The Chairman of Pharmaceutical Company is a Poison King - Chapter 224
Like all territories on the Miterran Continent, the territory ruled by Count Perron Tales in the Kaduin Kingdom was a tightly-knit community that was thoroughly closed off.
The division of social status was strict, even among commoners, not just among the nobility.
Those living in pioneer villages or remote rural areas were considered inferior to those residing near the castle.
There was also a clear distinction in the status between the people living outside the castle walls and the citizens residing within.
Is there no discrimination within the city?
Richall City exemplified the typical features of a dual-layered fortress.
It consisted of a high, flat hill located centrally within the outer walls, upon which the inner fortifications were erected.
Thus, there existed a distinction between those living inside the inner fortifications and those residing within the outer walls.
Additionally, there was a third fortress located within the inner fortifications.
It was known as the Lord’s Manor— the residence of Count Perron Tales and his family.
It was an impregnable fortress with knights and soldiers on guard duty, magical barriers set up by sorcerers, and an impenetrable stronghold that no one could enter.
Even Rody found it difficult to enter the Lord’s Manor directly.
He hadn’t even considered attempting it.
Why bother?
What caught his attention was the aqueduct.
Water is essential for survival.
The clean water from a lake formed atop the northern mountains flows through the elevated aqueduct, entering both the outer and inner fortifications.
Of course, security measures at the reservoir are stringent.
Is that all?
Various magic arrays were intricately inscribed on the aqueduct as well.
Purification arrays, detoxification arrays, anti-magic arrays…
Rody stood atop the aqueduct, wearing an invisible talisman over his chest.
Would the anti-magic array function?
Absolutely undetectable.
The methods of Immortal Magic and magic were fundamentally different.
How could a magical array discern the talismans created by the Talisman Immortal?
Rody placed his hand on the aqueduct.
Not long ago, he had ascended to the sixth stage of the Chaotic Primordial Poison Spirit Technique.
He was on the brink of the reverence stage.
Thanks to it, the scale of the Poison Essence had significantly expanded.
The venom injected was extremely weak, discreetly appearing to exist and yet not, so subtle that the victims remained unaware of the fact they had been targeted.
Instead, it emptied the Poison Essence to the point where it seemed almost depleted.
Once a day, Rody attached an invisible talisman and released the poison atop the aqueduct.
Day after day, for a week, he continued.
However, no one would die from this poison.
The primary components of the poison were a mixture of variant triple-stripe mosquitoes’ venom and Scatter Qi Poison from the Murim.
It only affected individuals with mana.
Its effects would likely last for quite some time.
Maybe about a month?
The targets were the knights and the sorcerers.
It disarmed them completely.
It rendered them so lethargic that they couldn’t walk with their own two feet.
By the time they realized they were poisoned, it was already too late.
***
The Lord’s Manor is located within the inner fortifications of Richall City.
Count Perron Tales, a 7th-circle magician, stood on the terrace at the top floor of the building, looking down at the city sprawled below.
The residents of the territory lived earnestly, working diligently.
They were loyal slaves.
The glory and eternal prosperity of the Tales lineage relied on their existence.
While to him, they were all the same, among the slaves, there were distinctions.
Slaves residing within the inner fortifications, those outside, ones near the castle, those farther away, rural slaves, pioneer village slaves.
Count Perron Tales also treated the slaves differently according to their hierarchy.
That way, it’s easier to govern.
A sort of division tactic.
One slave keeps another in check.
Rebellion?
What if it happens?
The higher-ranking slaves would naturally suppress the lower-ranking ones.
To avoid losing the meager privileges they possess.
However, an issue arose in this peaceful Tales territory.
A worthless debt-bound miner, not worth more than a bug, killed an overseer and fled with mana stones.
‘How dare…,’
It’s not like the mana stone was worth much, but such an incident occurring in a mine directly managed by the Count was disgraceful.
He needs to be caught quickly to set an example.
Perron Tales returned from the terrace to his chambers and sat in his study chair, questioning his steward.
“What about Pete? Still no word?”
“No, but I’ve been informed that he’s tracking the rebels.”
“That fool, it’s been a week already.”
“Please don’t worry. There will be results soon.”
“Hmm.”
The rebel’s name is Rody.
According to eyewitness testimony, he killed the overseer and supervisor with a dagger and iron beads.
If so, it’s likely he’s skilled in assassination techniques.
Moreover, it seems he’s well-versed in concealment.
For a staggering five years, he concealed his abilities while living in the mines.
Well, no matter how strong he might have thought himself, to Perron Tales, a 7th-circle magician, Rody was just a feeble insect easily crushed with a flick of his finger.
