Hacking the Game Didn't Go as Intended [Part Two]

CHAPTER 225: The Siren's Lair

Lyndoria's expression hardened as she flicked her hair. "A shame a part of that truth didn't include the location of Zerbst's private cave."

"Can you really blame him?" Daisuke countered. "Poor guy must've stuck his neck out to get this intel. It's pure coincidence that we've even gotten this far. At least he gave us a name to work with." He turned to Lumielle. "Lord Zerbst... does the name ring a bell?"

The princess shuddered, recalling the man's unsettling habit of touching women while he spoke. "If I remember correctly, Lord Zerbst is part of my father's council. In fact, he should've attended a meeting just recently."

"In that case," Lyndoria began, "if he's still at the palace, shouldn't we set a trap to capture him?"

Zephyr bared his fangs in complete agreement, clearly itching for the chance to tear into the bastard. A few pounds of flesh off his bones would certainly loosen his tongue and get him talking.

Daisuke tapped his chin thoughtfully. "I think we should hold off for now and let him walk free a little longer."

Lumielle's delicate eyebrows furrowed in confusion.

"Have you gone mad?" Lyndoria snapped.

Zephyr, from his perch on Daisuke's head, placed a paw on the boy's scalp as if checking his temperature for any signs of a fever clouding his judgment.

"We were lucky enough to find a man who might have critical information on the Mhaledictus," Lyndoria continued, her tone dripping with disdain. "And you just want to let him go free?"

Daisuke frowned, holding up a hand. "You didn't let me finish."

"What's left to say?" she countered sharply.

Before another argument could spark, Lumielle raised her hand, signaling for silence.

Daisuke sighed, rubbing the bridge of his nose. "What I'm suggesting is that we track down Zerbst, have Midnight place a marker on him, and when he next hosts one of his little tea parties, we move in and round up him and his cronies. That way, at least one of them will crack under pressure, and we'll get the answers we need."

Lyndoria turned away, her cheeks reddening with embarrassment and shame. "...I-I suppose that's a better approach."

"Rawrwu~" Zephyr agreed with a soft growl, his tail swishing in approval.

"Now that that's settled," Lumielle began. "Sophia, there's somewhere I want us to visit."

***

SNEAK-SNEAK-SNEAK.

Silvestia and Fay tiptoed toward the backdoor like a pair of humpback bandits, their movements careful as they tried to slip away unnoticed.

"And where do you both think you're going, just moments after getting back home?"

Silvestia stiffened at the sound of her mother's voice. Turning with a nervous grin, she found Lefahne standing in the doorway, arms crossed, a suspicious frown on her face.

"Ah... we, uh, need another ingredient for supper," she said quickly. "Th-That's it! We're cooking tonight!"

Fay nodded nervously, her cowlick still standing at attention.

Lefahne's expression shifted from suspicion to surprise. "You? Cooking?"

Before Silvestia could respond, her father happened upon the conversation. "Is that right?" he mused, stroking his chin.

Silvestia nodded eagerly. "Since you two are busy with the elixir, we thought it'd be considerate."

Lefahne's expression softened. "That's sweet of you."