NOVEL ONLINE FREE Chapter 145: Planting Seeds Of Doubt And Suspicion
As Kaida explained to Orn, outside, Grax had already formulated a plan as he swiftly approached a burly Orc named Thrak, "Thrak, how are your Infernal Nightshades? Are they growing well?"
After saying so, Grax turned his head in the direction of the empty plot of land that stretched for a few dozen feet in both length and width, with eyes filled with incredible envy.
Infernal Nightshade was a common Grade 1 Magical Herb compared to his Grade 2 Hellfire Blossom, which was quite rare. However, the Infernal Nightshade sold for almost twice the price of his Hellfire Blossom. It was due to the Magical Herb's difficulty in tending to it. Only those who had a special Eye Skill could detect the plant.
Also, the Infernal Nightshade gave whoever consumed it temporary invisibility.
Furthermore, since Thrak tended to the Infernal Nightshades he was given a share of the Mana Stones once they were sold on top of his regular wage.
Thrak was taken aback by Grax's words. Since when had they been friends? He could not even remember if they had ever spoken a single word to each other in the past decade of him being a gardener. Nevertheless, he nodded with a wide smile, "They are growing better than the last harvest. At this rate, I'll have to harvest them a week earlier than planned."
"That's good to hear! With Young Master Ravenscroft's two-hundredth birthday coming up in thirty-seven days, we'll need your Infernal Nightshades. I even heard a rumor that the Young Master is searching for an Alchemy Chef for his celebration."
"What!? An Alchemy Chef?" Thrak's eyes widened to the point where they looked like they were on the verge of popping out of their sockets. "Are you sure?"
Grax nodded and swiftly changed the topic, "Anyway, have you seen anything unusual lately? Like footprints in your region? Anything at all?"
Thrak was confused but shook his head, "No. Other than me, no one dares to step into my Infernal Nightshades Region. They are too afraid of accidentally stepping on them. Why did something happen?"
Hearing this, Grax had a look of realization and dramatically sighed, "The Netherbane Chives are missing! Thrak, over a dozen of them! We need to find who's responsible for this before Master Orn punishes all of us!"
"Missing?" Thrax muttered before shrugging his shoulders. "But why should it matter to us if the Netherbane Chives are missing? If anyone were to get punished, it would be Kaida. It's her region."
"Haah, normally you'd be right! But who is Kaida? Compared to us, she is favored heavily by Master Orn. I wouldn't even be surprised if she had a secret relatio-" Grax paused suggestively, then continued, "Well, anyway, you know what I mean."
Thrax nodded, of course, he knew what Grax was suggesting. Before today, he had never thought much about why Kaida was favored so heavily by Master Orn. It was true she was diligent in her work and compared to them, she never stole her region's Magical Herbs, but that could not be the only reason.
"Anyway, keep an eye out. We'll need evidence that it wasn't us if we want to survive Master Orn's wrath." Grax did not explicitly state they needed evidence to frame Kaida. Otherwise, if Master Orn learned he was behind the framing of Kaida, he would lose his head.
As for Kaida actually stealing the Netherbane Chives? Grax did not believe that one bit. She was too much of a goodey too-shoes, to do so. If he had to guess, it should have been someone else attempting to frame her to make her lose Master Orn's favor.
However, he could care less who stole the Netherbane Chives as long as he could use it in his favor. With that thought in mind and a few parting words to Thrax, he left to plant more seeds of doubt and suspicion among the other gardeners.
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Back in Orn's chamber, Kaida had finished retelling her story, and after writing the last word in his booklet, Orn placed it into his Spatial Ring. He would come back to it later.
"I will cross-check your story with the other gardeners. You may go, but you are not allowed to leave the garden." Orn warned sternly.
Kaida bowed and then left the building, returning to her Netherbane Chives Region.
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Meanwhile, back to Transcendence, a slim and handsome figure dressed in a chef's uniform pushed the kitchen door open and calmly walked out accompanied by the fragrant aroma of beef.
