141 Veneer (1/2)
Li stepped out of the house deep in thought. Iona came close behind him, her pale face wrought with worry. The golem was targeting witnesses relevant to this case. Meaning it had a way to see the proceedings of the case without alerting Li at all, meaning whatever she did was no Elden World magic.
If it was targeting witnesses, though, then Li could only imagine one other target. The Golden Flagon where all the adventurers, heroes, and beastwomen were. But at the same time, if she by any chance knew Li, then there was a chance that the old man was in danger.
”I have to go back to the farm,” said Li abruptly. He cast a look to Iona's confused expression. ”Can you do me a favor?”
Iona nodded. ”Anything.”
”Good. I know you don't have the greatest idea of what's going on, and I'm to blame for that. But I don't have time to explain anything to you in detail.” Li took out Ven'thur's phylactery and put it in Iona's hand. ”I'll give you a very brief summary. I've been busy recently trying to bust a slave driving ring in this city that's been targeting beastwomen. I've managed to free the beastwomen and they should be holed up in the Golden Flagon. What I think might happen is that whoever killed these farmers will target these beastwomen too. You can see where I'm going with this, can't you?”
Iona stared wonderingly at the phylactery in her hand. ”I do. You wish me to go to the Flagon and protect them, yes?”
”Them and the adventurers there. That-,” Li pointed to the phylactery. ”Has the soul of a lich inside of it. I've charged him with enough magical energy that he can cast magic to help you if you need it. He's also going to be responsible for dispelling a mind control spell that's on the beastwomen when you get there. Tell them you're my assistant and that the orb is my way of healing them. Don't tell them it's a lich, obviously.
Also, there will be some chaos once the beastwomen get off their mind control. I want you to try and manage it as best as you can.”
”You will find none better than I for that,” said Iona confidently. ”The beastwomen will know to respect someone who can speak the words of the forest.”
”I also want to tell you that there are heroes there,” said Li. ”I know that you're afraid of them and that they'll target a hunt for you again, but right now, I have to go back to the farm, and as much as I want to, I cannot be in two places at once.”
”I am not afraid.” Iona shook her head. ”I know I have said I have been afraid of heroes and adventurers, but if it is for you, then I feel no such fear. For so long as I know that I serve at your side, I know that your shadow will always protect me.”