjure clones when alone.

He was at his best mentally when he bounced off ideas with someone else and as it was, he needed to be at his absolute best if he wished to resolve the case involving the missing people.

"Whatever it is, Leo was taken after he reported to us. Safe to say if we get Dolope involved, the same thing might happen to her."

"So what do you suggest?"

"Stakeout."

"I guess that’s our best bet."

"Come, let’s meet up with Arwen, see if she’s found something."

"Hopefully she has."

With the conversation at an end, one Alex vanished and the other snapped, swiftly departing from the shabby home that was supposedly once owned by Leokhares.