Everyone present knew how terrifying the poisonous miasma was. Without special antidotes, entering it was practically suicidal. Even the great families had only brought limited quantities of detoxification pills and potions, which was why none of them dared to bring too many people.
If Zora could refine a detoxification pill effective against the miasma, then her dical skill was no small matter.
"So that’s how they crossed the miasma..." Zephrin murmured in realization.
Elowen’s eyes lit up. "A physician capable of that is anything but ordinary."
In this world, background and lineage mattered. But refining pharmacists and physicians relied purely on skill. Zora’s ability to develop such a pill was proof enough of her value.
Once word spread, countless families would scramble to win her favor.
"No wonder Kael Moonstone favors her," Sigmund said thoughtfully. "A doctor with such ability is worth more than most nobles."
Zora’s lips curved faintly as she continued, unhurried and composed.
"You’ve been poisoned for a long ti. The toxin was rely suppressed until now, waiting for the right mont to erupt."
Her tone was light, almost casual, as if she were discussing soone else’s condition entirely, unconcerned by the hostility and weapons surrounding her. "Nonsense. That’s impossible!"
Zora rely shrugged, utterly unconcerned.
"Believe it or not, that’s your choice. But from now on, the pain will only grow worse. In the end, you’ll bleed from your organs and die."
She tilted her head slightly, her tone lazy, even teasing.
"Mm... whoever did this really hates you. They want you to suffer, slowly, painfully."
"Master, what are you planning to do?" Black asked in confusion.
Others might not know, but Black understood her owner far too well. A toxin this strange and vicious could only co from her hand.
"Fool her, of course," Zora said lightly, raising an eyebrow. A foxlike glint flashed through her beautiful eyes.
"Fool her?" Black was baffled. "Why bother? Her life’s already in your hands."
Zora blinked, wisdom glimring in her gaze.
"I want her to beg properly. Then I’ll accept the demon crystal of the Abyssal Crocodile, and she’ll hand it over with gratitude."
With her current strength, directly clashing with the House Ravens was unrealistic. She couldn’t let Fiona die here either.
More importantly, she understood Fiona too well. If Fiona survived and returned safely, she would definitely try to kill her later. So Zora needed a solution that would leave Fiona powerless to retaliate.
Sure enough, hearing Zora’s calm and confident words, doubt crept into Fiona’s heart.
Within the House Ravens, power struggles were constant. Poison, traps, and sches were nothing new. It wasn’t impossible that soone had secretly targeted her.
For a mont, Fiona couldn’t tell whether this was truth or deception.
Elowen and the others exchanged thoughtful glances. Zora was far too composed, far too certain. That alone made people uneasy.
Perhaps soone really had planned to eliminate Fiona in this way, and Zora had rely noticed it first.
"Zora..." Fiona finally broke, her voice trembling. "Detoxify !"
At this point, she could no longer think about pride or hatred. The pain was overwhelming, her consciousness slipping, her body weak and trembling. If this continued, she would faint, or worse.
"Why should I detoxify you?"
Zora crossed her arms, looking down at Fiona with calm arrogance.
"We’re neither friends nor family. In fact, we have quite a few grudges. Why would I help you?"
Fiona nearly lost her mind. This woman was truly hateful beyond words!
From the side, Prince Kael watched with undisguised admiration and amusent. His woman was terrifyingly clever.
With just a few sentences, she had flipped the entire situation. Fiona, who monts ago was threatening others, had beco the one begging for help.
One move, and the roles were completely reversed.
"Miss Zora," a House Ravens spirit warrior finally stepped forward, his tone stiff, "please help our young lady detoxify."
Even without dical knowledge, he could see how dire Fiona’s condition was. If this continued, she might truly die here.
Zora let out a cold laugh.
"So, that she turns around and tries to kill again?"
Her lips curved slightly, sharp and rciless.
"I never do business at a loss."
Hearing Zora’s words, the House Ravens spirit warriors’ expressions turned thoroughly ugly.
