Chapter 198. Investigation
Mana’s father, Vale Redwood, and her uncle, Valir Redwood, were the sons of the infamous Redwood Pirates, a feared pirate couple who terrorized the seas for years. Their parents had discovered a mysterious treasure containing clues about a secret known as the "Orion Project." However, the cost of this discovery was their lives.
After their death, Vale chose to follow in their footsteps, taking over as captain of the Redwood Pirates. He vowed to continue their legacy, seeking the truth behind the Orion Project. In contrast, Valir refused to follow the same path. He turned away from the pirate life and decided to settle in their hometown, wanting a quiet life far from the chaos of the sea.
Despite being born at sea, Mana always considered her father’s hometown her own as well. She spent her childhood traveling with Vale across the oceans, learning the ways of pirates and adventure, but she held a deep connection to the Redwood homeland where her uncle Valir lived. She only met them during her childhood.
After returning to the island, Mana was filled with excitement and hope, eager to reunite with her uncle Valir and his family. She flew swiftly through the familiar streets, her heart racing as she approached the family home. But when she arrived, something was wrong. Instead of the warmth of her uncle’s embrace or the familiar faces she had expected, she found strangers living in the house.
Confusion and shock hit her all at once. Mana didn’t confront the occupants or investigate further, her instincts telling her something was terribly wrong. Instead, she used her powers to possess a random woman walking down the street. Speaking through the woman’s mouth, she inquired about the Redwood family.
The new owner of the house revealed the devastating truth: "The Redwood family was targeted by the Woodcutter Association. They were punished for their crimes and banished from the island. After that, they disappeared."
Mana’s heart sank. She released the woman from her control, her mind swirling with disbelief. The news of her family’s exile hit her harder than she expected. Unsure of what to do, she rushed back to Tyler, tears forming in her eyes. But she saw a place that she used to play when she was little. She just stood there watched the moon. Tyler and the girls came to Mana. Mana unconsciously turned into her actual form.
"Mana," Tyler called out, his voice carrying across the cool night breeze.
She turned around, revealing her true form—no longer the small, mischievous devil-child but a tall, graceful figure. Tears welled up in her eyes as she ran toward Tyler, throwing her arms around him in a tight embrace. For a moment, Tyler felt awkward, realizing that in her true form, Mana was now taller than him. But despite the oddness of the hug, he gently patted her back, his concern overriding everything else.
"What happened?" Tyler asked softly, feeling the weight of her distress.
Mana pulled back slightly, her eyes still glistening with unshed tears. "Something happened to my uncle’s family," she whispered, her voice shaking.