Kays Translations
Just another Isekai Lover~
Chapter 140: Poisoned
After making the template, they couldn’t just pour in the cement directly; a framework of thick iron wires had to be constructed on top of it.
These iron wires were crisscrossed across the bottom of the hull, and every joint was welded together with high-temperature flames by Garcia and Vannie.
Once both the template and the framework were finished, cement could finally be poured in.
Under Owen’s command, workers carried in bucket after bucket of cement, mixed outside the shed, and poured it into the mold.
The middle of the hull’s bottom was flat, while the sides rose up nearly two meters, forming the ship’s side walls.
According to Winston, the type of cement ship being built was a ferrocement ship.
Hearing that Owen was building a new ship, the curious Theresa took advantage of her school holiday to come over and see for herself.
Watching the workers pouring cement, Mapel couldn’t help but raise her doubt:
“Lord Owen, I understand that wood can float on water, so wooden ships float too. But cement hardens as heavy as stone—won’t a cement ship sink?”
Just as Owen was about to explain, Theresa cut in first:
“The inside of the ship is hollow. As long as the structure is properly designed, a cement ship won’t sink. That’s related to the principle of buoyancy, isn’t it, Lord Owen?”
“Exactly.”
Owen nodded, then gave Theresa an approving look.
“It seems you’ve studied the physics section of basic science well. Let me test you further—what does the buoyant force on an object in water equal?”
“It equals the weight of the water displaced by that object.”
Theresa answered without hesitation.
“Correct!”
Mapel, listening to their exchange, looked completely bewildered, unable to follow at all.
“It seems the basics are no longer a problem for you.”
Owen said.
“I should consider whether to teach you more advanced science before the other teachers.”
At this pace, Theresa might well become the first science teacher capable of teaching intermediate students.
“Just the two of us in class?”
Theresa said with a bright smile.
“That sounds great!”
The two of them?! That won’t do!
At those words, Mapel suddenly became alert and quickly blurted out:
“Lord Owen!”
“What is it, Mapel? Do you have another question?”
Owen turned to look at her.
“Um, I…”
Her cheeks flushed red, Mapel stammered shyly.
“I… I also want to attend your lessons, Lord Owen.”
Mapel wants to study too? Owen was startled. Then he thought carefully—no, it wasn’t that she wanted to study.
As someone who had grown up playing with Mapel since childhood, Owen knew her well—she was never good at studying.
Recalling what had happened at the end of last winter, Owen felt his own cheeks heat slightly.
Embarrassed to turn her down, he reluctantly agreed:
“Alright then, I’ll inform you when class starts. But don’t push yourself too hard, Mapel. Even the teachers at the school may not be able to grasp and understand the new knowledge I teach.”
“I’ll do my best, Lord Owen.”
Mapel said with a solemn face.
Can you really manage to learn it? Owen had his doubts.
“That’s wonderful, Mapel.”
Theresa said to her with a smile.
…
In Fengsui City, a banquet was being held in the lord’s castle. All the invitees were nobles of standing from the northern region of the Morning Light Kingdom.
The banquet was full of clinking glasses and lively chatter.
At that moment, Count Hogan raised his voice above the crowd and called out:
“Ladies and gentlemen, please listen to me.”
The nobles present all turned their eyes to Count Hogan, waiting for his words.
Count Hogan had only recently inherited his father’s title. Still young, he greatly enjoyed the attention of being surrounded and watched by so many.
“Hmm.”
He cleared his throat and said,
“Duke Marcus and his only son have both been executed for betraying His Majesty. As for me, for the merit of capturing Duke Marcus, His Majesty has rewarded me with Fengsui City and the surrounding lands.”
“Congratulations, Count Hogan.”
“Count Hogan is truly wise, making the most correct decision.”
The nobles present offered their congratulations, but many still wore hidden expressions of unease.
Glancing around the room, Count Hogan continued,
“I know that many among you sent knights and soldiers to support the First Prince, and you’re worried about His Majesty’s punishment.”
At last he had touched on the matter weighing on their hearts. The nobles pricked up their ears—was this banquet meant to convey His Majesty’s decree?
“As for this, you may set your minds at ease. The First Prince has already been executed, and His Majesty, in his magnanimity, has decided not to punish anyone except the main culprits. All you need do is personally go to the capital for the coronation ceremony, bring gifts, and offer your apologies, and the matter will be settled.”
The “main culprit” here referred to Duke Marcus, who had assisted the First Prince in mustering a large army.
“Really?”
one noble asked.
“That’s right!”
Count Hogan replied.
“You’d best thank me—if I hadn’t pleaded on your behalf, this grave crime of treason would not have been so easily forgiven.”
“Wonderful!”
“Thank you, Count Hogan!”
“We shall surely look to Count Hogan as our leader.”
Relieved that they were safe, the nobles instantly broke into smiles, cheerfully expressing their gratitude to Count Hogan.
Seizing the moment, Marquis Lyman raised his glass, walked forward, and called out loudly:
“Come, everyone, let us all raise our glasses and drink to Count Hogan!”
“To Count Hogan!”
The nobles all lifted their wine glasses.
“Very well, very well.”
Count Hogan also raised his glass high.
“And I drink to you in return—cheers!”
He drained his cup in one go, leaving not a single drop.
After finishing, he deliberately turned the glass upside down to show it was empty.
Seeing this, the nobles naturally couldn’t just sip lightly in response—they too drained their glasses to show their respect.
“Everyone, please—”
But not long after the drinking, Count Hogan suddenly felt unwell. His hands trembled so weakly that he couldn’t even hold his glass, which slipped from his grasp and shattered on the floor.
“This wine… it…”
His speech grew slurred; foam began to froth at his lips. His body went limp, collapsing to the ground, writhing and convulsing in pain.
Moments later, he spewed a mouthful of froth, his eyes rolled back, and his body stilled, life slipping away.
“Count Hogan?!”
“This… there’s poison in his wine!”
Seeing this scene, chaos erupted among the nobles.
It was obvious to any sharp eye that someone had poisoned Count Hogan.
“Surround the place!”
At Marquis Lyman’s command, a band of knights with soldiers stormed into the banquet hall, sealing it off and allowing no one to leave.
“Marquis Lyman, what are you—”
An elderly noble was just about to question him when Marquis Lyman swept a sinister gaze across the crowd and coldly declared:
“The poison was mine.”