Chapter 46: Poisoned

The baron was speaking with the elderly nun, his face stern, issuing commands in a tone that left no room for disobedience. After all, he was merely using her to pacify the refugees, not becoming a follower himself; naturally, everything centered around his own interests.

As payment for her obedience, the North County Monastery was granted the right to establish a branch in Goldenshine Town, which had been their long-held ambition.

“Father, look out!” Suddenly, he heard his son’s voice and turned, puzzled.

Clang! Clang!

At that moment, two crisp sounds rang out behind him. The assassin, shocked, saw two enormous yellow bees appear out of nowhere, recklessly ramming into his dagger. The impact was so forceful it threw his body slightly off balance.

This brief pause gave the baron just enough time to realize what was happening. Without hesitation, he drew the short sword at his waist and spun around with ferocious intent to confront his attacker.

He might appear to be a stubborn old noble most days, but as head of House Maestrin, he had trained in martial arts since childhood, reaching the peak of captain-level strength.

“Who sent you?” With a single strike, Bryano forced his opponent back, his entire being radiating murderous intent.

As a warlord who had once led troops into battle, he was not easily cowed by assassins. A parade of possible enemies flashed through his mind—he wanted to know who was behind this.

But the assassin did not reply. Having failed his ambush, he flipped his wrist; black light glinted as three poisoned grey needles appeared, shooting out with a sharp hiss.

Clang, clang, clang!

Bryano’s short sword danced in a dazzling arc, intercepting the three poisoned needles in the nick of time.

Whoosh!

The assassin prepared to attack again, but suddenly a sharp screech came from behind. Before he could dodge, a stabbing pain shot through his back—a sharp object had pierced his skin deeply.

Instantly, a numbing poison spread rapidly from the wound. A fierce light flashed in his eyes. A faint glow shone from his hand, and his speed surged dramatically.

He evaded Bryano’s sword with ease and slashed his dagger toward the baron’s neck.

But a white blur was faster. With a swift leap, it landed on the baron’s shoulder, its sharp claws tearing through the assassin’s wrist. He lost his grip on the dagger, which fell to the ground with a clang.

“A spirit master!” the assassin cried out in terror. He punched the white creature away and fled without hesitation, moving with incredible speed. In a single leap, he cleared the four-meter-high courtyard wall and vanished into the night.

The entire assassination lasted less than five seconds. Only as the assassin escaped did the surrounding guards react. Marcus roared furiously, seizing a guard’s longsword. “I’ll kill him!”

“No need,” Charles called after him, his face cold as ice. “He can’t escape!”

To dare attempt to assassinate his father at his coming-of-age ceremony—these people must be tired of living!

In truth, the timing of the attack had been expertly chosen. Rather than striking during the heavily guarded morning, the assassin had waited until all the guests had left and the baron and his guards had let their vigilance slip.

At such a moment, everyone’s guard would be down. If Charles hadn’t, in a moment of crisis, ordered his two venom stinger bees to intercept the dagger, the assassin would have succeeded.

Only when the assassin had truly fled did Charles finally exhale, realizing his clothes were drenched in cold sweat.

Just then, Baron Bryano suddenly collapsed, frightening both Charles and Marcus, who rushed to support him.

“He’s been poisoned! Old Bull is gone—there’s no one left who can handle this kind of toxin!” Marcus tore open the baron’s ceremonial robe and saw a small black spot near his collarbone. His face twisted with rage and horror. “Someone! Bring the family physician here at once!”

Fortunately, the baron wore a protective amulet beneath his clothes, so the poisoned needle had not penetrated his skin—only its tip grazed him. His robust constitution allowed him to withstand the toxin for now.

But the black spot was visibly spreading, making Charles’s heart sink and rage cloud his mind.

He’d been on guard for days, yet he hadn’t been the target—instead, his father had fallen victim to this treacherous attack, filling his eyes with murderous resolve.

Very well. When I find you, you’ll beg for death and find no release. You’ll learn firsthand the torment of a venom stinger bee’s parasitic power!

...

In the depths of the forest, a lone figure hurried along.

His white monk’s robe, used for disguise, had long since been discarded, leaving only a tight-fitting black outfit.

“Damn it, the information was wrong—why was there a spirit master here?” Panic filled his eyes, and the pain in his back reminded him of the deadly poison seeping through his body. His movements grew ever more sluggish.

His eyelids drooped, nearly closing with exhaustion. He stumbled through the undergrowth, his body scratched and bloodied by thorns and branches.

Still, he dared not stop. To stay was to die—the enemy would certainly send pursuers.

I can’t die here. I must deliver the message!

Boom!

Suddenly, a massive tail swung out ahead, smashing through two trees as thick as bowls, shattering them effortlessly.

The assassin was struck by the tail and sent flying more than ten meters, crashing into a clump of bushes.

In his final moment of consciousness, all he saw was a gaping maw descending upon him, filling his entire vision.

...

“How is he?” In the chamber, Charles anxiously questioned the physician who had just finished his examination.

Marcus stood by as well, his face grim and forbidding, so much so that the physician shrunk back in fear.

The middle-aged physician’s face was bloodless as he bowed his head and stammered, “Young master, I’ve never seen a poison like this before...”

“Useless! What good are you then?” Marcus snarled, grabbing the man by the throat and lifting him off the ground.

“That’s enough, Uncle Marcus. Let him go for now. The assassin was a professional—an ordinary physician can’t be expected to recognize such a poison,” Charles said, taking several deep breaths to calm his nerves and anxiety.

“Hmph!” Marcus released the physician, who stumbled to the floor in a panic, too terrified to flee.

Before him stood two formidable figures, especially Marcus, who was infamous for his ruthlessness. With the lord nearly slain in plain view, it wouldn’t be surprising if Marcus vented his rage by killing him.

Once, the post of family physician had been coveted by many. Now, he bitterly regretted ever taking it—no amount of money was worth dying for.

Sensing the familiar mental connection drawing nearer, Charles abruptly spoke. “Uncle Marcus, my little pet has caught the man. Leave the guards here; let’s go see for ourselves.”

Marcus was momentarily stunned, then quickly nodded and left the room with Charles.

The physician, of course, was forcibly kept behind to monitor the baron’s condition and administer treatment at the first sign of trouble.

Beyond the courtyard wall, in the forest, a gigantic creature crouched silently, the assassin dangling from its jaws.

Marcus felt a jolt of fear at the beast’s terrifying presence, and his respect for Charles’s current power deepened.

Yet, no antidote was found on the assassin’s person—he hadn’t brought any at all.