He was hardly even a threat.
“When found, there’s no need to capture him alive. Kill him on sight,” Perron ordered.
“Yes!”
“Bring back only his head.”
As time passed,
Count Perron had completely forgotten about Rody’s existence.
After all, there was so much to do as the ruler of the territory.
However, an unexpected incident occurred.
Suddenly, an unknown disease began to spread.
First, the knights started to fall ill.
It was a simple illness.
The body felt weak and movement became uncomfortable. Nothing more than that?
No fever either.
That should be easy to treat.
He called for healers and had them make and administer medicine.
The next day.
Now it was the turn of the Mages to fall.
Is it an epidemic?
This is becoming a headache.
Immediately, the sick were separated and moved elsewhere.
The following day.
Instead of improving, the condition of both the knights and Mages worsened.
Even.
“···The Circle broke?”
“T-That’s correct.”
The Circle broke.
How could that happen?
Using too much mana could break a Circle.
But he’s never heard of a disease causing that.
“Investigate curses or poisons.”
“We’re already doing that, but… we haven’t found anything conclusive.”
“Heh.”
The fallen ones were the Mages.
When you reach the third circle, the basic things you learn include Poison Cure, Detoxification Magic, and even curses can be easily dispelled by priests using sacred magic.
“In the future, before consuming food and water, use the Detoxification Magic first. Open the warehouse and distribute Detoxification Spell Scrolls.”
“Understood.”
“Also, summon the priests from the temples of Lanelia.”
The priests from the territorial temple arrived.
It was effective.
When the sacred magic healing spell was used, the collapsed Mages immediately recovered.
However, it was only a temporary effect.
The next day, a greater number of knights and Mages collapsed.
Even the housekeeper, a 5th circle mage, collapsed.
It included the wife and children of Count Perron Tales.
What could be the cause?
If it’s poison, then ordinary people should also be affected, but the normal citizens and servants with inherent resistance were unharmed.
The same went for external situations. Only knights and Mages were affected.
Surprisingly, even the priests collapsed suddenly.
The priests with sacred power collapsed?
It was nothing short of bewildering.
Only then did a sense of dread start to creep in.
‘Could it be?’
Perron’s mind suddenly cleared.
While knights and Mages, including family members, were falling one by one, what about himself?
He calmed his mind in the quiet study and carefully reviewed each of the seven circles.
“Ah!”
And then he discovered it.
It was so minute that it was almost imperceptible—a foreign substance surreptitiously devouring the mana of the circles.
“Poison Cure! Poison Cure! Poison Cure…”
He consecutively cast detoxification spells.
As he did, it seemed like the foreign substance was gradually disappearing.
“Oh no!”
As if realizing it had been discovered, the energy, doubling in intensity, multiplied and surged like a living organism, driving him to madness.
The priests in the territory also collapsed, rendering sacred magic impossible.
The rush to escape began among the people.
Soldiers, seized with fear, fled.
Officials and wealthy merchants did the same.
Inherent resistance was futile.
Even citizens outside the territory bolted.
Count Perron Tales experienced relatively mild symptoms.
He managed to endure with the power of the 7th circle magic, but he was helpless, without any solutions.
The only certain thing is,
‘This isn’t a natural occurrence.’
Clearly, someone is behind this.
Be it a disease, poison, or curse.
He needs assistance.
Therefore, Perron contacted the Grand Temple of Lanelia through a communication crystal.
When he explained the detailed situation to the Archbishop:
– There is a high likelihood of a demonic curse. Possibly from demons or dark sorcerers.
“Yes, I also share that suspicion.”
– How can I assist you?
“Please dispatch a saint as soon as possible.”
– Well, she’s quite busy, you know…
“I might have neglected the temple for a while. I’ve heard there are plans to expand the temple…”
– Haha, how does the Count know about that?
Negotiations began.
The price for summoning the saint.
Money can solve everything.
– Understood. Count, I’ll try to contact the saint.
It was settled.
The saint from the Grand Temple.
The only one capable of direct communication with the deity of Lanelia.
If it’s her, she can cure diseases, poisons, and curses—all of it.
Count Perron Tales remained alone in the manor.
He waited and waited for the arrival of the saint and her entourage.
‘If only they used teleportation magic, they’d arrive in no time.’
However, the one who came to see him wasn’t the saint.
***
Wearing Bluetooth earphones, humming a tune from Earth, Rody strolled slowly into the area protected by inherent resistance.
It was completely empty.
A few regular soldiers and servants remained, but they weren’t even a threat.
