Chapter 285: Investigation

67. Purple Mist Trade Chain

“Then it’s settled.”

Field crossed her arms and leaned slightly against the tent wall, her silver hair swaying gently under the lantern light.

“We’ll keep monitoring Vidar for now. Since all his Dark Guards are under your control, he won’t suspect anything immediately.”

“Mm.”

Liyakade nodded lightly.

At this moment, her mood was much calmer than before. The killing intent she had carried upon returning to the camp had already faded after reconciling with Alice and explaining everything to Field.

Still, the thought of Vidar made her eyes turn cold again.

That disgusting noble had nearly harmed the entire caravan for his own desires.

Alice clenched the blanket beside her softly.

“Can’t we secretly report him to the Kingdom first? If we leave him alone too long, more people might get hurt.”

Field shook her head.

“We don’t have evidence yet. More importantly, if there’s really a trade chain behind the Purple Mist Vine Grass, arresting Vidar now would only alert the people above him.”

“That’s true…”

Alice lowered her gaze slightly.

Although she hated Vidar, she understood that Field’s reasoning was correct.

Liyakade suddenly smiled faintly.

“Besides, with his Dark Guards under my control, Vidar can’t do much anymore. Every move he makes from now on will be exposed to us.”

As she spoke, her peach-colored eyes glimmered faintly in the dim light.

Field looked at Liyakade thoughtfully.

“Speaking of that… your Bloodline Awakening ability is honestly terrifying.”

“Hm?”

“The ability to manipulate minds, fabricate memories, create illusions… and even control people through the Purple Mist Vine Grass.”

Field sighed softly.

“If someone from the Kingdom discovered these abilities, they’d probably panic.”

Alice also looked toward Liyakade with slight concern.

“Will using those abilities affect you negatively?”

“No.”

Liyakade answered almost immediately.

“At least for now, there aren’t any side effects.”

That part wasn’t entirely a lie.

The real issue was that the Purple Mist Vine Grass itself clearly had connections to the Demon Race.

The more she used it, the more certain she became of that fact.

The grass strengthened her resistance against the Light Element.

It amplified her control over humans.

And it barely affected her mentally at all.

Everything pointed toward one conclusion:

This thing had likely originated from the Magic Domain.

‘Which means…’

Liyakade lowered her eyes slightly.

‘There’s a high chance the Demon Race is already involved inside the Kingdom.’

That possibility made her feel uneasy.

If the Purple Mist Vine Grass truly originated from the Magic Domain, then the forces secretly distributing it inside the Kingdom were likely far more dangerous than a foolish noble like Vidar.

Vidar himself was nothing more than a pawn.

Field noticed Liyakade’s silence.

“What are you thinking about?”

“Nothing important.”

Liyakade snapped back to attention and waved her hand casually.

“I was just wondering whether Vidar has any hidden stash of Purple Mist Vine Grass left.”

Field narrowed her eyes.

“You’re planning to steal it?”

“Hehe.”

Liyakade gave an innocent smile instead of answering directly.

Field instantly understood.

“You really are thinking about stealing it.”

“Well, it’s dangerous to leave that stuff with him, isn’t it?”

Liyakade spoke righteously, as if her reasoning were perfectly justified.

Alice tilted her head slightly.

“But didn’t you say the Purple Mist Vine Grass is dangerous even for humans to touch?”

“It is.”

“Then why do you want it?”

“Research purposes.”

Liyakade answered without hesitation.

Field stared at her suspiciously.

“Research purposes?”

“Yes.”

Liyakade nodded very seriously.

“I need to study how it works. If we encounter this kind of poison again in the future, wouldn’t it be useful to understand it beforehand?”

Her expression was so sincere that even Alice nearly believed her.

Only Field silently rubbed her forehead.

She had a strong feeling that Liyakade’s “research” contained a lot of personal motives.

Still, Field didn’t expose her.

After all, the Purple Mist Vine Grass currently allowed Liyakade to stay close to Alice without suffering from the Light Element.

Even if it was temporary, it undeniably improved Liyakade’s condition.

And seeing the two of them finally able to hug each other normally again…

Field honestly felt relieved.

The atmosphere inside the tent gradually relaxed.

Alice gently leaned against Liyakade’s shoulder.

Liyakade didn’t resist this time.

Instead, she naturally rested her head against Alice’s as well.

Seeing the two cuddling together peacefully again, Field finally let out a small helpless laugh.

“Looks like all that drama these past few days was completely pointless.”

“Hmph.”

Liyakade puffed her cheeks slightly.

“It was your fault too, you know.”

“Mine?”

“You kept watching from the side instead of helping explain things earlier.”

Field immediately raised both hands innocently.

“I was respecting your wishes. You were the one who told me not to say anything.”

“That was before!”

“So now it’s my fault for listening to you?”

“Exactly.”

“…That logic is terrifying.”

“Hahaha…”

Alice couldn’t help laughing beside them.

The tense atmosphere from the previous days finally disappeared completely.

Outside the tent, the cold night wind continued to blow through the forest.

Meanwhile, far away in another tent, Vidar still sat smugly beside the lantern light, completely unaware that every one of his trusted subordinates had already become Liyakade’s puppets.