How To Suck Honey With Extras [EN]: Chapter 189

But the most unusual item among them was this.

“A dagger? …But it has no blade.”

A dagger with only a handle.

However, Elmelot’s eyes gleamed sharply as he watched.

He recognized it wasn’t an ordinary tool.

“It seems to work by injecting mana into it.”

I injected mana as a test.

Chiring!

A purplish droplet popped out from the inside and formed the shape of a dagger blade.

“…Poison?! And it’s incredibly potent.”

Elmelot exclaimed, seemingly able to tell just by looking at it.

“It seems they solidified a special poison stored inside the dagger into the shape of a blade…”

“Yes. It’s said to be Hydra’s poison.”

Hydra’s poison is known for being quite difficult to handle among other toxic substances.

The poison melts through even iron, and it’s said that even a single drop entering the body would cause anyone without significant resistance to writhe in agony and die.

Its notoriety is great, as corpses affected by the poison are found with muscles and bones discolored in purple and half-melted.

“It’s a wonderful poison!”

I boasted like this.

The other races, except for Elmelot, turned pale and stepped back several paces.

I understand.

The rumors about the Hydra that appeared in the south are quite famous, and it seems it hasn’t been subdued yet, which shows how dangerous Hydra’s poison is.

Elmelot, slightly nervous, sternly warned me.

“…Hydra, you say. Terrifying. However, you must be careful with its management. It would be a disaster if anyone were to brush against it. Just touching the skin is the end.”

“I know. I’ve also obtained the detoxification recipe separately, so there won’t be any unforeseen circumstances.”

“Oh? You have the recipe too? If you don’t mind, share it with me. I’ll make an antidote.”

“I’ll ask for your help later.”

I gave a wry smile and cut off the mana injection.

Then, the poison forming the dagger’s blade collapsed and was sucked back into the dagger handle.

How is something like this possible…….

[It’s a masterpiece I created with great care!]

Ashilla shrugged her shoulders above my head, seemingly proud.

More importantly, why poison and a dagger of all things?

[…Well, there were a lot of guys who were jealous of my achievements and ambushed me. So, if they looked like they were going to attack, I’d secretly stab them with the dagger, and when they were in pain, I’d give them the antidote and use that as an excuse to rip them off! Good times! You wouldn’t believe how much I earned with that~.]

She gestured wildly in the air, seemingly excited.

Did this woman wield a poison dagger in her past life…….

So much for the great archmage.

Anyway, it seems like she made it for practical use, so it should be useful.

* * *

The fact that the treasures provided by Ashilla gave the other race refugees more leeway couldn’t possibly be a negative.

Usually, having leeway is a defeat flag, but that’s only for those who can afford such luxuries.

Moreover, the other races staging a sit-in here are people living anxiously, being chased or deceived.

They need leeway.

I understand that acutely because I’ve been in a similar situation.

‘When I was suddenly fired for the first time, nothing went right…….’

It suddenly came to mind.

Being exploited at the first company I worked for, not receiving what I was owed, and the boss running away in the night.

What did I do back then?

When I was struggling with no money left in my account.

I became anxious, and things that could have been easily resolved didn’t.

That’s why they need to relax.

They need to feel secure to have leeway, and when they have leeway, they can think properly.

‘More than anything, they’re still wary of me…….’

I came to get the magic tome, but helping them is also one of my goals.

If they survive, unlike the original story, that alone will change things.

And I’m aiming for something else separately.

I disposed of all the treasures I found, except for those that would be immediately helpful here.

I even used teleportation to fly long distances to dispose of them one by one.

And with that money, I additionally prepared various things.

Well, especially things that weren’t immediately necessary, but purely based on my personal judgment, I arbitrarily prepared things like alcohol and meat, purely for enjoyment.

“Here, I’ve brought something good. I happened to find some great stuff being sold~.”

I offered them, vaguely glossing over the details.

Material offerings are the best way to win someone over.

And if it’s something they enjoy, even better.

However, the only thing I’m worried about is that I honestly don’t know much about the taste of alcohol yet, so I just bought something that seemed appropriate.

Well, it seems like it was an unnecessary worry.

They seemed to know that refusing would only be a loss for themselves, so they were genuinely happy.

That night, we held a small gathering to consume what I had brought.

“Kheuheueueueuk! It’s been so long since I’ve had alcohol like this!”

“It’s been so long since I’ve been able to chat like this without worrying about what to eat tomorrow…….”

Everyone seems genuinely happy, so that’s good.

Elmelot hates noise, so he didn’t join this gathering, but instead, I put some snacks and alcohol in his workshop, so he’s probably enjoying himself.

“Hey, Eilon, why are you drinking alone so gloomily! Come over here!”

As I was feeling satisfied, Zillon, a beastman youth with drooping dog ears, approached me and pulled me up as if to drag me away.

In a way, this guy is amazing.

When you think about it, he was beaten by my strength and fainted along with the others, even though he didn’t know the circumstances.

But he’s not afraid of me.

“Come on! Eilon brought this! So, of course, we should drink it proudly here!”

He seemed to be trying to bridge the gap between me and the guys who are still wary of me.

“Right? Dires?”

“Hmm. Do as you please.”

On the other hand, the elf Dires still has a stiff attitude towards me.

Is he wary?

