Chapter 57: Weaving Lies with Truth.
As Moonlit Scale waved her hand, using telekinesis to place two scrolls before Suna, Suna muttered as if she already knew their contents.
“Hm, 291 missing persons cases, up 127 from last month—a 77% increase. Monster remains sales rose by 221 tons, an 11% increase.”
Hearing Suna’s words, Moonlit Scale’s eyes widened slightly at the unexpected development, her radiant smile tinged with a hint of mania.
“Not only did you clearly hear and memorize all the compressed incantations, but you decoded them instantly? Your secrets are truly intriguing.”
“I’m a half-elf—my ears are naturally sharp,” Suna replied breezily.
Moonlit Scale didn’t buy it. Only computational geniuses or seasoned intelligence operatives could parse compressed incantations so quickly.
Suna then turned to Skull, who was deep in thought, and teased with a smile.
“Alright, Skull, I’ve asked about my intel. Time to share your guess. If you need more time, I can give you ten minutes.”
Despite her playful jab, Skull remained unfazed, diligently sifting through past memories for clues to find the answer.
To Suna’s surprise, he didn’t falter or give up. Instead, he methodically laid out his deduction.
“A near-doubling of missing persons cases suggests a dangerous group capable of making people vanish without a trace has grown active. Many groups could do this, but the second piece of intel—monster remains sales—narrows it down. A group causing human or demi-human disappearances, needing large quantities of monster remains, and able to procure them while covering up the cases points to few suspects. In Blackmont, the most likely are the Fallen Blood Clan or the Decay Omen Cult.”
Pausing briefly, Skull delivered his conclusion.
“But the Decay Omen Cult recently clashed with the Demon Hunter Guild, making them less likely to orchestrate this. So, the Fallen Blood Clan is the prime suspect. Therefore, Suna, the intel you’re after is the Fallen Blood Clan’s movements, right?”
[He didn’t nail it, but he’s dangerously close. I underestimated Skull’s intellect and deduction. I’ll need to be more careful with my words and actions to avoid fatal slip-ups. Good thing I changed most of my habits from Krez Town, except saintess-like ones, or he’d definitely get suspicious.]
Inwardly grumbling, Suna judged his answer.
“Sorry, Skull. You’re very close, but not quite there. Still, I won’t dismiss your effort, so I’ll honor my promise to cover your intel commission.”
Skull was both thrilled about the intel and curious, yet worried, about Suna’s true target.
Her concession sparked gratitude in him, tinged with the subtle sting of falling short.
“It’s not fully correct? Faceless Saintess, what exactly are you trying to uncover?”
Moonlit Scale, rubbing her chin, casually asked, but Suna seized the chance to counter.
“Miss Moonlit Scale, is that your question? If you use your chance to ask, I’ll answer.”
After a moment’s thought, Moonlit Scale decisively declined.
“Er… no thanks. I can’t waste such a valuable opportunity. Your secrets are worth more than that answer.”
“Naturally,” Suna replied. “But before your official question, I have something to say to him. Skull, could you step out for a moment? I might be asked sensitive questions.”
Anticipating Moonlit Scale’s probing, Suna cautiously turned to Skull with a sincere tone.
Skull nodded, leaving the room without objection, closing the door behind him.
As he left, Moonlit Scale’s eyes narrowed, like a coiled viper eyeing prey.
“Faceless Saintess, you’ve guessed I’m about to ask about your secrets, haven’t you?”
“Want to see my true face? That’s fine,” Suna teased.
“I’d love to see the Faceless Saintess’s true visage, but that’s not the most valuable intel, is it?”
Shrugging at Suna’s offer, Moonlit Scale shifted gears, posing a sharp question.
“I should ask your true identity, but you’ve likely prepared a truthful deflection. So, my question is: what grand plan are you pursuing by hiding your identity and appearance across your actions?”
[Tch, as expected of a fellow operative. So sharp. If she asked my true identity, I’d say Golden Branch Temple saintess—goddess-certified truth. If she asked about my hidden identity, I could say I’m someone influencing the hero’s future, also true.]
Admiring Moonlit Scale’s cunning, Suna quickly crafted a truthful response.
“I veil my face because my appearance hinders my actions. Honestly, my true face is quite beautiful. As for my real plan, it’s to change the course of this corrupt empire.”