Cedric declined Draven's offer of hospitality. He spread his enormous wings and took off, heading straight for the territory of the Serpentfolk.

  His silhouette cut across the blue sky with a commanding grace, exuding an unquestionable aura of authority.

  Draven watched him disappear into the distance, feeling both relieved and uneasy. The matter of Garruk's disappearance still lingered in his mind. If things were truly as he suspected, then Garruk could be in grave danger.

  He muttered softly, spitting on the ground a few times as if to clear the gloom from his chest. He didn't even have the heart to keep working on his blueprints anymore.

  Through their contract bond, he instructed the Ghost-faced Owl to scout the northern border, hoping to detect any suspicious activity there.

  Draven was well aware that Cedric's visit might turn out fruitless. Even if the Serpentfolk were behind it, would they ever admit it openly?

  Scanning his surroundings, Draven calculated how to leverage the situation to his advantage. Ideally, he could use this incident to put pressure on the Serpentfolk. As long as they were tied up in trouble, the Black Flag Territory would have more time to grow stronger.

  Draven schemed quietly to find the right moment to pin the blame entirely on the Serpentfolk and stir up trouble for them.

  Meanwhile, Cedric descended gracefully into the Serpentfolk's territory.

  As an envoy of Lady Selene, his arrival stirred no small commotion across the land. No tribe under Selene's rule dared show even the slightest disrespect to her emissaries.

  The one assigned to greet him was the Serpentfolk's Second Elder—White Serpent.

  Cedric swept his gaze indifferently over her and quickly recognized that she possessed the strength of a mid-tier chieftain.

  Without any preamble, Cedric asked directly about the whereabouts of the Serpentfolk leader. White Serpent replied that the leader was away and no one knew when they'd return.

  Cedric merely nodded, saying little, though inwardly he began to question what Draven had told him.

  In previous Spring Festivals, it had always been White Serpent who attended the ceremonies in Selene City. Draven claimed she was only the second elder, which planted a seed of doubt in Cedric's mind.

  Though proud, Cedric was no fool. He knew something wasn't right within the Serpentfolk tribe.

  The size of the village and the population had changed drastically from what he recalled during earlier inspections. The Succubus territory was vast—at least twice the size of a normal domain.

  As an envoy, he couldn't monitor every corner at all times. But for the territory to change this dramatically while the lord's office remained oblivious? That was highly suspicious.

  He was convinced there was a secret behind all this, possibly involving collusion from someone within Selene's inner circle. Outwardly, Cedric betrayed nothing. He simply said he was passing through while on duty and decided to check in.

  White Serpent, despite her suspicions, remained respectful in the presence of the lord's envoy and dared not question his motives.

  Cedric took a brief stroll around the village, never once mentioning the disappearance of Chieftain Garruk. Shortly after, he took his leave, stating he needed to continue his mission. White Serpent saw him off courteously and then hurried back to the chieftain's hall.

  Inside the hall, Chieftain Red Serpent sat calmly in the seat of honor. He had not been away at all—he had returned earlier. In addition to him, the other three elders were also gathered.

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  Upon seeing White Serpent return, Green Serpent quickly asked,

  "What was the Harpy doing here?"

  "Does the lord suspect us?"

  Red Serpent glared at Green Serpent, motioning for White Serpent to sit down and speak.

  White Serpent nodded slightly, a trace of confusion in her expression.

  "He said he was tired from flying and came down to rest."

  At that, the other three exchanged glances, caught between disbelief and amusement.

  "That can't be it. Cedric isn't the kind of person who randomly drops into someone's territory for a rest."

  The First Elder, Black Serpent, muttered from beneath his hood, his voice cold and grim.

  Red Serpent remained silent. He, too, sensed something was wrong—he just didn't know how the information had leaked.

  "Green Serpent, did you stir up trouble again?"

  Unable to find the source, he turned his suspicion toward Green Serpent. Though timid and cautious, Green Serpent was often the one to cause problems.

  Green Serpent's expression shifted slightly. He chuckled awkwardly and replied,

  "I've stayed in my own domain this whole time. How could I have done anything?"

