Chapter 288: Defining Their Next Steps

While Shin was busy with Mira and Lara, fucking them hard enough to break both furniture and minds, Liza had gathered the others to discuss their next steps.

Their first priority had been dealing with the wounded and the damage caused by the attack. Fortunately, Lara had a healer in her group, and since there weren’t many injuries, that problem was quickly resolved.

The damage wasn’t particularly severe either. The villagers had organized themselves and come up with a plan to handle the repairs. At that point, even Mira had still been participating in the meeting.

But once everything was settled, most of the villagers left to celebrate with an improvised festival, while Mira returned home, where she eventually encountered Shin.

In the end, Liza insisted that only the people who mattered remain. That included Lara’s group, Carolina, and Jeff, a local merchant who had promised to help them with transportation if necessary.

In particular, the fairy turned her attention to Henriqueta, who served as the Saint’s secretary and right-hand woman.

Henriqueta looked as though she’d been carved out of something hard and unforgiving. Every part of her was stiff, sharp, and unyielding, from her personality to her appearance.

Her expression never changed, remaining cold and rigid behind her gleaming glasses. Her hair was pulled tightly into place, framing a pointed chin, a narrow jaw, and a long neck.

She was unusually slender for a dog girl, with a narrow waist and long, lean legs. Still, it was difficult to ignore her perfectly shaped ass, which pressed against the tight fabric of her dress.

Her breasts were modest in size, but unusually firm and perky, with an almost conical shape and a distinct upward point. Her nipples, however, could only be described as weapons.

Even through her thick bra and the sturdy fabric of her dress, Liza could make out the faintest hint of them pressing against her clothes.

Her dress was just as rigid as the woman wearing it. Dark, elegant, and perfectly tailored, it hugged her slender figure without a single unnecessary fold. The high collar covered her neck, while the long sleeves ended in neat cuffs at her wrists. Even the fabric seemed unusually stiff, as though it had been chosen specifically to discourage wrinkles.

A pair of sharp heels completed the outfit, making her already long legs appear even longer.

And, as if to complete the picture, her dog ears stood tall and straight atop her head, sharply triangular, much like those of a Doberman.

Even her ears seemed incapable of relaxing.

"So, do you know what those things were?" Henriqueta asked, getting straight to the point.

"Yes, I do... Or rather, I have an idea of where they came from. Obviously, it was a monster, but you must know that creatures like that aren’t common around here."

The fairy’s gaze shifted toward Jeff, who was a local resident. The merchant immediately nodded in agreement.

"I’ve never heard of a monster like that."

"It’s not officially registered either," Henriqueta added, tightening her grip on the book she carried. "As far as I know, no one has ever encountered anything like it, not here or on any other floor."

Liza nodded.

"That’s because it isn’t a normal monster. I believe the best way to describe it would be as a biological weapon."

"Are you saying someone created that thing?" one of the guards asked in shock.

The idea that someone could use monsters as weapons was terrifying, especially when the creature in question was that powerful.

"Unfortunately, yes," Liza replied with a long sigh. "I’m certain it was created by a human. But the real problem is that this was only the beginning."

Her gaze shifted toward Carolina, who had remained unusually quiet, hoping everyone would forget about her.

"I believe there’s a very good chance that more larvae of that creature are hiding around here. The good news is that the man who created them can’t actually control them."

"Then couldn’t his own creations kill him? What kind of sane person would create something like that?"

"We won’t be dealing with a sane person," Liza replied with another sigh. "But our priority right now is finding those larvae and destroying them. I like to call these creatures Phoenix Worms, and they’re extremely territorial."

She went on to explain that the remaining larvae were probably nowhere near as developed as the monster they had fought.

After all, Phoenix Worms grew by devouring everything around them. Their territorial nature meant that only one could grow particularly large in a given area. The others would either remain small due to a lack of food or end up being consumed by the dominant worm.

In other words, they were unlikely to encounter another monster of the same size anytime soon.

Carolina, already sensing where the conversation was heading, hesitantly raised her hand.

"You do know I’m not a radar, right? I can’t pinpoint exactly where those larvae are hiding."

"I know. But you might be able to find something far more valuable," Liza replied with a confident smile.

"The laboratory where these monsters were created."

Everyone swallowed hard.

"Do you believe it’s nearby?" Henriqueta asked.

"Yes. Otherwise, it would be too risky," Liza explained. "As I mentioned, the man who created these things can’t control them."

"And I suppose whoever is financing him would want him as far away from their own territory as possible," Henriqueta quickly concluded.

Her expression darkened.

"Bastards. Are they using us as a testing ground?"

Liza shook her head.

"You’re not a testing ground. The Dog Clan and the Cat Clan are the actual targets."

"Us?" Henriqueta blinked in shock. "But who would want to target the Dog Clan?"

"Well... I believe it’s the Matra Clan," Liza answered, not wanting to go into too much detail. "But I also believe we can stop them, provided we secure the full support of both clans."

The real problem wasn’t the monsters themselves, but gathering the necessary resources and political support.

After all, Shin already knew exactly how to defeat that degenerate scientist.

It wouldn’t be easy by any means. As insane as the man was, he was also a genius, and underestimating him would be a terrible mistake.

However, knowing the future gave them an enormous advantage.

Henriqueta remained silent for a moment, apparently considering everything the fairy had told them.

Then she adjusted her glasses.

"In that case, securing their cooperation might be easier than you think."

"Oh?" Liza tilted her head.

"Lady Lara’s influence has grown tremendously since she became recognized as the Saint. And she even has followers on other clans now."

Henriqueta paused, choosing her next words carefully.

"Naturally, I can’t promise that everyone will cooperate without question. But if Lady Lara personally requests their assistance, I believe we could secure the support of the Dog Clan rather quickly. And we could pressure the Cat Clan into at least listening to us."

Liza blinked. She hadn’t considered that possibility.

The fairy had been preparing herself for a long and troublesome political struggle. But Lara might be able to solve most of those problems simply by asking.

A broad smile slowly spread across Liza’s face.

Things were turning out to be far more convenient than she’d expected.

"In that case, I think we have a lot to discuss."

Henriqueta nodded, already opening her book and preparing her pen.

"Indeed. Shall we begin with the details?"