The conflict between Zora and Fiona had already escalated to a point of no return. At this mont, asking her for help was nothing short of humiliating.
Fiona felt her vision darken. For an instant, she nearly fainted on the spot.
She suddenly rembered her earlier arrogance, when she had smugly seized the demon crystal of the Abyssal Crocodile and refused to hand it over. Back then, she never imagined that she would end up begging Zora for her life.
Wasn’t this... the ultimate loss of face?
Had all the dignity of the House Ravens been trampled underfoot today?
"Miss Zora," a House Ravens spirit warrior finally spoke, testing the waters, "we’re willing to give you the demon crystal of the Abyssal Crocodile. How about that?"
Zora glanced at him indifferently.
"That demon crystal was mine to begin with. You only snatched it away."
Her tone was flat, but the aning was unmistakable.
"The owner is a real profiteer," Black muttered excitedly. "Selling them out and still having them thank her. Incredible!"
"Worthy of our master!" White was practically vibrating with excitent. "Watching the House Ravens bleed like this feels amazing!"
Even Shihtzu’s eyes sparkled. The demon crystal was finally about to fall into its paws. Just thinking about it made its heart race.
"Zora!" Fiona rasped, her voice hoarse and trembling. "You’re clearly extorting us! Is my House Ravens really that easy to bully?"
For the first ti in her life, regret flooded her heart.
If she had known this would happen, she would never have provoked Zora. Never.
But now, it was far too late.
Zora shrugged lazily.
"I never said I was forcing you. The price for saving you is high. If you don’t want to pay it, I don’t care."
As she finished speaking, she didn’t even bother sparing Fiona another glance. She simply sat down, calm and unhurried.
"You’re such an annoying person," she added coolly. "Even if I save you today, with your personality, you sure are going to make a lot of enemies. No, I’m sure that you have made a lot of enemies by now, too. eventually. Soone else will want your life tomorrow. Why should I waste my strength?"
Fiona scread inwardly, blood boiling with rage and humiliation. Yet she couldn’t utter a single word in response.
At this point, Zora had her completely pinned.
The House Ravens’ spirit warriors were equally speechless. Fiona had truly brought this upon herself.
Originally, they had hoped to settle things by offering compensation. But after Fiona’s repeated provocations, the price had clearly risen far beyond expectations.
"Miss Zora," one spirit warrior tried again, pulling out a porcelain box, "I have so extrely valuable dicinal pills. Would that be enough for you to save our young lady?"
Zora didn’t even look at it and said, "I can make dicinal pills on my own. No thanks."
Another hurriedly presented a black-gold card.
"I have money. You can buy anything you want."
Still, her expression didn’t change, and this ti, she replied. "My husband is Kael Moonstone. Do you think I lack money?"
At that, Kael couldn’t help but curve his lips. At this rate, by the ti we return from the trip, she might completely acknowledge as her husband? He couldn’t help but wonder.
"Demon crystals, spirit herbs, rare redies..."
One offer after another piled up, the rewards growing more extravagant by the second. However, Zora rejected one after another, either simply shaking her head or giving a stark reply.
Reesa’s eyes nearly popped out of her head.
"Good Lord... they’ve already offered so many treasures, and Zora is still unmoved!"
Raphael couldn’t help but smile faintly.
"She’s waiting."
"Waiting for what?" Reesa whispered.
Raphael’s smile deepened.
"She’s waiting for Fiona to bow her head."
Seeing Zora remain unmoved, the House Ravens’ spirit warriors’ faces grew increasingly unsightly. They had already paid a heavy price, yet the situation was still slipping out of their control.
But then at last, Zora spoke again, her voice calm and detached.
"Before I even need to consider your offers, there is a prerequisite condition that must be t. I believe Miss Fiona knows what it is: a sincere apology."
Fiona glared at her with eyes full of resentnt. Never in her life had she hated another woman this deeply. Zora was utterly detestable.
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