Chapter 327 — Poison in the Lungs

"Please address me by my title and surname, Viscount," Ropenny Graham glanced at Viscount Carroll. Her eye sockets were deep and her cheekbones high, and she still carried a trace of illness about her. Though one could still see she was a beauty, there was no doubt her looks were declining under poor health and poor spirits—yet to many young noblemen she remained thoroughly alluring. "This is a very formal banquet."

"But we are outside the banquet hall," Viscount Carroll said with a smile. Upon finding that his bit of humor had earned no response, he shifted the subject without missing a beat. "Then, Baroness Graham, are you not interested in the magic net?"

"Count Horsman merely needs someone to flatter him. The part with real gold and silver comes after the flattery is done, and there is no need for me to waste time and energy before that," Ropenny Graham said in a manner verging on acerbic. Such was always her way of speaking. "And to be honest, I am not terribly interested in the magic net. If Count Horsman's price is unsuitable, I will simply leave."

Viscount Carroll nodded with a smile. "I understand. Miss Graham is waiting for you to go home."

At the mention of her only daughter, Ropenny Graham's expression softened slightly. She turned her head to glance at Viscount Carroll and asked casually, "And you? Are you not interested in the magic net?"

Viscount Carroll thought for a moment, then put on a somewhat exaggerated expression of distress. "To be honest, I am interested—but I dare not be."

Ropenny Graham finally showed a hint of curiosity. "Oh?"

"Things from Cecil Territory are strange through and through," Viscount Carroll said, lowering his voice slightly—yet keeping the volume just enough to be clearly heard. This exquisite manner of speaking of his never failed when it came to arousing the curiosity of the opposite sex. "I wonder if you have noticed—the Southern Region is now full of new trinkets from Cecil Territory. Assorted alchemical potions, the magic net, mining machinery, and the high-quality currency they mint. Almost overnight, before anyone could react, Gao Yang Cecil was already everywhere..."

At this, Viscount Carroll paused and spread his hands. "Even I myself see Gao Yang Cecil's face at least countless times a day—whenever I count my money."

The corner of Ropenny Graham's mouth curved up slightly. "I am fine, thank you. I only care for the kingdom's silver shields and gold shields."

"You see, you are a humorous person too," Viscount Carroll complimented at once, then, holding his wine glass, looked toward the courtyard. "Many people have not realized this infiltration, but I feel a sense of crisis... The 'new trinkets' of Cecil Territory are simply too convenient, too good a bargain. No one can resist them. But you must know that the more poisonous a thing is, the more it disguises itself as sweet and enticing... Those wondrous creations from Gao Yang Cecil are, in my view, no less than a dose of poison..."

As Viscount Carroll spoke, his gaze happened to sweep over the soldiers in the courtyard. Amid the keen eyes of the low-ranking knights, he saw the neck of a translucent crystal bottle protruding from the belt pouch of a Horsman soldier.

The crystal neck still bore the Cecil emblem.

"I fear the poison has already reached our lungs."

Ropenny Graham glanced at Viscount Carroll. "Then will you refuse these poisons?"

Viscount Carroll was silent for a moment, then suddenly smiled. "Sometimes poison is also a fine remedy—so long as everything remains in our grasp. Just like now: I am about to return to the banquet hall and enter the 'real gold and silver' stage with Count Horsman."

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