Wendy recognized all of them.
They were prominent members of the royal family of Fiora.
Dominica gave a brief introduction, pointing to the young man beside her.
"This is Kaizen, a member of the Zoldyck family. He's the one who discovered the first Nen-user of Taris."
Everyone nodded in acknowledgment, exchanging polite greetings with Kaizen.
Kaizen studied the group intently. Their aura was strong—most of them were at least grade B, possibly higher. However, it was clear they were much older than him.
Dominica clapped her hands to regain everyone's attention.
"The cleanup of Taris is almost complete," she began. "We've made tremendous progress, but the most difficult task remains."
Her expression turned grim.
"Our target is Horun City."
She unfurled a map, pointing to a spot marked with a vivid red circle.
"It's the largest city in Taris, with a population of over a million. According to our intelligence, the alienated monster is hiding here."
The room fell silent.
"No matter what method we use, its exact location remains undetectable," Dominica continued. "And with so many innocent civilians in the city, we can't simply destroy it outright."
She looked around. "Does anyone have a plan?"
The group launched into a heated discussion.
"We have to eliminate the alienated monster," one of them argued. "If we don't, this will spiral out of control, and the casualties will only increase. A single Nen-user from Taris can already annihilate an entire city. If we let this slide, the consequences will be catastrophic."
Others quickly countered.
"Wiping out Horun City makes us no better than those from Taris," a moderate voice replied. "We can't resort to such extreme measures just because the problem is challenging. There has to be a way to locate the monster without endangering so many innocent lives."
Dominica listened quietly before interjecting.
"There's no need for drastic action—yet," she said. "We'll infiltrate the city instead. We'll pose as outsiders, settle in Horun, and divide into four teams to observe and gather intelligence."
She paused, her tone firm.
"If all else fails, we'll take the worst-case option."
The room understood her implication. If no solution emerged, the city might face destruction.
Dominica organized the teams. Kaizen, Wendy, and Dominica would form one group, while the remaining seven divided into smaller units.
To blend in, their cover story was crafted: Dominica would play the role of the uncle, Kaizen the nephew, and Wendy the niece.
Dominica turned to the pair.
"Let's get used to our new roles now," she said.
"Got it, Uncle Dominica," Kaizen replied with ease.
Wendy hesitated, her gaze lingering on Kaizen. She opened her mouth to speak, but memories from their recent journey resurfaced—Kaizen's hand brushing against her waist, the way he had leaned in close on the airship.
Her cheeks flushed, and she looked away.
"Kai...brother," she finally managed, her voice soft.
Though the words were ordinary, her tone and demeanor made it sound anything but familial. Her expression, paired with the pink tinge in her ears, suggested something more... intimate.
Dominica's sharp eyes flicked between the two. She said nothing but seemed to be assessing the implications.
A thought crossed her mind.
Perhaps this isn't such a bad idea...
Wendy was a prodigy within the Fiora royal family. Few could match her status, let alone her skill. Meanwhile, Kaizen, a Zoldyck, had talent on par with hers.
Dominica mulled it over.
A union between the Fiora royal family and the Zoldycks would be formidable. And since Kaizen isn't the heir, he wouldn't be bound to Zoldyck Manor. If he were to settle in Fiora...
Hes thoughts drifted further.
What kind of potential would their child possess?
"Uncle Dominica?"
Kaizen and Wendy's voices pulled him back to reality.
"Ahem, yes," she said, clearing her throat. "Let's finalize the details and head to Horun City."
The trio entered Horun City under the guise of a family that had fallen on hard times. Their fabricated story: a tragic incident forced them to flee their home, leaving them bankrupt and seeking refuge in the city's slums.
To complete the act, their clothing was changed again, this time to worn, tattered garments.
Dominica haggled with a landlord over rent, while Kaizen and Wendy took in their surroundings. The slum was a maze of makeshift houses built from rusted metal sheets and rotting wood.
Children peeked curiously at the newcomers. Despite their ragged attire, Kaizen and Wendy still looked comparatively better off.
Wendy frowned, visibly unsettled.
"I didn't think... places like this existed in the world," she muttered.
Kaizen remained silent, his gaze sweeping over the chaotic streets. One thing stood out: the conspicuous absence of able-bodied men. Most of the residents were women and children, all laboring tirelessly but with little to show for it.
The weight of the mission pressed on him. There was no room for mistakes in this city of shadows and despair.
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