Even by the end of the conversation, Arevalo had failed to get a definite answer from Hesta—what exactly was the method that could keep him from being put on the defensive? Several times, Hesta seemed about to say it aloud, only to suppress the words again with extreme caution.
Later, Silei knocked on the door and called Hesta away, leaving Arevalo no choice but to put the subject aside for the time being.
Trion glanced at Fatima several times. Only now did he finally understand why Hesta had been able to bring these people into His Majesty's palace.
"You've been nowhere to be seen these past few days. Where have you been?" Hesta asked. "Still near the farm?"
"I have been," Silei said. "I've just been staying in the nearby town—you've been there, right? It's very close to here."
"I have," Hesta replied. "I recruited the Lairin sisters from a tavern over there."
"I found out some rather astonishing things." Silei lowered her gaze. "I thought you probably already knew, so I came back to ask you directly."
"About what?"
"At the beginning of spring..." Silei fell silent for a moment, her throat moving slightly. "Something terrible happened at this farm."
"Mm."
"You really do know?"
"So many people getting pregnant around the same time couldn't have been a coincidence..." Hesta said quietly. "I asked Wosandta once, but she only gave me a very indirect confirmation."
"Wosandta..." Silei immediately recalled her face. "Take me to see her. I have questions for her."
"What exactly are you investigating?" Hesta asked. "The previous fire—"
"The fire was cleared up long ago," Silei said. "Didn't you already have the answer before you sent me to investigate it?"
"Then what are you—"
"Give me a few more days. It would be too troublesome