Chapter 58: A Gift for the Twelve Snake Scales.

As Suna spoke, the lie-detection statue placed by Moonlit Scale remained silent, even at full power.

Then, as if recalling something, Suna added, “Oh, right. If you check the places I’ve stayed or passed through, you can easily verify my identity. I haven’t hidden anything.”

Glancing at the still-unresponsive statue, Moonlit Scale burst into laughter, as if amused by the situation.

“Hahaha, as expected of the Faceless Saintess! I got outplayed in my own game of wits. But thank you for the opportunity—I’m truly satisfied.”

“Per the rules, a first meeting with the Twelve Serpent Scales includes a gift of the client’s intel. But I find typical gifts boring, don’t you? So, until next time.”

With that, Suna stood to leave, reaching for the door.

But as her hand touched the knob, Moonlit Scale called out, her tone cryptic.

“By the way, Saintess Suna, you know Skull’s true identity, don’t you? He’s currently a hero candidate, but as the Golden Branch Temple’s prophecy foretells, he’s almost certain to become the hero.”

Sensing the direction of the conversation, Suna turned and pressed Moonlit Scale to get to the point.

“What are you getting at? No need to beat around the bush.”

“Nothing much. I heard a rumor. In the past two years, the low-tier saintess who cared for Skull was also named Suna—and a half-elf.”

At the suggestive words and Moonlit Scale’s sly, predatory grin—like a viper coiling around its prey—Suna didn’t deny or deflect.

Sighing briefly, she faced the suspicion head-on with calm candor.

“Oh, I see. That explains why Skull acted weird when he heard my name. Thanks for the heads-up. Do I need to pay for that info?”

Her willingness to pay threw off Moonlit Scale, whose wicked smile faltered.

Then, “kindly,” Suna delivered a verbal coup de grâce.

“By the way, Miss Moonlit Scale, I suggest reading Half-Elf City Chronicles. It’ll give you insight into half-elf culture and naming habits.”

Moonlit Scale knew the book well, and Suna’s “helpful” suggestion stung like mockery.

Half-elves, despite their elven blood, leaned closer to human culture. Half-Elf City Chronicles noted their adoption of human sun worship, making “Suna,” meaning “daughter of the sun,” a popular name among both humans and half-elves.

Dropping those words, Suna opened the door and called to Skull, who stood rigidly outside.

“Skull, your turn to ask for intel. As for payment, I’ll cover—”

“No need. Consider it a gift for a valued guest. We’ll investigate to the fullest,” Moonlit Scale interjected through gritted teeth.

Suna tilted her head, feigning confusion at Moonlit Scale’s words.

Internally, she knew Moonlit Scale had likely deduced Skull’s probable request: investigating the death and killer of Saintess Suna from Krez Town.

Saying so in Suna’s presence was a test of her suspicions, but Suna was confident her faked death was airtight.

[Your instincts are troublesome, but investigating “Saintess Suna” will only lead to a flawless death certificate. Hope you don’t feel too foolish when you’re shocked.]

“Miss Moonlit Scale, do you know what I’m investigating?” Skull asked, frowning.

Moonlit Scale didn’t voice her suspicions.

As an intel broker, she wouldn’t leak valuable info without cause, especially without hard evidence.

So, she sidestepped with vague observations about Skull’s demeanor.

“Well, your eyes have that familiar look of chasing something urgently. So, I’d guess your request involves investigating something specific.”

“Alright. Suna, wait a moment. I’ll be out after making my request,” Skull said, closing the door, isolating the room.

Bored after waiting a couple of minutes, Suna extended her perception magic’s “tendrils.”

Reaching the first-floor hall, she remotely eavesdropped on guests chatting over drinks.

Since none were golden-tier, her magic was a bit reckless, though she avoided those with golden-tier auras.

She tried probing the second-floor private rooms but gave up after a quick attempt.

Their walls, floors, and ceilings were layered with composite shielding barriers, making silent intrusion nearly impossible short-term.

Unless she forcibly dismantled the “magical onion” rooms.

But that would provoke the Twelve Serpent Scales’ hidden “guards” to intervene.

“Hm, the hall’s chatter is dull. Skull shouldn’t take too long… Wait, what’s this aura? Something’s off.”

Muttering, Suna’s brows furrowed at a strange presence outside [Viper’s Tear].

As her words fell, she acted, leaping from the second-floor platform, sprinting out of the Viper’s Tear tavern, and standing in the street’s center.