A few days later, after court had adjourned, Salvador retained Rafael for a private conversation.Ignoring the stack of documents left untouched, Salvador signaled to Derek to set up the chessboard. "It's been a while since we last played chess together," he remarked.Rafael adjusted his belt, and sat down comfortably. "After days of poring over case files until my head felt like it was spinning, it's a blessing to have a reprieve. I'm deeply grateful for the leniency, Your Majesty."Salvador watched Rafael's actions with a furrowed brow. "You're still clinging to those old military habits? How rude. You are now head of the Supreme Court and a high-ranking member of the court. Remember to maintain your dignity and composure.""Why worry about appearances in front of my own brother?" Rafael replied with a bright grin."Do you act so freely in front of your princess consort as well?" Salvador said, placing a white piece on the board with a deliberate motion.Rafael held a black p
"Who doesn't want children? I look forward to the expansion of the royal family," Salvador said. "He's only a few years younger than me. At his age, he should be considering fatherhood."Derek replied softly, "Perhaps Prince Rafael understands your concerns and does not wish for any discord among brothers. Do you remember? From childhood to adulthood, he has always seen you as his role model and pride. Whenever he spoke of you, his expression was always one of admiration."At Derek's words, Salvador reflected on many past events, and his gaze softened considerably.After a long pause, he sighed deeply. "Perhaps I have been overthinking things."Derek silently poured more coffee, understanding from years of service that such sudden sighs often reflected nostalgic sentiments rather than a shift in his cautiousness.Rafael's decision to delay having children was a wise one. At least for now, without offspring, Salvador could feel somewhat at ease. Rafael had only recently returned fr
Rafael nodded, his admiration for Carissa always evident in his gaze."That's right. The family, including her, consisted of thirteen people. She killed twelve of them—her father-in-law, husband, and three sons, all of whom were in good health, as well as her mother-in-law and two unmarried daughters. The remaining victims were servants and maids. "The issue is that this incident happened at dusk, not in the dead of night when everyone was asleep. After dinner, she suddenly turned violent, grabbed a kitchen knife, and killed everyone. This woman had no martial skills and was known to be ill, requiring long-term medication.""A sickly, somewhat harsh person could kill one person, but they'd be quickly subdued. Were they all poisoned? Did they all lose consciousness?" Carissa asked."No, they were all awake. Neighbors who witnessed the scene said the woman seemed to have gone mad and possessed extraordinary strength. She killed anyone she saw. If those neighbors hadn't fled quickly
Yuvan's gaze remained indifferent as he turned the emerald ring on his thumb. "That's not enough. Keep spreading the word that Rafael, the Hell Monarch, is defending the woman to show he's fit for the Supreme Court post he holds. Claim that he's daring to defy public opinion for personal gain, and emphasize that he's just a military man with no understanding of the law or public administration."Also, suggest that even the king is deceived by him. Because of Rafael's immense accomplishments and influence, the king is forced to give him some regard."The subordinate asked, "Do you really believe he will order a reexamination, Your Highness?""Of course he will, if there are doubts." Yuvan smiled faintly, a cold, bloodthirsty glint in his eyes. "I understand him well. He is meticulous about human lives. Anyone who values life so seriously will be extremely cautious. With such significant doubts, if he doesn't call for a reexamination, he cannot reconcile with his own conscience.""
At the Supreme Court, Patrick was growing increasingly anxious. "Your Highness, why have you summoned Sebastian? He has never examined the deceased. No matter how skilled he is, he's not a coroner."Rafael remained calm. "Please be patient, Mr. Lloyd. Given the magnitude of this case and the uproar it has caused, if we mishandle it and wrongfully accuse someone, the entire kingdom will condemn us."Patrick was accustomed to handling cases, so how couldn't he know that there was the slightest doubt in the case on hand? But with the perpetrator's confession, witness testimonies, and physical evidence, what ground was there for a retrial?"It's a waste of time! Every extra day the perpetrator lives is a sign of disrespect to the victims she has murdered," he argued.Rafael replied, "The case documents from Brightmoor District also recommend execution. It is only April, and with swift couriers, it only takes about a month for the documents to travel back and forth. Why are you so imp
Sebastian pulled out a sheet of paper, listing various drugs and poisons, along with their effects and side effects. He showed it to them briefly before explaining each one in turn.The first was called Hellfire. It caused hallucinations, magnifying a person's deepest obsessions and thereby granting them greater strength. However, it required an antidote. The woman, after killing her family, had attempted to chase down the neighbors. But when the officials arrived, she had calmed down. So, Hellfire was not the cause.The second was called Shadecap. This was a type of fungus that could induce hallucinations and madness, potentially leading to self-harm or violence. Before such effects occurred, the person would display symptoms like crying or laughing uncontrollably and moving erratically. Shadecap wouldn't give someone enough strength to kill twelve people.The third was Soulgrip Threadworm. Also known as a parasitic worm, the parasite would enter the brain and allow another person
After the case was reported to Salvador, he appointed Patrick as a special investigator to investigate the matter in Brightmoor District. Ivy accompanied him.The fact that the investigation was being conducted by a special investigator personally appointed by the king, and one who was the head of the Ministry of Justice no less, would manage to stir some doubt among the enraged populace.Kyle, too, made a rare public statement regarding the case, outlining its ambiguities. Previously, the scholars who had condemned the situation had done so fueled by the public's anger. Their passionate outcry was driven by a wish for justice for the deceased, and to protect traditional family roles and authority.But now that Kyle had spoken up about the case's doubts, the scholars also changed their tune. They no longer asserted anything with certainty, but expressed hope that the investigation by the special investigator would bring about the truth so that the dead may rest in peace.Yuvan had
To demonstrate the potency of the Soulgrip Threadworm, Ivy ordered a chicken to be brought in. She made it swallow the threadworm, and then used medicinal smoke to stimulate the threadworm's power. The crowd watched in astonishment as the chicken went wild, pecking at anyone it encountered and flying frantically around the courtroom in a frenzied display of aggression.Even the most renowned local fighting rooster, which was brought in to challenge the erratic chicken, lost an eye in an instant.The chicken only calmed down after Ivy used more medicine, and it slowly threw up the Soulgrip Threadworm."This creature is called the Soulgrip Threadworm, and it's controlled by someone. When Lola ingested it, it was merely an egg. These eggs are resistant to high temperatures. Once inside the body, it will travel through the bloodstream to the brain. This process generally takes about six months, which aligns with James' account. Now that the threadworm has matured, anyone who is expose