Chapter 28
Even though this wasn’t an official meeting, it was shocking that someone of the Third Duke’s family would openly speak ill of the former emperor.
“Do you know that’s considered insulting to the royal family?” Fiorentia asked.
“Why should I care?”
Theodore shrugged and looked unconcerned.
“You probably won’t go tell anyone anyway.”
“That’s true… but you’re really underestimating me.”
“It’s not that you can’t meet him. It’s just that I’d rather avoid unnecessary trouble.”
“Anyway, let’s continue. What underhanded trick did they use?”
“They used the Third Duke’s influence to distract Besamuth and secretly stole the eggs.”
“…What?”
It was a story Fiorentia had never heard before. She was visibly surprised by the unexpected twist.
Theodore twisted his mouth as if he had expected her reaction.
“Stories like this can’t be shared outside. It would reduce respect for the royal family and cause constant criticism. Only the families involved get to know.”
“That makes sense…”
Fiorentia nodded, still a little stunned.
“There’s one more reason Besamuth was called the Dark Dragon.”
“What’s that?”
“Unlike other dragons who could only use one ability, Besamuth could use different powers. Since he’s gone, it’s hard to know exactly what, but that’s what people say.”
“So that’s why they called him the Dark Dragon…”
“Exactly. It’s a double meaning. No records were kept because of royal discretion, but some ancestors of the Third Duke’s family considered him almost divine.”
Fiorentia thought about it. With such extraordinary abilities, it made sense.
“Was that helpful?”
“Yes, very.”
“Anything else you want to know?”
“No. This is enough.”
She answered briefly and went back to thinking. Theodore opened his mouth to say more but stopped, as if he decided not to.
Fiorentia bit her lip lightly and continued her thoughts. Thanks to Theodore, a previously confusing part now made sense.
He had said Besamuth’s power was an “illusion,” but that was mainly for attacks. If she handled mental-type abilities, the mushroom’s current abilities would be weaker.
“I need to reduce it even more.”
The poisonous mushroom was just a servant executing a dragon’s commands. It couldn’t have the full power of the dragon itself.
“Considering I’m human too…”
Its abilities would be quite limited. Fiorentia guessed the mushroom had three main abilities:
-
Dulling senses or paralysis.
‘It can force the target to expel absorbed poisonous curses, so it’s simple and easy to use.’
She had tested this on Theodore, so she already knew it worked.
The next abilities were ones Fiorentia would need to experiment with. Conditions might be stricter, and she might have to push herself to use them.
‘If I strengthen the dulling of senses, I might even make someone lose consciousness.’
Her goal was to make the target unaware they had lost consciousness.
‘Just enough to make them think they blinked.’
Without a clock or sense of time, this could be very useful.
Finally, she considered hallucinations. She wasn’t sure about this one yet but couldn’t give up.
‘I have to at least try.’
She had no other option besides using the mushroom. For now, she would test it on the housekeeper, Esther.
Fiorentia took a deep breath and calmly reviewed what she had learned.
‘It works through resonance.’
The mushroom only obeys the one it recognizes as its master. No need to argue or persuade it. That was satisfying.
‘If I can reach the power level I want, it won’t be too different from the real effect of eating the mushroom.’
Good. She could finally call it a poisonous mushroom without hesitation.
Fiorentia took a deep breath, feeling a strange sense of resolve.
The next day:
Fiorentia spoke first.
“I’m going to try it today. You don’t really need to help.”
Her words were blunt, but Theodore understood perfectly.
“Hm. Trying isn’t a bad idea…”
He paused, then clicked his tongue, pointing out a problem.
“Do you think you can get the housekeeper to eat the mushroom? She looks suspicious and won’t take it willingly.”
Fiorentia was too small to physically force her. Theodore would have to intervene, revealing that the mushroom had its own consciousness. That would be complicated.
But Fiorentia smiled—or at least, Theodore guessed she did behind her mask.
“It’s okay. I have a plan.”
“Making her eat it isn’t the only way,” she said, sounding pleased.
Although he had just met her, Theodore realized this was rare. Her voice carried confidence, which made him pay attention.
He tried to get her to explain more.
“What if she doesn’t eat it?”
“Then you’ll see later if you’re curious.”
She teased him, keeping him in suspense. Theodore felt frustrated but also strangely childlike.
He had learned to suppress complaints and accept things early in life to gain recognition in the Beringham family. But now, with Fiorentia, he felt different emotions he hadn’t felt before.
He tried to calm himself.
‘Let’s wait, like Fiorentia said.’
He couldn’t leave the room, and the housekeeper would return shortly for the empty bowl. Waiting a little longer would give him the answer.
Theodore tried to distract himself but suddenly thought of something.
‘It’s strange. Did the Marcella family have powers like this? A poisonous mushroom… I’ve never heard of it.’
“….”
Fiorentia was silent. Theodore stared at her, clearly wanting an answer.
Finally, she sighed and spoke softly.
“No. This power has nothing to do with the Marcella family.”
But Theodore wanted more explanation. Fiorentia continued reluctantly.
“This power comes from the poisonous environment in the breeding ground, affecting nearby plants. I accidentally ate it and gained the ability. Desdemona doesn’t know I have this power.”
Theodore frowned in disbelief.
“Why would you eat something like that?”
