Sword of Dawnbreaker

Chapter 328 - 327: Poison Deep in the Heart

Earl Carloff Hosman stood at the center of the banquet hall, satisfied as he watched the expressions of surprise and admiration on the faces of his invited guests.

As always, he remained the center of attention here, the focus of all eyes.

With an elegantly appropriate smile, his gaze swept over each face in the venue: Viscount Carol, Baroness Gran, Earl Peibo — these were influential figures. Besides them, there were many other gentlemen and ladies with pure bloodlines and honorable standing in the southern borders who had a voice; some had already inherited titles, while others were important heirs or prominent representatives of their families. Gathering such people was no easy task, especially in this cold winter month — their collective presence already proved the enduring appeal of the Hosman name in the southern borders. To further solidify the authority of his name, Earl Hosman had, of course, prepared a "feast" worthy of this banquet.

That was the Magic Web technology he had acquired through a great deal of effort, invested money, and a stroke of good luck.

People clapped, and Earl Carloff Hosman smiled reservedly. After ten seconds of applause, he gently raised his glass with a modest demeanor: "I must admit, that resurrected ancestor is a figure worthy of respect. He created something incredible — perhaps with a little ’help’ from some friends of another race. But no matter what, the Magic Web technology is astounding, and such a marvelous thing should undoubtedly be shared with everyone."

A noble dressed in a deep blue velvet coat timely interjected into Earl Hosman’s words: "But if I recall correctly, Duke Cecil has not prohibited the flow of Magic Web, right? It is said that with the assurance and introduction of Viscount Leslie, as long as one is willing to pay enough, Cecil would send craftsmen to help those in need build a Magic Web, and even construct various devices based on the Magic Web."

"Of course, with a sufficient price, Duke Cecil would ’help’ us build a Magic Web," Earl Hosman raised his glass in a toast to the noble representative, then shook his head with a smile, "but that’s a huge sum! Our founding duke practically wants to cart all our Gold Coins from our castle — not to mention a more crucial point, something grasped by others is ultimately unreliable, isn’t it? Cecil indeed sends people to help build the Magic Web, but it’s more like holding the technology tight in their hands. If the Magic Web breaks or isn’t enough, we still need to spend a large sum again to invite those craftsmen back... Compared to this seemingly endless investment, don’t you all find it more worthwhile to get hold of the technology to construct the Magic Web itself?"

"Indeed," Earl Peibo, who had slightly chubby stature and golden curls, stepped forward with a smile, "my old friend, how on earth did you get that technology?"

"A little bit of luck. I happened to meet two rune craftsmen who used to be responsible for building the Magic Web in Tanzan Town, and these two rune craftsmen happened to be seeking better development prospects," Earl Carloff Hosman said slowly, "they brought the Magic Web blueprints and a part of the construction technology — of course, for safety, I had scholars and Mage Advisors under me involved in the specific testing work. The final result was satisfactory; I created a Magic Web as usable as the one in the Leslie territory’s mines. You can all look up to see the Magic crystal lamps in this castle. If you get the chance, you’re also welcome to visit the sentinel towers behind the castle — they are now powered by the Magic Web!"

"The mage in my domain would certainly be interested in this!"

"I myself am also very interested — I am a mage myself."

"Earl Hosman, how do you plan to ’share’ these achievements with us?"

Various aristocrats gathered around, bringing compliments and genuine interest in exchanging information about the Magic Web with Earl Hosman, for they all knew of the changes in the Leslie territory over the past few months — although they had complaints about Viscount Andrew Leslie, who had completely sided with the Cecil Clan, they had to admit that in the past few months, the ores produced by Tanzan Town’s mines had overwhelmingly occupied many raw metal markets in the southern borders. The massive production and extremely low cost had made life difficult for several southern aristocrats who were in business competition with the Leslie Clan in mining.

Of course, they wanted the same mining equipment and Magic Web system as the Leslie territory, but the cost was indeed intimidating, and they were also cautious of directly engaging too much with the rapidly developing Cecil, especially with fundamental technologies like the "Magic Web."

Now that Earl Hosman had successfully "stolen" the Magic Web, how could they not be tempted?

Although mining equipment still required a substantial fund to purchase from the Leslie territory or Cecil, they had at least solved half the problem, particularly the fundamental issue of energy.

The aristocrats may lead mediocre lives, but they were not without intelligence. They knew the difference between the Magic Web and magic-powered machines — the latter was merely magic supplies, and if broken, was just a loss of money. The former, however, was foundational. If the energy in their lands relied solely on someone else’s team to construct, they would be utterly uneasy. Only by having their craftsmen also master the technique of setting up a Magic Web could they boldly and confidently use it.

