【So that’s how it is…】

After listening to Prakaka’s embellished explanation, where he mostly boasted about his own efforts and dedication.

Violet’s soul manifestation, floating in the basement, nodded in understanding. Of course, this gesture was invisible to creatures without soul abilities, such as the rat before her.

The priestess didn’t bother to slowly explain what a soul manifestation was or what “SP” meant. Instead, she chose to brush it off as “an incredible long-distance transmission of sound,” and Prakaka seemed to believe it completely.

Violet was already aware that this ratfolk, who should have been working for a certain queen in the Courage City, was on a business trip in the Holy Empire. During her last teleportation trip to Lilya to investigate the Spirit Veil Merchant Guild, Lilya had also informed her of Prakaka’s mission as well.

Additionally, She had provided the locations of several “Shadow Guard” spy outposts in major cities within the Holy Empire, indicating that Violet could seek their assistance if needed.

Violet wasn’t surprised. It wasn’t the first time Lilya had meddled in another country’s affairs. She was certain the queen would eventually face the consequences. But that wasn’t Violet’s problem, whether the queen would stay naive or learn from her mistakes was up to her.

However, the priestess hadn’t expected to run into Prakaka by chance at the ancient castle of the Bright Light Saintess during the Spirit Veil Merchant Guild auction.

Of course, even after recognizing him, she couldn’t reveal their connection immediately. After all, it was Violet who knew Prakaka and his background, not Dawn, who certainly wasn’t aware of such details.

Unlike Leila, Theresa, and the others, Prakaka, who came from the “Eternal Throne”, had a relationship with the priestess that was more about coercion and manipulation, with a level of cooperation at best. He couldn’t be fully trusted, so Violet wouldn’t risk unnecessary exposure by letting him know that Dawn was actually Violet.

Back at the auction, Violet had already sensed that some individuals were using various methods to conceal themselves, hiding in the nooks and crannies of the venue. There were definitely more than just one or two of them, likely spies from various major factions or, like the succubus Chloe, thieves plotting something devious.

But the priestess didn’t bother to intervene. After all, no matter what chaos ensued at the auction, the Spirit Veil Merchant Guild and the Bright Light Saintess would bear the responsibility. As for “Dawn”, she was just an ordinary passerby.

What gave Violet a bit of a headache, however, was that a few of those presences continued to follow her and Yuna even after they left the venue, sneaking along as if they had no regard for their lives.

Fortunately, the Bright Light Saintess seemed to have noticed as well and soon left, leading those small-time followers away. Yet, this particular one kept pursuing them persistently.

With no other choice, she had to address the matter directly to avoid letting the situation escalate. It was then that Violet finally noticed that the pursuer was, in a way, one of her own.

Come to think of it, this rat… hasn’t it gotten a bit fatter since the last time they met? Its fur also seemed less dull and more shiny, perhaps its body was changing now that it had shed its undead status and was affected by external factors?

No, no, no, the real reason is probably that it’s been eating too well!

Oh well, there’s no need to fuss over such minor details.

【Where’s that statue you mentioned? Bring it out for me to see.】

Prakaka was momentarily stunned by the question.

“Uh, I did hide it here, but I’m not sure what you mean by ‘see’…?”

Oh… right, this guy probably thinks that since the priestess is far away, she can’t physically access anything here, so he wasn’t intentionally stalling.

【Just take it out—I have my own way of viewing it.】

“Since Lady Violet has said so… alright then…”

Perhaps it was due to his belief in Violet’s mysterious abilities, or maybe he was just grateful for her recent “life-saving” intervention, but Prakaka didn’t continue to doubt the priestess’s words. He quickly turned around and began rummaging under the few pieces of furniture in the basement, specifically the hard bed he had just been sitting on.

Huh… hiding it so casually?

Although she felt a strong urge to comment, Miss Violet held back, maintaining her “mysterious strong persona” in silence.

It wasn’t until Prakaka had dug nearly half a meter deep into the ground beneath the bed, with the displaced dirt forming a small mound, that the corners of a square wooden box gradually began to emerge.

The ratfolk brushed off the dirt carefully, lifted the box out, and then retrieved a metal key from within his fluffy fur. He used it to unlock the intricate magical lock that seemed to blend seamlessly with the box.

When the lid opened, it wasn’t the demonic statue that Prakaka had described. Instead, lying inside was a small, hand-sized pouch wrapped in some kind of fabric.

“Um… Lady Violet, are you still there?”

Seemingly concerned by the silence in his mind, the ratfolk couldn’t help but ask cautiously.

【I’m here. What’s wrong? Is the item you mentioned inside this cloth pouch?】

“My goodness… you can really see it? Does that mean…?”

Startled by the sudden voice, Prakaka instinctively wanted to retort, but quickly caught himself, coughing a few times to change the subject.

“Ahem! So, Lady Violet, as I mentioned before, the demons seem to have some way of sensing the location of this strange statue. I’m not sure how that Summerfield family boy managed to hide it, but I used this pouch, woven from my own shed fur, which has a partial ability to reduce its presence. Combined with an empty-core wood box that can seal magical aura, and by burying it deep underground, I was able to temporarily conceal it. ”

“The other two don’t matter as much, the main factor is really this pouch imbued with my innate ability. If I were to open the pouch, even in this basement, the aura inside would likely leak out very quickly. Although that crazy succubus has been captured, there’s no guarantee that there aren’t other hidden demons in Bright Light City, so…”

【I see…】

Prakaka’s concerns weren’t unfounded. The fact that the succubus Chloe openly appeared in Bright Light City, along with his own experiences, suggested that demonic forces might indeed have secretly infiltrated various parts of the Holy Empire, possibly including the western capital, Bright Light City.

There was one point Violet fully agreed with: since Chloe, a direct descendant of the King of Corruption, went to such great lengths to reclaim the statue from Prakaka, it clearly had immense, perhaps even critical, importance.

Therefore, it was better to handle it with caution and care. After all, tonight, she had sent her soul projection to follow Prakaka mainly to observe if this rat was trustworthy and to gather any intelligence it had uncovered. With those objectives mostly achieved, she felt her purpose had been fulfilled.

Although the soul projection was convenient, its inability to interact with or influence physical objects was indeed a frustrating limitation. Even if Prakaka opened the pouch now, Violet could only observe and nothing more.

【You make a good point. Since my true form isn’t here, it wouldn’t be good if an unexpected situation brought trouble to you.】

【Let’s do this: early tomorrow morning, take the item to room 3-27 at the Bright Hotel in Bright Light City. Hand it over to the white-haired, masked woman you saw tonight. Her name is Dawn, and she’s one of my trusted friends, with strength comparable to mine. Once the item is in her hands, you won’t need to worry about demons trying to steal it again.】

As if startled by certain keywords, Prakaka shuddered, and the words slipped out of his mouth.

“Eek?! You mean I have to see that…”

【That…?】

Sensing the confused thought in his mind, Prakaka, startled and almost blurting out something inappropriate, quickly quieted himself and thumped his chest loudly to mask his embarrassment.

“Ahem…! Understood, Lady Violet! Leave this task to me! (sob sob sob)”