Chapter 165 White Sword Gathering ⑤

Part 2

　This is troubling.
I don’t know what was mixed in, but it must have been something bad.

　Resistance to poisons is an essential skill for Hunters who traverse devils’ lair-like lands.
Phantoms and Monsters also use poison, and sometimes it is also mixed in the air.
　This ability is especially essential in high-level Shrine, so there are times where Hunters drink poison on their own.
Mana Material is a good way to create resistance to poisons. 

　I have no resistance to poisons at all, but instead, I have Relics.
The ring I have on my right index finger ――『Silver Breath (Silver Crown of Righteousness)』 is a Relic that detects drugs that affect the wearer.
『Barrier Ring』 doesn’t nullify poison mixed in foods and drinks, so you can say that this is also one of my lifelines.
　The shiny silver ring on my right index finger turns black and emits heat when the wearer gets close to poisons.
Seriously, I really can’t stand this, just when I thought that it was just a party, they do something like this.
You can’t let your guard down, after all.

“That is ridiculous…… Wouldn’t it be better to report this?” (Eva)

“No, no, think this through, Eva.
You can’t so easily get poison in the foods and drinks at a party attended by the Emperor.
Moreover, their vigilance for the 『White Sword Gathering』 must be much higher than that of a regular party.” (Cry)

“That’s…… Well, you are right.” (Eva)

　Eva was confused.
Maybe she has never been poisoned with her food or drink before.
　I did mix some in Sytry’s cooking before, you know.

“High-Level Hunters have resistance against it.
It would be quite a foolish act if there was someone who would set up an attack like this in such a place and the organizers would have to be really incompetent to not notice something even though they were on alert of everything.
There is no way something like this can happen at such a venerable meeting.
Well, I am kind of a pro at stuff like this, so leave it to me.
………… Aaaah, this is not good either.
I have always had bad luck since way back.” (Cry)

’

　As I approached a table, an arm reached out again.
So I gave her the wine glass.
Liz is resistant to most poisons, so she will be alright.

　I am sure this is also a tradition.
“Oooh, to be fine even though there was poison mixed in it, as expected of a Hunter” kind of stuff.  In any case, the other party must have thought that they were dealing with high-level Treasure Hunters, so it wouldn’t be strange if anything happens.

　I looked around, but the other people didn’t seem to be cautious about eating or drinking.
I wondered if they were being cautious about it without me noticing them or everyone but us are resistant to the poison or maybe the organizers took care to ensure that the poison is only taken by Hunters.

　Anyway, it would only be conspicuous and tactless to make a scene here.
I lightly touched the glass Eva was holding, but it didn’t seem to have any poison in it.
　However, at the rate where poisons are mixed in the alcohol, Liz would have enough to drink for the day.

　Fortunately, it didn’t seem to be mixed with the food.
From time to time, I would pour the poisoned drink to Liz, while I enjoy a dish with a name I don’t know.
　The chocolate desserts were especially delicious.
I would love to take some of them as souvenirs.

　After I finished my tasting tour, I did the usual thing and hand over the poisoned drink to Liz under the table in a good mood when a security knight suddenly approached me with a somber expression.

“What…… Have you been doing…… Since a while ago.” (Knight)

　Not good.
That’s not good.
I wasn’t being blamed until now, so I was starting to feel less nervous but it looks like I had been seen.

’

“………… I have always wondered, but can’t knights use honorifics? I am a guest, after all.” (Cry)

　I was so flustered that I said something that’s not good.
The knight’s expression, which had been grim since earlier, transformed into a demon-like expression.

“Tsk…… Shut up! Oï, there is something under the table!” (Knight)

　Eva turned pale.
　Before I could run away, the tablecloth was rolled up, revealing Liz in the dress she had proudly shown me the other day, in the midst of countless stares.
　A slightly pale Liz glared sullenly at the knight in front of her and threw an empty wine glass at him.

　Shouts and screams came from everywhere.
I feel like my heart has been gripped tightly.
I feel like I am going to throw up all kinds of things.

’

　It will be fine.
Worst case scenario, we can just run away from Zebrudia.
If we survive, we can start over.

　The knights, and the Hunters who were invited, gather around.
Liz stood up, wobbling as she was confronted with swords.
　Can I get down on my knees and ask for their forgiveness? Is it impossible?

　Gark-san, wearing a suit that doesn’t fit him, turned his gaze at me and glared at me with a terrible look on his face.
My heart was *bakubaku* thumping hard.
　Maybe they will capture us? Are we going to be hanged?

“Liz!? Oï, Cry.
What…… Does this all mean?” (Gark)

“…………” (Cry)

’

　I fell to my knees in silence and, sincerely and wholeheartedly, did a dogeza1 on the spot.

TL notes:

Thanks for reading!
You discover poison but just brush it off, as expected of Cry!
But his explanation does hold up sometimes.
But as it is Cry we are talking about of course what he was expecting isn’t true!
How will Cry escape this predicament?!
Tchao à plus!

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Footnotes

Dogeza: Getting down on your knee to beg or ask for forgiveness.