Monica gave a charming smile. “Anyway, with all you’ve done for us, this little tax is nothing. If it weren’t for the risk of arousing dissent among other nobles, 1 would suggest directly granting you a few cities. That way, it would also save you the effort and money of building a new territory.”
Ji Chen chuckled lightly. “If you do that, His Grace might be heartbroken. His most beloved daughter is giving away cities.”
Monica covered her mouth and giggled, her eyes forming crescent moons. Her ample bosom shook uncontrollably, a sight to behold.
“Oh, by the way, how is your mother doing now? Is she feeling any better?”
As soon as this topic came up, Monica’s face immediately turned sorrowful. “1 don’t know why, but my mother’s condition has worsened. Father said that yesterday morning, she could still speak, but now she can’t even utter a word, and she has fallen into a coma.”
Ji Chen’s expression subtly changed, confirming his earlier suspicions.
There were indeed some dark elements within the Lienhardt court.
He thought for a moment and decided to share this suspicion with Monica. “What? Is what you’re saying true, Lord Ji Chen?” Monica exclaimed. “Is my mother really afflicted by something?”
Ji Chen nodded gravely. “There’s a certain possibility. Yesterday, when I was at the court, I sensed a sinister and malevolent aura there. It may be related to the
Duchess.”
“But why didn’t Father and 1 sense anything?”
Ji Chen shook his head, sounding certain.
“This might be related to my recent journey in the Frozen Wilderness and the increase in my strength. It seems to have heightened my ability to perceive curses and malevolence.”
Worry painted Monica’s face. She anxiously bit her lip, and in reality, she had also felt something unusual in the court last night. It was always chilly, and a cold atmosphere lingered around her. She even had nightmares, something unusual for her.
In this state, it felt like an invisible specter was wandering around the castle. “So, what should we do now?”
Monica didn’t doubt Ji Chen’s words at all. Her expression was a mixture of panic and desperation. She instinctively grabbed Ji Chen’s hand, her eyes showing distress. “Lord Ji Chen, do you have a way to get rid of whatever lurks in the shadows and help my mother recover?”
Sensing Monica’s urgency, Ji Chen gently freed his hand and patted hers to reassure her. “1’11 do my best. But to understand the situation better, I’ll need to see your mother in person.”
Upon hearing this, Monica seemed to regain some composure. She realized that she had impulsively grabbed Ji Chen’s hand earlier, and her snow-white face turned slightly pink. She quickly let go and said, “Very well, let’s go to the court now and inform Father of the situation.”
With Alice, Anina, and other heroes, Ji Chen followed Monica back into the court.
As soon as they entered the castle, he instantly felt the ominous presence that was even stronger than yesterday. It was almost tangible now, and he could sense it more distinctly.
A wispy black mist, like a strand of ink, was emanating from the depths of the castle.
It was the same hall as yesterday, and Julius hurriedly entered through a side door. His complexion was pale, and his eyes were bloodshot, showing signs of prolonged sleep deprivation.
“Father, there’s something 1 need to discuss with you!” Monica walked up to Julius and spoke hurriedly.
“My dear daughter, if it’s not urgent, let’s talk later. I need to be with your mother right now to take care of her.” Julius replied with a hint of anxiety, about to leave.
“This matter is about Mother,” Monica quickly said. “Lord Ji Chen mentioned that Mother might be afflicted by something!”
Julius immediately halted in his tracks, his thick black eyebrows furrowing. “Afflicted by something? Is there any concrete evidence?”
Ji Chen promptly stepped forward, his demeanor composed.
“Your Grace Julius, may I have the opportunity to see Monica’s mother in person? That way, I can make a more accurate assessment.”
Julius gazed intensely at Ji Chen, like a vigilant lion, his eyes revealing no emotional fluctuations.
After a long pause, he said, “Very well.”
Ji Chen nodded and instructed, “Alice, come with me. Anina, you both stay here.”
