Chapter 399
“Yes, it seems to be a chronic toxin. The poisons in their bodies have been accumulating for quite some time now p>
Nina continued, “In fact, many males have also been poisoned. However, their natural resistance is likely stronger, allowing them to neutralize a significant portion of the toxicity. This is especially true for the males of the Serpent tribe; the traces of poison in their bodies are incredibly faint p>
Those males had all been tested by Little Bun, and every single one of them carried some level of toxicity in their systems.
“The males of the Serpent tribe are inherently venomous themselves, so they have a very high resistance to poisons,” Aron explained. “Ordinary toxins have little effect on them and are usually neutralized on their own in no time p>
Idir nodded in agreement. “It’s true that we males aren’t afraid of most poisons. But the females are different. While Serpent females might have a slightly higher tolerance than females of other tribes, they still can’t compare to the males at all p>
“In the short term, this poison might just cause stomach aches and lethargy, but over a long period, it is absolutely life-threatening,” Nina said. “Some of the patients today have already started falling into comas p>
“If that’s the case, then this poison was clearly formulated to target females and cubs. Serpent City is massive; whoever is behind this must have quite a few accomplices,” Taru deduced.
“But what is their ultimate goal?” Mino asked, looking puzzled. “If they simply wanted to wipe out the city’s females and cubs, why use such a slow-acting poison p>
The group fell into deep thought.
“Perhaps the culprit doesn’t want to expose themselves,” Kith analyzed. “They don’t want the beastmen in the city to realize they are being poisoned, which would trigger an investigation. Furthermore, a slow-acting poison allows them to harm a greater number of beastmen while giving themselves plenty of time to carry out the crime p>
“That makes sense,” Finch agreed.
“But why on earth go after the females and cubs?” Lex asked, still bewildered.
“Maybe they hold a grudge against Serpent City and want revenge, but since they can’t openly fight the entire city, they chose this underhanded method instead,” Sal guessed.
Idir pondered for a moment. “Serpent City has plenty of enemies, but most are small to medium-sized tribes we clashed with during past territorial disputes. I don’t think they have the courage or the capability to pull this off, nor is their hatred quite that deep p>
“True. Executing a mass poisoning on this scale is no simple feat. On top of that, finding a toxin that neither the witch doctors nor the Serpent tribe could detect is no easy task,” Dian added.
For the moment, no one could quite figure out the culprit’s motive.
“We can look into that later. Right now, our priority is to find the source of the poison and see if we can synthesize an antidote.” A shadow of worry crossed Nina’s brow. “Even though I can purge the toxin, there are just too many beastmen. It’s impossible for me to treat them all myself. If this drags on, many innocent lives will be lost p>
“Nina is right. We should focus on saving the innocent females and cubs first,” Odian said.
“Nina, do you have any leads?” Setan asked.
“Let’s start by checking the water sources. That’s the easiest place to dump poison. If the water supply is compromised, things are going to get tricky,” Nina replied.
“Should we reach out to the City Lord of Serpent City for assistance?” Ming suggested. “There are numerous water sources in Serpent City, and they are all heavily guarded. It will be quite tedious for us to investigate them all on our own p>
“Who is the current City Lord?” Nina asked.
“A male named Milt,” Aron answered.
Hearing the name, a flash of surprise crossed Idir’s eyes. So it’s him.
Nina turned to Idir. “Do you know him p>
“Yes. He used to be a captain of the guard for one of the branch families. He’s quite strong, though his bloodline isn’t pure. I’m surprised they let him become the City Lord,” Idir replied.
“And his stance during Nina’s eyes silently asked the rest.
“He took no part in that coup,” Idir reassured her.
“What kind of person is he?” she asked.
Idir recalled what he knew of Milt. “I don’t know him deeply, but he seemed to be a fairly upright male. He is quite well-loved by the people in the city p>
Nina took a moment to think.