Even if all elves are like that, Lucell Elbeid wasn’t, and the few elves staying here just seem unfamiliar, so Dires’ attitude must be particularly wary.

“…Zillon, don’t make such a fuss. It’s too early to trust him.”

“Dires, don’t be so sulky. You should just let go of being beaten by this guy, right?”

“Zillon, what nonsense are you talking about?”

He seemed to be trying to mediate, but it seems like he just hurt his pride.

As expected, words are the root of disaster~.

I just shrugged it off without saying anything else.

“Don’t misunderstand. I’ve forgotten about what happened back then. It’s not like I was overwhelmed by you back then…….”

“Yes, yes. I don’t mind.”

Dires is making excuses, but I’m not listening. Hehehehe.

Anyway, they seem to be relying on me and showing some trust.

My actions will be meaningful enough.

However…….

‘It’s strange.’

Everything is good.

Helping them and being trusted is fine.

It’s really a good thing.

‘But there are no changes related to them…….’

I frowned, glancing at the empty space above my head.

For example, inciting the mercenaries and driving them out.

That action generated points.

I was also able to get a small amount when I sold the treasures I got here in the market.

Maybe because someone is using it.

Thanks to that, I’ve gathered a decent amount.

However, as for helping them, the results haven’t occurred yet.

No points are being generated.

Usually, if someone who is destined to die doesn’t die, it happens.

‘……Is it not changing?’

Just this isn’t enough to change the development that they will be annihilated?

That was strange.

Even if the enemy attacks now, I’m confident I can defeat them.

And if that doesn’t work, I’m thinking of a way to escape as a group.

More than anything, I won’t let them die.

Since I’ve decided to help them, I’ll protect them until the end.

But the results aren’t changing?

‘……I need to interfere properly.’

I need to move decisively.

With that determination, I was slowly trying to move on to the next action.

The next thing I can do is use force.

I was thinking of openly displaying my power.

To achieve that goal, I brought up the topic in front of everyone when the atmosphere had calmed down to some extent.

“By the way, I heard that the lord of this place has imprisoned many of your friends.”

“…….”

Judging by their silence, it must be a topic they’re reluctant to mention.

“…Did you hear that from Elmelot?”

Dires asked hesitantly.

“I’m a little uncomfortable bringing up this topic too. But I think it’s one of the pressing issues right now.”

“……Y-yes, that’s true.”

The beastman Zillon also nodded with difficulty, seemingly embarrassed.

“First, I’ll ask to confirm, they are still safe, right?”

“……We’ve checked the information from time to time, so it’s probably correct.”

They’ve been doing some reconnaissance [scouting or gathering information].

There’s no news that the lord has punished the other races he imprisoned.

That means they’re still locked up.

But at the point when they’re staging a sit-in [a form of protest where people occupy a place and refuse to leave], it wouldn’t be strange if the lord were to deal with them at any time.

‘In a way, it might be a wedge to keep them from leaving the tower…….’

I didn’t quite understand.

Why is he trying to keep them alive so much?

And why did they try to kill them in the tower?

It’s as if the goal is to prevent them from leaving.

The information I know from the original story is that many corpses were found in this relic tower, and this place was horribly destroyed.

As if something happened here.

‘If I poke around, I’ll find the answer.’

That’s why I brought up this topic.

“Anyway, the important thing is that they’re still being held. As long as they’re safe, that’s all that matters.”

“……Could it be.”

Only then did Dires understand my true intentions and shut his mouth.

The other races also widened their eyes and perked up their ears.

“If they’ve been captured, we have to go save them. I’ll take the lead.”

Let’s attack under the pretext of rescue.

That’s the conclusion I’m proposing.

I need to poke around properly.

* * *

Around the same time.

“You useless things!”

Lord Illanat burst into anger and threw the pen he was holding at the knight who had come to report.

Crack!

The pen he threw hit the armor the knight was wearing and broke in half.

“……I-I’m sorry!”

Leaving the knight, who was already pale and terrified, Lord Illanat trembled for a long time before finally releasing the strength in his fist.

“……Leave.”

“…….”

“I said leave.”

Only then did the knight slowly retreat without making a sound.

The lord seemed to have no interest in the knight anymore, and he let out a long sigh, “Hoo……,” calming his anger.

After all, that guy is just an incompetent local knight.

Even so, the reason why he keeps such a person as a vassal is because it’s necessary to maintain the appearance of an insignificant local lord.

More than anything, he needs to keep those who are unremarkable as vassals to avoid attracting external attention.

But now that has become troublesome.

There are no talented people to use.

“……Things have become more troublesome than I expected.”

Was it a mistake to hire mercenaries?

Lord Illanat covered his face and complained.

Until then, things had gone smoothly.

As planned, he attracted other race refugees and sent them to the relic tower.

And as planned by the ‘organization,’ he drove them there.

All that’s left is to teach them a harsh reality and annihilate them according to plan.

Only then will the ritual to obtain what is needed be completed.

That’s what that person said.

‘To think it would go wrong there.’

There was a troublemaker.

Because of that troublemaker, he missed the opportunity, and eventually, the other races occupied the relic tower and started a sit-in.

Ironically, those he had brought in to obtain the magic tome in the relic tower ended up interfering.

After that, he thought it would be difficult to deal with them with just the soldiers Lord Illanat had, so he even brought in mercenaries, but things are getting more and more twisted.

‘Those other races must die in that tower…….’