“Yes!”
Monica breathed a sigh of relief and quickly led the way.
Passing through corridors and arches, Ji Chen and the others arrived at an isolated part of the castle. Upon entering, they found themselves in a lush garden. However, the flowers and plants seemed ailing, with a wilted appearance.
Numerous maidservants hurriedly moved about, their faces filled with solemnity and fear.
In a room within the castle, Ji Chen saw a woman lying on a bed, her eyes closed tightly, her complexion pale.
This woman was none other than Julius’s wife and Monica’s mother, Milorna.
Despite the warm seaside atmosphere, Milorna seemed to be in the midst of winter. She was covered with thick blankets, and her body trembled uncontrollably.
Sensing the evil and malevolent aura concentrated deep within her body, Ji Chen’s eyes glinted, and he quickly confirmed, “She has been poisoned.” “What? Poisoned?” Julius blurted out, his face filled with shock and disbelief. “The court physicians have examined her multiple times and found no traces of poison. This cannot be!”
Monica also asked softly, “Lord Ji Chen, are you sure you’re not mistaken? There are no signs of poisoning in Mother…”
Ji Chen, with a determined expression, shook his head. “She has definitely been poisoned, and it’s not a poison that ordinary races use.”
“This is… neurotoxin from the Sea Heirs.”
“Sea Heirs?” Julius and Monica exchanged puzzled glances, their faces showing a hint of confusion. They had never heard of this race before.
What emanated from Milorna reminded Ji Chen of the neurotoxin used by the Sea Heirs when they attacked the Ocean Crown!
Sea Heirs possessed a natural ability to launch neurotoxin attacks, which not only operated in secrecy but also became more severe over time. Many units of the Ocean Crown had not died from direct attacks but had been tortured to death by the poison.
Their symptoms were almost identical to Milorna’s current condition.
Ji Chen briefly explained the Sea Heirs to them.
“Goodness, there’s such a terrifying race in the ocean? Hive-like thinking, Sea Heir leaders…” Monica’s face displayed incredulity.
Even Julius furrowed his brows deeply. “Lienhardt has stood by the seaside for so long, and has never encountered this race…”
Ji Chen nodded. “Sea Heirs typically remain in the deep sea, several thousand meters below the surface, and rarely venture close to land. It’s normal not to have encountered them.
But what’s strange is how Lady Milorna contracted the Sea Heir Sea Heir?” Julius looked at Milorna lying on the bed, his eyes filled with concern, and shook his head. “I don’t know either. Milorna hasn’t left the court in recent years, and most of the time, she’s been taking care of the flowers and plants in the garden, hardly ever coming into contact with the outside world.”
Ji Chen furrowed his brows. “Is there any certainty that someone intentionally poisoned her?”
Upon hearing this, Julius’s expression turned dark, like a lion about to rage. “We can’t rule out that possibility. Milorna is kind-hearted, generous to others, and has no suspicion towards those around her. Perhaps someone took advantage of this to carry out this malicious act!”
Julius regained his former dignity and issued a stern command to those outside.
“Spread my orders, seal the court, and investigate anyone who has had contact with my wife in the past month. Interrogate them thoroughly! If anyone forcefully breaks the seal, disable their limbs on the spot and bring them back for questioning!”
“Yes!”
The palace guards rushed outside, and heavily armed soldiers stood guard in every corner and at the entrances. The once peaceful court was instantly shrouded in a solemn atmosphere, and even the air felt stifling.
“Lord Ji Chen,” Monica’s voice trembled slightly, her eyes filled with tears as she looked at Milorna. “Do you have a way to neutralize this Sea Heir Poison and save my mother?”
As she spoke, Julius also turned his gaze towards Ji Chen, his hands clenched tightly. In the lion-like eyes, a glimmer of hope seemed to emerge.
Facing their gaze, Ji Chen, expressionless until now, slowly revealed a reassuring smile.
