564 Lillias's Scheme
After dinner with the Delarosas ended, Linetta guided Vaan to their library with a flushed face, still embarrassed by her mother's teasing.
On the other hand, Lillias didn't accompany them; she left on her own, heading off somewhere else.
...
Inside the private library, Vaan stopped by the exploration section and started perusing books related to Perilous Lands.
The Thousand Fog Mountains was one of the largest Perilous Lands in the seven witch kingdoms, but it was not the largest.
In fact, it was the Great Ashfallen Forest.
Ever since Gehenna's Gate appeared inside the Great Ashfallen Forest, access to the northernmost parts of the Pangea continent had been cut off.
That said, the Great Ashfallen Forest was a vast wilderness even before the appearance of Gehenna's Gate. Few had ventured into its depths, let alone pass it.
Thus, little to nothing was known about the northernmost region.
Some suspected the demons of Gehenna had already turned it into their haven. Others believed some backwater tribes lived there. As far as Vaan was concerned, even the remnant survivors of the advanced civilization could be hidden there.
Of course, he had already seen the northernmost region from the sea of stars - there was nothing there except dense trees.
The Great Ashfallen Forest stretched all the way to the northern coastline.
Despite the absence of civilization from an outer planet view, Vaan didn't rule out the possibility of the northernmost region being home to intelligent lifeforms - whether they be demons, primitive humans, or survivors of the advanced civilization.
After all, the Great Ashfallen Forest hid everything within it.
Furthermore, Vaan wouldn't completely trust his eyes when it involved remnants of an advanced civilization, considering they could possess optical illusion technology that granted invisibility.
As such, they could be anywhere.
Vaan wouldn't know where the survivors of the advanced civilization were hiding unless their cloak of invisibility entered the range of his Omni-Sense.
On another note, he was very wary of the remnant advanced civilization because he didn't know if it could be a friend or if it absolutely had to be an enemy.
However, he would certainly prefer to befriend the survivors of the advanced civilization if it was possible.
Their technology and knowledge could be extremely useful against Gehenna.
Furthermore, the survivors of the advanced civilization could have a clearer understanding of the events in the distant past that led to their destruction.
Unfortunately, Vaan failed to find any substantial information or suspicious points of interest while perusing the books on the Great Ashfallen Forest's explorations.
The authors only recorded the fierce magic beasts and exotic plants they encountered.
...
While Vaan was reading in the private library, Lillias returned and dragged Linetta away for a serious talk in her bedroom.
"Exactly what do you want to talk about that we have to go all the way back to your room, Lily?" Linetta asked, feeling a little frustrated that she couldn't keep watching Vaan.
Vaan was also charming when he was reading seriously.
That said, Linetta only paid attention to Vaan's serious reading face and not his inhuman reading speed as he flicked through the pages.
"Of course, we have to talk in my room; it's very serious!" Lillias firmly stated before saying, "We have to decide who gets to spend the night with Vahn! Obviously, you want to spend the night with Vahn, sis."
"However, I also want to spend the night with Vahn! And I'm not giving up, either! I didn't get to receive his affection yet!" Lillias said defiantly.
Seeing the stubborn look in Lillias's eyes, Linetta knew she couldn't deny her little sister of her fighting chance with words alone. It seemed if she wanted to spend the night with Vahn, she had to earn it.
"Fine, how do you want to settle this?" Linetta asked with a soft sigh.
"Surely, you must have thought of a solution, knowing I wouldn't back down so easily, either, right, my dear little sister?"
"Of course!" Lillias bluntly admitted before pointing at the only two glasses of water on the table in the room.
"One of these glasses of water is laced with a sleeping drug. Whoever drinks it will be knocked out until morning. So, whoever doesn't get knocked out will be the one to spend the night with Vahn"
"How's that? Do you dare to bet with me, sis? I am willing to give you the first pick," Lillias goaded with a confident smile.
Linetta frowned at the two glasses in silence.
"Why wouldn't I?" Linetta boldly replied before adding her own conditions, "However, we
have to get a servant to swap the glasses randomly for us. After all, you already know which one is laced with the sleeping drug."
"Wouldn't I fall for your trick if I had readily agreed?" Linetta added, thinking she was smart.
However, Lillias was a little speechless.
"But, sis, I said you can have the first pick. So, why would it matter if I know which one is laced or not?" Lillias replied, giving her sister a weird look.
"Ah... You're right, Linetta suddenly felt stupid as she smiled with embarrassment. "Then, I will pick first, okay?"
"Go ahead," Lillias affirmed confidently.
Linetta gave a hard look at the two glasses but didn't notice any difference; they were completely identical.
The sleeping drug was already fully dissolved into the water. Thus, it was impossible to tell the difference.
Nevertheless, she reached out her hand and hovered over the glasses while watching Lillias's previously confident expression alternate between relief and concern.
Surely, her little sister wouldn't make it so obvious.
"You know what? I'm feeling generous. I'll let you drink the first cup, my dear little sister," Linetta said graciously.
"Really?! Then, don't mind if! do!" Lillias uttered excitedly, reaching for the left glass of
water.
However, before her hand could reach it, her elder sister's hand flashed past and snatched the glass of water in the blink of an eye.
"You..."
Gulp!
Linetta downed the glass of water before smacking her wet lips smugly, saying, "Sorry, my dear little sister. Hehehe, all is fair in love and war. I'll be spending the night with..."
Linetta suddenly wobbled, failing to stand straight as she felt lightheaded and drowsy, followed by hearing Lillias's soft sigh.
"Sorry, sis," Lillias apologized before admitting, "Actually, I laced both drinks with sleeping drugs and took an antidote beforehand. You were bound to lose, regardless of which glass you drank."
"Hehe, but as you said - all is fair in love and war. So, you can't blame for this," Lillias giggled happily.
"Y-You...! You brat, I will remember this when I wake up...!"
"Goodnight, sis," Lillias laughed harder.
Thud!
Linetta fell asleep on the floor.
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