Chapter 126: Trying to trick me into signing a contract? Come closer, I’ll stamp your name on it!

The Eternal Feast Hall.

The carpet beneath her feet was white and thick.

Lilia stepped onto it.

Half her foot sank in, making walking awkward.

A sickly sweet fragrance assaulted her nose.

Mixed with the greasy smell of roast meat and magical spices, it made her want to sneeze.

She lifted her head and scanned the room.

Everything was gold—golden pillars, golden tableware.

The pillars were inlaid with large Magestones, dazzling to the eyes.

‘So tacky.’

Lilia curled her lip internally.

As she stepped into the hall, the noisy chatter and laughter ceased.

Hundreds of gazes instantly locked onto her.

All focused on this silver-haired little girl in a gothic dress, followed by an expressionless maid.

Lilia reveled in this attention.

She puffed out her small chest and raised her chin.

She strode forward, her small legs clad in white stockings.

Behind her, Lilith followed soundlessly.

Those silver eyes were colder than any Magestone in the hall.

A middle-aged Demon Race man, so fat he seemed to oil, dressed in purple and gold formal wear.

Immediately rolled over with a beaming smile.

This was Duke Varien.

“Welcome, Lady Lilia! Your presence truly brings light to my humble hall!”

Varien bowed at a ninety-degree angle.

The fat on his face squeezed together, shiny with grease.

The surrounding nobles immediately closed in.

Each wearing a mask of hypocritical flattery.

Lilia felt nauseated inside, but her face feigned impatience.

She ignored Varien, instead standing on her tiptoes.

Trying to peer toward the distant long table piled high with food.

“Duke, save the useless talk, meow.”

Her voice was soft and milky.

“I’m hungry, when do we eat? Meow?”

Hearing this, several noblewomen behind Varien exchanged glances.

Unable to suppress the corners of their mouths from curling with contempt.

As expected, just a little thing with no experience of the world, only knowing how to eat and drink.

The calculation in Varien’s eyes deepened, but his smile grew even more genial.

“Of course! Of course! Please, this way, my lady!”

He led Lilia.

To the specially made small chair at the head of the table.

Lilia clambered up into it, sitting down firmly.

Her two short legs dangled in the air.

Varien picked up a crystal bottle.

And poured Lilia a cup of liquid shimmering with a pale golden light.

“Lady Lilia, this is ‘Dream Nectar’. Only one barrel is produced every hundred years, most soothing for the spirit.”

He pushed the crystal goblet toward Lilia, his voice gentle.

“Would you care to try it?”

A strange fragrance drifted into Lilia’s nose.

Her little nose twitched, and she was about to reach for it.

When a piece of icy information exploded directly in her mind.

Poisoned.

Lilia’s heart clenched violently.

But her face instantly erupted with delight.

“Wow! This smells so good! Looks so delicious! Meow!”

Like a child who’d just gotten candy.

She exclaimed loudly, cupping the crystal goblet with both hands and bringing it to her lips.

Putting on a greedy act as if she would gulp it all down.

The nobles around her, seeing this foolish display.

The smiles on their faces grew even wider.

Varien smiled so hard his eyes became slits.

His Adam’s apple bobbed.

Success!

However, just as the rim of the cup touched Lilia’s lips.

Lilia willed it.

The Space Power she had practiced bitterly for three days.

Activated soundlessly.

The full cup of pale golden liquid vanished into thin air.

So fast no one noticed.

The next instant, in a decorative potted plant near a noblewoman’s feet.

That entire cup of “Dream Nectar” silently appeared, completely seeping into the soil.

That plant was a species called “Corrosive Poison Bloom,” which fed on absorbing potent toxins.

“Burp~”

Lilia exaggeratedly let out a loud belch.

Wiping her mouth with the back of her hand.

“Delicious! So delicious! Meow!”

She praised loudly, her little face flushed with “excitement.”

“I’m glad you enjoy it, my lady!”

Overjoyed, Varien hurriedly picked up the bottle again.

