All in Charisma (A LitRPG/Isekai Adventure)

Once in a quiet corner of the main hall, everyone turned to Justin.

"What are you thinking?" Bohemond asked, his voice low. "It's Glamshara now, isn't it?"

"I believe that's where the evidence is pointing," Justin replied. "Assuming this love potion theory holds up."

"But why use a love potion in the first place?" Kargan asked, frowning. "What's the point of her involving Grashuk at all?"

"He's her way of accessing the royal table," Justin explained. "Zildur already suspects something is going on between them, and Zogmar confirmed it. Grashuk is the perfect tool for Glamshara to manipulate. Unlike her, he can move inside the palace without raising suspicion and handle tasks Glamshara couldn't."

"So, how do we prove the love potion theory?" Bohemond asked, crossing his arms.

"I have an idea," Kargan said, his eyes narrowing in thought. "We could stage something to make it look like Glamshara is in mortal danger—enough to trigger Grashuk's instincts and force him to act. If he's under the influence of a potion, he should react without thinking. If not, he'll be more cautious."

Justin nodded, considering the plan. "What if we tell him that Glamshara is under attack by an army of constructs in the Underdeep? That should get him moving."

"It would," Bohemond agreed. "But when he checks and finds nothing, it could backfire."

"We'll have to take that risk," Kargan said. "It would also give us a chance to check his quarters and find more solid evidence."

Their conversation was cut short when Justin spotted Grashuk approaching from across the hall.

"Speak of the devil," Justin said. "Let me do the talking."

They began walking toward the warlord, who hailed them from a distance. "How's the investigation going?"

Justin shook his head, feigning frustration. "Unfortunately, we're running in circles. It doesn't seem to be Glamshara after all."

Grashuk's eyes narrowed with suspicion, but Justin caught a subtle glint of satisfaction in his gaze—a crinkling of the eyes that signaled hidden pleasure at the news.

"Not her? That's strange. Then who?"

Justin remained silent, allowing Grashuk to fill in the blanks. Sure enough, the goblin's expression shifted into exaggerated dismay.

"No," Grashuk said, shaking his head with dramatic concern. "It can't be… not Zildur?"

Justin suppressed a smile. Grashuk wasn't much of an actor; his feigned concern was almost laughable.

"We're still following leads," Justin said, maintaining a neutral tone. "I'm sorry about your daughter, by the way. Ryn, wasn't it?"

"Ryn? Oh…yes, right. Damn shame what happened," Grashuk replied, his voice flat and emotionless. Whether it was his natural indifference or the potion dulling his feelings, Justin couldn't tell.

Before Justin could continue, Bohemond interjected. "You didn't hear about the constructs, did you? Glamshara's down in the Underdeep, barely holding them off. Her testimony is vital!"

Justin winced internally at Bohemond's clumsy delivery, but to his surprise, Grashuk reacted.

"Constructs?" Grashuk's face twisted in genuine fear. "And we're standing here talking?" Without waiting for a response, he drew his scimitar and rushed toward the gate, glancing back over his shoulder. "Well? Are you coming or not?"

"We need to gather a larger force," Justin said. "Do you think the five of us can take on an army?"

"There's no time for that! Glamshara's in danger! If we don't act now, I could lose—" He paused, catching himself. "We could lose a valuable witness! Bah! Rot for all I care!"

With that, Grashuk stormed through the gate and disappeared into the darkness of the Underdeep.

Borgruk turned to the group. "We've got about two hours before he figures it out. Let's move."

The goblin captain led them through the palace to Grashuk's quarters. Justin assumed Grashuk and Zildur didn't share a living space.

As they entered, Justin quickly scanned the room. The warlord's quarters were utilitarian and sparse. A large stone table dominated the main room, with a worn map of the Underdeep spread across it. Several daggers were haphazardly strewn over the map, which detailed strategic points throughout the underground tunnels. Justin studied it for a moment, noting a faint drawing near the palace that could indicate an elevator, but the runic script—presumably dwarven—made it difficult to confirm. It could be a possible escape route once they finished this Vault.

For an hour, they combed through the space, searching for anything that could be considered evidence. But Grashuk's quarters were well-organized, almost sterile, with nothing incriminating to be found.

Bohemond growled in frustration. "He's not foolish enough to leave evidence out in the open. There must be something we're missing."

"We're running out of time," Kargan said, glancing toward the door. "He'll be back soon."

That was when Justin had a realization. "If there's anything incriminating, it wouldn't be in Grashuk's home. It would be in Zildur's. That's where Glamshara wants the blame to fall, right?"

Borgruk nodded, already leading them out. "Let's move. Zildur is likely with the princess, but she takes a nap shortly after lunch."

They slipped into Zildur's chambers, just a few doors down from Grashuk's own. The space was empty, allowing them to search freely.

It wasn't long before Justin spotted something gleaming beneath the bed—a silver fork, hidden in the shadows. He bent down and picked it up by the handle, a nagging suspicion forming in his mind.

Borgruk's eyes widened as he recognized it. "That's from the Feast of Fates!"

