The Lazy Swordmaster Chapter 4:
The Poisoned Soup
"Young Master?"
Ian stretched his arm towards Riley, who would not say a word .
He found it strange that Riley would not turn to look back at his beloved mother, even though she was in such a state .
"Where are you going? You must sta . . . "
As a man who had practiced swordsmanship under the Iphelleta house for his entire life,
he could feel a sudden change in Riley’s aura .
His curiosity rose .
It was similar to the time when the first and the second sons of the Iphelleta house ridiculed his mother .
Ian thought he could see his potential once more .
"Ian . "
"Ah, yes?"
Riley's cold tone made Ian realise just how selfish his thoughts were .
It was not the time to try to read the atmosphere or Riley's emotions .
"Watch my mother . "
After giving this brief order, Riley immediately left the dining room .
Without even looking back towards his mother .
---
There was a reason as to why Riley did not look despite his love for her .
The expression on his face was as cold as stone, filled with anger .
His mother may be unconscious, but Riley did not want to show such emotions in front of her .
Riley slipped out of the dining room, sped through the corridor and stopped .
"Oh?"
Clack, clack .
A woman in heels appeared from the corner and confronted Riley with an unsurprised 'Oh' .
"Riley? Is that you?"
From the vanity of her clothing, to the white face powdered with makeup .
With just one look at her luxurious appearance, one would be able to tell that she was someone of importance in the mansion .
"Hello . "
Riley smiled brightly at her with his rage burning within .
The woman was the first wife of the house .
For Riley, she was another mother to him .
'Orelly Finn Iphelleta' was her name .
"I thought you were having dinner with Iris . You seem to be in a hurry . Do you need something from me?"
Orelly tilted her face, with a innocent look .
"Yes, um . . . I forgot to greet you earlier . "
As Riley lowers his head, she waved her hand with a laugh .
"Oh, there is no need . "
Riley looked into her eyes and saw the burning desire within them .
Eyes burning with malice and ill intent .
An average person may not notice, but Riley had seen such eyes in his previous life .
"Lady Orelly, may I ask . Where did you go just before this?"
"Hmm?"
"This smell, it does not seem to be from your dinner . It smells more like that from the kitchen . "
Orelly tilted her head once more .
"Nice nose you have there . Yes, I was simply curious as to what the menu is today . I have not yet eaten dinner, you see . "
"Haha, that does not seem to be like your usual self . "
"Hoho, oh you! I could say the same to you Riley . I'm surprised you are actually on your feet instead of lying around . "
She stared into Riley with her narrowed eyes .
It seemed as if she was looking down on him .
Her gaze looked kind at first, but Riley could see the hidden meaning in it .
“Move, **** . Get out of the way . ”
A phrase he knew from his previous life that best described the situation .
It was a warning .
Telling him to not try anything rash and act like a corpse just as he always had .
She must have been quite agitated due to the recent talks about the successor .
"Oh Master Lazy Blade, it's good that you are showing such manners but your mother must be getting worried . Shouldn't you go back?"
Orelly whispered to herself as she turned her back to Riley .
"Oh wait, is it the other way around? My bad . "
" . . . "
"Who cares, right?"
---
Riley entered his mother’s room, and questioned Ian who was looking after her .
"How’s mother?"
"She is alright . For now . "
She had made it through the worst of it .
That thought sank deep in Riley's heart .
With an expression as serious as Riley's, Ian put his hand on Riley's shoulder .
"Young master, may I have a word with you?"
Ian whispered with a grim face .
He was wary of the possibility that someone would be eavesdropping .
"The truth is, in the soup . . . "
Riley cut Ian's words before he could finish .
"There was poison right?"
" . . . ?!"
Ian nodded in surprise with cold sweat running on his back .
He was wondering how Riley managed to find out, but that was not an important matter .
" . . . Yes, the poison is not strong enough to significantly harm a normal person, but Lady Iris is a special case . Her body is already weak from her genetic condition . It must have been a combination of both that caused her to faint . "
Riley stared at his sleeping mother .
" . . . "
It bothered him that he could not do anything but watch his mother fall .
"Therefore, someone in the mansion tried to assassinate Lady Iris . She is being targeted . We have already captured the maid who was in charge of the dinner . She will be questioned soon . And . . . "
Ian fixed his tie and bowed to Riley .
The action showed Ian’s feelings of guilt .
"I am sorry . This old man was not aware of this until it was too late . "
Ian had looked after Riley ever since he was born .
He had neglected housework in order to try to convince Riley to train his swordsmanship .
The result was Lady Iris's poisoning .
If he had been on guard, it would not have happened .
Ian was prepared for the punishment .
"Ian . "
"Yes . "
"About the dream I had, in that strange world . "
" . . . "
"There's a saying like this . "
"Yes?"
"Don't wake the sleeping lion . "
Riley spoke while opening and closing his hand .
"Where's my wooden sword?"
"Young . . . Master?"
Riley continued as he walked out the bedroom .
"I must go to the training room . "
Today, Riley's eyes burned quietly, as he thought of his mother .