Chapter 33: The Cup of Strange Fragrance (Part 2)
"Well then." Beichen stretched his limbs, "It's time to discuss business."
"Before we get down to business, Master...are you alright?"
Xiang Ying walked up to Beichen with a little worry, looked her up and down, and breathed a sigh of relief after confirming that her complexion was fine. On the contrary, Gemini stood far away without saying a word, as if they were in a bad mood, and did not even look at Beichen.
Beichen was a little puzzled: "Hei Huo, Su Jie, what's going on? What happened?"
Neither of them answered, one looked at the ceiling and the other looked at the tip of his shoes in anger.
"Is there anything Beichen you can't figure out?"
Xiao Ping looked at her with a half-smile and a hint of sarcasm in his tone.
"You'd rather risk injury with potions to suppress your body's reaction than use your own weapons to alleviate it... It seems you really don't like them?"
"How could this be?!"
Beichen was startled. He looked at Xiangying and then at Shuangzi. Shuangzi did not answer, and Xiangying also avoided Beichen's gaze.
"You think so?"
"Master, don't worry about it," Xiang Ying shook his head gently. "You're from Feinheim. Perhaps this matter is very meaningful to you. I respect your decision. The twin brothers can understand it too, but... uh, it's not just them. I also... Even though I understand, I still feel a little resentful."
“…”
Beichen stared at his three weapons in a daze, speechless.
In fact, she couldn't quite understand.
Even though she admitted that she liked Xiang Ying and Shuangzi a little in her heart, she still didn't dare to think about this question carefully - who should she choose, and how should she face the other two after choosing?
How could she have such an intimate relationship with any of them before making a choice?
However, the expressions of the three warriors told her that they had not thought of this at all.
Her feelings for them must have been conveyed to them to some extent.
But even if they knew, they had never clashed with each other over it. Even now, the reason they felt unhappy was because she hadn't chosen anyone as the target of the aphrodisiac, and it seemed that in their eyes, this was a sign that they were untrustworthy.
She finally understood that even though the bond was deep, the difference in their concepts was still like a huge chasm between them. The other party didn't notice the chasm at all, but she saw the chasm but couldn't compromise and cross it.
After all, they weren't from the same world. What was easy for a war machine wasn't easy for her.
"I apologize if my behavior has offended your dignity."
Beichen lowered his head seriously towards his own weapon, but when he looked up, his eyes were full of determination.
"But I also have my bottom line. I won't casually have that kind of relationship with the opposite sex, especially under the influence of external forces like aphrodisiacs. Absolutely not. Even if it means self-harm, I won't allow myself to do so."
Heihuo and Sujie finally turned around and looked at her. After a while, Heihuo sighed as if defeated, walked up to her and hit her hard on the head.
"Really? Why are you so stubborn? The more I look at him, the more he looks like Gu Yinyue. In every way."
Su Jie also hummed and joined in, "You're always stubborn in strange ways. ... Forget it. Who told us to rely on you?"
Beichen smiled awkwardly and turned to look at Xiangying. Seeing that Xiangying was also smiling at her, she felt relieved.
──Looks like there's still some work to be done.
"Next, Yagad, it's time to talk about your side of the story."
"yes."
Yagad bowed his head and then spoke.
"First, the person who poisoned Miss Beichen with the 'Tears of Ghana' has been identified. It was that poisonous dagger."
“──!?”
Beichen immediately remembered the scene where the poisonous dagger grabbed her hand and wrote "I forgive you" on her hand.
"Ha..." He laughed bitterly. "Even though it said he forgave me, he actually poisoned me... huh? He must have found my apology so ironic and ridiculous that it made him furious."
Yagad said nothing.
"What did you do with him, Agaard?"
"No action has been taken. I'm having his vocal system repaired. I'm planning to have him come to you in person to explain what he did. Is that okay with you?"
"Yeah. That's perfect. I want to hear all the reasons why he did this. I also have something to say to him."
"Yes. The formula for the antidote has been found, but it's very difficult to make and will take some time. I've brought you a potion to suppress the toxin. In about ten days, you'll have the antidote to completely remove the poison from your 'Tears of Jhana'."
