Sneaking around the Fallar

The man took a shaky breath, his resolve crumbling. "The Fallar family is involved with a secretive and powerful faction. I'm just at the bottom of the ladder ... this is all I know!"

Seraphina's heart raced as she absorbed the gravity of his words. It seemed that she needed to investigate more into the Fallar family.

Seraphina's fingers danced through the air, tracing intricate patterns that glowed with ethereal energy. The air around her crackled with power as she wove a series of intricate seals. These seals would serve a dual purpose: to prevent the pursuers from leaking any information about her and to create a surveillance mechanism that would allow her to monitor them.

It would be too suspicious for her to eliminate them and attract more attention. Once the seals were in place, their effects were immediate. The fallen pursuers twitched as if caught in a trance, their minds clouded and their memories of the encounter fading. They would remember the confrontation but would be unable to recall any specific details or recognize Seraphina's face.

With the surveillance seal in place, Seraphina established a connection to the seals, allowing her to peer into their senses without their awareness.

Satisfied that the seals were functioning as intended, Seraphina stood back and observed her work. The fallen pursuers stirred, confusion evident in their eyes as they slowly rose to their feet.

"What... What just happened?" the man muttered, his voice tinged with bewilderment.

The other shook his head as if trying to clear his thoughts. "I'm not sure. It's all ... hazy."

Seraphina's lips curved into a subtle smile and turned as she disappeared into the winding streets of Serenity Peak City. The fallen pursuers remained behind, their minds clouded by the seals that now bound them.

'Now, let's pay a visit to the Fallar family, shall we?' Seraphina was determined to get to the bottom of this case. Something about the whole situation plagued her mind.

[Midnight, at the Fallar Estate]

The moon cast an ethereal glow over the sprawling estate of the Fallar family as Seraphina approached under the cover of darkness. Her steps were as silent as a whisper as she navigated the pathways that led to the heart of the estate. The imposing mansion loomed ahead, its grandeur a stark contrast to the shadows that concealed her presence.

She reached a second-floor balcony and slipped inside through an open window, her entrance so seamless that even a passing breeze would have caused more commotion.

Seraphina moved silently through the dimly lit corridors, her senses attuned to any hint of movement or sound. Her goal was clear: to uncover any possible connections between the Fallar family and the mysterious underground sect that had eluded her so far.

She reached a study, the door slightly ajar, and paused. Faint voices drifted from within, and Seraphina's curiosity piqued. Carefully, she leaned closer, her keen ears catching snippets of conversation.

"...informants have reported unusual activities in the city. The Serenity Hollow incident has attracted unwanted attention."

It was a man's voice, and Seraphina strained to place it. Deduced it was Claude Fallar.

"Unwanted attention is the last thing we need," another voice chimed in, this one belonging to a woman.

"Agreed," Claude replied, a note of frustration evident in his tone. "We must ensure that our plans remain concealed. But I need more resources since the ginseng was stolen from the village."

Seraphina's heart quickened. The mention of the ginseng confirmed her suspicions. She pressed herself against the wall, her mind racing as she considered her next move.

Peering through the slightly ajar door, Seraphina's sharp gaze fell upon the figures within the study. Claude Fallar stood by an ornate desk, his expression a mix of irritation and concern. Beside him, a woman with sleek, dark hair and an air of calculated poise regarded him with a cool demeanor. Her demeanor seemed to hold an undercurrent of restrained anger.

"We have contacts who can supply the resources you require," the woman stated, her voice composed but with a tense edge. "But we must exercise caution. The Sect's activities have attracted attention, and we cannot afford any missteps."

Claude's lips tightened in a grim line. "The Sect's rituals are essential to our goals. We cannot allow any interference, especially now that we're so close to creating perfect puppets."

The woman's eyes flashed with a spark of impatience. "And yet, resources are not infinite. Be sure to complete them by the end of the month."

Seraphina's heart raced as she absorbed their conversation. The pieces of the puzzle were falling into place. The woman's frustration indicated a deeper connection to the stolen ginseng and the Sect. It seemed she was a high-ranking member of the underground sect.

'Puppets? Could they be talking about the Duskins? They appeared later in the novel and were a pain to deal with since the puppets were essentially undead with unlimited stamina.'

'But I have never heard of the Fallar before? Were they eliminated by the Covenant after the project was finished?'

With a final, calculating glance at the study's occupants, Seraphina retreated from the door and melted back into the shadows of the corridor. Her mind raced with thoughts of her next move. She needed to share this crucial information with Sona. A quick seal was inscribed on paper and turned into a small swallow to inform Sona of a meeting.

Upon reaching her temporary residence at the Emerald Garden Pavilion, Seraphina found Sona waiting for her. The Core Disciple's eyes sparkled with curiosity as she greeted Seraphina. "You got new developments?"

Seraphina nodded, her voice low and determined. "Yes, I've uncovered a significant connection between the Fallar family and the mysterious underground sect. They seem to be planning to create an army of puppets."

Sona's brows furrowed with concern. "That's troubling news. The Fallar family wields considerable influence, and if they're allied with them, it could have dire consequences."

"Agreed," Seraphina replied, her expression resolute. "We need to gather more information and expose their connection. The upcoming Rising Phoenix Auction might be a crucial opportunity to learn more and possibly confront them."