The next morning, Elara rose with the dawn, her heart calm but her mind sharp with focus. She went through her usual routine—dressing modestly, tying her hair back, and leaving her small home as she would on any ordinary day.
But this day was far from ordinary. She had a plan now, a plan to dismantle The Order from the inside, starting with the people who blindly followed it.
The market was bustling with activity as Elara made her way through the crowded streets. The air was thick with the smells of fresh bread, roasted meats, and the sound of merchants calling out their wares.
It was a typical scene, villagers haggling over prices, children darting between stalls. But Elara's eyes were sharp, scanning the crowd for her targets.
She didn't go to the bakery that day. Mr. Grett's concern was touching, but she couldn't afford to be tied down to idle chatter. Instead, she moved among the market stalls, searching for familiar faces—the faithful who attended the temple regularly.
It wasn't long before she spotted them. A group of three older women, chatting by the vegetable stalls. Another man, haggling over fish. She recognized them all. They were devoted followers, present at every sermon, their eyes filled with the same hollow reverence as the others.
Elara approached casually, her expression warm and pleasant as she greeted the older women while carefully using the Mind Manipulation Technique. "Good morning, ladies. Buying tonight's meal?"
The women smiled back at her, their eyes lighting up with recognition. "Ah, Elara! It's been a while since we've seen you at the market," one of them said. "You've been busy I presume?"
Elara nodded, picking up a small basket of apples as though she were simply browsing. "Yes, I've had some personal matters to deal with. But I'm glad to be back now."
She paused, casting a thoughtful glance toward the temple in the distance. "Though, I must admit... Something about the temple feels different lately, don't you think?"
One of the women frowned, tilting her head. "Different? How so?"
Elara shrugged lightly, her tone casual. "I don't know... it's hard to put my finger on it. I've just noticed some of the priests seem... off. Like they're distracted, as if…. They had something on their mind."
She smiled again, offering a small laugh. "I'm sure it's nothing, though. Probably just me being paranoid."
The women exchanged glances, their expressions curious but unsure. Elara could see the tiny seed of doubt beginning to take root in their minds.
"Oh, I'm sure it's nothing," one of the women said, though there was a hint of uncertainty in her voice now. "The Order is always transparent to us. They wouldn't hide it from us if anything happened."
Elara nodded, giving them a reassuring smile. "You're probably right. I just thought it was strange, that's all."
She continued on her way, moving from one stall to the next, engaging in casual conversations with the faithful as she went.
Each time, she made small, off-handed remarks—nothing too obvious, nothing that would raise alarms. Just enough to plant the idea that something wasn't quite right.
By midday, she had spoken with several more villagers. A middle-aged man who had been devout for years, a group of younger women who often gossiped after the sermons.
Each time, Elara wove subtle suggestions into the conversation, her words laced with dark magic, seeping into their thoughts like poison.
She could see it in their eyes—the flicker of doubt, the momentary hesitation as they considered her words. It was small, almost imperceptible, but it was there.
As she wandered the market, Elara couldn't help but feel a sense of satisfaction. Her influence was spreading, slowly but surely. And the best part was, none of them had any idea. To them, she was just another faithful follower, voicing innocent concerns.
But in truth, she was planting the first seeds of their undoing.
---
Looking up to the sky, the sun was scorching hot. Elara wiped her sweats, decided to go to the bakery and help out Mr. Grett in his shop.
The wind chime rang softly as Elara push opened the door of the bakery shop. On the kitchen counter, Mr. Grett raised his head to take a look at the newcomer, surprise filled his eyes "Oh, it's you, Elara!"
Mr. Grett wiped the flour stain on his hands onto the napkins "you come at the right time! Come here, I need your help." He said as he waved in her direction, inviting her to come to the kitchen counter.
Elara laughed, a warm feeling seep through her heart. "I guess you missed me so much huh? You even want to exploit me as soon as you see me." She said as she walked to Mr.Grett direction.
Mr. Grett laughed cheerfully "of course! the day become bland when my little helper is not her troubling me."
Elara shook her head as she smiled.