But while the various aristocrats clustered around Earl Hosman, a tall and thin silhouette quietly slipped away from the banquet hall.

Wearing a black woolen coat, with a wisp of beard and a crystal monocle, Viscount Carol, holding a wine glass in hand, circumvented the bustling waitstaff, walking alone out of the banquet hall to the corridor outside, sighing lightly.

This castle was indeed brighter than before — this wasn’t his first time visiting Earl Hosman’s castle, and he could see that beneath the corridors, in the courtyards, and even on the outer walls of the main structure of the castle, many magic crystals had been added. Under the ample supply of Magic Power, the bright lights almost made this ancient castle appear crystalline and radiant. It seemed that what Earl Hosman said was true; he indeed had acquired the Magic Web technology — and eagerly applied it in his own castle.

Viscount Carol gazed at the courtyard illuminated by the lanterns, the brilliant starlight above seemed to dull in comparison to the bright surroundings, and as his eyes casually swept over the area, he noticed he was not the only one standing outside the hall.

A lady in a black court dress and wide-brimmed hat stood not far from him. She appeared frail, and though her attire seemed thin, a barely visible magic shield enveloped her, blocking the winter night’s chill.

Lady Ropeney Gran, the wealthiest in the southern region, yet possibly the unluckiest widow.

"Lady Ropeney," Viscount Carol approached her, wine glass in hand, unable to leave a lady standing alone in such a cold winter night, "do you also find the hall stifling?"

"Please address me by my title and last name, Viscount," Ropeney Gran glanced at Viscount Carol, her eyes deeply set and cheekbones high, casting a slightly unhealthy pallor over her beauty which undoubtedly, despite her failing health and spirits, still attracted many young aristocrats, "it is a formal gathering."

"But we are outside the banquet hall," Viscount Carol chuckled, and upon finding his humor unreciprocated, he smoothly shifted the topic, "so, Lady Gran, are you not interested in the magic web?"

"Earl Hosman merely seeks flattery; the real interest lies in the gold and silver after the praise. There’s no need to waste my time and energy beforehand," Ropeney Gran stated almost venomously, her usual style of speech, "and to be frank, I have scant interest in the magic web. If Earl Hosman’s offers are unsuitable, I shall simply leave."

Viscount Carol nodded with a smile, "I understand, Miss Gran awaits your return."

Mentioning her only daughter, Lady Ropeney Gran’s expression softened slightly, and she turned to Viscount Carol casually, "What about you? Are you uninterested in the magic web?"

Viscount Carol pondered for a moment, then exaggeratedly grimaced, "To be honest, I am interested, but dare not be."

Ropeney Gran finally showed a hint of curiosity, "Oh?"

"Things from the Cecil domain are infused with strangeness," Viscount Carol lowered his voice slightly, yet sufficiently audible to pique interest, a technique he mastered to intrigue the opposite sex, "have you noticed that the southern region is now flooded with new creations from Cecil—alchemy potions, the magic net, mining machinery, and their minted currency, virtually overnight, before anyone could react, Gawain Cecil is omnipresent..."

Here, Viscount Carol paused, spreading his hands, "Even I, myself, see Gawain Cecil’s face countless times every day—when counting money."

Lady Ropeney Gran’s lips curled slightly, "I am fortunate, I only fancy the kingdom’s silver and gold shields."

"You see, you also have a sense of humor," Viscount Carol immediately complimented, then, holding his wine glass, looked toward the courtyard, "Many are unaware of this infiltration, yet I sense a crisis... Cecil’s ’new creations’ are too convenient and cost-effective for anyone to resist, but as you should know, the most poisonous things often disguise themselves as sweet temptations... those miraculous inventions from Gawain Cecil in my view are no less than poisons..."

As Viscount Carol spoke, his gaze inadvertently swept over the soldiers in the courtyard, spotting the transparent neck of a crystal bottle peeking from the belt pouch of a Hosman soldier.

The crystal bottle neck bore the Cecil emblem.

"Perhaps we are already poisoned to the core."

Ropeney Gran glanced at Viscount Carol, "Will you reject these poisons then?"

Viscount Carol was silent for a moment, then suddenly smiled, "Sometimes, poisons can also serve as an excellent remedy—as long as everything is within our control, like now, I am about to return to the banquet hall and enter into the ’gold and silver’ phase with Earl Hosman."