The Dead Villainess Had A Child With The Male Lead

Chapter 91 Fieldwork

“If he’s offended, he’s out to get revenge right away. He’s impatient, he can’t wait, and he’s not smart enough to think of other ways to do it.”

Veronia recalled Caspian’s character description from the original book. Killion nodded as he listened to her story.

“I see. It would be nice if we could find some proof.”

“In the meantime, even when Caspian is suspected, he tends to cover it up with the imperial breath, and you know it.”

“Yes, you’re right.”

“But this time is different. A nobleman, an emissary from the Kingdom of Hisric, has been injured, and even Caspian won’t get off easy this time.”

She wanted to cuff Caspian’s wrists this time, to make sure he got what he deserved for his crimes, to make him feel the bitter taste of retribution for once, after all, he’d had enough immunity in the name of royalty.

‘No more people should be victimized by the violence of the Prince. It has to stop!’

She had to make him realize this once and for all. Veronia gritted her teeth and steeled her resolve. Then she spurred her horse after Killion.

***

Arriving at Count Macquarie’s, Veronia and Killion were immediately shown around the crime scene by the scouts.

“We were told by the victims that the assailants seemed to have used teleportation scrolls, so we looked for any traces of magic use, but nothing came up.”

“I see. Were there any video stones placed around the garden for security?”

“It wasn’t a mansion that was particularly security conscious.”

“Hmm…”

A dark crease formed between Killion’s brows.

“Can we check the party guest list?”

“Yes. Just a moment.”

At Veronia’s word, one of the scouts ran off into the mansion. When he returned, he held a red velvet-covered list in his hand.

“Here you go.”

“Thank you.”

Taking the guest list, Veronia scanned the densely written names, then pointed her finger at one in particular.

“Here, Prince Caspian and his entourage are at the party, and judging by the five names in a row, they’re all here, and they’re running a little late.”

Killion nodded at the list, then turned to his scouts.

“I want you to check the mansion for any sightings of Prince Caspian’s party, and get a rough time of day so we can compare it to the time of the incident.”

“Yes, Your Excellency.”

While Killion spoke to the scouts, Veronia pulled a magic tool from her pocket.

“It’s a magic tool for checking for signs of magic use. May I check the scene?”

“We’ve already done that, but we didn’t find any traces.”

“This is a new tool we’ve developed, and we’ve improved its performance by several orders of magnitude, so it might produce different results. Let’s give it a try.”

“Okay. Sure.”

Veronia first sprinkled the powder made from grinding the magic stones all over the crime scene. 

The powder scattered on the floor emitted a faint glow of pure white light, and she immediately shone it on the white floor with her purple glowing stick-like mace.

Seeing nothing particularly unusual, Veronia patiently swept her wand over the entire scene.

After a while, she finally called out in excitement.

“Over here!”

Killion and the scouts, who had been standing a few paces away, immediately came to Veronia’s side. 

Their eyes widened as they saw where she pointed. There, glowing in a deep violet light, was the trace of a magic circle. The scout spoke with a puzzled expression.

“What? I didn’t see that before…!”

“I told you, it’s a new model with several levels of enhancements.”

A smug Veronia shrugged her shoulders. Turning to the scouts, who were still dazed and looking for signs of the magic circle, Killion said.

“You, stay still and record this scene on the video stone.”

“Ah, yes, Your Excellency! Got it!”

Following Killion’s orders, the scout quickly pulled out his video stone and captured the blue glowing magic trail on the grass.

“The trace is quite clear, so it shouldn’t be difficult to find the maker of the travelling scroll.”

“I’ll start investigating right away and try to track down the buyer.”

“Okay. Take care.”

“Yes, Your Excellency.”

Impatiently, the scout rushed off towards the building. There was much to do, and they had to hurry.

As Veronia gathered up her tools, Killion came up beside her, a trace of surprise still in his eyes.

“I’m afraid we’re going to have to fund new tools for the scouts.”

“Actually, the tool is still in the approval process, just waiting for the final sign-off, and it’ll be a while before it can be produced.”

“Nia, were you involved in the development?”

“Yes. Originally, it was just going to be a stick, but I suggested adding magic stone powder.”

“I’d personally like to purchase one, when will it be available?”

With this new tool, he might be able to find the traces of the missing magic circle at the scene of the Emperor’s murder.

“Probably in a month or so, but if you need it before then, I can lend you this one.”

“Is that okay? Thank you.”

A smile crossed Killion’s face as he accepted Veronia’s offer of magic tools and magic stone powder.

***

Caspian and his friends were gathered at the secret social club again today. But the mood was different than usual.

All sorts of newspapers had been writing about last night’s raid. It wasn’t the first assault they’d committed, but it was different from the quieter ones, and they were all on edge.

“Frida, we overlooked the fact that she was an envoy of the Kingdom of Hisric.”

“How could an incident of this magnitude turn into a diplomatic matter?”

As usual, he was only acting lightly, casually, as he always did. 

If he was really angry, he would have killed her, but he was just trying to scare her a little. It was the stupid woman’s fault for breaking her arm because she couldn’t dodge an attack of that magnitude.

“Frida Mitchell! Her father was Lord Chancellor of the Kingdom of Hisric! Why didn’t she tell you that? That’s something to brag about.”

“Besides, her uncle is a big lord, I heard they do quite a bit of trade with our empire, so they’re a big family… Damn, I’ve got it all wrong!”

As he recited the terrifying facts he had learnt from the newspaper article, his fear grew stronger and stronger. Gulping down gulps of strong alcohol and taking deep puffs of cigarette after cigarette didn’t make him feel any better.

“Damn it, this is bad luck!”

“We don’t… get caught, do we? They say if you do, you’ll be transported to the Kingdom of Hisric, where you may have to stand trial.”

Earl Royce Farren said in a shaky voice, chewing hard on his thumb nail. The weakest of the group, he looked like he might cry at any moment.

“I hear the scouts have gathered quite a bit of evidence. Are you sure you’re okay? I’m really shaking.”

The sobbing continued, and now the men began to tie him up.

“A… won’t be found out, don’t worry. I used the strongest drug available to erase traces of magic.”

“It’ll be fine, we were perfect this time, we didn’t drop a single hair, let alone an object, you’re just trying to scare everyone.”

“Yeah. You’re right.”

He tried to sound curious, but the tension and fear in the air was palpable.

Caspian, who had been silent the entire time, finally spoke up. His face was filled with irritation.

“Don’t you realise that your fears will eventually get the best of you? Don’t worry. It will never catch up with you.”

“See, His Highness says things like this for a reason. Louis, stop whining and start drinking.”

“But… in the newspapers…”

The Earl of Farren’s concern was unrelenting, and finally, in a burst of irritation, Caspian jumped to his feet nervously.

“Shut your mouth, you’re drunk, I’m going first.”

Caspian stormed out without looking back.

‘Look for me all you want. You stupid bastards will never find me, and even if you did, you won’t catch me. Who do you think I am, you bastards, shit!’

Phew, hahaha…. Caspian laughed, a caustic laugh. He hadn’t stopped laughing since he’d climbed into the carriage, but Veronia was suddenly in his mind.

‘I wish I could kick her ass. How dare she have divine powers over a commoner subject. And how dare she try to marry the Lord Chancellor.’

Caspian’s face contorted into a fierce scowl.

‘I hate her most of all for daring to take my arm, and, alas, I wish I could cut her in a spot!’

Caspian’s eyes flashed with a frightening light.

‘Why not.’

Hahahaha… A raucous laugh vibrated the air in the carriage dizzily.