After Meliodas vowed to help Zephir find his missing family, their first obstacle stood firmly in their way.
Despite all his willpower, Zephir had no leads... only a single clue: the handwoven bracelet made by his daughter, found among the ashes of their burnt home.
Meliodas examined the bracelet carefully, his hand closing gently around it.
"Maybe we can use this bond to cast a tracking spell," he suggested thoughtfully. "It surely carries Rebecca's magical signature."
Elizabeth nodded in agreement.
"Yes. If it's something precious to her, it might work. A child's love always leaves a trace…"
But Zephir sighed deeply, his face darkening.
"I already tried... Before leaving the island, I asked a mage at the port to try. The spell failed. It was like... some magical barrier blocked all detection. Someone—or something—is hiding them."
Silence fell. Meliodas rubbed his chin, thinking hard.
"Then... we'll need another solution."
Zephir clenched his fists, frustration eating away at him. Suddenly, he turned sharply and strode toward the door, his eyes shadowed with anguish.
"Zephir, where are you going?" Elizabeth called, worried.
The forgotten brother stopped, then answered, voice almost broken:
"The more time passes... the more hope fades. Even if I have to search every house, every cave, every corner of Britannia... I will find them myself."
Meliodas stepped forward, calm but firm.
"Even if you do that, with no lead, you'll only exhaust yourself for nothing. I promised I'd help you. So trust me."
Zephir halted. The look he shared with Meliodas was heavy with fatigue but filled with faith.
"All right. I'll trust you."
Elizabeth smiled softly at the scene — a blood bond slowly mending.
But Meliodas was still thinking.
"If tracking magic fails... then we need someone who can detect even the faintest traces…"
Suddenly, the throne room's great door slammed open.
A figure entered, cloaked in a long herbalist's coat. His short white hair gleamed in the light. In one hand, a satchel filled with vials and herbs.
"I might have a solution to your problem," he said calmly.
Meliodas turned, surprised.
"Hendrickson?!"
The former Grand Master, now the royal pharmacist, bowed slightly.
"Forgive me for eavesdropping... but I heard your conversation. I believe I can help."
Elizabeth and Zephir stared, stunned.
Hendrickson continued, voice steady:
"The answer may not come from a conventional spell... but from residual resonance. With certain plants and an ancient druidic formula, I might be able to detect a spiritual imprint left by those who disappeared."
A spark of hope rekindled in the room.