After hearing Deren's words, Jaina fixed him with an eager stare. "What should we do?" She knew Deren had always been full of crafty ideas.
Deren gritted his teeth. "First, suppress the news about Sylvanas and spread rumors outside. Some should say she's fine, others that she's dead. In any case, no one should know the truth."
"And then?" Jaina nodded.
"Then seal off the city and begin a large-scale manhunt. Make it as high-profile as possible. At the same time, send word to all the underground forces in Theramore and offer a huge reward. Anyone who provides clues about the assassination will be rewarded." Deren meant for them to make a spectacle of the search, both openly and in secret.
"Will that force the killer to reveal himself?" Jaina asked.
Deren shook his head. "How could it? A Pit Lord won't be driven into the open so easily. We'll probably come up empty-handed."
"Then—" Jaina did not understand.
"We're only trying to beat the grass and startle the snake. Our show of force can only put some psychological pressure on the Pit Lord. It won't cause any real harm." Deren said, "I estimate that the mortals these demons possess can't be lowly laborers, beggars, or street thugs. They're more likely controlling human organizations with some influence—major merchants, high-ranking officers, great nobles."
"Mm!" Jaina stared at him intently.
"So, our public actions and the rewards offered through Theramore's underground forces can only put pressure on him, making him fear that we might actually uncover something. That means he'll definitely make a move. He'll find some excuse to protest the lockdown, the Ranger Guard's searches, or the prying eyes of the street thugs. In short, either he or his agents will step forward." Deren explained.
Jaina sprang to her feet with