Hearing this, Andrew's heart filled with worry. He wondered, "Crying? Why was Bonnie crying? What on earth happened?" Andrew composed himself and asked Jeremiah, "Jeremiah, can we leave tomorrow?"

Emmett, noticing Andrew's unusual seriousness, realized he truly cared for Bonnie.

Jeremiah nodded firmly. "Yes, get ready; we're leaving tomorrow."

As they spoke, Yvette descended the stairs, clad in all black and a baseball cap, looking effortlessly cool. Jeremiah rose and approached her. "Going out?" he asked.

Yvette nodded, her eyes dark and bright, tinged with coldness. "Yeah, I'm going out for a bit. Don't wait up for dinner."

Jeremiah paused, studying Yvette with a deeper gaze before softly saying, "Okay." Their communication was unspoken, a mutual understanding that respected boundaries and avoided probing into secrets prematurely shared. Absolute trust bound them.

Yvette hailed a cab to Vintage Vista, Normis's most renowned antique shop, a haven for treasure hunters trading high-quality items.

Inside, an unremarkable man with a prominent mole near his left eye, dressed in traditional robes, approached her. This was Isaac Taylor, the owner. Vintage Vista, a family business spanning sixty or seventy years, was run by Isaac, a man in his thirties who greeted Yvette enthusiastically.

"Yvette! I didn't expect you in Normis. What brings you here? Let me know if you need anything," he said.

Yvette's deep, calm eyes met his as she raised an eyebrow and offered a slight smile. "It's been a long time," she replied.

Isaac considered his words carefully. "Yes, three years since Mysonna. Your recent call saying you were coming to Normis surprised me. If it weren't for your voice, I'd have thought it a scam."

Yvette sat, her hand resting casually on the table. She sipped her coffee and asked unhurriedly, "How much have you learned about Dungo Village?"

Isaac nodded. "Your sudden request to investigate Dungo Village caught me off guard, Yvette. Luckily, friends recently visited a grave there, providing firsthand information." These friends were renowned treasure hunters within their circle. Isaac produced prepared documents.

Looking serious, he asked, "Yvette, are you planning to go to Dungo Village? Can't you avoid it? That place is dangerous."

Yvette's fingers tapped lightly on the table. Lifting her gaze slightly, she calmly replied, "Dangerous?"

Isaac nodded gravely. "Yvette, did you know Dungo Village is a land of poison sorcerers?"

Yvette nodded slowly. "I know."

Isaac continued, "Dungo Village is eerie. My friends, well-known treasure hunters, have explored many dangerous places, but after Dungo Village, they were shaken. They barely escaped with their lives."

Yvette raised an eyebrow, her gaze unwavering. "Go on."

Knowing Yvette's nature, Isaac withheld nothing, recounting his friends' experiences. "The burial method involves placing the deceased in coffins on cliffs—not unusual in some southern areas. However, my friends saw the villagers raise venomous insects, using the corpses as sustenance. It suggests a form of extremely evil sorcery, reminiscent of Mysonna."

Isaac and Yvette had previously met due to an evil sorcerer; Yvette had saved his life years ago. She was more than a friend; she was his savior.

Yvette's eyes fell. She idly played with her coffee cup. Her voice, chillingly cold, asked, "Using bodies to breed insects?"

Isaac nodded. "Yvette, Dungo Village has at least a thousand residents. Even if not all breed insects, dealing with a third is difficult. These creatures are insidious and impossible to guard against."

Yvette could handle one, even two sorcerers, but three or more? Isaac still urged her to reconsider, knowing her selflessness. She might seem aloof, but she would do anything for a friend.

"Yvette, can't you avoid this? Is this friend so important? Is it really worth the risk?" he pleaded.

Yvette's eyes narrowed, emotionless, as she held the coffee cup. Her voice was soft. "Important."

Isaac expected this. No one could stop Yvette. He sighed and continued, "Have you heard of the Sacred Maiden? Some villages still hold to this belief. In Dungo Village, this feudal tradition persists. They believe a girl born at an unlucky time is a heavenly protector. Your friend might be a Sacred Maiden. Her attendance at Argrol University proves it; she's the Sacred Maiden of Dungo Village."

Yvette's hand holding the cup stilled. Her icy eyes rose. "Sacred Maiden?" she murmured.

Seeing her expression, Isaac swallowed hard. "Yes, besides men who work or study, only the Sacred Maiden receives a good education elsewhere, but…" His voice trailed off.

"Speak," Yvette commanded.

Startled, Isaac rushed on, "When the Sacred Maiden reaches a certain age, she must return to marry the chosen Sacred Son. Their children become the next Sacred Maiden. Your friend's return might mean she's getting married."

At this, Yvette crushed the coffee cup, scattering fragments across the floor. Isaac stared at his precious, now-shattered cup, the most valuable in his shop, but dared not speak. Yvette's expression silenced him; he feared provoking her further.