"That is Aunt Trissy.
She has a kind heart, though her temperament is rather peculiar," Markin whispered.
Trissy merely glanced at the group before returning her focus to her work.
As they approached, Markin forced a smile and called out loudly, "And Trissy, these individuals have come from Ley City to assist the village with the rat infestation.
They specifically want to see you.
I'm not deaf.
Why are you shouting?" Aunt Trissy replied with a cold expression, her gaze sweeping over Fong Ho and his companions.
When her eyes fell upon the clay sculpture Fong Ho held, they flickered momentarily, but she quickly regained her composure.
Markin managed an awkward smile.
Realizing that his village head, he held little authority in Trissy as presence.
"At Trissy, please try not to lose your temper.
We are counting on these city guards to help us with the rat problem.
" Markin quietly urged.
Tissy shot him an exasperated glance and replied, "I know.
You may return for now.
Once I'm done speaking with them, I'll have them seek you out.
" "Oh, very well," Markin conceded.
Then turned to Fong Hao, saying, Lord Fong Hao, you may converse freely.
After your discussion, I will take you to inspect the areas plagued by the rats.
"All right," Fong Hao acknowledged.
With Markin departing, Fong Ho and his companions drew closer.
"Are you the city guards?" Aunt Trissy inquired first.
"This group was indeed rather peculiar.
Aside from Fong Hao, who appears to be relatively approachable, the remainder consists of either bandits or outsiders.
Although imposing, they nonetheless exude an air of briganditch.
Indeed, Fonga replied, settling down not far from Tricy, placing the clay sculpture before him.
"At Trissy, did you have any conflicts with the deceased?" Bloomer as they traveled, Fong Ho and making glean some insights.
Tricy was adept in herbal medicine, and whenever someone in the village was injured, they would seek her healing.
Aside from her somewhat irritable temperament, she was indeed well regarded within the village.
"For someone like her to have killed Bloomer must stem from some underlying discord.
Did you not come to address the rodent infestation? Are you also intrigued by these matters?" Trissy inquired, her tone still unfriendly.
"Rats consume humans, which falls within the purview of this task.
Would you not agree?" Fungho maintained his smile.
True enough, you people merely squander your energy on appeasing the nobility and trivialities of the populace.
Tricissy retorted with a touch of scorn.
Before Fongo could pose another question, Tricissy continued, "When I was still an acolyte at the temple, several incidents occurred.
There were desecrations involving the temple's acolytes, and six girls were murdered within a fortnight, the youngest being merely 9 years old.
The temple pressured the Lord's manor to launch a comprehensive investigation.
Although such atrocities ceased thereafter, no culprits were ever apprehended, and the matter faded into obscurity.
At this juncture, Tissy fell silent.
Her head bowed as she busied herself with her work.
However, Fonhow naturally pieced together the subsequent narrative.
Trissy must have discovered Bloomer's connection to these events, but being elderly and lacking sufficient evidence, resorted to using herbal knowledge to eliminate Bloomer.
And then, were the perpetrators captured? Anya inquired.
Tissy glanced at the orc girl and nodded slightly.
They were captured, but they perished.
It was too merciful for him.
Had I caught him, I would have tortured him for 2 years before turning him into a skeleton.
Fong Ho swiftly covered her mouth, admonishing, "Do not speak recklessly.
" "Oh," Anya gasped, refraining from further comment.
With the tale concluded, Fong Hao's lingering doubts were resolved.
However, it seemed that this particular mission had been in vain.
Without a specific monster layer, there would be no treasure to claim.
Fungho turned to Trissy and continued to eradicate the rats effectively.
It would be best to gather them together for extermination.
Do you possess any effective methods, Aunt Trissy? Trissy said little more, rising unsteadily to enter her dwelling.
She emerged shortly with a small vial.
Stinking insect grass liquid category potion description.
A potion that emits a distinctive odor.
There are two large rat nests to the east of the village.
You may wish to try there, Tricy advised.
Rats are notoriously difficult to eradicate.
Even if you can lure them, there are no particularly effective means to eliminate them.
Well, then we shall not further disturb you, aunt Trissy.
After speaking, Fong Ho took the clay sculpture and the cordiceps liquid and left without hesitation.
Tricissy, observing the hasty departure of several individuals, revealed a hint of confusion in her gaze.
Were they not the city esgards? Were they not pursuing the murderer? Once Fong Ho and his companions departed, they sought out Markin once more.
In truth, Markin had not strayed far, anxious that a quarrel might ensue between Fong Ha and Tricissy, thus hoping to mediate.
To his surprise, within merely 10 minutes, Fong Hao returned.
Master Fong Ha.
Markin greeted as he approached.
Yes, let us proceed.
Aunt Trissy mentioned there are two large rat nests to the east of the village.
Do you know their location? Fonggho inquired.
Indeed, they lie not far to the east, Markin replied, indicating the very spot he intended to guide Fongo to.
However, he lamented that neither fire nor water offered effective solutions.
Very well, lead us there.
Oh, certainly.
Markin escorted the group through the eastern gate.
Not long after, they spotted two mounds of earth amidst the trees.
This is the rat nest.
I cannot say when it was built, Markin remarked, gazing at the mounds.
The rodents posed minimal threat to the village.
Yet Markin's greatest concern was the potential for them to turn feral and attack humans.
Unaware of Tricy's plight, he feared that if one could be consumed, then others would follow suit.
If that happens, this village would be lost.
Understood.
You should return to the village.
We cannot ensure your safety if danger arises.
Fongo continued.
There is danger.
Very well.
You all should exercise caution as well.
Markin replied before hastily departing.
Once Markin had distanced himself, Fungha discovered a nearby stone cave.
After inspecting the cave and finding no exits or tunnels, he placed the rodent cerebellum clay sculpture inside and opened the cortiseps liquid, allowing a drop to fall upon the sculpture as head.
As he finished, a faint sweet odor began to permeate the cave, though was not overpowering.
Having completed his task, Fong Ho exited the cave and returned to the refuge of Injia and the others.
The group gazed intently at the cave before them.
Soon, a rustling sound echoed through the surrounding forest.