Chapter 384: The Web of Deceit

**Thelma Zane’s POV** Master Hayley quickly fell silent, her focus shifting back to the ever-present draft book she carried. For a scholar like her, the convolutions of political intrigue were of little interest compared to the pursuit of knowledge. The next day brought a significant development when Eve returned with her team. From the moment we entered the western city-states’ territory, I had tasked Eve with investigating potential clues in the west. True to her reputation, she did not disappoint. “We found a werewolf’s corpse near the western border,” Eve reported, her tone grave. “The body still bears traces of an evil aura, likely linked to Azazel’s followers. It’s in an advanced state of decomposition—flesh rotted away, and even the bones are fractured. The damage doesn’t appear to be caused by external force but seems more like the result of natural disintegration.” She handed us several well-sealed evidence bags containing fragments of bone. “This is highly unus