  Then, in a flash of panic, he added,

  "Maybe it was that Black Wolf chieftain—maybe he ran off to tattle to the lord!"

  Surprisingly, when he mentioned it, the others all fell silent. After all, Draven's sudden appearance had already raised suspicions.

  A territory that had been abandoned for over a decade and completely neglected was suddenly granted to a black wolf clan—and that black wolf didn't seem like a newly appointed chief at all.

  What was even stranger was that this black wolf dared to brazenly challenge the authority and dignity of the Serpentfolk. No matter how you looked at it, something felt off.

  Now, with a messenger not seen in years suddenly paying a visit, the tension only grew stronger. Draven himself hadn't expected that after he tried to throw suspicion elsewhere, people would start suspecting him instead.

  Cedric's sudden return caught him completely off guard. What shocked him even more was that Cedric actually warned him to keep an eye on the Serpentfolk's movements and instructed him to investigate Garruk's whereabouts.

  Faced with Cedric's commanding tone, what could Draven do but nod and agree?

  Luckily, Cedric seemed to realize he'd been too forceful and added a brief, "Do what you can," before taking off with a powerful beat of his wings.

  Draven watched Cedric disappear into the distance and guessed he was probably heading back to Selene City.

  But then it hit him—wasn't he now being thrown into the fire? He already had his hands full watching the Serpentfolk, and now Cedric wanted him to investigate too? Was this really about investigating—or walking straight into a trap?

  A wave of frustration surged in Draven's chest. He had no idea how this situation was going to unfold.

  Just as he was lost in thought, the kobold Titus, who had just passed by carrying a load of dirt, cautiously approached him. He looked like he had something to say but hesitated.

  Draven glanced at him. These slaves were now living slightly more stable lives, and most had bulked up considerably.

  Especially those assigned to the hunting teams—chasing prey in the forest every day and eating better than before.

  Titus had faint muscle definition now, a far cry from the weak, bony figure he'd once been.

  "What is it?" Draven asked casually, his mood still sour. He figured it was just some minor issue.

  But to his surprise, Titus softly explained that he had accidentally overheard the conversation between him and Cedric.

  Draven frowned, not understanding what Titus was trying to get at.

  Seeing his reaction, Titus quickly dropped to his knees, apologizing profusely.

  "I didn't mean to eavesdrop," he said. "I only spoke up because I thought I might help ease the chief's worries..."

  Draven was intrigued and told him to stand up and explain clearly.

  Titus was one of the more clever slaves—and he could tell that Draven wasn't truly angry with him, so he didn't dare waste time.

  He spoke carefully, voice low but serious:

  "We kobolds are born with a keen sense of smell. I believe I'm one of the best among them. I have a special ability—once I've smelled something once, I can remember that scent for a long time. I never forget it."

  Draven couldn't help but suck in a breath. Black wolves were also known for their sharp sense of smell, but he had never heard of anyone with such an extraordinary scent memory.

  Even he himself couldn't recall someone's scent indefinitely unless he made a conscious effort.

  "That's quite a talent. So what are you trying to say?" Draven asked, watching him intently.

  Titus straightened slightly and bowed respectfully. "I remember the scent of those troll guards. Maybe I can track them down using it."

  Draven's eyes lit up, and he nodded with satisfaction.

  "Good lad. That's exactly the kind of clever slave I need," he said, patting Titus on the shoulder and telling him to get ready—they'd depart soon.

  Then, Draven called over Viola and the others. At such a crucial moment, he couldn't afford to leave without properly arranging everything.

  He decided to bring Titus along. Since Ragnar would never allow a kobold to ride on his back, he would stay behind to guard the village with Liliana.

  As for the Eyebrow-Patterned King Serpent, Draven figured it would be enough to leave it in the village for defense.

  Precautions in the village needed to be taken seriously, and all construction had to proceed without delay.

  Draven had no plans to travel far this time. After all, he had no deep connection with the troll guards. There was no way he'd risk the entire village for them.