On the airship to the Training Island, Bethan muttered in a subdued tone, “But in the end, she didn’t touch the soup.”0

“Let it go. It wasn’t a guaranteed method anyway,” I replied.0

“… Yes, you’re right. But I should’ve eaten it myself rather than letting it go to waste. Does she even know the difference between Rotaili and ordinary mushrooms?”0

If a Scarletborn consumes even a small amount of Rotaili, their breathing becomes strained, and their face reddens noticeably. However, this reaction is less severe in those of mixed blood, making it an unreliable means of identification. 0

Considering Rotaili’s value as a delicacy more expensive than gold, using it to identify Scarletborn is incredibly wasteful. If Primien had consumed it, her reaction would have been unmistakable. As a key named character with pure Scarletborn blood, her symptoms would have been impossible to miss.0

"I’ve heard you open their chests to confirm by examining their hearts, Bethan."0

"Oh, but that’s inefficient, as we can’t confirm it until after they’re dead. We need to identify them as Scarletborn before starting the torture. Of course, it would be a waste to use valuable Rotaili on such vermin. That’s why I’ve been concentrating on developing blood magic lately," Bethan said with a sly grin.0

I turned away from his smile; it made me uneasy.1

[Villain’s Fate: Death Variables Neutralized] 3

◆ Store Currency +10

If Bethan had continued to provoke Primien, it’s hard to say how she would have responded. At least I earned some currency from the system for diffusing a potential death scenario in that brief moment. 0

I had considered confronting Primien directly, revealing that I knew she was Scarletborn, or perhaps watching her a bit longer. I’d need her cooperation eventually, but it seemed premature for that now, so I chose to wait.0

“But that Rotaili soup was exquisite. It truly is a mountain treasure,” Bethan said, licking his lips as if reliving the taste. The pleasure in his eyes was nearly euphoric. “Yukline’s lands are extraordinarily fertile to produce something worthy of making Rotaili into soup.”0

Rotaili, while a type of mushroom, is unlike any other. It’s a near-miraculous food that only grows in the perfect natural conditions. With the opening of Marik, its price is likely to rise even further, as nothing detoxifies demonic energy like Rotaili.0

“It’s a rare delicacy... Mmm. The taste still linger...0