Vol. 1 - Ch. 53 - The System's Red Warning (Part 2)

Hearing Lynn's question, the Viscount of White Pine himself felt puzzled as well:

"Indeed, dearest, I never once mentioned this matter to you, and you've only just recently returned."

"I overheard it from the servants gossiping. If this matter is something you'd rather others not know, then perhaps you ought to keep a tighter rein on their mouths."

Her expression remained entirely unruffled.

But Lynn noticed it — beneath that calm exterior, a slight contraction of her pupils.

Knowing too much was never a good thing, because feigning ignorance was far more difficult than feigning knowledge.

Whenever too much information had been acquired, this sort of situation was bound to arise.

However, this was not a fatal slip, and so it was quickly glossed over by her.

Well then, he would simply keep applying pressure until she revealed another opening!

Lynn felt a wave of satisfaction, the corners of his mouth curling up slightly.

"Is that so? My lady is quite right, my lord Viscount — that matter truly ought to be kept under strict control.

But, let us return to the main topic — the important matter concerning our defenses."

He looked toward Viscount Milangell, his expression turning serious:

"My lord, do you still remember my private conversation with the Frost Princess before?

In truth, she told me at the time that the group operating in White Pine territory that trades in demi-humans is named the Blood Snake Society.

They are the former royal family of the Frost Kingdom — that is, a conspiratorial organization made up primarily of the Snake Tribe.

I did not disclose this matter at the time because I felt it was too outlandish, and so I needed to investigate it myself first.

And now, I have discovered traces of their smuggling activity in Blackstone Fief, confirming that this organization truly does exist.

They are, in all likelihood, the very suppliers of the snake venom that poisoned your son.

Now, I would like to confirm — how is the Viscount's investigation into the suspects behind your son's poisoning progressing?"

This statement of Lynn's mixed truth with falsehood, but its credibility was, if anything, only heightened by this.

Pulling the other party's trump card directly out into the open like this would surely throw that woman into some degree of panic.

And then, Lynn watched in astonishment as the Viscount of White Pine actually turned his head to look toward Lilith:

"My dear, have you found anything out? Who might it be that poisoned our child? Could it be connected to this Blood Snake Society?"

Lynn closed his eyes.

In this moment, he was reminded of the helplessness he had felt in his past life watching Dora the Explorer ask the audience where the troublemaker had gone.

Having her investigate herself?

Of course there would be no progress — what a joke!

"There are a few servants under suspicion — I have already arranged for people to look closely into their comings and goings.

As for this Blood Snake Society……it truly does sound rather far-fetched, but I trust Lord Lynn, so I will investigate it according to what he has said."

Lilith answered the Viscount's question with an elegant, understated smile.

At the same time, she looked toward Lynn once more.

This time, the mockery in her eyes was no longer concealed in the slightest.

But unfortunately, only Lynn was positioned to see that look on her face.

This wouldn't do. He had been completely looked down upon.

Lynn felt a fire of anger burning within him.

Here was a villain plainly trying to obstruct his money-making, and she dared to provoke him so brazenly.

He had to deploy his earth-shattering brilliance!

Just as Lynn was preparing to summon his strength, Lilith suddenly spoke up of her own accord:

"By the way, Lord Lynn, now that the matter of defenses has been settled, let us take this opportunity to continue discussing your business."

Trying to change the subject?

Lynn's gaze turned sharp as an eagle's.

How could he possibly fall for that?

"Although our child has now awoken, he still frequently feels cold. Fortunately, Blackstone Fief's charcoal is truly excellent.

My husband had already agreed with you previously to purchase a batch of this newly produced Special Grade Charcoal, and I share the same intention, wishing to procure a batch for the Rose Territory as well.

The quantity, tentatively, would be fifty boxes. What does Lord Lynn think?"

"Heh heh, of course, no problem at all."

In the blink of an eye, Lynn put on a fawning smile, his eyes as docile as a teddy bear's.