"Finally!" James looked at one of the two plates of Sous Vide Filet Mignon in Lucian's hand with a hungry expression. After he ate the Siren's Melody Poached Egg, he realized he had made a huge mistake. He should have ordered other dishes while waiting for the Sous VIde Filet Mignon. Having to wait for an hour and twenty minutes or so in Transcendence was torture.
The fragrant aroma of Lucian's dishes still permeated the restaurant, teasing his senses.
Within the restaurant there were only four people, James, Garm, Albert, and of course, Lucian.
The others had already paid what they owed for their meals and left.
The Lion's Liver Adventurer Party and Fenwick left to make preparations to leave, while the four nobodies said they wanted to go into seclusion to break through to the Tendon Tempering Realm. As for Li Yong and Anselm, they reluctantly left, saying they would use the time while Lucian was away to make progress in their Mage Rank.
"Senior, you didn't have to personally serve me. I would have come up to receive it myself!" James hurriedly stood up and received the plate with a smile.
Lucian shook his head, handed him the plate, and then approached Garm and Albert's table with his hand outstretched, clearly asking for something.
Albert, who was calmly savoring his Sous Vide Filet Mignon, did not even lift his head or open his eyes as he waved his hand and produced 105 Low-Grade Mana Stones and 550 Gold Coins.
Before they could even fall onto the nearby table, Lucian smilingly stored them in his Inventory.
<{551 Low-Grade Mana Stones → 656 Low-Grade Mana Stones}>
<{7,845 Gold Coins → 8,395 Gold Coins}>
<{965 customers left until Quest's completion.}>
"Thank you, please continue enjoying your meal!" Lucian said, then returned to the kitchen.
Once he was inside his kitchen, he could not help but slightly frown. With Lily's personality, he was slightly surprised she did not come out to help him.
'She must really like Osiris,' Lucian thought as he began removing the clean tableware from the dishwasher.
Sometime later as Lucian began placing the tableware into the cabinets, Lily's eyes opened and then she kicked her feet out of the bed.
"Big Brother Lucian, let Lily help," Lily said as she appeared beside her Big Brother Lucian in a single step.
Lucian smiled and handed her a plate.
"Did you enjoy playing with Osiris?"
"Lily had loads of fun! We played tag and tried to play hide and seek… but." Recalling what happened when she played hide and seek with Osiris made her pout.
Noticing this, Lucian asked, "What's wrong?"
"Osiris is a big cheater!" Lily pouted. "He hid in the Void! How is Lily supposed to enter the Void!?"
"Well… maybe you should play a different game next time. Playing hide and seek on an open field doesn't sound fun." Lucian said with a smile. "Oh, by the way, did you enjoy the Sweet Berry Cream Glazed Dough Balls?"
"Lily hasn't eaten yet." Lily looked at him with an embarrassed expression.
[System, didn't you say you gave Lily the dishes and drink?] Lucian asked.
[The System had placed the dishes and drink before Lily many times but she had refused. Furthermore, since the System believed it was not important, I didn't inform you.] The System replied in an honest tone, acting as if it did not alter Lily and Osiris' memories a few minutes prior. Your next chapter is on empire
That was why Lily thought she played with Osiris, while Osiris still believed his Master was Lucian. Even the connection between Lucian and Osiris had been artificially created.
[Alright, but I expect you to inform me next time when it's related to Lily! For now, place the dishes and drink on a table.] Lucian said sternly and then continued gently, "Lily, since you haven't eaten yet, you should first go to the dining area and eat. Once you're done, we will be departing to Harmony City. I want to arrive there and return as soon as possible.]
"Okay, Big Brother Lucian." Lily nodded her head in understanding, then skipped out of the kitchen. Of course, not before activating the Mosaic Skill.
"How are you Miss Owner? Were you helping Senior today?" James asked Lily kindly when he saw her blurred figure exit the kitchen.
'Kyaaa~… Miss Owner?' Lily blushed, while suddenly finding James more pleasing to the eye. 'Hehe~ Miss Owner! Lily likes the sound of that title!'