When a clear map reveals an empty spot, people often don't sensibly avoid it, but instead, go over to see what's really there.
At least Vid is like that.
In fact, relying on the Snail Puppet to find a suspicious character in the vast sea of people, who also happens to be Prometheus or a Scourer, is very slim.
In most cases, what they discover are Muggle criminal activities, occasionally encountering a few clumsy wizards who fail to conceal their tracks well.
But the snails scattered across the various corners of New York are like probes set by Vid.
When a few suddenly lose signal, causing an entire area to become a surveillance black hole, Vid knows he's truly found a target.
Because the Snail Puppets' primary skill isn't surveillance and analysis but disguise and hiding.
They would hide in the tallest parts of trees, in the thickest parts of the leaves, invisible even if people tiptoe to search;
They also cling tightly to leaf stalks or vines, blending in with the colors, looking like small natural protrusions of the plants;
If there are livestock or pets at home, they would even hide in pets' ears or fur.
Even without those, these little things, no bigger than a fava bean, could easily find a corner to hide themselves well.
So when they start disappearing, it's definitely not because they were caught by humans or creatures, but proves the other side used some magical interference.
And these are the people Vid is looking for.
Stern thought his carelessness caused exposure, but that's not the case.
Vid first deemed the Stonefield Clan suspicious, then set many "eyes" around the clan's properties and mansions, coincidentally discovering the dubious Stern while monitoring.
The Stonefield Family had always used those peculiar dragonfly vehicles to interfere with magic, but while the Snails couldn't avoid the attacks, birds could feign disturbance to dodge.
The robin even boldy built a nest in someone else's territory, besides monitoring.
The Mother Mirror of the Flow Mirror was shrunken by Vid to a very small size, hidden in the robin's eyes.
At this moment, with a wave of Vid's hand, the mirror surface undulated like an awakened lake, swiftly expanding into a smooth screen.
The scene inside the manor became clear—Bronlin was leading the Poppet Legion across the lawn, with a few dragonfly vehicles slowly approaching in the distance.
Vid's gaze fell on Illari.
He had once seen Illari from a distance and was deeply impressed, because this person, even down to each strand of hair, exuded a—Vid had once imagined—typical alchemist aura.
Just then, a silver-haired, red-eyed vampire girl in the group suddenly stopped.
She slightly tilted her head, her blood-red pupils seeming to pierce through layers of space, accurately looking towards Vid behind the mirror.
The girl's mouth curled into a fleeting arc, a smile so faint it was nearly invisible.
Vid couldn't help but chuckle softly: "Long time no see, everyone."
...
The Stonefield's attitude towards Bronlin and the others was unclear, but the rooms arranged for them were indeed very considerate.
Bronlin's room was lavishly decorated, even the decorative painting hanging over the bed was worth millions. Besides the bedroom inside, even the Poppets had a place to rest.
"Then... I'll take this room." Illari picked a small bedroom, looked around, and said, "A bit small, but very quiet."
"How can that be? If Sir finds out I let you stay in the utility room, I'm afraid I'd lose this job."
Assistant Paul slightly bowed and said, "Please follow me—we've prepared a room for every guest."
Illari looked at Bronlin in bewilderment.
Bronlin squinted at the flawlessly smiling, yet firm, assistant Paul, nodded, and then indicated for a Werewolf Poppet to follow Illari.
"Don't worry, it will protect you."
Illari's room was at the other end of the corridor, and he almost fell in love with the place as soon as he entered.
"Merlin! Is this room really prepared for me?"
He instantly rushed to the wall, where a transparent storage cabinet filled the entire wall, categorically filled with rare metals, minerals, and magic materials for Alchemy.
Assistant Paul followed beside, introducing: "These cabinets are in a constant temperature and humidity environment, and can even be vacuum-sealed if needed, ensuring that the materials are stored under the most suitable conditions."
Immediately after, Illari saw the experimentation table—a large, corrosion-resistant, high-temperature operable workbench, complete with a brand-new smelting furnace.
Assistant Paul stated: "The entire ceiling above is an exhaust outlet, capable of instantly clearing harmful fumes produced during the Alchemy process, while the overhead lighting can adjust spectrums to simulate various light conditions from dawn till late night."
Not to mention, above the workbench was a huge magnetic tool storage board, neatly lined with various tools—
Even though they were Muggle tools, two glances were enough for Illari to understand their use, and he even devised several interesting ideas.
"Merlin... Merlin..."
Illari couldn't put down the brand-new workbench, the high-precision electronic scale, and the material cabinets that almost made him drool, murmuring:
"The Heaven Muggles speak of is no more than this, right?"
Assistant Paul bowed slightly, smiled, and said: "Are you satisfied with this place, Mr. Illari?"
"Of course, of course, very satisfied!" Illari said excitedly: "Even during my time with the Scourers, I never had such good conditions..."
Before the words were finished, he suddenly came back to his senses from infatuation.
He suddenly realized that the room's configuration, whether the state-of-the-art equipment, the expensive materials, or details considering his habits, far exceeded the room arranged for Bronlin he glimpsed earlier.
Just the expenditure here, the difference was at least ten times.
A chill replaced the previous excitement, as Illari anxiously looked back at the assistant:
"Why prepare so meticulously, what exactly do you want?"
Assistant Paul adjusted his glasses and smiled: "It's evident, Mr. Illari. The person we truly wish to collaborate with is you, not Yodel Bronlin."
After speaking, he happened to glance at the Werewolf bodyguard following Illari, seeing the Poppet expressionless, like a puppet, his heart settled.
But Illari panicked: "Cooperate with me? I won't... won't cooperate... If you reach an agreement with Mr. Bronlin, I would naturally..."
"Mr. Illari!"
Paul interrupted his words, stating: "In our eyes, you are worth such investment, because you are more valuable than Mr. Bronlin..."
"We truly want the Poppet, and the person who can provide the Poppet is you."
"As for Mr. Bronlin? A leader who abandons all subordinates and flees alone, is he really worthy of your trust and following?"
"If one day you lose your utilitarian value, how can you be sure… Mr. Bronlin won't abandon you?"
Illari's facade of persistence shattered, his lips trembled, his eyes unconsciously revealed fear.
Assistant Paul's words struck his deepest fear, Bronlin's ambition and ruthlessness terrified Illari.
He was actually very concerned… worried he too might become one of Bronlin's heedlessly discarded pawns.