Chapter 182
11
When Eliza said she wanted to keep his Soul Centipede, Gilbert forced an awkward smile and muttered, “But you don’t even need Simba. Why insist on keeping it?”
“Who said I don’t need it?” Eliza gave him a faint smile. “I was just thinking—it’d be interesting to study the poison in your little g
Gilbert sighed in defeat. “Finc
Sometimes one really couldn’t fight back when he was under someone else’s roof
He looked at her and asked. “Then… can you let me go now!“
Eliza raised an eyebrow, turned her back to him, and reached into the wooden bucket to retrieve the venomous centipede Once she had stored it safely inside her pocket farm, she nodded at Tina.
Tina stepped forward and, with a single sweep of her sword, cut through the ropes binding Gilbert
Finally freed, Gilbert shook off the shredded cords and stretched out his limbs. As he moved, he casually asked. “If you’re into poisonous creatures. I’ve got a few more back home–spiders, scorpions, fire ants… Want some? I could bring them over
next time.”
*I want them all.” Eliza said bluntly.
Gilbert stared at her. “Wow. You’re not even trying to be polite, huh? You think you can manage that many? What if they Turn on you?”
Eliza smiled again and said sweetly, “That’s none of your concern.”
–
“Tch. Like I care what happens to you.” Gilbert rolled his eyes. T’m just worried you’ll get too cocky and end up dead from: one of my pets. Then I’ll have to go find another genius to help me study the antidote. What a pain
Eliza’s gaze sharpened. “Don’t even dream about it. If I die, I’ll make sure to drag you and Sophie into the grave with me.”
It wasn’t a threat–it was a promise. Either help her uncover the truth, or die.
Gilbert raised both hands. “Fine, fine. I’ll go find someone to investigate.”
With that, he left her little kitchen. As he passed a cluster of hallucinogenic herbs, he reached out to pluck one.
But before his fingers could touch a single leaf, Eliza’s voice floated over, calm and cold. “If you so much as touch my plants, I’ll slice Simba into pieces.”
Gilbert instantly pulled his hand back. “Alright, alright! Geez, stingy.”
He should be grateful he was allowed to walk out of her courtyard in one piece. Now he even wanted to steal from her!
“Tina, kick him out,” Eliza said.
“No need! No need!” Gilbert cried, bolting for the gate. “I know the way!”
Once he was gone, peace returned to the courtyard.
And as it turned out, he hadn’t.
Sophie was hiding a secret formula.
Thu, 17 Apr
Chapter 182
85%
But it wasn’t written on paper. The formula was tattooed–almost like a brand–on her thigh. Without a thorough search, it would’ve gone unnoticed.
Eliza pulled out pen and paper, copying the recipe down word for word. When she was done, the bound Sophie up again and sat in the little cabin, poring over the formula.
To her surprise, one of the key ingredients was Bloodshade Blossom.
“No wonder Sophie never managed to complete the antidote, Eliza murmured. “She had the formula, but not the herb
That was the difference between them.
Eliza had both the formula and the herb.
If Gilbert and the others were still banking on Sophie to make the cure, they might as well dig their graves now. But just because Eliza could make it didn’t mean she would–at least, not for free. She wasn’t the only one who needed that antidote.
She sighed. She’d have to find a way to transplant her pocket farm’s herbs–especially the Bloodshade Blossom–into the outside world.
Once she’d memorized the key components of the formula, she tucked it away and made plans to head down the mountain the next day.
The following morning, after packing her things and locking the door behind her, Eliza noticed that the Dendrobium she’d transplanted the day before was doing surprisingly well.
She walked over to check and suddenly remembered she had watered this patch with diluted spirit water. The soil should still be rich in spiritual energy–she just didn’t know if it would be enough for the plant to fully adapt to its new
environment.
After finishing her morning rituals at the temple hall and reciting the daily blessings. Eliza walked to the side hall where her mother’s memorial plaque was kept. She lit the incense candles there and had just straightened up when she spotted Mary walking over with the eternal flame lamp in her hands.
“Mary, you shouldn’t be doing that,” Eliza said. “Tending the flame is my job.”
Mary smiled gently. “It’s no trouble.”
She set the lamp down carefully and glanced at Eliza. “Someone visited your courtyard yesterday, didn’t they?”
“Yes. It was that foreigner, Gilbert. But I’ve already handled it.”
“Handled it? That fast? I heard he’s skilled with poisons and insects,”
“He is,” Eliza grinned, “but not as skilled as I am. After all, I was trained by you.”
Mary arched a brow. “Flattery will get you nowhere. Now tell me–where are you sneaking off to today?”
Eliza blinked, “How did you know?”
“You’ve got your little satchel slung over your shoulder. I may be old, but I’m not blind.”
Mary sighed. “It’s dangerous out there, and yet you insist on going down the mountain.”
“Don’t be mad–I’m just going to pick up a few things.
“You could’ve sent Sarah.”
Eliza looked guilty. “Well… I was planning to stop by the Regent’s Manor too. There’s something I need to discuss with His
Chapter 182
Highness”
Mary closed her eyes for a moment. She knew it was about him.
“Fine,” she said at last. “Go, but be careful. You shouldn’t draw too much attention to yourself, not with your current status.
“I promise I’ll be quick, Eliza said brightly,
With Mary’s permission, she practically skipped her way down the mountain.
She left in high spirits–unfortunately, she hadn’t checked the calendar.
Halfway down the road, her good mood vanished the moment a familiar carriage came rolling toward her.
‘Don’t stop. Don’t look. Pretend I’m not here, she begged silently!
“Eliza Matthew’s voice rang out from inside the carriage. And somehow–she would never understand how–he pulled back. the curtain at the exact moment she tried to speed past.
‘Well, damn, Eliza thought bitterly. ‘So the man does have eyes after all.
AD