"No, just something I picked up. It''s a popr trick for ying dead," Max exined, reaching for a set of cosmetic powders. He applied a few finishing touches to Ss''s face, bringing just enough color back to look natural under banquet lighting. A simple wipe of a cloth would return Ss''splexion to its ghostly pallor.


    "Is everything I requested ready?" Ss asked.


    "Yes, though it wasn''t easy sneaking it in," Max replied, gesturing to Toby, who walked over with arge bucket sloshing with a dark liquid—fresh cow''s blood.


    Ss scowled at the smell. "The stench is unavoidable."


    "It''s as fresh as it gets," Max assured him.


    Ss sighed, mentally preparing himself. Then, taking a bowl, he started drinking from the bucket. One bowl, then another, and another. Each sip deepened his grimace, as the metallic taste made him want to spit it out immediately.


    "Ugh, as bad as I expected."


    "Surely that''s enough?" Toby asked, looking concerned.


    "Not yet. The more I drink, the stronger the effect will beter," Ss replied, steeling himself as he drank half the bucket before finally stopping.


    "Aah! Now I''m ready," Ss said, wiping his mouth.


    "Lord, the smell of blood is overwhelming," Maxmented.


    "I was nning to rinse my mouth anyway," Ss replied. Though he knew a faint scent might linger, he trusted it wouldn''t be enough to raise suspicion. Just as they finished, a maid knocked on the door.


    "Master Ss, the banquet preparations areplete."


    "Understood, I''ll be right there," he responded, pressing his stomach. He felt a bit queasy from the blood he''d consumed but could tolerate it for a while longer.


    The banquet was lively yet informal, meant to celebrate victory and cast away sorrow. Formalities were kept to a minimum as guests filled the hall.


    "We have triumphed! We have driven out the demon and fulfilled our duty! Knights, rejoice and enjoy this feast; this is our victory banquet!" the count dered briefly, prompting cheers from the knights. While losses had been incurred, their sessful response to such an unprecedented disaster called for celebration. Enjoy new stories from My Virtual Library Empire


    As the knights reveled, the count turned to his two sons. "Are you both well-rested?"


    "Yes, we''ve recovered," Ss replied.


    "Good to hear. I wanted to sing your praises further, but—"


    "We are fortunate to have returned safely, Father," Ss replied modestly. "Let those who suffered losses receive thefort they deserve."


    "Thank you, Ss," the count replied, smiling warmly. Meanwhile, Ulrich forced a smile but couldn''t shake the growing unease he felt toward his younger brother.


    ''He''s dangerous,'' Ulrich thought, recognizing how naturally Ss seemed to earn loyalty. Determined to eliminate the threat, he signaled to one of his close aides, who soon returned with a tray holding two wine sses. Ulrich picked up one and offered it to Ss.


    "Here, Ss, take this."


    "What''s this for?"


    "Now that you''re of age, it''s time you drink. Traditionally, one''s first drink is offered by family."@@novelbin@@


    Ss epted the ss with mild surprise, catching the fine scent of high-quality wine.


    "This is from Cormo in the South," Ulrich continued. "It''s limited, and only a select few can get it. This one''s just for you."


    "Oh? I didn''t expect you''d offer it to your brother before even Father," Ss remarked.


    "Apologies, Father, but the first drink should be special," Ulrich joked, winking at the count. Ss looked at the wine, clearly impressed.


    "I''ve heard of this wine''s rarity—how did you get it?"


    "I have a friend from that region who was kind enough to send it," Ulrich replied.


    "Such a rare gift… Thank you, Brother."


    Ulrich smiled, raising his ss. "To my younger brother''sing of age."


    "And to my brother, for gifting me such a fine drink."


    The brothers exchanged toasts and drank, Ulrich watching Ss carefully as he sipped. Once he finished his ss, Ss exhaled and chuckled.


    "My first drink—remarkably fragrant. Is it always this good?"


    "Not at all! You''re just lucky to have tasted the best right away," Ulrichughed, feeling victorious. The binding elixir he''dced in the wine would have already been absorbed, meaning Ss was now dependent on it to live.


    ''Finally… I can breathe easy,'' Ulrich thought, envisioning a future where he''d reveal the truth to Ss and keep him firmly under his control. Pouring himself a fresh ss without the elixir, Ulrich grinned. "Go on, have another. Now that you''ve started, you may as well enjoy it."


    "Yes, I''d like to, but… my stomach feels… odd…?"


    Just then, Ss''s expression twisted in pain, and he fell to his knees, coughing violently before vomiting onto the floor.


    "Uurgh!"


    "What''s happening?"


    "Ss!"


    "Lord!"


    Blood poured from Ss''s mouth, sending the hall into a frenzy. Just as the count rushed toward him, Max and Toby intervened, blocking the view with Toby''srge frame while Max leaned in, pretending to wipe Ss''s face.


    The count, frantic, pushed closer, demanding, "Move! Let me see Ss!"


    "Please, Your Grace! The young lord…!" Max replied, feigning panic as he discreetly wiped off the makeup, revealing Ss''s pallidplexion. Ss, spitting blood and breathing raggedly, looked up at his father.


    "Father…!"


    "Ss!" The count, distressed, took Ss''s hand. Seeing his father''s worry, Ss quickly signaled to Toby.


    ''Press my stomach—hard!''


    ''Yes, my lord!''


    Toby applied pressure to Ss''s lower abdomen, forcing the contents up. Ss''s stomach twisted, and he retched another stream of blood.


    "Gaaah!"


    "What…?"


    The sight of more blood shocked everyone. It looked like he had consumed a lethal poison. As the count, horrified, clutched his son''s hand, Max inspected a wine ss lying nearby. Holding it up, he sniffed the rim, then gasped.


    "Lord Ulrich! What''s the meaning of this!?"


    "What are you talking about? I didn''t do anything!" Ulrich shot back, startled.


    "Then why does this ss smell of the ck Moon''s ''Invisible Elixir''?!" Max used, his voice shaking as Ulrich''s face went pale. How could Max have identified an odorless, tasteless poison?


    Watching Ulrich''s stunned reaction, Max thought to himself with satisfaction, ''In reality, there''s no smell—but hey, when you''re an assassin, you just know these things.''