270. Sly Cultist Leader

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As the farm workers clustered around the fallen old man, a murmur of concern and confusion spread through the crowd.

The seven elders, now blending seamlessly with the workers, began their subtle investigation, watching for any unusual reactions.

Elder Thistlewood, keeping up his act, knelt beside the old man and gently closed his eyes.

"This is a terrible day," he said with a grave voice, "We must find out who did this."

Elder Thistlewood's only intent was to draw everyone's attention to himself, which is why he made the old man appear dead by using a delayed deep sleep spell.

If anyone observed closely, they would realize the truth, but Elder Thistlewood instilled fear in others to keep them from approaching.

Meanwhile, the other seven elders subtly probed the strangers present on the cattle farm by pretending to bump into them or accidentally slipping and falling over them. Each elder used their own tricks to assess each stranger.

"Hmm, oh... Everyone, don't worry.