Chapter 5: Interrogation

Words : 1050 Updated : Sep 10th, 2025

Chapter 5: Interrogation After the small episode of interaction with his 3rd and 4th brother, Leonard found his carriage parked outside. To his surprise though, the person waiting by the carriage wasn’t Spencer. "You are?" Leonard tilted his head slightly. The person seemed familiar yet he couldn’t recall it at the moment. The person wore a suit and exuded a gentle mannerism. "Greetings, Crown Prince. I’m Curtis, an assistant of Sir Reed. We met at your chamber once to discuss your mother’s departure to the Northwest, Kingdom of Elaris." Curtis replied. ’Kingdom of Elaris...’ It took Leonard a few moments before memories about the area came forth. The Kingdom of Elaris was located on the Northwest side of the Central Region, which was the Aldros Empire. Its geography was filled with enchanted forests, twilight woods, and crystalline rivers. The inhabitants were usually elves, druids, scholars, and feykin. Their capital was Everglen, a city carved into giant trees. From his memories, the kingdom’s most notable features were Whispering Woods, Moonwell Grove, and Verdant Veil. Whispering Woods were rumored to contain sentient trees and ancient spirits, Moonwell Grove was a source of natural arcane magic, and Verdant Veil was a shifting forest barrier that hid Elaris from outsiders. "Why and how was my mother sent there?" Leonard tried to rack his brain and realized the original Leonard didn’t even bother asking about the reason for his mother’s departure. "Replying to the Crown Prince, your mother, Lady Clarisse Lawson’s grandfather once saved a noble of Elaris. Hence, direct members of the House of Lawson were granted the right to enter there." Curtis explained. "Kingdom of Elaris might be within the Valdoria Continent and technically under the rule of Aldros Empire, but due to their unique nature of isolating oneself. It’s hard for the empire to enact any jurisdiction." "Is that so..." Leonard muttered. He was slowly starting to get the big picture. First, they sent his mother off to the Kingdom of Elaris. Based on the previous entanglement, she was guaranteed to enter. Next was to appoint her son as the crown prince. In hindsight, the Kingdom of Elaris would sooner or later have no choice but to fully submit to the Aldros Empire. He was the key to cracking the Verdant Veil that covered the Kingdom of Elaris from the public. And his mother was sent away early not because he had done anything wrong. Instead, she was sent as a hostage. Pushing his mother to the Kingdom of Elaris gave the latter a sense of relief and reassurance that the Aldros Empire wouldn’t harm them. What a great political movement that was done by his father’s arrangement. No, Leonard reckoned that this was merely one part of the reason why he was appointed crown prince. There was no way an emperor of his stature would plan something so obviously seen by others. "My head’s going to explode at this rate." He murmured. His tone was low, but Curtis was able to pick up on it. "Should I seek a doctor, Crown Prince?" He asked and was nearly on the move to rush ahead. "No need," Leonard raised his hand and halted him. "Let’s just return to my palace." "Very well." Sometime later, Leonard boarded the carriage whereas Curtis took the horses’ rein. "By the way, where is Spencer?" "Ah, he’s busy interrogating and investigating the poison incident. He said he won’t be available for a moment and given the Crown Prince’s age, it’s time for you to form your first magic circle. Do you wish to see the list of magic tutors to recruit?" "I’ll see to it when we return. I’m tired for now." "Crown Prince can rest assured. Curtis swore to protect you with my life." Leonard simply smiled lightly and closed his eyes to rest. Today was truly one hectic day. He had transmigrated to the world of Aetherion and was promoted to crown prince right away. Outside the carriage, Curtis retracted his magical perception on Leonard once he saw the latter closing his eyes to rest. He didn’t dare to invade his privacy but was staying cautious. After all, he overheard Leonard muttering about his head exploding, so he was worried about the Crown Prince’s health. ’It seems like the Crown Prince is just a bit overwhelmed by the investiture. It’s already amazing that he’s able to push through the event till the end.’ Curtis thought. While he controlled the horses’ reins to return to Leonard’s palace, the basement of the palace was causing a lot of ruckus. Leonard’s Palace, Basement Level CRACK! SNAP! Blood splattered the dirty floor of the basement upon facing the deadly whipping streaks. "Are you going to confess properly, or do you want to face more whipping?" Spencer questioned on the side, his expression extremely cold. From afar, the person being chained up and stained with blood on a maid uniform was none other than Bea. Bea’s face was pale and her breathing was difficult. The places where she sustained the whipping had some of her flesh removed from her skin. The torture process was very painful and there were numerous times where she had fainted. Unfortunately, there was a dedicated healer on the scene as well. The healer would heal her barely enough for her to regain consciousness. Bea’s eyes were watery due to the tears she seeped out. "Sir Reed, I really don’t know who it is." She said weakly. "I was at the bank, hoping to seek a loan but was denied. Shortly after, I stumbled across a mysterious cloaked person who handed me the substance and a large sum of money. They told me the substance is harmless and even consumed some of it to prove their point." Nodding, Spencer smiled and said, "I see... I believe you." After saying so, he flickered his fingers, signaling for the whipper to resume whipping. "No, please—" Bea couldn’t finish her words when another round of whipping landed on her pitiful flesh body. But to her horror, the door to the basement opened and she recognized the new people. It was her husband and teenage son. "Looks like we have people accompanying you in the journey of torture." Spencer chuckled and held a devilish grin on his face.

Chapter 5: Interrogation

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