Ines continued speaking, the two of them strolling the camp like old friends whispering secrets.
Soon, they reached the satyrs' residential area, casually wandering among the tents.
At the same time, hidden within one of those tents, Anno began her own task.
She closed her eyes, silently chanting an incantation. A holy and unseen perception spread outward, soon blanketing most of the satyr enclave.
The range of her Divine Sense was limited, but the distance was more than enough to pinpoint someone specific.
Behind her, Willo cast "Telepathic Speech," then clasped Anno's hand, sharing in real-time everything Anno perceived. But soon, Willo's expression darkened.
Clearly, their probe had produced results.
Moments later, as Adele was leading Ines away, Charles immediately asked in a low voice, "Well, Anno, what did you find?"
Anno opened her eyes, her expression severe, gaze sharp as if a killing intent were swelling within. "It's confirmed. That Ines is a genuine fiend."
Charles nodded slightly. "Then there's no reason to delay. We move tonight and take her down."
"She lives in the minotaur community, right? In that case, maybe we should launch a night raid and strike her tent directly?"
He was eager, but Willo's face immediately clouded. "Wouldn't that risk a lot of collateral damage?"
Charles almost insisted it was a necessary sacrifice—guided by his own private agenda—but seeing the determined look on the matriarch's face, he let the argument die in his throat. "I just think time is of the essence. Do you have a better plan, Matriarch?"
Willo looked down, eyes glinting as she thought.
"I'll go talk with Ilarode and ask his advice. By tomorrow at the latest, we should have a safer plan." She turned to Anno. "Not just for the spy's sake, but for both sides—so we can leave the past behind and truly work together against the demons."
Anno, too, was feeling impatient. A succubus was weaving her secret plots, and she was anxious to eliminate her as soon as possible.
But hearing Willo's words, she forced herself to wait, nodding. "Very well. We'll wait for your good news."
Willo's expression grew sorrowful. "It may be tonight, or maybe tomorrow. Ilarode left yesterday—he won't be back before this evening at the earliest..."
...
Meanwhile, after Adele's little "lesson," Ines let out a long sigh. "Adele, your nightlife must be something else if you're so devoted to this guy."
"You sure you won't reconsider my advice and try a minotaur or two?"
Adele's cheeks turned crimson. The conversation had made Ines's meaning perfectly clear.
Revulsion flickered across her mind, but she shook her head and refused. "No, Sister. I want to stay pure for him."
"Thank you for everything you taught me today. I'll try your suggestions, and I won't get in your way any longer. Goodbye, Sister—hope you have a wonderful day!"
Letting go of Ines's arm, she turned and trotted back to the satyr camp. Ines watched Adele's youthful, energetic figure, her gaze lingering on those long, lithe, toned legs. Her mind was suddenly flooded with images of Adele, legs spread, trapped beneath some domestic-abusing noble from Liberl Port—
Wait. Legs?
Remembering something, Ines's eyes narrowed.
No, something's off.
She stared at the space between Adele's retreating legs, gaze sharp and unfocused.
That girl's a druid too. She always wears loose robes woven with leaves, just like her mother. Usually it's hard to see any detail, so she hadn't looked closely before.
But after a focused, magical probe, Ines was now absolutely certain.
Adele was lying!
She'd never had a lover, never given herself to some Silver Kin noble. The girl was still a virgin!
Why would she lie to me?
So why did she approach me today, leading me around the tribe's living area?
Could she know something she shouldn't?
A shiver of suspicion ran through her heart. No more point in searching for details—her intent had turned murderous.
Fortuitously, ilthreza had recovered from her injuries. Tonight, Ines would kill Adele and sacrifice her soul to their queen.
A prodigy druid—the queen will love this tribute.
Her mother, with those wide hips and full breasts, could go to Montport. Whether added as a concubine or devoured outright, he'd love her either way...
The vicious plan was complete. Ines drew out her Sending Stones, infused it with magic, and sent a terse message far away.
Around the allied camp, dark currents began to surge. Tonight would be no ordinary night.
...
On that night, outside the Alliance of the Mountain Purifiers headquarters.
After attending to the physiological needs of five young, robust minotaur warriors, Ines ventured alone beyond the camp. She arrived at a conspicuous landmark as agreed, waiting silently behind it.
She didn't have to wait long. Soon, carried by a rush of night wind, a tall yet agile silhouette descended beside her.
Her hair shone silver, eyes glowed crimson, her upper body smooth as polished obsidian, slender and enticing, with sharply pointed ears—she was the picture of a beautiful dark elf.
But her lower half was nothing like the svelte, elegant legs of a normal dark elf; instead, eight long, segmented spider legs unfurled, monstrous and terrifying like a giant spider.
There could be no doubt—she was a drider. And since she was here, standing side by side with Ines, her identity was clear.
Once the mistress of the Tide Caverns, a powerful mage of the School of Transmutation who had betrayed the Spider Queen herself—Ilthreza.
Seeing the familiar outline before her, Ines's lips curled in a sly smile. Without hesitation she shifted into her true form, her nearly-naked succubus body, and stepped forward in greeting, "Long time no see, dearest Ilthreza. How is your injury?"
Ahead, the drider's thin lips curled as well, showing a slightly mean smile. "I'm fully recovered, Ines. Now, tell me—who do you need killed?"
That day, when Theresa had chased them through the wilds, they had done everything they could to support each other, but Ilthreza had suffered a devastating wound, nearly dying on the spot.
Only thanks to Ines's aid had she managed to find a safe place to recover, taking weeks to finally claw her way back to her former strength.
Of course, "help" did not come free. But for Ilthreza, a contract to kill was the simplest form of payment.
"No one too troublesome. A little satyr girl," Ines replied with a smile. "The only complication is that she's mastered fifth-level spells, so she's not defenseless."
"I need you to take her out quietly. If possible, make it look like revenge from Liberl Port. Think you can manage it?"
Ilthreza grinned, baring her sharp teeth. "Child's play. Tell me her traits, and where she is. If all goes well, I'll kill her for you tonight."
This would be her first assassination since regaining her health—and she could barely wait to begin.
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