The effect of the poison was far more potent than anticipated.
It had to be.
Tang Gunak, the Poison King of Murim, mastering the Chaotic Primordial Poison Spirit Technique.
Kim Taeju, Earth’s Poison King, mastering the Chaotic Primordial Poison Spirit Technique.
And Rody himself, the Poison King of Miterran, mastering the Chaotic Primordial Poison Spirit Technique.
Each of them had a different starting point.
Among the three, Rody himself was the one who received the most favor.
From the beginning of his learning, he already consumed the Immortal Peach.
Therefore, the Immortal Qi blended with the Poison Essence.
It was not an ordinary Poison Essence.
It was a Harmonious Poison Essence combined with the Immortal Qi.
Could this poison created by the Poison Essence be countered by a magical spell?
Creak,
Rody opened the door leading to the manor.
The climax of a long confrontation.
Someone was seated on the chair atop the elevated platform.
It was Count Perron Tales.
Perron had a gut feeling from the moment someone opened the manor door and steadily approached.
Even if there were no guards, who would enter the manor without hesitation?
It must be that guy.
The culprit who made a mess of his domain.
But a stranger’s face.
The attire was peculiar too.
What’s in their ears?
Perron questioned the approaching figure.
“It’s you. The one who caused all this.”
“Yeah, it was me.”
“What’s your motive? Have we met in the past?”
“No, today’s the first time I’ve seen you.”
“Then why on earth?”
“Because your actions caused my parents’ deaths. You probably didn’t even know.”
Rody extracted the body of Pete, the Infinite Space Merchant, from the void.
Thud!
Count Perron attentively stared at Pete’s body before speaking.
“I see. You are the debt slave. Rody, did you kill the mine supervisor?”
“You’re smarter than I thought. That’s right.”
“You weren’t just an ordinary bug. You harbored a lot of poison.”
“Oh! You know quite a bit about me.”
Sshh!
Rodi’s Willow Flying Knife appeared in his hand.
He didn’t intend to drag this out.
Let’s finish this quickly.
Shall he start with a quick attack?
Zzip!
The terrifyingly fast Willow Knife flew, leaving a lingering image.
“Shield.”
Zing!
Simultaneously, a translucent shield enveloped Count Perron’s body.
Clang!
The Willow Flying Knife was blocked.
The shield didn’t break, but it was visibly strained.
Indeed, being a 7th Circle mage makes a difference.
“Ice Spear.”
Seizing the opportunity, Perron conjured a massive ice lance aimed at Rody.
Squaaaack!
Swiftly dodged with a precognitive illusion.
Seated comfortably in his chair, Perron chanted his spells.
“Sleep! Illusion! Blind!”
But even mind-affecting control magic proved futile.
Thanks to the Immortal Qi’s protection.
Perron’s expression turned puzzled.
Is the magic not working?
He’s not someone to let his guard down.
Followed by Rody’s swift flash attack.
“Blink!”
Snap!
Perron instantly moved through space.
“Tsk!”
Thud!
Hidden weapon missed the target and hit a chair.
The most annoying magic.
Even if Chaotic Primordial Poison Spirit Technique reaches only seven stars, Blink Magic is nothing, especially when manipulating poison to induce hidden weapons.
“Ice Field!”
Crackle!
The ground froze white.
Making movement difficult.
Following that, an uncountable number of freezing spells consecutively flew.
Thud-thud-thud-thud!
Rody, restricted by the Ice Field, found his movement limited.
Perron moved freely using Blink, but Rody had a solution.
Swish!
The God’s Flying Knife was held in his hand.
The artifact of a Blacksmith immortal that Taeju had sent.
A silvery flash shimmered in the lord’s hall.
“Shield!”
Clang!
Perron’s shield shattered like glass.
As if that wasn’t enough, as the Flying Knife turned again, it lunged forward.
“Gasp!”
Perron, paling drastically, repeatedly chanted the Blink spell.
“Blink! Blink! Blink…”
However, the Flying Knife persisted relentlessly.
Zfft! Zfft!
And then Blood Butterfly.
Dozens of Blood Butterflies fluttered through the air.
So slow that they didn’t seem like Blood Butterfly at all.
Frantically trying to evade the Flying Knife, Perron, in his haste, didn’t recognize the Blood Butterfly.
Even if he had, he might have mistaken them for real butterflies.
“Blink! Blink! Blink…”
Snap! Snap! Snap! Snap!
In the very moment Perron blinked to evade the Flying Knife,
At that precise instant, as luck would have it, the flying Blood Butterfly…
Silently!
