Vol. 1 - Ch. 52 - The System's Red Warning (Part 1)

Lynn's jaw nearly dropped to the floor.

This couldn't be right.

So this woman in black, this young married lady, was the Viscountess.

Had he not known better, he would have thought she was some venomous woman involved in a conspiracy to poison her own stepson, quite possibly capable of dark magic, and closely tied to the Blood Snake Society.

Within the crowd nearby, Griffin, who had been secretly listening in on the conversation, had already concealed his presence, in order to avoid having his existence noticed by the Viscountess.

Although he was certainly still somewhere close by, on the surface at least, only Lynn was left to face this lady alone.

The system showed no pop-up notification whatsoever, but that did not necessarily mean it was safe.

Because it was entirely possible that, just like Daina, the other party was concealing something through a Relic.

If that were the case, he was practically staring straight into the tiger's maw.

Lynn's hand, hidden behind his back as it held up the wooden box, trembled wildly, and cold sweat poured down in torrents.

But he had to stay calm — he could not let any opening show.

Because the other party had surely already learned of his situation from Baron Rose.

For her and the forces behind her, this sudden meeting was the perfect opportunity to eliminate Lynn entirely.

If he displayed the panic of prey, it might only intensify any impulsive urge to kill on the other party's part.

So, he could not afford to panic.

Lynn briefly closed his eyes, recalling in his mind the sweet sound of himself counting coins in the castle's little treasury.

Amid that symphony of coins, his expression returned to normal.

"Well, this is truly wonderful! I was wondering why I felt such an instant sense of closeness — so it's the Viscount's wife!"

He once again struck a sales pose, his eyes gleaming as though he had just spotted copper coins scattered on the ground.

Facing Lynn's gaze, a flicker of movement appeared on Lilith's face, which had remained expressionless from the start of the banquet up until now.

The muscles of her face shifted ever so slightly.

And then, at the corners of her mouth, a faint, almost imperceptible trace of a smile formed.

Those eyes of hers remained as dim and dry as those of a melancholic invalid.

But for some reason, Lynn caught a flash of mockery within them.

"Lord Lynn……this banquet of my husband's was held precisely because of you, after all — it is to celebrate our child's awakening."

Lilith spoke leisurely, her voice as low and elegant as the aura that lingered about her:

"Thank you for treating our child. Although he is not of my own flesh and blood, I regard him as my own."

My lady, do you yourself even believe what you just said?

Lynn very much wanted to retort, but seeing the Viscount nodding along in firm agreement, it was clearly not wise to expose her without decisive evidence.

After all, he was still, in the end, no more than an outsider.

However, although there was no evidence now, that did not mean there wouldn't be any after further investigation.

As long as he were given the chance to be alone with the Viscount, he was confident he could hint to the other party that there was a hand behind the poisoning among Baron Rose's retainers.

At that point, the Viscount's side would surely be able to apply sufficient pressure to restrict this woman's room to maneuver.

Even if the Viscount himself could not directly uncover anything, it could still give Lynn the opportunity to thoroughly investigate her.

So, he needed to manufacture an opportunity to be alone with the Viscount as soon as possible!

"My lord Viscount, there is still some time before the banquet officially begins — might I trouble you to step aside and speak for a moment?

Last time, I conveyed through your attendant officer that I would bring it over the moment the highest-grade charcoal was produced.

Now, I have not only brought it, but there is also another important matter I would like to discuss with you in detail……"

Lynn brought out the wooden box from behind him, displaying the exquisite charcoal, all the while frantically signaling to the Viscount with his eyes.

However, because the charcoal's packaging was so exquisite, the latter's attention became entirely fixed on those neatly arranged pieces of white charcoal:

"This is truly a splendid and prestigious item — Lord Lynn, you have gone to great trouble……"

He completely failed to notice Lynn's eye-signaling, despite Lynn's eyelids practically cramping from the effort, though he did take note of what Lynn had said before that:

"However, is there really something important you need to discuss right now?"

In a way, it was somewhat reassuring that Lynn's signaling had not been entirely in vain.

Because Lilith had seen every bit of it clearly.

"Lord Lynn, a banquet is meant for relaxation — please do allow my husband to fulfill his duties as host. Matters of business can wait until later."

She extended her slender hand, clad in a black lace glove, and took the initiative to link arms with the Viscount of White Pine.

"Indeed, today is a happy occasion — let us not discuss business at the banquet."

The corner of Lynn's mouth twitched slightly.

He never said it was business he wanted to discuss!

Damn it, this woman had seized control of the pace of the conversation with just a single casual remark — she was a true expert.

Under normal circumstances, once the host had spoken like this, a guest ought not bring up matters outside the banquet any further.

But it was fine — he was no normal person.

"No, no, no, my lord Viscount, this is not merely a matter of business."

The rather thick-skinned Lynn spoke up once more:

"In truth, there is also a question regarding the Northern Border's defenses that I would like to discuss with you privately.

It is a matter of grave importance — would it be possible to borrow the use of your study?"

"A defense secret?"

The Viscount felt taken aback.

However, he reasoned that since Lynn had put it this way, he surely had his reasons, and so he was just about to nod in agreement.

"Heh heh, Lord Lynn, you really are treating us like outsiders."

But it was at this moment that Lilith spoke up once more.

Her voice carried a veiled trace of amusement:

"Since this concerns the Northern Border's defenses and business matters, my father, Baron Rose, has also always been quite concerned with such things.

As his daughter and the Viscount's wife, I ought to listen in as well, to see whether the Rose family might be able to lend a hand to the two of you.

Don't you agree, dearest?"

Lynn could barely hold himself together.

But he still forced down the urge to retort and looked toward the Viscount.

And then, he heard the latter's voice of agreement:

"Indeed, Lord Lynn. My wife has all along been helping manage the internal affairs of both families simultaneously, which is why she travels back and forth between White Pine City and the Rose Territory throughout the year.

You mustn't underestimate this lady here, let us have her listen in as well."

How could I possibly dare underestimate her — Lynn gave up the struggle and put on a submissive smile:

"Well……alright then."

A few minutes later, the three of them sat down in a somewhat quieter resting area.

Since a private exchange was no longer possible, Lynn decided to take a different approach.

After all, the charm of language lay in implication.

"My lord Viscount, I trust you are well aware that things have hardly been peaceful around here lately.

Do you still remember your son's poisoning symptoms? Sunk deep in a freezing chill — the Frost Kingdom's Snake Tribe must surely be connected to this matter.

But that colorless, odorless poison is not, in fact, the hardest thing to guard against.

In truth, it is often the vivid and beautiful poisons that are far more terrifying."

Hearing these words, the Viscount scratched his head:

"What does this have to do with our defenses, Lord Lynn?"

"Of course it does, Lord Lynn is warning you to be careful of that Frost Princess who visited last time. Isn't she precisely such a beautiful thing?"

Hearing this, although he understood that his implication had been completely misread, Lynn still couldn't help but want to nod in agreement.

It really was true — that woman truly was dangerous and terrifying……

Ah, no, wait — something seemed off here.

How did she know about Ai'na's visit?

Wasn't that matter supposed to have its information strictly controlled?

"My lord Viscount, if I recall correctly, my lady was not present last time, was she?

Then how does she know about the Princess's visit?"

Lynn narrowed his eyes slightly and asked this question that struck directly at the heart of the matter.

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