Chapter 327 — Poison in the Lungs
Blade of Dawn · Page 1 of 3
Count Karlov Horsman stood at the center of the banquet hall, gazing with satisfaction at the surprise and admiration on the faces of the guests he had invited.
As always, he remained the center of it all, the focus of every gaze.
With an elegant and proper smile, his eyes swept across every face in the room—Viscount Carroll, Baroness Graham, Count Peppo. These were personages of substance. Beyond them were many other gentlemen and ladies of pure and glorious blood who held a voice in the Southern Region; some had already inherited their titles, while others were important heirs within their families or great figures capable of speaking on their family's behalf. To gather such people together was no easy feat, especially in this cold winter month. The collective visit of these grand personages alone was proof enough that the name Horsman commanded influence in the Southern Region as it always had, and to further consolidate the authority of his name, Count Horsman had of course prepared a "feast" worthy of such a banquet.
That feast was the magic net technology he had obtained after considerable effort, through the combined efforts of a great deal of money and a fair measure of good fortune.
The people applauded. Count Karlov Horsman smiled with reserve, and only after the applause had lasted ten seconds did he gently swirl his wine glass, adopting a modest air: "I must admit, that ancestor who returned from the dead was a respectable figure. He created something incredible—or perhaps he received some 'help' from certain friends among the other races. But regardless, the magic net technology is astonishing, and such a fine thing should obviously be shared with everyone."
A nobleman in a dark blue velvet coat picked up Count Horsman's thread at just the right moment: "But if I recall correctly, Duke Cecil has not forbidden the outflow of the magic net, has he? I hear that through Viscount Leslie's guarantee and introduction, so long as one pays enough, Cecil Territory will send craftsmen to help those in need build magic nets—even to build various devices based on the magic net."
"Of course, pay enough, and Duke Cecil will 'help' us build magic nets," Count Horsman raised his glass in salute to that noble representative, then smiled and shook his head. "But that is a great deal of money! Our founding duke seems determined to haul every gold coin out of our castles by the cartload. And there is a more important point—what is held in another's hands is ultimately unreliable, is it not? Cecil Territory will indeed send people to help build magic nets, but that is less help than a tight grip on the technology. If the magic net breaks, or proves insufficient, we must spend another great sum to invite those craftsmen back... Compared with this near-endless investment, do you not all think it more worthwhile to obtain the technology of building magic nets for ourselves?"
"Indeed," said Count Peppo, his pale golden curls and slightly portly figure advancing with a smile. "My old friend, how on earth did you get that technology into your hands?"
"A bit of luck. I happened to encounter two rune craftsmen who had once been responsible for building magic nets in Tanzan Town, and these two rune craftsmen just happened to be seeking better prospects," Count Karlov Horsman said unhurriedly. "They brought the blueprints of the magic net and part of the construction technology. Of course, for safety's sake, I had the scholars and mage advisors under my command take part in the actual trial production. The final result was satisfactory—I have built a working magic net, one with the same efficiency as the mine magic net of Leslie Territory. Ladies and gentlemen, you may look up at the magic crystal lamps in Xuangque Castle, and if you have the chance, I welcome you to visit the magic tower behind the castle—they are now powered by the magic net!"
"The mages on my lands will certainly be interested in this!"