It landed gently on Perron’s head.
Pssst!
Simultaneously, the proboscis of the Blood Seal pricked Perron’s forehead.
“Urgh!”
Venom was injected.
Perron hastily grabbed the Blood Seal that had landed on his head, but…
“It’s over.”
Rody chuckled.
“…What?”
In an instant!
A sudden surge of excruciating pain.
“Ugh, uuuh…”
Perron clasped his chest.
Zzaeang!!!
One of the weakened links of the Circle, weakened even further, shattered feebly.
“Cough!”
Zfft!
Simultaneously, the Flying Knife, hovering in the air,
Whoosh!
Plunged into his chest.
“Aaaaah!”
Perron fell to his knees.
He couldn’t move any longer.
He couldn’t cast Blink.
He couldn’t deploy his shield.
His Mana Road solidified rigidly.
“No, it can’t be!”
It was all thanks to the Flying Knife.
An alternative that could be useful before awakening the Poison Spirit.
Rody approached with small, deliberate steps.
Now it was time to conclude.
Swooosh!
He held the Flying Knife in his hand.
“If you have any last words, speak now.”
“Wait, just a moment…”
It was then.
“Stop!”
Suddenly, a woman appeared at the entrance to the lord’s hall.
Surrounded by knights and priests.
Rody quickly recognized who she was.
‘…A saint?’
The saint glanced briefly at the fallen body of the corrupted merchant Pete and the bleeding Perron, a Count, on the ground, then turned to interrogate Rody.
“You’re a truly wicked one. Casting curses in the territory and killing people.”
Rody furrowed his brows.
Of all times, the saint had to appear now.
“…It’s not something you, as a saint, should concern yourself with. This is my personal vendetta.”
“That’s something to be judged later. Lower your weapon.”
“And if I refuse?”
“I’ll deliver judgment in the holy name of Lanelia. Mercilessly.”
Retreat now?
Absolutely not.
“Then try me.”
“Hmph! Didn’t I warn you? Hey! Seize that guy!”
Clang-clang-clang-clang!
The knights surrounded Rody with shields and swords raised.
Count Perron laughed brightly and taunted Rody.
“Hehehe, you insect! What? It’s over? It’s not me, it’s you who’s finished!”
Damn it!
Fine.
Since it’s come to this, I’ll see it through to the end.
Even if it means becoming an enemy of the holy empire.
Just then!
A dazzling light emerged from the saint’s body.
“Oh?”
The saint tilted her head in surprise.
This phenomenon is a divine message from Lanelia.
Suddenly?
“…Me?”
The saint muttered to herself, staring perplexedly into the air with a bewildered expression.
“Oh, what did I do… Oh, no, he’s a bad person, but still, he’s a noble, uh! What am I saying? I’m sorry, terribly sorry. What? Apologize to whom? Yes, yes, I’ll apologize to that person.”
The saint’s face flushed red.
After hesitating for a moment, she hurriedly approached Rody, grabbed her skirt, and politely greeted him.
“Hehehe, hello. Sir, I am Saint Veronica.”
Her demeanor had completely changed.
“…Uh, I’m Rody.”
“Wow! What a nice name. It sounds so good.”
“…”
What’s this now?
As if not understanding English, Count Perron stammered, asking, “W-Why the saint to me?”
“Shut up! Before I seal your mouth shut!”
“…Yes?”
Then, looking back at Rody,
“Lord Rody, shall I take care of this for you?”
“What?”
“Killing this bastard.”
“…Directly by the saint?”
“Oh? Being a saint doesn’t mean saving everyone. Sometimes, I also kill.”
The reason behind the saint’s actions might be understandable, but leaving revenge in someone else’s hands isn’t an option.
“I’ll handle it.”
“Yes! I’ll wait outside. Take your time with your work and come out whenever you’re ready.”
The saint and the holy knights exited the chamber.
Anyway, let’s continue what we were doing.
Count Perron stood there, dumbfounded.
How did the situation turn out like this?
Even most kings of kingdoms would bow down to the saint, who can sway situations at will.
But to grovel before a debt slave like this?
Rody approached Perron.
“Have you heard of hell?”
“H-Hell?”
“It’s where wicked folks get punished. If you died on Earth by Taeju, you would have experienced dying and living thousands of times while paying the price,” Rodi said, placing a hand on Perron’s head.
“This is Miterran, so I’m not sure where it leads.”
“P-Please!”
“But for sure it won’t be paradise.”
“Plea–“
Wooooong!
The emission of poison began.
All the toxins from the Poison King’s body were injected into Perron’s body.