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“Don’t worry, Your Highness,” Wayne replied. “News from Brightmoor District will not be connected to us, given the hundreds of miles between Valken and Brightmoor District.”
After a pause, Wayne continued, “Grand Princess Eleanor’s daughters have begun to infiltrate various prominent families. They’re bound to stir things up and create chaos. When that happens, these families will be too preoccupied with their own problems to offer any support to the court.”
Yuvan sipped his coffee, masking the earlier coldness with a facade of the naive, gentlemanly demeanor he usually portrayed. “That’s good.”
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 impatient?”
“When will Sebastian arrive? We’ve been waiting for ages,” Patrick fumed, sitting aside.
Though it was unwise to speak too harshly to the Hell Monarch, his displeasure was evident on his face.
The two deputy ministers shivered in fear. Patrick wasn’t intimidated by the Hell Monarch as his daughter, Sylvia, was highly favored by the king. On the other hand, the two deputy ministers didn’t have daughters who were the king’s favored concubines.
Just as Patrick finished speaking, Rafael’s deputy minister, Matthew, led Sebastian into the room.
Though not tall, Sebastian exuded an imposing presence. Upon entering, he cast a cold glance at Patrick. The minister quickly stood up, his previous irritation replaced by a courteous demeanor. “Hello, Sebastian. I apologize for the inconvenience today.”
“Apologies for keeping you waiting, Mr. Lloyd. That is my fault,” Sebastian said coolly.
“No, not at all. My frustration was not directed at you,” Patrick hastened to clarify.
He dared not offend Sebastian. It was thanks to this renowned physician that his mother had been cured. If it weren’t for Sebastian’s medical skills, Patrick would be deeply mourning his mother now.
“If it wasn’t directed at me, then who was it aimed at? The prince?” Sebastian asked as he took a seat.
“No, of course not. I wouldn’t dare,” Patrick said earnestly, trying to make a good impression on Sebastian. “It’s aimed at them.”
He pointed at his two deputy ministers beside him, who were both taken aback. They hadn’t said a word, but it was their duty to take the blame for their superior, so they quickly bowed. “Yes, it was us who angered Mr. Lloyd.”
Rafael knew well that Sebastian could handle Patrick. Last year, when Patrick’s mother fell gravely ill, even the best physicians had given up hope. It was Sebastian who, despite harsh weather and relentless storms, persisted for an entire month with acupuncture treatments, ultimately saving her life.
As a result, Patrick was deeply grateful to Sebastian. Given that he had just been promoted to Minister of Justice, if he had to mourn for three years, he would find the bureaucratic landscape much changed upon his return. Moreover, with several brothers also mourning, the Lloyd family couldn’t rely solely on Sylvia to hold everything together.
Sebastian wasted no time on pleasantries, saying, “His Highness already came to see me last night and explained the case. Let me tell you this even if a frail, chronically ill person is enraged, their temporary strength would be significant but not enough to overpower several strong men.”
The group grew serious upon hearing this. Rafael was new to public office, and had investigated too few cases to be convincing. However, Sebastian was a seasoned physician. If he said it was impossible, it was indeed impossible.
Patrick spoke up, “But there were witnesses who saw her commit the murders. She confessed, and the weapon used matches the wounds on the deceased.”
Sebastian responded, “I haven’t reviewed the case files myself, but I can infer that the wounds on the victim were severe, with deep cuts to the bone, correct?” “Yes, exactly!” Patrick and the two deputy ministers nodded vigorously.
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 to control their actions, although the controlled individual would retain memories of the event.
Sebastian continued, “The most crucial point is that a Soulgrip Threadworm causes hallucinations and can elicit tremendous and frenzied strength. During the period of control, the person would appear as though they had transformed, with their body and limbs under the controller’s command. If the controller is a skilled martial artist, then the person would exhibit similar strength and martial prowess.”
After hearing Sebastian’s explanation, Patrick and the two deputy ministers exchanged glances, their brows furrowing in contemplation.
“But how did a Soulgrip Threadworm enter her head?” Patrick asked.
Sebastian replied, “Through food or medicine. The worms might have been inside her brain for a long time, as they grow slowly. It usually takes six months to a year for them to mature and become effective.” Patrick said, “Just because such a thing exists, doesn’t mean she was infected with them.”
“I’m here just to clarify a few things. This case still has its mysteries, doesn’t it? For example, why was she able to kill twelve people-her own family members, no less-so easily? The most plausible explanation seems to be the Soulgrip Threadworm.”
Rafael asked the most crucial question, “If it is indeed a Soulgrip Threadworm, do you have the confidence to remove it from the woman’s body?”
“No need for me. My apprentice, Ivy, can handle it. She is deeply knowledgeable about parasitic toxins and is very familiar with them,” Sebastian replied.
Rafael nodded. “Thank you, Sebastian.”
Then, Rafael turned to Matthew and said, “Please have someone escort Sebastian back.”
Matthew personally saw him out. When he returned, everyone fell into silence.
Matthew asked, “Your Highness, should we return the case for reexamination?”
Patrick responded first, “With the doubts resolved, it should indeed be returned for reexamination.”
Rafael, however, shook his head,
“No. This case is more complex than it seems. Mr. Lloyd, I suggest that both the Supreme Court and the Ministry of Justice submit a joint petition to the king, requesting him to appoint a special investigator for investigation.”
Patrick was taken aback. Generally, when there were doubts about a case, it was returned for reexamination. If a special investigator was appointed, it would imply distrust in the local governor. Could it be that the Hell Monarch had uncovered information unknown to the Ministry of Justice?
Realizing this, Patrick immediately said to the two deputy ministers, “Keep this matter confidential for now. Don’t utter a word to anyone, especially regarding the Soulgrip Threadworm. We will decide after submitting a joint petition to the king.”
Those present understood the gravity of the situation. The evidence was questionable, and the victims were respected locals. The whole family was wiped out and the case had caused a big stir, which, suggested someone might be manipulating the situation.
They had to handle this case carefully, or they could lose their jobs.
After thinking it over, Patrick broke into a cold sweat and bowed to Rafael. “I apologize for any offense, Your Highness. I hope you can forgive me.”
Rafael replied, “Your urgency is due to public pressure to convict the accused woman quickly, Mr. Lloyd. But rushing this could lead to mistakes.”
Patrick wiped the sweat from his forehead. “Your careful approach is admirable, Your Highness. Fortunately, you have delayed things. If we had followed the initial ruling, it might have caused bigger problems.” Rafael warned, “Being in a high position means you need to be extra cautious, especially with your daughter in the palace. Any mistake could be costly.”
“Yes, of course!” Patrick murmured, his previous anxiety and agitation now replaced by a calm demeanor.
After the case was reported to Salvador, he appointed Patrick as a special investigator to investigate the matter in Brightmoor District. Ivy accompanied him.