Beichen nodded, and a heavy stone in his heart slowly fell.
"So, regarding the research on that strange giant beast... have there been any results?"
"...Well, something's not going well."
Even Yagard said it was not good, so the conclusion must be very bad──Beichen quickly pricked up his ears to listen.
"The results of the research indicate that the behemoth's body structure... internally, it shares many similarities with the human form of the weapon. However, the hard shell covering its body is somewhat similar to the material of the weapon's weapon form—a metal-like substance imbued with astral energy."
Beichen's breath caught in her throat. ──Her guess not long ago was actually correct?!
"Agad, what do you mean...?"
"Yes, if we really have to define a species for this behemoth, it would be a war weapon."
"...Oh no. ...If this continues, the status of the weapon will be even worse... The Latia Kingdom's army will come to the same conclusion after collecting the behemoth's corpse, right?!"
Yagad nodded solemnly.
"However, please don't worry too much, Miss Beichen. The government will certainly be concerned that the low status of the weapon will affect the success rate of combating the star disaster. They will not disclose this information to the public."
Now only the Kingdom of Prayer will do this.
Beichen patted his forehead somewhat heavily.
"I can't control this for now. I'm increasingly feeling that I should get my own territory as soon as possible. Xiao Peng, I'd like to hear my analysis of the aphrodisiac I was given."
Xiao Ping narrowed her beautiful eyes upon hearing this, and curled her lips: "Well, go ahead."
"I recall that at the banquet, I drank from the many glasses filled with wine on the tray. The dishes were also chosen at the buffet. Logically, there was no chance of drugging, but I did get drugged. And Yagad also said that the drug I took wasn't very harmful, and the effects would naturally wear off after one sexual intercourse.
So I'm wondering if Su Mo drugged everyone indiscriminately. That way, no matter how careful I am, I'll still be infected, right? And since the drug isn't very effective, even if I'm questioned, Su Mo can just say he was just doing it to liven things up.
"Little Loach, what you mean is... Su Mo drugged everyone, but the target was you?"
Su Jie tilted his head and tapped the floor with his toes, his eyes cold.
"Yes. Those drugs would only cause chaos for most of the other Spiritual Martial Division members for one night, but they meant something different to me. I'm a Tu Ling woman. If I take off my helmet after this night, he'll be able to see my face. If I don't take off my helmet, it proves I'm not Tu Ling—or, I have the ability to undo the drugs he's given me. In either case, he'll be able to gain a lot of intelligence."
The smile on Xiaoping's lips grew wider and wider.
"He's a quick learner. Your analysis is correct; he's suspicious of your identity. He probably knows you're not Glenshe's sister, but he can't guarantee you're not from Tuling, so he's eager to find out. But like you, you don't want to offend him for the time being, and he doesn't want to provoke you too much, so he's using this method."
If you were truly a member of the Tuling tribe, you would definitely go to him and confront him. He would then be able to legitimately recruit you into his fold, using all sorts of gentle tactics to appease your anger, exploit your weaknesses, and, by the way, recruit you as a talent."
"That's a wishful thinking."
Beichen's face turned cold and he snorted.
"So, master, what are you going to do?" Xiang Ying looked a little worried.
"Not taking off the helmet and not expressing any attitude, let him think about it, humph!"
Beichen folded his arms across his chest and stamped his feet in frustration. Although it looked a bit childish, Xiaoying was very satisfied with this decision.
"So, little loach, are you planning to continue attending the banquet?"
As Black Fate spoke, he pointed to the pile of invitations lying on the table.
"Go, of course. This is a perfect opportunity for an internship. I want to see how the kings of those countries recruit talents. --Well, although I think Su Mo's method is very tasteless, I will still remember it. Maybe it will be useful in a critical moment."
Beichen clenched his fists to encourage himself.
"Well, let's prepare for the next banquet. I don't believe anyone will give me aphrodisiacs again."
As a result, at the Valentine Empire's banquet, Atlas, who was acting as Beichen's male companion, lowered his head and whispered in her ear when she drank a glass of juice:
"Beichen, you're in heat again."