Justin wrapped the fork in a nearby cloth, careful not to touch it directly.

Kargan frowned in confusion. "It's a fork, Justin. You're treating it like it's an adder."

"It may be more dangerous than an adder," Justin replied. "We need to get this to Zogmar."

Without further explanation, Justin headed out of the room, the others following closely behind. It didn't take long to reach Zogmar's workshop. The Potions Master looked up in alarm as they burst through the door.

"What is it this time?" Zogmar asked, blinking in surprise.

Justin held up the wrapped fork. "Test this. Could it be poisoned?"

Zogmar's brow furrowed. "Where did you get that?"

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"Zildur's quarters," Bohemond said. "Under her bed."

Zogmar looked thoughtful, then nodded. "I see. That's… troubling. You think it's poisoned?"

"That's why we're here," Justin said. "Can you do anything?"

"I suppose I have a bit of Revelation Solution left," he replied, his tone reluctant. "It will use up the last of it." He retrieved a flask of clear liquid from the shelf. "Are you sure?"

"Yes," Justin insisted. "There's no time to waste."

"All right, then."

Zogmar dipped the fork into the flask, and almost immediately, the liquid turned a murky gray. His eyes widened in alarm.

"Shadow's Kiss," Zogmar said, his voice low. "This fork was at the feast?"

"Yes," Borgruk replied. "You should know that, having been at the Feast yourself."

"As if I pay attention to such minor details!" Zogmar huffed. "Well, it's poisoned. That much is clear. Glamshara was trying to plant evidence and frame Zildur. Sounds like something that conniving wench would do!"

"Yes," Justin replied, his tone serious. "More specifically, it was the Princess's fork. After all, the Queen and Princess didn't trade utensils."

Zogmar frowned. "Huh. So... what does that mean?"

"It's obvious now," Justin said, feeling the pieces finally click into place. "The Queen was a decoy. The poisoned pie was misdirection."

"Glamshara stands to gain the most from the heir being killed," Bohemond added. "She's next in line."

This also explained Zildur's hesitancy to name a culprit or leave Nyrissa's side. She may not have been one hundred percent certain of who the poisoner was, even if she had suspicions. Staying close to Nyrissa was likely to ensure the poisoner didn't finish what they had started.

"We need to move," Borgruk urged. "Grashuk may have already reached Glamshara."

Justin nodded. "We have the evidence we need. Let's present our findings to the Queen before it's too late."

Within minutes, Borgruk escorted the party into an intimate audience chamber within the palace. Unlike the imposing throne room, this space felt more personal, furnished with low, comfortable chairs and a grand hearth where a fire crackled.

Queen Grizshara awaited them, her expression somber.

"Well?" she asked, folding her hands in her lap. "I take it you've uncovered the truth?"

Justin stepped forward, not wasting time. "We believe so. After a thorough investigation, we have determined that all evidence points to your sister, Glamshara."

Grizshara's expression remained composed, but a flicker of emotion danced behind her eyes—perhaps disappointment, perhaps resignation. "I had suspected as much, but I didn't want to believe it. What proof do you bring before me?"

"This was a well-constructed plot," Justin explained, his voice steady, "but small details betrayed her. The poisoned pie was a distraction. The true target was Nyrissa all along. Glamshara's plan was to eliminate your daughter while making it appear as though you were the intended victim. And given that the early stages of Shadow's Kiss poison resemble this Cave Lung disease, she hoped no one would be the wiser."

He paused, allowing the gravity of his words to sink in before continuing. Justin recounted everything they had uncovered, piece by piece. He detailed Glamshara's manipulations, Grashuk's erratic behavior, the false trail hinted at by Ralthog, his catching Grashuk "praying" in the shrine, the love potion theory, and how Zildur was framed by having the poisoned fork from the Feast of Fates planted under her bed. Justin knew he might have missed a few smaller details, but he was certain the Queen would have more questions.

Queen Grizshara sat in silence for a moment, processing the information. Her fingers tapped on the armrest of her chair.

"So," she said at last, her voice steady, "Grashuk was bewitched by Glamshara through the use of a love potion? Is there any evidence of this?"

"Nothing direct," Justin admitted. "Zogmar himself came up with the idea. Both Zildur and Zogmar noticed that he's been acting strangely around her lately. Zogmar even testified that he caught them in the act a day after the expedition set out. We couldn't test Grashuk directly, but his reaction to hearing that Glamshara was in danger was telling. He became completely frantic, acting without regard for his own safety."

"And the fork?" Grizshara asked, her voice sharpening. "Have you proven that it is poisoned?"

"Yes, we had it tested by Zogmar, who confirmed traces of Shadow's Kiss. But that's not all, Your Majesty."

Grizshara raised an eyebrow. "What else?"

Justin took a breath before continuing. "When we questioned Glamshara earlier, something stood out to me—her fingers. They were stained with a shining, silvery residue."

Kargan's eyes widened as he caught on. "The Heart of the Moonflower. That's why you asked Zogmar about it."

Justin nodded. "Exactly. Zogmar said it was silver, like the surface of the moon. Glamshara claimed the Heart had been stolen, but it's clear she was lying. She was grinding it herself."