But Lilia’s peripheral vision was locked onto that Corrosive Poison Bloom.

The plant, which just moments ago had purple flowers blooming.

Its petals were visibly curling, turning black, then the leaves.

Then the stem and roots…

In just three seconds.

The entire plant, along with the soil.

Transformed into a puddle of foul-smelling, black-smoking pus.

Even corroding a hole through the metal flowerpot.

The sizzling sound of corrosion was barely audible beneath the music.

Lilia’s heart sank, but the smile on her face grew even brighter.

Damn.

These bastards really want me dead.

“Duke, this wine is too good, another cup! Meow!”

She shook her empty cup and shouted.

“Yes, yes, yes! As much as you want!”

Varien hadn’t expected her to be so gullible, immediately pouring another full cup.

With the Duke taking the lead, other nobles swarmed forward.

Holding various fine wines, taking turns toasting Lilia.

“Lady Lilia, I toast you! This is ‘Lava Vintage’!”

“My lady, try my ‘Shadow Mead’!”

Lilia refused none.

Her small face wore an innocent smile, “drinking” cup after cup.

Each time, she used the same method.

Transferring the liquid to various spots in the hall just before it touched her lips.

Soon, strange phenomena began appearing throughout the hall.

But everyone’s attention was on the seemingly drunk little girl.

No one noticed at all.

After several rounds of drinks.

Lilia finally “succumbed to the alcohol.”

Her little face was flushed, her heterochromatic eyes becoming unfocused.

Her body swayed unsteadily in the chair.

Finally, with a thump.

She slumped face-down onto the table before her.

Still mumbling incoherently.

“Fish jerky… mine… special fish jerky… Lilith sister… grilled… meow…”

As she mumbled.

She rubbed her cheek against the cool tabletop.

A contented purr rumbled in her throat.

The entire hall of nobles held their breath.

Varien gave his accomplices around him.

A look that said everything was under control.

Success!

This little pet has finally been knocked out!

He cleared his throat, waving for the musicians and attendants to withdraw.

Then slowly walked to Lilia’s side.

The hall instantly fell silent, save for the suppressed breathing of the nobles.

Varien bent down, his obese face coming close to Lilia’s ear.

The smell of cheap perfume mixed with halitosis emanating from him.

Made Lilia almost vomit on the spot.

“Lady Lilia, you are drunk.”

His voice was low, carrying a coaxing tone.

Lilia showed no reaction.

Smacking her lips, she continued muttering about her fish jerky.

Varien grew bolder.

He pulled out a prepared magic scroll from his robe.

Unfurling it before Lilia.

It was an agreement written in Demon Race script.

Clearly stating that ninety percent of the future profits from the Magic Plant Garden.

Would be handed over to the “Demon Capital Joint Commerce Guild,” led by Duke Varien, for “management and operation.”

“My lady, you see… regarding the Magic Plant Garden’s profits, we, your humble servants, also wish to share His Majesty’s burdens.”

Varien’s voice was low and slimy, like sharing a secret.

“This is a draft ‘cooperation’ agreement. You just need to press your fingerprint here, and you’ll never have to worry about those troublesome accounts again.”

Once this little thing presses her fingerprint, the Magic Plant Garden becomes our personal bank!

A fingerprint pressed randomly by a poisoned, foolish pet—what could possibly come of it?

By the time His Majesty investigates, the money will have long been laundered into our pockets!

Varien’s heart pounded wildly.

His entire body of fat trembled with excitement.

Lilia, lying on the table.

Seemed to hear him, slowly lifting her head.

She smiled foolishly, cheeks bright red.

Her head swayed side to side, her gaze completely unfocused.

The fat on Varien’s face squeezed into an oily smile.

He pushed the scroll closer.

Reaching out to grab Lilia’s hand, to make her press the fingerprint.

But Lilia didn’t look at the document.

She just kept her head raised, smiling stupidly at Varien’s fat face hovering close.

Then, she raised her other hand.

And with all her might, slapped it across that face!

SMACK!!!

The crisp sound of the slap silenced the entire hall.