“…”
So Beichen drank another half cup of "lust suppressant" with a twitch of his lips.
The next day, at Ishdar's banquet.
Atlas: "Beichen, you're in heat again."
Beichen: “…%&…￥%#￥%#&*…&…%”
On the third day, at Panatu's banquet.
Atlas: "Beichen, you again and again..."
Beichen: "...I know I have already taken the suppressant."
On the fourth day, at the Heyang State Banquet.
Ruyi pretended to be a close friend and approached Beichen to toast, but was inexplicably stabbed by Beichen:
"If you dare put aphrodisiacs in my drink I'll kick you like an Armstrong!"
“…Huh?!”
Then, without waiting for Rui to come back to his senses, he angrily hid in the corner and stared blankly.
Rui was holding his wine glass and twitching his lips. Redis came over and chuckled softly, adding insult to injury.
"You're such a clever brother, my royal brother! An unmarried girl from the Tuling clan—that's a great status! It seems everyone wants to use her chastity to buy off her talent. How can I best retaliate against you for torturing my ex-girlfriend like this?"
"...I was wrong, my brother."
On the fifth day, Lingwu Division Union held a banquet for the "Cat Demon".
Atlas: "Beichen, you're in heat again..."
Beichen: "I...I...I can't help it...!! I'm asexual! Aa ...
In an instant, the whole hall fell silent.
All the guests: "..."
This time Beichen's face was no longer purple, but blue.
The next day, rumors spread like "a rising star in Tuling drunkenly declared herself asexual, using it as an excuse to be considered homosexual." Some self-proclaimed playboys, claiming to feel a sense of accomplishment only by conquering such a woman, threatened to pursue Yashu Tuling. Some even boasted about their romantic, life-long relationship with Yashu, earning a rebuke: "You and her are so close, why is she still wearing a mask?!"
Yagard spoke these rumors expressionlessly. Beichen rolled over on the bed with a sad face. The warriors around him had subtle expressions and their facial nerves twitched constantly.
Of course, even if you know you've been drugged, sometimes you still have to drink what you should drink. Doing so not only gives the other person enough face, but also shows that Beichen doesn't take their thoughts seriously - it can be regarded as an invisible demonstration.
Thus it was on the sixth day that the banquet of the Sylvia Dominion began.
Queen Carina left a deep and good impression on Beichen, so she was very happy to attend this banquet. She changed into formal attire and came to the Sazam Embassy. In a not-so-large banquet hall, Carina was carrying the tall Star Vein weapon and chatting with the guests with a faint smile.
Seeing Beichen coming, Karina immediately came forward with a look of joy.
"Ms. Yaxiu, I didn't expect you to come. You're very welcome. It's really a great honor to have you at Sylvia's dinner party."
"Uh, it's not that exaggerated... I just got some results in the preliminary round."
Beichen took the wine glass brought by the servant with some embarrassment, nodded to Karina in a friendly manner, and took a small sip.
"Anyone with a discerning eye can see that you're the dark horse that can make it to the finals. There's no need to be so modest. Do you know who has the most bets in the underground casinos right now?"
Seeing that Beichen's attitude seemed sincere and casual, a hint of gratitude flashed in Jialina's eyes, and her attitude relaxed a little. She removed some of the social tone and started chatting.
"'Funeral Mad Dog' Glenshe Tuling, 'Silver Moon of Hooked Life' Gu Yinyue, 'Speedy White Shadow' Yaxiu Tuling, 'Frost Witch' Lingdi', 'Ice Leaf Twin Fangs' Redis and 'Smiling Shura' Rui brothers, 'Ghost King' Su Mo, 'Heavenly Rose' Amy, 'Infernal Fire Thorn' Seton, 'Wind-Splitting Black Falcon' Fifth Ling—that's the top ten."
Beichen listened with great interest, but she was not happy about being on the dark horse list. She knew that someone must have deliberately kept a low profile in the preliminary round in order to strike back in the subsequent competition - for example, Karina in front of her, her every move was flawless, her movements were graceful and light. If she launched a surprise attack here, she probably wouldn't be able to gain any advantage, as her strength should be comparable to hers.
