Chapter 429: A Veil of Secrets

**Thelma Zane’s POV** I had to admit, the Great Elder’s argument was convincing. As much as I wanted to maintain my distance, his words resonated with my own mission. I had come to the elven territory with a clear goal: to eliminate the cultists and prevent the rise of Azazel. The threat of another Leviathan in the modern world made it impossible to ignore the cultists’ schemes. Still, agreeing to his request wasn’t a decision to take lightly. I weighed the potential benefits against the risks before finally nodding. “Very well. Follow me.” We made our way through the dim and narrow corridors back to the embassy. The shadows seemed to cling to us, as if the darkness itself bore witness to our secretive passage. When Master Hayley and Eve saw the Great Elder trailing behind me, their instincts flared. The tension in the room was palpable, their wariness evident in every movement. Only after I explained the situation did they allow their hostility to ebb, though their vigilan