“Let’s hold off on approaching him for now. We don’t have any hard evidence, so he might not believe us even if we ask, especially since we aren’t entirely certain ourselves. Let’s test a few water sources first. You guys find an excuse to bring back samples of the water, and I’ll handle the rest p>
If he truly was a good City Lord, perhaps they could ask for his help down the line.
“Alright, we’ll get right on it,” Ming nodded. “If it’s just gathering water, it shouldn’t take long p>
The males immediately set out.
With only Nina and her mates left in the room, she leaned back against her chair, her brow furrowed in exhaustion. Kith stepped up behind her and gently massaged her temples. “Nina, you’ve been busy all day. Take a rest. Let us handle the investigations p>
Heartache flickered in the eyes of the gathered males.
“I’m fine,” Nina murmured, closing her eyes to enjoy his touch.
Sal and Aviel took positions on either side of her, massaging her shoulders, while Lex and Dian knelt on her flanks, kneading her legs. Finch stood nearby, pouring her a fresh cup of tea.
Nina cracked an eye open to look at the circle of males pampering her. Honestly, she wasn’t that tired. But she promptly closed her eyes again, letting her body go entirely limp. With such handsome males offering their services, why on earth would she refuse?
Seeing the crowd around her, Mino went to prepare some pastries and fresh fruit, with Yanai stepping in to help him. Odian and Idir shared a smile before heading off to play with the cubs, while Setan, seeing no empty space left around Nina, had no choice but to join them.
While peace reigned over their courtyard, a fierce debate was raging inside the Serpent City Lord’s estate.
“Is there still no lead on the bizarre deaths occurring within the city?” Milt asked, his face grim.
“None, City Lord. We haven’t been able to catch the perpetrators,” an elder reported.
“What is the city guard doing? How has it taken this long without a single arrest?” a green-eyed elder barked. He scanned the hall. “Where is Grod? Isn’t he the one primarily responsible for the capture? Why isn’t he here today p>
“Who knows? Maybe he knows he’s incompetent and was too ashamed to show his face,” a red-eyed elder sneered mockingly.
“Honestly, hiding away the moment trouble hits.” The green-eyed elder was furious. “We should replace him with another elder. Grod is utterly useless p>
“Agreed. If we don’t solve this soon, the beastmen will be too terrified to stay in Serpent City p>
“Exactly. No one even dares to step outside anymore. If this isn’t resolved, they’ll undoubtedly start leaving, and Serpent City will become a ghost town p>
“Since Grod can’t get results, let’s swap him out p>
The elders chimed in with their grievances. Milt swept his gaze over the room. “Which of you would like to take over the investigation p>
The elders looked at one another, instantly falling silent. No one wanted to touch this hot potato; the task was not only incredibly difficult but also highly dangerous.
Milt let out a cold laugh. “Since none of you want to speak up, I will choose myself.” A pack of cowardly, freeloading parasites.
The elders instinctively took a step back, praying they wouldn’t be picked.
Milt looked toward one elder, who immediately pointed at his neighbor. “I believe Elder Kiran is the most suitable. He possesses greater strength p>
Kiran quickly deflected. “City Lord, my strength is still lacking. It would be better to choose Elder Vair p>
“No, no, no, I can’t do it either. I’m not clever enough p>
Several elders frantically passed the blame. A sharp glint flashed in Milt’s eyes as he locked onto another target. “Elder Alar, you will do it p>
Alar opened his mouth to object, but ultimately swallowed his words and bowed. “Yes, City Lord p>
Seeing Alar accept the task, the remaining elders let out a collective sigh of relief.
“City Lord,” Elder Harin spoke up, his face etched with worry. “An alarming number of females and cubs have fallen ill in the city, and their symptoms are growing progressively worse. The witch doctors are completely overwhelmed, and the situation is rapidly spiraling out of control. Should we send a request for aid to the neighboring tribes and cities p>
Females and cubs were the very future of their settlement. If anything happened to them, Serpent City would be completely ruined.