"Furthermore, I also heard from my husband that Blackstone Fief has been troubled by its rugged roads.

This is also unfavorable to the flow of Blackstone's fine charcoal out to the wider world, so why not take this opportunity to also settle on a plan for beginning road construction."

Hearing Lilith's proposal, the Viscount nodded as well:

"Indeed so. The attendant officer has also strongly recommended road construction. It seems this matter ought to be put on the agenda as soon as possible."

"Oh my, how embarrassing."

Lynn, feigning bashfulness, displayed a blissful, foolish grin.

It seemed as though some important matter had been forgotten.

But that didn't matter. What mattered most was that he had successfully struck a deal for both his business and free road construction.

Meanwhile, within the shadows of the rafters, a figure was nearly losing his mind with anxiety.

It was none other than Griffin, lurking there out of concern for Lynn's safety.

Wait, was this right?

Shouldn't they be warning the Viscount, finding a way to expose Lilith's slip-up, and thereby striking a blow against Baron Rose's operations, in preparation for taking down that bastard?

Why had this turned into a harmonious business negotiation instead?

He felt himself coming apart at the seams, but had absolutely no idea how to alert Lynn.

Just as the situation reached its most critical juncture, he suddenly remembered a clever trick Elysia had once mentioned for summoning Lynn——

"That guy tends to wander around all over the place, so it's hard to find him directly when something important comes up. At times like that, just do this……and he'll show up right away."

And so, he took out two copper coins from his pocket.

He gently clinked them together once.

In an instant, a sharp glint flashed in Lynn's eyes.

His two ears could be seen twitching rapidly, and then locked onto the direction above.

After slightly raising his head, Lynn caught sight of Griffin gesturing wildly in his urgency.

Oh, right. He remembered now what he was supposed to be doing.

That was to use his earth-shattering brilliance to deal a crushing blow to Lilith and anyone else attempting to seize away his precious private property!

And so, he revealed a cunning smile:

"My, what a memory I have. My lord Viscount, I nearly forgot to mention the single most important thing."

As he spoke, Lynn pulled out a metal object from the lining of his clothing.

It was none other than the Phlogiston Canister, still in development.

"What is this?"

The Viscount of White Pine asked with curiosity.

"This is a new type of 'charcoal fire' currently in development, called the Phlogiston Canister. Not only will it become the greatest heat source of the future, it also serves another important function."

Lynn's smile grew increasingly wild:

"And that is, it can neutralize snake venom!"

The Phlogiston Canister was, at its core, a collection of Magic Stones with its magical fluctuations concealed.

As long as it was carried on one's person, the fire magic contained within it could slowly drive out the snake venom.

There was no need for Elysia herself to come over, nor any need for the Viscount's son to travel anywhere.

It could even serve as an early promotional push for the product.

And, as a bonus, it would thoroughly disrupt the Blood Snake Society's plans.

This was his most powerful counterattack against Lilith.

Sure enough, under his teasing gaze, the smile vanished from the other party's face.

In its place, the melancholy in her brow and eyes deepened by several degrees.

Furthermore, a flash of hatred surfaced briefly in her amber-colored eyes.

"This is truly…Lord Lynn…such a great kindness is difficult to repay in words."

The Viscount stepped forward in excitement and clasped Lynn's hand.

"Hahaha, it's nothing, it's nothing at all, just remember to help promote Blackstone charcoal and the Phlogiston Canister a bit more for me."

As Lynn laughed, he sleazily extended his other hand toward Lilith.

"Well then, may our business prosper."

After her expression visibly froze for a moment, she bit her lip and took hold of that outstretched hand.

Before Lynn could even feel pleased with himself, suddenly, an urgent system alarm sound rang out in his mind.

And then, a string of red pop-up notifications abruptly surfaced before Lilith——

【!! RED WARNING !!】

【High-Threat Latent Contamination Detected】

【Enhanced Reconnaissance Mode Activated — All Concealed Abilities Are Now Rendered Void】

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