Chapter 40: For Everyone’s Sake, Let’s Punch That Evil Maid

Aisha slowly walked through the gates of the Astraya estate.

Outside, the streets near the mercenary district were noisy.

Inside, however, everything was remarkably quiet.

As she entered the reception hall, the expensive marble floor gleamed beneath her feet.

A magnificent magical chandelier hung from the vaulted ceiling, radiating brilliant light.

A faint fragrance lingered in the air.

Elegant paintings she couldn’t recognize decorated the walls.

Every furnishing in the room proclaimed that its owner was immensely wealthy.

As Aisha walked down the spacious, brightly lit corridor, even her footsteps became slower.

Yvette lounged on the large sofa in the center of the reception hall.

One leg was crossed over the other as she lazily examined Aisha from head to toe.

“What an honor.”

“The great Hero has truly humbled herself by visiting a humble place like ours.”

“I’m afraid this tiny residence isn’t worthy of entertaining someone as important as you.”

Yvette curled her lips into a faint smile.

Hearing those words, Aisha came to a stop.

“That’s just how Yvette is.”

“Please don’t mind her.”

Yelena walked over from the kitchen carrying a glass of fruit juice.

She naturally carried herself like the lady of the house.

Of course, this had all been planned beforehand.

One of them would play the villain.

The other would play the peacemaker.

“Please have a seat.”

“Try my homemade fruit juice.”

Yelena personally pulled out a chair for her.

Aisha didn’t sit.

Instead, she accepted the glass from Yelena.

Then she took two steps forward.

Facing the two women, she bowed deeply.

“Thank you both…”

“For saving my life in the lava region.”

She raised her voice slightly.

“I’ve also confirmed Miss Anna’s warning.”

“There really is something wrong with Mira.”

“What should I do?”

Yvette impatiently tapped the armrest of the sofa.

“That’s your Hero party’s problem.”

“What does it have to do with us?”

“Yvette.”

Yelena merely called her name.

Pouting unhappily, Yvette stopped talking.

Yelena walked over to Aisha.

She took out a palm-sized spice box from her spatial ring and placed it on the table.

“Open it.”

Aisha looked puzzled.

She slowly lifted the lid.

Inside were several neatly separated compartments.

Curiously, she picked up one of the small glass bottles and examined its contents.

“This contains a special pepper powder I made.”

“It’s colorless and odorless.”

“But it’s mixed with powdered Silverleaf and Demonbane Herb.”

“For us, it’s simply a healthy seasoning.”

“It even improves the flavor of food.”

Yelena pointed at the small bottle.

Then she continued, a sly fox-like grin appearing on her face.

“Mix it into Mira’s food.”

“Tonight’s banquet will be our chance to expose her true colors and subdue her.”

Aisha’s hand trembled slightly.

“If she’s innocent…”

Yelena continued.

“Then it’s nothing more than dinner with some unusual seasoning.”

“It won’t affect her at all.”

“But if she isn’t…”

“Whether we can capture her depends on whether our Hero has the courage to do what’s necessary.”

After explaining everything, Yelena opened a hidden compartment beneath the spice box.

She removed an even smaller crystal vial and handed it to Aisha.

Inside was nothing but silver-white powder.

“This is a highly concentrated mixture of Silverleaf and Demonbane Herb.”

“The potency is more than enough.”

“If poisoning her food doesn’t work…”

“Or if she decides to resist until the end…”

“Throw this directly onto her.”

Yelena leaned in closer.

Smiling warmly, she whispered,

“There’s no turning back now, Lady Hero.”

“Whether you use it or not…”

“That’s your decision.”

Aisha tightly gripped the tiny crystal vial.

Silently, she made up her mind.

That evening.

The second floor of the Zachary Grand Hotel in Antal City.

Yvette had rented an enormous private banquet hall.

Among adventurer parties, there was an unwritten rule.

Outside of missions, the party leader had the authority to summon every member.

Group meals that strengthened camaraderie were especially encouraged by the Adventurers’ Guild.

No matter how unwilling Mira, Kate, and Sylvia were…

They still had to accompany Aisha.

As soon as the three of them pushed open the door and saw Yelena and Yvette sitting together…

Kate’s face immediately darkened.

“So this is my first time seeing Lady Yelena’s true appearance.”

“You truly are breathtaking.”

“So beautiful that it stirs one’s heart.”

Unexpectedly, Mira was the first to speak.

“Thank you, Miss Mira.”

“My health isn’t very good.”

“So I usually wear a thick veil whenever I’m outside.”

“Please forgive me.”

Yelena smoothly followed along with the fabricated story.

She also maintained a calm appearance.

She was already certain whose killing intent had targeted her inside that cave.

“Lady Aisha.”

Kate raised her voice.

“What exactly is going on?”

“Why do we have to eat with them?”

“Exactly.”

“What do we even have to discuss with them?”

Sylvia immediately echoed her complaint.

Everyone took seats on opposite sides of the long dining table.

Mira stood beside Kate.

No one spoke.

The atmosphere instantly became heavy.

Yelena, however, acted as though nothing were wrong.

She carried around tea, drinks, and appetizers.

One by one, she placed them before everyone.

Meanwhile, another conversation began inside Yelena’s mind.

‘Mr. System, please come through for me.’

‘Whether we catch Mira depends entirely on tonight!’

[How exactly should I come through? My sword and shield? Bibbidi bab… ]

‘I’m begging you.’

‘Please give me some recommendations for tonight’s menu.’

‘Pretty please~’

[Based on the fox spirit host’s excellent recent performance, personalized culinary support will continue.]

‘Great, great…’

‘Please hurry so I can finish preparing the dishes.’

[Emotion Menu activated.]

[Scanning Target: Aisha Paricio]

[Emotional Composition: Guilt 35%, Gratitude 25%, Resolve 20%, Nervousness 15%, Regret 5%]

[Recommended Dish: Lightly braised deep-sea cod or basa fish to soothe nerves and reduce anxiety.]

[Scanning Target: Kate]

[Emotional Composition: Anger 50%, Dissatisfaction 30%, Confusion 20%]

[Recommended Dish: Chilled bitter melon salad to reduce internal heat. Strongly recommended.]

[Scanning Target: Sylvia]

[Emotional Composition: Rejection 40%, Vigilance 35%, Doubt 25%]

[Recommended Dish: Hawthorn cake to reduce negative resistance and stimulate appetite.]

Yelena’s gaze finally settled on the maid who still wore a flawless smile.

[Scanning Target: Mira]

[Emotional Composition: Feigned Calm 90%, Deep Panic 5%, Extreme Tension 5%]

[Recommended Dish: …Abnormal demonic reaction detected. Recommend feeding high-concentration Holy Light or Demonbane-attribute ingredients.]

‘Got it~’

‘Thanks, Mr. System~’

Yelena busied herself preparing the dishes suggested by the system.

She personally delivered each meal to its corresponding recipient.

Finally, carrying a porcelain plate, she deliberately placed a serving of salt-and-pepper chicken wings seasoned with her special pepper powder in front of Mira.

“Miss Mira.”

“You’ve worked hard taking care of the Hero’s party during your journey.”

“I developed this dish recently.”

“Please give it a try~”