Chapter 92. Squeezing the Bone Marrow
Before dawn had fully broken, the news that the residence of Chief Judicial Officer Herman had been completely wiped out spread through the noble circles of Winter City like a plague.
The city guards sealed off the entire street.
Across the pale snowfield, only chaotic footprints and dried bloodstains remained, silently telling the horror of last night.
The nobles’ carriages crowded outside the blockade.
These pampered lords, who normally lived lives of luxury, now had faces paler than the snow in the sky.
Even from a distance, they could sll the thick, suffocating scent of blood.
“Dead… everyone is dead?”
“Lord Herman’s whole family, and all his guards. Not a single one survived!”
“I heard it was the Homomorphic Tribunal. They left their mark at the scene!”
“Bullshit! What Homomorphic Tribunal? I say Her Highness the Princess simply decided Herman was in the way and had him eliminated!”
The discussions were kept extrely quiet, but every person’s eyes contained the sa word: fear.
…
Governor’s Residence.
The fireplace burned brightly.
Sylvia held a cup of hot cocoa while listening to the “report” from the captain of the Shadow Guard, Esralda.
“Your Highness, according to the investigation of the scene, the killer was a professional. The thods were extrely skillful. Herman’s family of three and thirty-two core guards were mostly killed with a single strike.”
Esralda’s tone was calm, as if she were comnting on the weather.
Both she and Sylvia understood perfectly well that they had used soone else’s blade to carry out the killings, but the formal performance still had to be maintained.
“The killer left a dossier in Herman’s study.”
Esralda continued, “It contains detailed records of the various cris committed by Herman’s family through exploiting legal loopholes.”
Sylvia blew gently across the hot cocoa in her cup, not even lifting her eyelids.
“I see.”
Esralda paused, then took out a small paper packet wrapped in a handkerchief and presented it.
“In addition, we found this in Herman’s son Jefferson’s room.”
The packet was opened, revealing a pile of fine white powder.
Logaris West, who had been sitting lazily on the sofa reading an ancient to, happened to glance at the powder from the corner of his eye.
His brows suddenly furrowed.
A chill ran through his heart as an instinctive sense of alertness rose within him.
“Let see that.”
Logaris put down the book and stood up.
His expression was unusually serious.
Esralda handed it over.
Logaris did not touch it with his hands.
Instead, he carefully extended his mana into the powder. He closed his eyes slightly while murmuring under his breath.
A prophecy-type spell.
“Revelatory Divination.”
A few seconds later, he abruptly opened his eyes, his expression extrely grave.
The feedback from the spell constructed a clear pharmacological diagram in his mind.
The tiny particles of the powder were shown madly invading and numbing the nervous system, creating a brief yet intense false euphoria, followed by irreversible and permanent damage to both the mind and the soul.
“This thing is not right.”
Logaris’s voice grew heavy.
“This is an alchemical drug, and the refinent technique used is extrely sophisticated.”
He stared at Sylvia.
“It has a powerful addictive and hallucinogenic effect. Its harm is hundreds of tis greater than any low-grade narcotic on the market. If we do not uncover the source of this substance, the entire Northern Territory will face endless trouble in the future.”
Sylvia saw the unprecedented seriousness on Logaris’s face and felt her heart tighten.
This man might act unreliable at tis, but he never joked when it ca to serious matters.
“You an there are others behind this?”
Sylvia imdiately realized the severity of the issue.
“Yes.”
Logaris nodded.
“We must trace the source. Imdiately.”
Sylvia did not hesitate.
“Esralda, I am assigning this matter to you. Mobilize all available forces and dig out the source of this drug.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
Sylvia did not fully understand why Logaris was being so serious.
But she trusted his judgnt.
…
anwhile, the nobles of Winter City were nearly scaring themselves to death.
Herman’s death was like a massive hamr that shattered their last remaining hope of luck.
Not long ago, they had followed Herman in impeaching the princess during the council.
Now Herman’s blood had probably not even cooled yet.
If this was not retaliation, what was it?
Fear fernted rapidly.
A few days later, the Governor’s Residence convened a council eting to discuss the aftermath of Chief Judicial Officer Herman’s assassination.
This ti, every noble who received the notice arrived without exception.
Even several old n bedridden with illness had people carry them in.
The council chamber was silent.
The atmosphere was so oppressive it felt as if water could be squeezed from the air.
Sylvia arrived slightly late.
Today she wore a plain black dress, her expression mournful, as though she were truly grieving for Herman’s death.
“Everyone.”
She began slowly.
“I feel deep sorrow regarding Lord Herman’s incident. After investigation, the Homomorphic Tribunal has claid responsibility for this judgnt.”
She directly defined the nature of the event.
This statent had also received Reynard’s approval. They did not mind spreading the prestige of their organization.
The nobles looked at each other.
Who dared to object?
Who dared to argue with the Homomorphic Tribunal?
A gray-haired old count was the first to react.
He stood up trembling.
“Your Highness is wise! Such lawless criminals must be severely punished!”
He suddenly changed his tone, a flattering smile covering his face.
“In order to maintain peace and stability in the Northern Territory, my Andrew family is willing to donate fifty thousand gold coins to assist Your Highness in restoring order!”
With him taking the lead, the others imdiately realized what was happening.
The ti to spend money to avert disaster had arrived.
“Our Barton family is willing as well!”
“And us!”
“Your Highness, money is not a problem. As long as the Northern Territory remains stable!”
For a mont, the council chamber turned into a competition of loyalty.
The nobles scrambled to offer money, terrified that if they were even slightly slower, they would beco the next Herman.
Sylvia looked at their disgraceful display with a cold sneer in her heart, though her face still wore a sorrowful expression.
“I have received everyone’s goodwill.”
She raised her hand slightly.
The noisy council chamber instantly fell silent.
“The money will be used for the developnt of the Northern Territory.”
Her tone shifted.
“However, your safety is what concerns most. Lord Herman’s tragedy must never happen again.”
The nobles’ hearts skipped a beat.
A bad premonition appeared.
Sure enough, Sylvia’s next words made them feel as if they had fallen into an icy abyss.
“I have decided to dispatch elite mbers from my guard to station themselves at your manors and territories. They will provide protection around the clock to ensure your absolute safety.”
The mont those words were spoken, the hall fell into dead silence.
Protection?
Was this not surveillance?
If your troops were stationed inside my ho, would my life and property not be entirely in your hands?
Every noble’s face turned pale.
They dared not express their anger.
Only now did they understand what it ant to invite a god only to find it impossible to send him away.
No.
This was simply inviting wolves into the house.
Sylvia watched their reactions with satisfaction and continued smiling as she dropped another bombshell.
“Of course, the stationing and daily expenses of the guards cannot be borne entirely by the Governor’s Residence.”
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