"So, to be honest, among these top ten, you're the only one who gave me face by attending the banquet of our small autonomous region. Even if you have no intention of forming an alliance with us, I am very grateful to you."
Karina spoke sincerely, but Beichen was a little confused.
Is the Sylvia Autonomous Region really so worthless? Looking at the number of people attending the banquet, it seems to be less than the number Su Mo entertained.
As if she understood Beichen's confusion, Jialina smiled bitterly.
"Miss Yaxiu doesn't seem to know the situation in the Eastern Continent, right? Sylvia is an autonomous region under the Eastern Continent's most powerful empire, Sazam. Although I'm currently in charge, I have a spokesperson at a higher level—King Sazam. From your perspective, we're not a good place to stay because there are too many variables."
"Um... Princess Carina, it's better not to talk about these... isn't it?"
"Even if I don't tell you, you'll notice it sooner or later. It's better to tell you sooner rather than later to make a good impression."
Karina was straightforward and revealed her past with a laugh, which immediately made Beichen like her even better.
"Well, I understand. Even though I may not be able to form an alliance with Sylvia, I am still sure that I like Sylvia's leadership very much."
Karina was stunned for a moment, then suddenly seemed to understand and smiled.
"Yeah, me too! I had a feeling we'd get along pretty well the first time we met. How about we at least be friends on a personal level? Ah... let me be clear, I won't give you too many benefits just because of our personal relationship. Sylvia is very poor!"
"I know!" Beichen stretched out a hand, not knowing whether to laugh or cry. "I'm honored, Your Highness Carina."
The two hands were held together. This was a historic moment that marked the beginning of the friendship between the two most famous queens of Senagard in the future. Of course, no one knows about it now.
The Star Vein behind Karina - Luo Hou, looked at the smile on his contractor's face, and his eyes couldn't help but soften a little - then suddenly his pupils shrank sharply, and his body immediately emanated a fierce murderous aura.
At the same time, Atlas behind Beichen, and Xiang Ying and the twins who were following her with weapons on her waist and arms, also fell into a state of alert.
Karina and Beichen noticed something was wrong, but before they could react, the hall suddenly became chaotic.
"What's going on, Rahu?"
Luo Hou didn't say anything, but just waved his hand, and a photon sword as tall as a person appeared in his hand, protecting Karina in his arms.
"Master, there's poisonous gas. Someone has poisoned this banquet hall!"
Beichen was startled and hurriedly covered his nose, but Gemini spoke in a more anxious voice.
"It's useless. This is a poison that targets weapons. Someone wants to make all the weapons here lose their combat effectiveness... Ugh!"
Before Heihuo could finish his words, he fell from Beichen's arms and turned into a human form. Immediately afterwards, Sujie and Xiangying also returned to their human form with anxious expressions.
"Being forced into human form, unable to transform into a weapon, poisoned?!"
"Not only that—"
Su Jie was sweating coldly as he looked at Luo Hou who was holding a knife opposite him. He was protecting Karina with an expressionless face, but the photons of the long knife in his hand became fainter and fainter, and finally the whole knife disappeared.
“Atlas—!”
Beichen let out a low cry, then took a step forward with Atlas, standing in front of Xiang Ying and the twins to protect them - now that they had lost their combat effectiveness, it would be up to her and Atlas to protect the other party!
The hall was in chaos, and Karina swept down several cups, attracting everyone's attention with the noise.
"Everyone, please don't panic. Please stay away from doors and windows. I'm sorry that I seem to have gotten you into trouble. I've used the Resonance Spirit Crystal to summon Sazam's guards. Just hold on for three lire—"
"Hahahaha! Three riels! Your Sylvia's guards couldn't even hold out for one riel before they were all taken down!!"
Someone's voice interrupted Karina's words and echoed in the hall.
Beichen's eyes suddenly widened when he heard the voice, and then slowly narrowed, his eyes filled with cold yet passionate anger.
Although she hadn't heard this voice many times, she would never forget it.
—It was the voice of Holt, Mayor of Velvis and leader of the Jafa Cult.
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