'So, the hitlist is from Lord Keyn.' Nedy read through the details and thought, falling silent in response. There weren't any other details regarding the target—Iota and Spring.
So, it was hard to even begin an investigation. Of course, Nedy had some leads, 'I've learnt from my previous missions that Lord Keyn and Lord Dullip aren't on the best of terms. They are sort of rivals competing for the next seat as Garobu City's Deity.'
'Then, instead of searching blindly, I have a better chance of running into the target by tailing a Priest dispatched by Lord Keyn or finding a subordinate of Lord Dullip.' Thinking as such, Nedy checked out of the hotel and made a beeline towards the region of the city where Dullip was the most popular.
An hour later, she arrived at a residential district, taking in a deep breath to calm herself, hiding her Fear Path aura to the limit. She casually mingled among the people, approaching a decent-looking man as she spoke with a seductive voice, "Hey, handsome."
"Did you mean me?" The man turned around in surprise and stared at Nedy, 'She is kind of pretty.'
"I was a bit lost since I'm new to this part of the city." Nedy sported a helpless expression, "I wished to meet Lord Dullip, but I'm grasping at straws here."
She leaned forward, grabbing his arm as her breasts pressed onto him. Unbeknownst to the man, Nedy released a faint pheromone that stimulated his lust, clouding the man's critical thinking capacity, "Can you help me?"
"Sure," The man grinned as he slung his arm around her hip, "Do you mind spending some time with me after that to gaze at the beautiful fields of wheat?"
"I would love to!" Nedy exclaimed in joy, "Are you a farmer?"
"Yeah, I hail from a long-standing family of farmers. We're pretty influential in these parts." The man grinned, "I don't have the authority to arrange a meeting with Lord Dullip, but I know his subordinates. Their house is situated in the field we govern."
"Wow, thank the Garobu Deity for blessing me with such a coincidence." Nedy sported an expression of relief as she linked her arms with the man and spurred him to lead her to her target.
The two walked through the sides of a large canal as the man introduced her to the sights of the place. Nedy acted interested in everything, laughing at his every joke, making him more excited with the passage of every minute.
'Did I finally find the love of my life?' He was genuinely enthusiastic now. Just as they walked past the market, the man pointed forth, "Oh, what a surprise. That's Yakone, one of Lord Dullip's subordinates in this region."
He then waved his hand, calling out to Yakone.
Yakone came to his service, asking, "Sir, do you want something from me?"
"I don't, but she does." The man pointed at Nedy, "She wishes to meet Lord Dullip…"
"Sir, I'm sorry, but I have to refuse such a request." Yakone sported a helpless expression, "I don't have the authority to arrange such a meeting…"
"Please, I've come bearing important news." Nedy sported an expression of desperation, "There's a lot of danger involved if I don't relay this to Lord Dullip immediately."
"Fine, you can tell me. I'll pledge my line on the line to deliver the message." Yakone stated resolutely.
"This…" Nedy hesitated as she stared at the man, bowing in apology, "Can you give me a few minutes? I can't reveal this to anyone else, I apologise in advance."
"I'll be back immediately once I'm done relaying the news."
Her tone was sincere, and by this time, the man was smitten by her. So, all he did was sport a longing expression and said, "Don't be too late, alright?"
"Of course," Nedy said as she walked alongside Yakone, heading to a deserted street.
"This place is good enough." Yakone said, motioning for her to speak, "There's no one here at this time of the day."
"Yes…" Nedy nodded in response and placed her hand in her clothes, turning around for a moment as she seemed to be preparing herself to relay the message, when in truth, she stared at the Nasp, observing it staring at Yakone, 'He has the target's scent on him. And judging by the Nasp's reaction, it's pretty strong. Jackpot!'
Hick! Uwaaa!
Nedy began to sob as she started to speak, "It happened yesterday when my brother and I were swimming in a canal. At that time, when we were casually hiding underwater to see how long we could hold onto our breath like usual, we heard the discussions on a boat that passed overhead."
"The people on it were…were talking about how…they wished to assassinate Lord Dullip and destabilise the city…" She couldn't control herself anymore and wailed aloud, "We couldn't contain our shock, causing them to notice us. My brother acted as bait to draw their attention while I slipped away…and hurried here…"
By this point, she had released a strong pheromone, watching Yakone become influenced by it gradually, 'Why is his resistance ten times the other guy's?'
This was why she had to continue with her sob story for so long, and when she observed that her pheromone had fully taken effect, she collapsed to the ground, coincidentally falling into Yakone's embrace.
"Don't worry, I'll bring you to see sir Dullip." Yakone was fully influenced now, his thinking no longer clear as he slung his hand around her hip and actually began to lead her to their hideout.
The only reason it took Nedy so long was thanks to Yakone's addiction to Iota's syringes. Otherwise, he would have fallen for it easily. Moreover, had he taken more of the syringes, he wouldn't have fallen prey to the pheromone for hours or even longer.
Unfortunately for him, Nedy had been very quick to take action, having been one of the most prominent and talented Shamans in the Cult, despite only being a Merit Shaman.
Nedy stared at the Nasp as she followed Yakone in a hurry, arriving at Dullip's hideout as she frowned, smelling the scent of blood immediately.
She hurriedly inspected Norda's body as her appearance began to change. But, despite the change in appearance, it seemed Yakone was blind, still smitten by her.
Upon taking on her appearance as a Shaman, Nedy placed her hand on Norda's head and condensed a spiral of Fear.