Tension ran through the highest-ranking reception room in the Karasebed Ducal House at the Queen’s words.

The Far-Reaching Deadly Poison Grand Fever is a cursed poison created by an Evil God.

It is not something that can be obtained through half-hearted means.

And yet it was used.

This is not something that can be brushed aside lightly.

Over the past few days, the King and the Chancellor had been secretly investigating the matter behind the scenes.

All the while harboring concerns that nobles or even members of the royal family might be involved.

And then the Queen announced that something had been uncovered.

According to the Queen, an unsettling group appeared to have been hiding within the country.

That group was said to worship an Evil God.

The maid believed to be the direct perpetrator seems to have had her family taken hostage.

To begin with, working in the royal castle is itself a privilege of the nobility.

While the knight order recruits from commoners as well, maid and butler positions are in principle popular career paths for the children of lower-ranking noble families.

Especially for those in positions where they cannot inherit the family, it is something to be grateful for.

When investigators looked into the maid’s family in question, they were already missing and were later found as corpses.

The perpetrators are still being actively searched for.

That said, even if they are lower-ranking nobles, abducting an entire family and slaughtering them brutally suggests an organization with considerable power.

When the Queen finished explaining that much, Mother questioned her.

“I don’t really understand the objective, Sister. Why was it you and not His Majesty the King?”

“That’s right. I think they could have assassinated His Majesty if they wanted to.”

“It doesn’t seem like it was just a show of force either.”

During the sisters’ conversation, Li interjected.

“Does that mean there is someone else behind that suspicious group?”

“The Chancellor and His Majesty also believe that possibility is high, but…”

The Queen furrowed her willow-like brows.

“Either way, we’re reacting too late. I dislike that we can only take passive measures.”

By passive measures, Mother meant things like conducting background checks on those working in the royal castle.

Simply preventing poison from being administered.

If that is all that can be done, such symptomatic treatment is meaningless.

A fundamental solution needs to be found somewhere, but at present there are no leads.

“Only a few days have passed, so it can’t be helped,” Li said.

“That’s true, just as Li-chan says,” Mother agreed.

As she did, the Queen murmured as if to confirm it to herself, “Not rushing things, then.”

“By the way, Li-chan, I was entrusted with a message from His Majesty. Given the circumstances, he hopes you can forgive him for not being able to grant you a grand reward.”

“That can’t be helped either,” Mother said in agreement.

To publicly bestow a reward using Li’s name would also mean publicly announcing that she had resolved the Queen’s problem.

If it became known that it was Li that cured it, what would happen then?

There is a high probability that Li would be targeted.

That is why it cannot be done.

Li already feels that she has been swept up in a conspiracy.

However, at this point, she had no intention of acting proactively.

Because it is something that can be done by people other than herself.

If it were something only Li could do, she would act even without being asked.

But if others can handle it, it is better to leave it to them.

It is not good to stick one’s hands into everything.

Leave to others what should be left to others.

That is something Li learned in her previous life.

There is no need to shoulder unnecessary hardship, nor to earn resentment from those around you.

That could be called one method of navigating the world.

While sipping her tea, Li let out a heavy breath inwardly.

Because she had a premonition that this was going to become troublesome.