Faerun: The arcane mage is still too imprisoned.

"I knew it." Arya took a sip of her drink, a complex emotion flashing in her eyes.

"That child... is stronger than I was back then. The first time I saw blood, I even vomited."

"I wonder how old Lady Arya was when she first saw blood?" Cielsa asked curiously.

"...Just turned eight years old."

She paused, then put down her glass. "But Mr. Lance, you came so early today, surely it wasn't just to report on Lillian's performance?"

"Yes." Lance also put down his glass and leaned forward slightly.

"I want to talk to you about the 'Thirsty Hand'."

Arya's expression instantly turned serious.

"How much do you know about them?" she asked.

"Last night I went to the No. 3 outlet of the old canal and found one of their altars."

Lance said calmly, "I encountered three believers. I killed two of them, and the remaining one was killed by a curse when he tried to leak information."

Arya's pupils contracted slightly.

"Anti-reconnaissance curse... at least a third-circle spell," she murmured. "That bishop really is an elite-level priest..."

"You seem to have known about the existence of the 'Hand of Thirst' all along?" Lance walked over carrying a tea tray.

"I know, but it doesn't really matter." Arya took the teacup, her fingers unconsciously stroking the inside. "The Grey-Robed Man has been operating in the slums for a long time, targeting homeless orphans and poor children."

"The city guards investigated several times, but either they couldn't find the person, or the bodies they found were all dried up, the kind that had been drained of their life force, and in the end, they all gave up."

She took a sip of tea and continued, "I sent two family guards to investigate secretly. One never came back, and the other went mad, constantly muttering 'hands are talking' and 'mouths are eating.'"

"The therapist said his mind was completely corrupted by some evil entity and was beyond saving."

Lance sat down opposite her: "You didn't tell the city lord?"

"I told him," Arya said calmly. "Lord Graham said he would handle it. And then, as I expected, nothing happened."

"Cults continue to operate, and civilians continue to disappear."

"Actually, I should have known from the beginning... as long as I don't cause a big fuss and offend the nobles, the city lord's mansion will turn a blind eye."

Sissa couldn't help but interject, "Why? Those children..."

"Because of the price, Miss Celsa." Arya looked at her, her eyes filled with complex emotions. "Lord Graham has always pursued practicality and advocated efficiency."

"Eliminating the cult 'Thirsty Hands,' which has a low profile but boasts elite-rank priests, would likely result in significant casualties even if Lord Graham were to personally take action."

"The cost paid is completely disproportionate to the benefits gained."

"Of course Lord Graham wouldn't do that, and most of the other nobles agree with this idea; after all, it's just a few commoners dying."

"So he just let it go?" Cielsa's voice was filled with disbelief.

"It's not entirely laissez-faire," Arya shook her head. "At least he'll increase patrols in the noble district and warn everyone to keep an eye on their children. As for the commoners... he doesn't care."

She paused, then lowered her voice: "Of course, this doesn't represent the thoughts of all nobles."

"My father often said that the glory of nobility comes from duty, not privilege. Unfortunately... fewer and fewer people agree with this."

Lance clapped: "Lady Arya is so insightful! So, would you be willing to help?"

Arya stared at him for a few seconds, then suddenly laughed: "What are you planning to do?"

"Find their bishop and kill him," Lance said casually.

"And while you're at it, get rid of as many believers as possible."

"It sounds simple."

Arya crossed her arms and smiled seductively, "But you probably don't even know where they are, do you?"

"That's why I need your help." Lance leaned forward slightly.

"The Silvershine family are local nobles; their intelligence network should be far superior to mine, an outsider. Besides... you have a motive."

"What was the motive?"

"Lillian," Lance said with a smile, "if the 'Hand of Thirst' continues to exist, how do you know they won't extend their targeting to noble children?"

"Lillian's silver bloodline is a top-tier sacrifice, far too tempting for cultists. They dare not touch her now, but will they dare not touch her in the future?"

Arya's smile froze.

"They dare." She narrowed her eyes, her expression looking extremely dangerous.

"They're all cultists, what wouldn't they dare to do?" Lance met her gaze, looking into her beautiful eyes.

Arya closed her eyes and took a deep breath.

When she opened her eyes again, all that remained was coldness.

"What do you need?" Arya asked.

"Intelligence," Lance replied softly.

"We need as much information as possible about the Thirsty Hands' strongholds in the city, their list of followers, the possible locations of the bishops, and the location of their next large-scale ceremony."

"I found out they are preparing for an 'ascension ceremony' and need twelve special children. The ceremony will take place tonight on the night of the new moon."

Arya stood up, walked to her desk, opened a drawer, and took out a thick document.

"This is the result of the Silver Glow family's private investigations over the years."

She pushed the document in front of Lance, "It's not entirely complete, but it should be enough for you."

Lance picked up a document and opened it.

It's quite detailed.

It records some of the Thirsty Hands' strongholds in Rild City, their activity patterns, the distribution areas of missing children, and the locations where the Grey Robe Man was sighted.

"And here too." Arya pulled out a document and pointed it out to Lance.

"I suspect there's a major base of theirs underground in this old textile factory, but I haven't investigated it thoroughly. The guards I sent last time disappeared there."

Lance noted down the location.

"Furthermore," Arya added, "'The Thirsty Hand' has connections with several minor nobles in the city. Although there's no evidence, I suspect they're providing sanctuary for a cult."

"Do you have a list?"

"some."

Arya pulled a piece of paper from the file. It had three names written on it, each followed by a family crest and a brief description.

Balfour Hagen, the second son of the Hagen family, runs three casinos and two brothels.

Margaret Wayne, a widow of the Wayne family, owned two mines and a caravan.

Corwin Stone, the eldest son of the Stone family, is the deputy tax collector, in charge of taxes in the slums.

Lance glanced at it and memorized the information.

After dealing with that bishop, it will be their turn.

"Is this all the information you have?" Arya looked at him. "Is it enough for you?"

"That's enough." Lance closed the file. "But I need two more things."

"What?"

"I want you, and some of the professionals from the Silvershine family," Lance said calmly.