Read Novel Full Chapter 2172: Gift Box
Chapter 2172: Gift Box
Poison?
Adam stared at the wineglass in his hand.
Did they poison the wine?
His heart began to pound.
This was supposed to be the most secure place in Davos right now.
The Centennial Gala had brought together some of the most influential Magi, Paladins, and political figures from across the Free City Alliance.
The security was supposed to be impenetrable.
Supposedly.
Who would have thought their wine could be poisoned?
Everyone at the Gala had let down their guard under the illusion of absolute security. False security. They were surrounded by powerful allies, protected by the City Watch, and gathered beneath the same roof of stars.
What better opportunity could there be to eliminate so many influential figures in one fell swoop?
Adam’s thoughts raced.
But how?
How could someone pull off something like this under the noses of the security personnel? The guests had been thoroughly inspected before arriving. The entire floating island was crawling with Watchmen.
Unless...
Adam’s pupils constricted.
Unless the City Watch is in on it!
Suddenly, Michael’s words about the two factions within the Watch began to make horrifying sense. One faction—the smaller one—supported the Witch of Davos, while the other remained loyal to the previous Known Lord.
What if this division ran deeper than mere political disagreements?
What if the Iron Covenant was in on it too?
Aramen’s words came rushing back to him like a tidal wave that threatened to drown his mind.
"The Iron Covenant has great plans for the West Coast. Davos is doomed. The Free City Alliance is doomed."
At the time, Adam had considered it a threat, perhaps even an attempt to unsettle him before their battle.
But now, the meaning behind those words seemed far more sinister.
Is the Iron Covenant actually behind this?
His heart thundered in his chest.
The poison. The wine. The City Watch.
Adam’s gaze snapped toward Genevieve.
She was sitting beside him, completely unaware of the storm brewing inside his mind. Adam looked at her in fear.
In the blink of an eye, all his emotions were swept away under the influence of the Faceless Mask.
It had only taken him a couple of seconds to try to connect the dots birthed by his paranoia.
He had come to a dreadful conclusion:
The Centennial Gala was a trap. All the guests were led straight into the slaughterhouse.
Adam casually grabbed Genevieve’s hand. She looked toward him with a quirked brow and smiled tenderly before returning to chat with Channing.
Adam sent a faint pulse of mana into her body.
She didn’t notice, he thought.
Does the poison only affect your senses?
Considering there are so many powerful Paladins here, they would be immediately alerted if the poison contained something toxic and lethal.
The Oath of Vitality was no joke.
So what is this poison, then?
Does it only make you sleepy? Cloud your senses? What else?
Adam tried to quickly ascertain the nature of the poison inside Genevieve’s body. He couldn’t tell at a glance. He needed to conduct a more thorough study. But he didn’t have the time.
Fuck!
Adam forced himself to look around.
Adeline Stark was still missing.
People were dancing on the floor. Guests were eating and drinking, their conversations filling the air. Most were yawning, their eyelids growing heavy as the evening progressed.
But why hadn’t anyone noticed?
No. There were a handful who seemed to have noticed something peculiar. Their gazes wandered uneasily across the clearing.
They must be the ones who haven’t touched the wine, Adam thought nervously.
What do I do? What the hell do I do?
His gaze swept across the edge of the clearing.
The City Watch was positioned at strategic points throughout the venue. To an ordinary person who had no reason to suspect them, the Watchmen appeared to be doing their jobs diligently, keeping a watchful eye on the guests and maintaining order.
But to Adam, they looked like something else entirely.
They had surrounded the guests.
The noose around their necks was slowly tightening. Adam swallowed nervously, his mind working through all the escape plans. The quickest would be to grab Genevieve and teleport away.
His gaze shifted toward the elevated platform at the center of the clearing, where the most powerful representatives of the Free City Alliance were seated.
Don’t tell me the Witch of Davos hasn’t noticed anything!
No. She had noticed.
Even from this distance, Adam could tell something had changed. Emily Damon was no longer as relaxed as she had been earlier. Her attention had shifted from the conversations around her to the guests below, and her expression had grown subtly grim.
A few delegates seated beside her had also begun to notice the strangeness unfolding around them.
There’s still a way out! Adam’s heart flared with hope.
There’s still a chance!
No... screw that. I can’t depend on them.
He was still holding onto Genevieve’s hand. With his other hand, he covertly cast a simple sign, preparing to teleport the hell out of here.
The edges of his figure faintly glitched for the briefest of moments, and then...
Nothing happened.
Adam’s face paled drastically.
They’ve sealed this space!
If a magical civilization had flourished for tens of thousands of years, it was only natural that counters to almost every known form of magic would eventually emerge.
After all, generations of Magi had spent their lives studying, refining, and experimenting with the arcane arts. Every spell had its weaknesses. Every technique had its limitations. And sooner or later, someone would discover a way to exploit them.
When one Magus created something, another would learn to counter it.
It was simply the way of the worlds.
"Adam, what’s the matter?"
Genevieve’s voice was full of concern. She had finally noticed his pale face.
Adam had no longer bothered to hide his expressions. He didn’t even hear her. His mind churned with all sorts of scenarios. He thought of all the ways he could escape this place with Genevieve.
And then, the atmosphere shifted.
As the grand ball came to an end, the orchestra gradually fell silent. Couples left the dance floor, and the guests returned to their tables.
Then, a commotion drew their attention.
The head of the City Watch was approaching the elevated platform. A gift box rested in his hands, and a small retinue of Watchmen followed closely behind him.
He wore a humble smile as he approached the long table where the Known Lord and the other representatives of the Free City Alliance were seated.
Gradually, the conversations died down. Hundreds of eyes followed the man as he walked to the platform.
Emily Damon turned toward him, a hint of confusion in her eyes.
The head of the City Watch stopped before her and bowed respectfully.
"My Lady, allow me to offer my sincerest congratulations on your tenth year as the Known Lord of Davos."
He raised the gift box slightly.
"On behalf of the City Watch, I present a humble gift to the esteemed Witch of Davos. May you continue to lead our city toward prosperity for many years to come."
He gestured to one of the many attendants around the table, who stepped forward and carefully placed the box before Emily.
The Known Lord smiled faintly. "How thoughtful of you."
Yet, as she looked at the box, a strange feeling stirred within her. Emily hesitated for a moment, her gaze lingering on the lid.
Something was wrong. She couldn’t explain why, but a growing sense of unease filled her.
The head of the Watch remained standing before her, his humble smile never wavering. The surrounding guests watched with curiosity, wanting to see what gift the Watch had prepared for their esteemed leader.
At last, Emily reached for the lid.
She opened the box.
And her world shattered.
Inside lay a severed head. Its eyes had been hollowed out, leaving two empty and bloody sockets. In place of its eyes rested two roses fashioned from iron.
A moan of despair escaped Emily’s lips.
She knew that face. She had taught that girl. Watched her grow. Guided her studies. And entrusted her with the future of Sapphire Tower.
It was the head of her student.
The Lady of Sapphire Tower.
Adeline Stark.