Hellbents
Chapter 195: The Suspects
Lack of sleep brings bad feelings that Ava does not want to discuss. Especially when his tired mind is accompanied by muscle pain that he can not rest for a full week.
Ava had anticipated a second gate mission waiting after her impropt team defeated a man-eating flower monster, as she had already gotten a leak from the foreign woman Queen Isabel saved. But that does not mean that the girl welcomes additional quests.
Being included in a game that forces him not to trust anyone makes him nervous.
And Ellijah's tantrum doesn't help her calm down.
The only person Ava knew instead became another source of a dizzy pulse at her temples. At least, a full minute that he dedicated just to breathing could still ease the hot spot on his chest.
Huh.
Whatever.
Ava's used to it herself.
He can complete his personal mission with or without the help of anyone.
So he put on a Hollywood face, smiling with a sweetness that matched saccharin. The main method in the criminal path that he lived a dozen years taught that his innocent face is very effective in lowering the opponent's alert, Ava's flagship weapon when wanting to deceive arrogant millionaires. Therefore, when he approached a dozen servants who were pacing around the palace, although it began with reluctance because it felt taboo to talk about the dead let alone the monarchy who was their superior, because it was taboo, many were eventually flattered and happily exposed what the girl wanted to know.
Information is crucial in an investigation.
Ava looked at her notes once again.
Who should have a grudge against the king?
"I think Duke Britius is really suspicious, Your Majesty."
"Ah, that's right! Duke Britius is the next line in the abdication!"
"Geez, right! Since His Majesty the King has no descendants, that ruthless man will be the king!"
The three shut up, too late to realize that they had unintentionally vilified a nobleman and alluded to Ava - acting as empress - who had no children after three years of marriage with the king.
Duke Britius's. Suspect first.
"Your Majesty, if I may express my opinion, the king's secretary needs to be investigated."
"Ah, Viscount Punitar? Is it because of the rumors?"
"Accordingly, I heard the bird news that the king's secretary had ties to the criminal underworld. Many have speculated that this is why His Majesty the King had a long argument with his secretary at last week's meeting.
"Maybe the head of the guard and the butler?"
"The king still has not approved of their relationship despite prostrating?"
"Well, even though the butler has power within the palace, he basically still has the status of a commoner, while the head guard is a Marquiss."
Ava already knew who the head of the guard was, the only boy who was a player in the mission this time, but for the butler he still did not know. Whoever it was, the third and fourth suspects were found.
"I'm certain that Viscount Abelot is the mastermind!"
"Ah, the master who was caught embezzling the royal treasure, right? Unfortunately he has not been executed because the threat of war from Aylard Kingdom is more important."
... So there's a risk of war against a neighboring country?
Hm. Viscount Abelot, the fifth suspect.
"Eh, isn't the mother of Marquiss Isembart the eighth princess of Aylard Kingdom?"
"You think a Marquiss betrayed his homeland and conspired with the enemy?"
"It could be, right?"
Marquiss Isembart, sixth suspect.
Six potential actors.
Five different motives.
Ava knew her investigation was still incomplete considering there were ten players brought in by the [System]. Well, nine, because one of them first took his life.
He also discovers that Dion's friend is the king's personal butler, which although he writes his full name is soon Ava Coret. Because the dead cannot be the traitors they seek.
The rest are just two characters he has yet to find his identity. Naturally, Ava does not include herself in this "proof + motif \= suspect" formula.
He needed an alibi to support his plan. Therefore Ava also explored the relationships of suspicious people with her role, the empress. Unfortunately, a sweet smile and a friendly gesture are not enough to peel it off.
... Wh why?
The servants easily explained the movements of the ranks of the suspect earlier, why now stop when he asked the thread that connects him to the role of other players?