Chapter 1327: Please pay attention

Here it is — the physical evidence, the evidence pointing to the violator, fell right in front of the place where he was sitting.

Idan’s stomach tightened. Outwardly, he remained calm, but inside he was cursing at the little rascal.

And the culprit of this incident did not pay any attention to what was happening.

Before anyone noticed, Idan sent a mental message to fox cub: "Coco, pick up the candy wrapper and hide it."

Coco, who was enjoying a sweet, unforgettable and never-boring treat, opened her eyes and looked around. When she saw Idan, she stared at him.

"Pick up the candy wrapper, Coco, and don’t throw them anywhere, or I’ll forbid you to buy candy at all," Idan said with a slight threat.

The fear of the ban affected Coco instantly: she picked up the wrapper and hid it in her backpack.

"Phew! I hope no one noticed," sighed Idan, continuing to pretend to listen to Severin.

Without noticing how Eulalia and Milica were already watching him and Arabel closely.

How could they not recognize the candy wrapper in the paper presented by Severin? The candies that Idan and Arabel gave to the little fox, the baby dragon, and the others.

"Dan," Arabel called through a mental link, taking his hands, — "Did Coco do this?"

Idan looked at her and, feeling the warmth of her hands and her concern, smiled.

He didn’t nod or answer. But his smile was enough for her.

"Please pay attention," said the voice of the Princess, who came out into the center of the building.

Next to her stood a young Prince and one of the Guardians of the Tree.

Everyone presents stopped their quiet conversations and turned their eyes to her.

"An outrageous event has occurred," she began. — "An unknown person entered the forbidden area of the Magic Tree and stole all its fruits."

There was silence in the hall for a few moments.

"All the fruits?" One of the representatives of the Kingdom of Bottomless Waters asked.

The Princess looked at him.

"They’re all mature," she clarified.

A hum of voices swept through the hall. The elves of the Magic Tree did not hide their indignation. Some frowned, others exchanged worried glances.

"How could the intruder approach the Tree unnoticed?" one of the elves asked softly.

"In the presence of so many Guardians..."

"And the Queen herself," her neighbor added.

After these words, several elves involuntarily looked around. If an unknown person managed to enter the forbidden area right during the meeting, how safe was it to stay here?

However, Idan noticed other reactions.

One of the Heavenly Crown elves lowered his head, hiding a grin behind the rim of his glass. The woman standing next to him shot him a warning look, but the corners of her own lips twitched as well.

"What a sad loss," he said softly.

Not all representatives of the six Kingdoms were satisfied with the primacy of the Magic Tree. Now, its Guardians, accustomed to taking others under their protection, could not even protect their own fruits.

"At least the immature ones remained," another guest remarked.

"Let’s hope they’re better guarded."

The two elves quickly fell silent, meeting the gaze of one of the Guardians.

However, no one dared to openly rejoice in someone else’s misfortune. The guests expressed their sympathy, shook their heads and talked about the unacceptability of what had happened. Only too quick glances and carefully concealed smiles betrayed those who were pleased with the news.

Arabel squeezed her husband’s hand a little tighter.

Idan kept a serious expression on his face.

Next to him, Coco stuck her paw into her backpack for the next candy.

The Princess paused, allowing the audience to exchange their first impressions. Her face remained calm.

"The Magic Tree senses that the stolen fruits are still nearby," she continued.

The voices gradually faded away.

"The central part of the city is sealed in both realms. It is impossible to leave it now. However, this also means that we cannot invite outside experts without opening an escape route for the violator."

Idan didn’t like what she was leading up to at all.

"That’s why I’m asking for your help."

The Princess looked around the room.

"There are those among the audience whose abilities may be useful in the search. If you are able to detect hidden things, trace residual energy fluctuations, or find objects by their connection to the source, I ask you to help the Guardians of the Tree."

Several elves exchanged glances. One of the guests put a glass on the table.

"Is there a trace of the intruder?"

"At the moment, only foreign objects left in the restricted area have been found. They will be provided to those who can use them to search."

Idan couldn’t help but remember the crumpled wrapper in Severin’s hands.

There was a soft rustling nearby.

He lowered his gaze.

Coco had already extracted the next candy and was now trying to unwrap it.

"Coco."

The fox lifted her head.

"Put the wrapper in the backpack."

She nodded obediently.

"Coco remembers."

Idan really wanted to believe that now she really remembers.

At this time, one of the eighth rank Eternal Twilight elves stepped forward.

"I will inspect the place of entry. Perhaps the intruder managed to hide his presence, but left traces when leaving."

"Thank you," the Princess replied.

Another elf volunteered to follow him.

"I’ll need one of the items I left behind."

Idan felt Arabel squeeze his hand a little harder.

"Dan..."

"I heard."

Idan’s mind was frantically searching for a way out of this situation. He didn’t want Coco’s existence to become public knowledge. And without thinking twice, he turned to the System.

"System."

[Host. Your pet Coco is difficult to track and detect even by powerful beings outside of this world.]

The hint of the System somewhat dispelled Idan’s fears, but did not resolve the current situation.

While he was thinking, Milica’s voice sounded in his mind.:

"Idan."

He turned to her and met her gaze.

"Before they did anything. Is there anything you want to tell me?" she asked, using her Soul Force.