Chapter 775 - 436: Investiture, Joy of Ashes, Hidden Dangers (Extended - )

Chapter 775: Chapter 436: Investiture, Joy of Ashes, Hidden Dangers (Extended Chapter)

These words sounded like a toast and compliment, but on closer inspection, they carried a faint undercurrent of "I hope you make a wise choice, or else..."

Nearby, Marquis Butler, who had just stepped back a short distance, looked at Marcus with a surprised expression.

Has this guy drunk himself into a stupor? Doesn’t he realize his words are barbed?

In someone else’s Royal Capital, at the coronation feast of the opposing Emperor, speaking so indiscreetly... better not splash your blood on me when you die.

He silently and subtly retreated two more steps.

The other envoys also tactfully stepped back and distanced themselves.

Galos narrowed his eyes slightly, scrutinizing the human Marquis before him with an inscrutable expression.

He did not raise his glass in return, but casually waved a claw to signal a nearby Dragon Descendant guard.

"Serve the wine."

He blandly uttered two words.

The guard immediately bowed in obedience and quickly retreated.

Soon, the guard returned, holding a roughly hewn goblet in both hands, and handed it to Marquis Marcus with an expressionless face.

The liquid in that goblet was not the fine wine of an ordinary banquet.

It was dark and thick, almost absorbing rather than reflecting light under the surrounding brilliant illumination, like the deepest night.

A strong, pungent smell, reminiscent of highly refined sulfur mixed with lava and a touch of metallic tang, spread out, making several sensitive envoys instinctively wrinkle their noses and lean back slightly.

"This is my favorite drink, Marquis, please taste it."

Galos’s voice remained calm, betraying no emotion.

Meanwhile, the Dragon Descendant guard maintained the posture of offering the wine, his gaze calm yet carrying an inexorable implication, fixed on Marquis Marcus.

Marquis Marcus looked down at the black viscous liquid in front of him, inhaling the dizzying intense odor, and his face twitched slightly.

Wine? Can this thing be called wine?

This is clearly undiluted, highly concentrated black oil!

He had no doubt that a single spark could make this "wine" burn fiercely for three days and nights!

He was now truly experiencing what it meant to be riding a tiger with no way to dismount.

This imperial wine, bestowed by the Emperor himself, represented an attitude, a test, and even a punishment.

Not drinking it would be a blatant disrespect to the Emperor, with untold consequences in front of so many envoys; but drinking it...

Let you enjoy your moment of triumph for a little longer!

Damned Evil Dragon! You still don’t know that two mysterious Legendary figures have been keeping an eye on you, do you? Let’s see if you can still act so high and mighty when you meet your demise!

Marquis Marcus slightly lowered his head to hide the fleeting ruthlessness in his eyes, then quickly raised it again, forcing a smile onto his face.

He extended his slightly trembling hand and took the heavy and scalding goblet.

"Th-thank you, Your Majesty, for the gift!"

He bit out these words, then closed his eyes, brought the rim of the goblet to his mouth, and took a large gulp!

"Uh... cough cough cough! Ugh—!!"

Uncontrollable coughs and retching erupted from Marquis Marcus’s throat, his face instantly turning the color of pig liver, veins popping on his forehead, and tears involuntarily streaming out.

The viscous liquid felt like searing lava filled with countless tiny spikes.

Where it passed, his esophagus and stomach felt a burning pain and indescribable nausea, as if his throat had been sanded with abrasive paper, even his breath carried a scent of sulfur and metallic rust.

He desperately held back the urge to vomit on the spot, but his body trembled uncontrollably, nearly unable to stand.

Galos still calmly watched his embarrassing state, as if enjoying a drama unrelated to him: "It seems my preferred fine wine is not to the Marquis’s taste."

He said slowly.

Marquis Marcus felt like his throat was scorched by charcoal, his voice hoarse: "...Forgive me, Your Majesty... it... I am not blessed to enjoy it..."

"No matter." Galos waved a hand nonchalantly, as if he truly didn’t mind, "The path chosen by the Ola Kingdom, the preferences it upholds, may indeed differ from the refinement of the southern conservatories."

"Marquis, you need some time to adapt."

His words were double-edged, referring both to the specially made black oil wine and the two neighboring kingdoms.

"Y-yes... thank you, Your Majesty... for your guidance..."

Marquis Marcus squeezed these words through his teeth, desperate to flee this torturous place.

However, before he could turn away, the Emperor’s calm yet irresistibly oppressive voice rang out again.

"Marquis, in the wilderness, we have a tradition of respecting food and not wasting resources. The Ola Kingdom, built on the wilderness, follows the same, since you accepted the gift, you should finish this cup of wine before you step down."

The voice remained understated, yet made Marquis Marcus feel as if he had fallen into an icy cave, his blood nearly freezing.

At this moment, Marquis Marcus’s intoxication and ardor completely faded, leaving him fully sober, filled with regret and fear.

He looked at the goblet in his hand, almost unchanged in its amount of black viscous liquid, his lips quivering, searching for an excuse to evade.

But under Galos’s calm and steady gaze, he felt his heart gripped by an invisible hand, even breathing became difficult.

He had no doubt that if he dared to refuse at this moment, blood would soon splash all around.