Grizshara's face hardened. "So, she not only had the Heart but was preparing it? If not for my daughter, then for what other reason?"

"That's not clear," Justin said. "But I intend to ask her when we go down there again. Whatever the case, it means she already has the resources to make the antidote for Nyrissa. Instead of using it to save your daughter, she was keeping it for some other purpose."

Grizshara clenched her fists. "What a fool I've been to trust her even a little. So, the fork was meant to poison Nyrissa all along, and Grashuk planted it on her orders. To my shame, I wondered if it could be Zildur herself, given what happened to Ryn…"

Justin paused before responding, choosing his words carefully. "Glamshara was definitely trying to implicate Zildur, and she knew Ryn could have provided a powerful motive."

"That Grashuk would do this to his own wife, even under the influence of a love potion... it's beyond reason," Grizshara said.

"To be honest, I'm not sure about the capabilities of love potions," Justin replied. "My read on Grashuk is that he lacks subtlety. That much is clear from his clumsy 'prayer' in the shrine, which seemed all too convenient. I suspect Glamshara didn't instruct him to do that; it appears to be something he took upon himself, hoping it would further frame Zildur. But Zildur's love for Nyrissa is genuine. She would never have tried to kill her."

Grizshara nodded, her gaze drifting back to the fire. "Indeed, her love for Nyrissa seems genuine, bordering on obsession. But she is the best Shaman in the tribe. What I don't understand is why Grashuk would offer a reward for apprehending Glamshara if he's under her control. Would my sister risk herself in that way?"

"I believe Glamshara told him to do it to deflect suspicion, in a strange sort of way," Justin replied. "She likely thought she could talk her way out of any trouble, or at least buy time."

"I see." Grizshara's eyes narrowed. "So, you're convinced he's entirely under Glamshara's control? You mentioned earlier that he had done some things on his own, which means he's not completely acting under her influence. Are you certain it isn't Grashuk using my sister for his own ends?"

Justin hadn't fully considered that angle. He hesitated for a moment before speaking. "Do you believe Grashuk's feelings for her might be genuine?"

"That's… hard to say," Grizshara admitted. "He's always been ambitious, and there's been little love between him and Zildur for years, especially since Ryn's death. My sister had a crush on him when we were younger, but I thought she had outgrown it. Of course, Grashuk was never interested in her. I never knew her to create love potions, but her alchemical skills are formidable. The discovery of that new lab with rare ingredients might have given her the chance to try something different. On the other hand, Grashuk may have recognized her feelings for him and is using them to his advantage."

Justin nodded. "Both are possibilities. We'll need to get to the bottom of it."

Grizshara sighed, a flicker of weariness crossing her face. "You must. I need to know if my Chief Warlord can be trusted."

"What happened with the succession, anyway? It might help us understand Glamshara's motivations better."

The Queen leaned back in her chair, her gaze flickering toward the hearth as the flames danced. "Glamshara has harbored resentment for a long time. Our father promised her a position of power, but when he died, he chose me to rule. I was younger, but he believed I was more suited to leadership. She was given the role of advisor, but she never forgave me for being chosen to wear the crown."

Grizshara's voice softened as she continued. "When Nyrissa was born, I named her heir. That was the final blow for Glamshara. She thought she should be next in line, not my daughter."

Everything fell into place now. Glamshara, denied the throne and seeing Nyrissa groomed to succeed, must have viewed this as the ultimate betrayal. It explained the depth of her hatred and the lengths she would go to reclaim what she believed was rightfully hers. Grashuk, with his ambitions, might be a willing accomplice—or perhaps the one pulling the strings behind the scenes. Or, as Zogmar had suggested, Glamshara could be directing him through the use of a love potion.

Justin shifted on his feet. "We still need to apprehend Glamshara and retrieve what's left of the Heart of the Moonflower. Only then can we ensure Nyrissa's recovery."

Grizshara's gaze hardened with resolve. "You have my full authority to bring Glamshara to justice. But above all, find the Heart of the Moonflower. That antidote is our only hope for saving my daughter."

Justin stood and gave a respectful bow. "We won't fail, Your Majesty."

Bohemond cleared his throat and spoke next. "Should we bring more warriors with us? Glamshara is dangerous, and with Grashuk at her side, things could get difficult."

Borgruk shook his head. "The warriors won't raise a hand against Grashuk. He's too respected. If it comes to a fight, they might even side with him."

"Borgruk is right," Queen Grizshara said. "It's better that you handle this quietly. Glamshara may be cunning, but her overconfidence, fueled by Grashuk's support, will be her downfall."

"We'll need supplies," Kargan added. "Antidotes, potions—anything that can help us against whatever poisons Glamshara might use."

"Zogmar will provide what he can," Grizshara said. "But be warned—he has nothing that can counter Shadow's Kiss. That poison is beyond even his expertise."

"We'll take whatever we can get," Justin replied.

Grizshara rose from her seat, her posture regal yet final. "Go, then. Bring my sister to justice, but most importantly, retrieve the Heart of the Moonflower. May Nyriss watch over you."