Medica Materia A Mob Psycho 100 Fantasy AU

Chapter 10

The caravan did not get underway until that afternoon. Preparations had taken longer than they thought, but given the option to stay one more day in their prison or begin the trek toward home, the villagers had overwhelmingly voted to risks the dangers of the road. Their numbers were more than enough to dissuade all but the most hardened of brigands and if some did choose to attack, two magic users could easily defend the caravan.

Reigen volunteered the use of his wagon to the Kageyamas so their scant belongings joined his. Serizawa was glad that Mob's parents were joining them on the journey. He wanted to get to know them better and it allowed them to catch up with their eldest son. It also gave Serizawa a moment to tell them his thoughts about Ritsu and Shou.

The Kageyamas were relieved that their son was most likely safe, but disheartened by what else Serizawa had to say.

"Unfortunately, we never established permanent bases until just before I left Claw. Everything was highly mobile for ease of conquest and retreat," Serizawa explained.

"So, what you're saying," Reigen said, "is that even if Ritsu is with Shou, there's no way of knowing where Shou is."

Serizawa sighed. "I'm sorry." He wished he could be of more help.

"We're back to square one," Reigen muttered. He did not blame Serizawa in the slightest but it was still exasperating.

"We'll just do what we did before," Mob said, undeterred as he pulled the wagon. "We'll travel and gather information."

"I don't want to take another year to do it, and no offense," Reigen said to the Kageyamas, "I don't think your parents want to be dragged all over creation either." Taking care of his Apprentice had been one thing, looking after the boy's parents as well—Reigen did not want to think about it.

"None taken," Mr. Kageyama chimed in.

"But what I don't understand," Mrs. Kageyama said, "is why take Ritsu in the first place?"

After ten years of serving under the Claw's flag, Serizawa had insight into the workings of the King's mind. There were days he wished he did not. "He is close to Shou's age. I believe," Serizawa found this hard to say, "that King Suzuki wanted Ritsu to befriend his son so he could take him away."

Mrs. Kageyama fumed at the idea. "What do you mean 'take him away'?" Mrs. Kageyama asked. "He's not a toy or a pet."

"To the King he would be," Serizawa said. "King Suzuki believes that personal attachments make one weak. Although he sometimes encouraged them among his subordinates to make them easier to control." He had witnessed this more times that he had cared to.

Mrs. Kageyama shook her head. "What a terrible man."

"Why do you think he left?" Reigen asked, unable to reign in his sarcasm.

Mob spoke up, voice soft. "Even if Ritsu is safe with Shou, his time might be limited." No one liked the insinuation. "I want to find him."

"I know," Reigen said. "But please give yourself a little more time to think about it." Reigen doubted the boy would change his mind. "We still have a week to get to Seasoning." He hoped that along the way they might obtain more information, or that the Claw Kingdom would fall or that something, anything would happen to prevent this quest.

"Excuse me," a girl of about sixteen with thick choppy hair appeared next to the wagon. She appraised Reigen with a shrewd gaze. "You're Reigen, Mob's Master, right?"

"Yes," Reigen had no idea who this child was or what she could want.

"This is Tome, Master," Mob informed him. "Her mother had that nasty infection a few years ago."