Chapter 1322: Poisoned

Nathan and Regina got a lot of attention. Since they were eating in the cafeteria that the soldiers used, they couldn’t help but take a glance at them.

It was rare to be sitting and eating together with their superior, especially the people they admired.

Some soldiers even sat closer to get the feeling. In the end, the cafeteria was filled to the brim.

"So, you are thinking about going back so that you can advance smoothly?" Regina raised her eyebrows.

"Yes. If we pull the aliens forward, there will be an empty space behind them. A single teleport will be enough to pass them, and we get the empty space ourselves." Nathan nodded. "Of course, I’d prefer to kill the aliens if I can."

"That’s true. If we kill the aliens, their population will be reduced, and it will give an easier time for the soldiers." Regina agreed.

"Indeed. Well, I can get their cores as well, which will be beneficial for my strength."

"That might be true, but you’re the only one who can think that way. Unlike you, we don’t have a space element. In other words, we have to bring our own things. If we gather all the cores we can, we will be too full and have to stop to absorb the cores to empty up some space."

Nathan shrugged. "It works for me. Others might plan it differently."

"I can’t deny it." Regina nodded.

Nathan finally took a bite of the food. The food consisted of bread and vegetable soup. Unfortunately, meat was scarce, not only because of the aliens but also because of the disaster.

At the very least, the food was quite rich in flavor.

To his surprise, the moment the food entered his throat, Anubis’ power emitted.

"Hmm? What are you doing?" Regina raised her eyebrows, noticing the power fluctuation.

Nathan didn’t answer immediately because Anubis gave him a warning.

’Be careful. A poison.’

’Seriously? What type of poison?’ Nathan asked.

’It seems to be a paralyzing poison, one that can stop the movement of your muscles. It might even relax your heart by pumping your blood. It is a slow poison, so you may only feel the effect after a while.

’But it is quite potent and dangerous. It’s tasteless and odorless.’

Nathan chuckled and replied to Regina. "I practice while eating."

"Practice while eating?" She had never heard anything this ridiculous.

"You know that we are able to use the manual to increase our absorption rate, right?"

"Yes. What about it?"

"What if we use that technique on the food? Although it won’t work on the food, I’m trying to get used to doing it to increase my mastery, like when you are swinging your sword for one thousand times. Your 1,000th swing will be much better than your 1st swing, right?"

"That is true. Why haven’t I thought about it before?" Regina gasped. "Food might cost money, but the cost can’t be compared to cores.

"If we use food for practice and get used to it, we can increase our mastery without wasting so much money." Regina didn’t expect she would learn such a technique.

Nathan just smiled while adding inwardly, ’Oh my. Thankfully, there’s another person biting my bullshit.’

’Bullshit or not, you should worry about yourself, Summoner. This poison is a clear attempt to kill you.’

’I know that, but can you check other people’s conditions? If the soldiers don’t get affected, that means I’m the only one targeted.’

’I can reach the woman in front of you, but I can’t reach the other soldiers. Maybe only the three soldiers behind you. If you want me to check the whole room, I need an opening.’

Nathan didn’t want to alert the enemy more than this, so he muttered, ’Just check the people around me.’

’Alright.’ Anubis fell silent for a few seconds. ’The woman is poisoned as well. However, the soldiers are not.’

’In that case, the poison shouldn’t be on the food. It’s either on the drink, the plates, or the tableware. Can you find it?’

’I can only check the body’s condition, not trace the poison.’

’That’s too bad.’ Nathan thought for a moment.

’You should stop eating the food immediately.’

’Can you completely heal me and her?’

’I can, but...’

’No worries. I know what I’m doing. For now, I’m going to eat as if I don’t realize anything. Heal me after I’m done eating. Heal her if there’s an opening after we’re done, and then I will replace you with Mae. Since this is an assassination attempt, it’s better to deal with it carefully.’

’Are you sure? To even poison someone as important as this woman, the assassin is quite daring.’

’In that case, there’s only one person I can think of. The second prince, our original target. Besides, they’re using a paralyzing poison instead of a deadly one, so the emperor can’t do anything later even if he finds out she was poisoned. After all, she won’t be harmed. Their target is me... unless there’s another conspiracy in the royal family that targets her.’

’Fine. I will follow your plan, but be careful.’

’Got it.’ Nathan examined Regina’s expression. It looked like she hadn’t noticed the poison. So, Nathan continued eating while using the training as a disguise.

He made a logical explanation that was accepted by Regina, so people would accept it too. As long as he knew what would happen, he might be able to finish this mess quickly.

Once they were done, they simply stood up, ready to go their separate ways.

During that small window, Anubis would extend his power to Regina and heal her.

Regina was still unaware that she had been poisoned, so she planned to exit the cafeteria and retire for the night so that she could have another discussion with Nathan.

Nathan, on the other hand, had been forming a plan in his mind to draw out the assassins and potential culprits.

He had been waiting for the second prince to make a move, so he was ready. And he didn’t think the Death Society would use this kind of method, so he just wanted to deal with these people and force the second prince to use the Death Society.

But before going with his plan, there was something he had to confirm. He first switched Anubis with Mae and used her illusion on Regina.

’This is an illusion from Nathan. Blink once if you want to say yes, blink twice if you want to say no. Don’t make any sudden movements. Do you have any enemies that might potentially attack you right now, Your Highness? Perhaps, poisoning you?’