Casual Heroing, Chapter 254

POISONED WITH WHAT???!!! 🧪🧪🧪

Since I'll be taking a break to visit my family for Easter, the next chapter comes out on April 3rd!

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Chapter 254 – Poison

Cornelia Valeria Novafamilia stood transfixed with her eyes locked on the Human crumpling to the ground as if the world had slowed to a crawl. In that brief, suspended moment, a chill ran down the [Lady of Slaughter]’s spine. This evening had gone terribly wrong. Not only did her granddaughter's hosting role challenge her own status, but her plan to embarrass the Human had failed disastrously. As Cornelia watched the unfolding scene, her body tensed, and her hands turned into fists. She quickly looked at Marcella and Brutus, noticing their concern. Suddenly, she realized the horrifying truth. The cake was poisoned, and it was intended not for the Human but for the [Princess].

Realizing the grave danger they were all in, especially if the Royal Family was behind this, Cornelia felt a rush of fear. Her mind raced, and she searched the room for Aurelianus, who was nowhere to be seen. 

Has he left without me knowing? She thought. 

Feeling overwhelmed by the weight of her past actions and the current crisis, Cornelia felt like a fragile leaf being blown by a hurricane. 

The Human's poisoning was just the beginning of what could be a deadly night. 

...

As Joey lay seizing on the ground, full-blown chaos erupted in the ballroom. Shouts and screams filled the air as guests recoiled in horror at the sight of the Human's convulsing form. Amidst the commotion, Brutus's voice rang out, "seize that woman! She tried to poison the [Princess]!"

But Cornelia knew better. Her keen mind quickly deduced that Irene was likely an unwitting pawn in a larger, more sinister game. As she watched the scene unfold, her gaze fell upon Caelius, the [Captain] of the Royal Guard. To her surprise, the man raised a hand, signaling for his incoming, black-armored subordinates to stand down.

The [Lady of Slaughter]'s interest was immediately piqued. Caelius's behavior suggested he was privy to the information the others lacked, and his loyalty seemed to lie firmly with the [Princess]. This revelation could prove invaluable in the treacherous waters they now navigated.

"Your Highness," Caelius spoke with urgency, his voice cutting through the clamor. "I believe the woman is innocent."

[Princess] Laurealia, still in a daze from the shock of seeing Joey's condition, nodded absently. Her eyes remained fixed on the Human's prone form, her mind struggling to process the unfolding events.

[Prince] Brutus, however, was not so easily swayed. "What are you doing, Caelius?" he shouted, his face contorted with rage. "Take that woman's head!"

Caelius ignored the [Prince]'s demand, instead turning to two of his men. "Protect the woman with your lives," he ordered. Then, to the astonishment of all present, he added, "Take custody of [Prince] Brutus."

Cornelia felt her heart skip a beat as her hypothesis was confirmed. Not only was Caelius aligned with the [Princess], but he had also pieced together the true nature of the plot. Even Laurealia seemed taken aback by the [Captain]'s actions, her confusion evident as she asked, "What are you doing?"

Caelius gritted his teeth, his voice low but fierce. "[Princess], I fear that your Uncle, and possibly other members of your family, might have plotted to kill you. They could be guilty of treason."

As the crowd descended into further chaos, Cornelia saw an opportunity. With a smile that belied her inner calculations, she raised her voice above the din. "Seal the exits! We will find the traitors!"

At that moment, the old, cunning woman had made her decision. She would side with the [Princess], using the turmoil to her advantage in a bid to bring about Marcella's downfall. 

...

[Princess] Laurealia couldn’t process what was happening. Caelius's accusation of treason against her Uncle and possibly others in her family had sent shockwaves through the ballroom, and the guests' initial panic had given way to a frenzy.

For a moment, it seemed as though the crowd would rush the exits, desperate to escape the unfolding madness. But Cornelia's commanding voice cut through the mess, her order to seal the exits bringing a sudden, uneasy stillness to the room.

Laurealia, however, barely registered the shift in the atmosphere. Her thoughts were consumed by the sight of Joey's hurting body, the Human who had become such an unexpected and integral part of her life. She felt numb, disconnected from the chaos swirling around her as if the world had narrowed to this single, terrible moment.

"Let me pass!" a woman's voice rang out, accompanied by the clinking of armor. Laurealia tore her gaze away from Joey to see Penelope pushing through the crowd, followed closely by Petra, Pythia, and Eupraxia. The four women moved with purpose, and their faces were etched with determination as they reached Joey's side.

Penelope knelt beside the fallen Human, her hands hovering over his chest as she whispered a skill, "[Stasis Field]." A shimmering aura enveloped Joey's body, the air around him seemingly rippling and distorting. Then, in a burst of slightly reddish Mana, Penelope placed both hands on Joey's chest, the energy flowing from her in pulsing waves.

Seconds ticked by, each one feeling like an eternity to Laurealia as she watched with her heart in her throat. Finally, Penelope recoiled, her eyes wide with a mix of shock and horror. "This poison..." she breathed, her voice barely audible over the murmurs of the crowd. "This is..."

Aemilianus stepped forward, his face grim as he looked down at Joey. "Dolorum Memoriae," he said, his voice tight with emotion. "It's an ancient poison. There's no cure for it in today’s era." He gritted his teeth, the muscles in his jaw twitching as he continued. "It's slow, but it's relentless. It attacks the very Soul of a person. Joey's... Joey's..."

The [Archmage] stumbled over his words, his usual composure cracking under the weight of the revelation. Laurealia felt a cold dread settle in the pit of her stomach, her mind rebelling against the implications of Aemilianus's words.

Penelope's voice cut through the stunned silence, her words falling like a hammer blow. "He's going to die."