Facing Fiat's challenge, Landen answered directly, "After my people took her into custody, her health deteriorated severely. She could barely eat that same day, and her life was in danger. I handed her over to Her Highness Princess Halkara's great-granddaughter. I can't comment on her current condition."
To avoid lying, Landen had pieced together two true statements. Jenny had indeed been near death on the day of the assassination, but Tania had soon treated her personally. After that, he had sent Jenny to serve as a staff officer to the elven archer Vianis. Still, the way he put it made it sound as if he had asked the elves to treat Jenny.
Hearing that his daughter's health had deteriorated, Fiat felt as if he'd been plunged into an ice cellar. He knew that the only thing capable of causing a Senior Mage's health to suddenly decline was the Sea God's curse flaring up.
There was no chance Jenny could survive a curse from a True God. Even if a Legend or Demigod personally suppressed it, they could do no more than preserve her most basic vital functions.
Thinking of this, Fiat glanced at Landen. The victim of the assassination showed neither resentment nor optimism.
The head of the Gallop family was frantically weighing the pros and cons. Losing a daughter—especially one acknowledged by the Sea God Clan—was naturally a major loss. But that daughter had also been a thorn placed at his side by the Sea God Clan.
Without Jenny, the biggest problem was losing his contact in Hindukush. But his relationship with Night-Kirin City had eased considerably.
The two families' business dealings had begun after September. According to Landen, the assassination had already happened, yet their business had grown rather than dwindled. Even though Landen and the Sea God's