Fantasy World: I Can Travel To Cultivation World

Chapter 144 Naked Conspiracy

"Duke Miller! What's wrong with you?"

Prince William rushed toward the corpse, his face painted with shock and urgency.

Earl Evan, watching the display, shook his head and smirked. "Your Highness, your acting could use some work. Truly dreadful."

Prince William ignored the jab and spun toward the guards. "These two killed Duke Miller! Arrest them immediately!"

"Yes, sir!" the guards responded in unison, drawing their swords and closing in on the Pros siblings.

Bang!

Anna unsheathed the massive broadsword strapped to her back and slammed it into the ground, the impact echoing through the hall. Her voice was a growl, brimming with fury. "Come on then! Let's see who dies first!"

Earl Evan placed a calming hand on her shoulder and shook his head. "No, Anna. There's no need for that."

"But, brother," Anna protested, her eyes blazing. "They're framing us!"

"Haha, let them try." Earl Evan's confidence didn't waver as he chuckled. "Look around, Anna. It's a poor attempt at best. Trust me—put your weapon away. Nothing will happen."

Anna hesitated, her grip tightening on the hilt of her broadsword. After a long, frustrated exhale, she finally complied, sliding the weapon back into place.

Earl Evan, unperturbed by the situation, turned to Prince William with a grin. "There. Now, Your Highness, can we meet His Majesty the King?"

Prince William didn't reply. He snapped his fingers instead. "Take them to the dungeon! Guard them closely!"

"Yes, Your Highness!"

Chains clinked as a guard approached and secured Earl Evan's wrists. The earl showed no resistance, his smug demeanor firmly intact.

"Hah!" Earl Evan scoffed, meeting Prince William's gaze. "What's the matter? Has His Majesty lost his nerve? Doesn't even have the guts to face us?"

Prince William remained silent, his jaw tightening.

Earl Evan rolled his eyes and smirked. "Hmm, let me guess. Something major happened last night, didn't it? What could it be...?"

The guard behind him finished fastening the iron chains, but Earl Evan paid him no mind. His sharp voice cut through the tense silence.

"Ah, I see it now! What emboldened you to throw us into a cell? Could it be... Vera was assassinated?"

Prince William froze mid-step, his composure cracking for a fleeting moment. His reaction said more than words ever could, and Earl Evan's smirk widened.

But Prince William remained silent.

The old king had warned him before: Be cautious with Earl Evan. Don't take his words at face value, and never believe any promises he makes.

Determined to follow his father's orders, Prince William didn't dare to act otherwise.

"Ha! I guessed it right!" Earl Evan noticed Prince William's hesitation and smirked with satisfaction.

Leaning in, he spoke in a tempting tone. "Your Highness, if Miss Vera truly is dead, you can't afford to arrest us. Right now, the East is your only ally!"

Prince William stood there like a puppet, refusing to respond.

"Your Highness," Earl Evan continued, his voice laced with urgency, "I know how to solve your current dilemma! Believe me! Just take us to see His Majesty the King."

Prince William frowned. The earl's persistent voice was grating, so he gestured to the guards to hasten their pace.

"Your Highness! Listen to me! I'm the only one who can help you now!" Earl Evan shouted as the guards dragged him away. "Tell His Majesty I have a way to stop the North from mobilizing their troops..."

His words echoed in the hall even as he and Anna were escorted out.

For a moment, Prince William stood frozen, his mind lingering on Earl Evan's final declaration.

Could he really have a solution?

As he mulled over the possibility, a familiar voice cut through his thoughts.

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"Do you actually believe he can help us?"

Prince William spun around to see the old king standing behind him.

"Father, I..." Prince William hesitated but ultimately answered honestly, "I think it might be worth listening to Earl Evan. He could truly have a solution..."

"Humph! Fool!" the old king interrupted sharply, his voice carrying a note of exasperation. "If you follow his advice, you'll walk right into his trap!"

Prince William bowed his head, chastised, and remained silent.

The old king sighed, softening his tone slightly. "When dealing with cunning people like him, you must exercise caution. Especially when they offer to help.

Whenever someone claims they can solve your problems, stop and ask yourself: Do their interests align with ours? If they don't, then don't listen to a word they say!

Otherwise, you'll find yourself betrayed, sold out without even realizing it."

"Yes, Father." Prince William nodded repeatedly. Sensing that his father's anger had subsided, he cautiously asked, "What should we do with the siblings?"

"Lock them up for now! Provide them with food and drink, but don't allow any contact with the outside world."

"Understood."

Bang!

The heavy iron door slammed shut, sealing the Pros siblings in isolation.

Earl Evan scanned the dimly lit cell, then nodded with a small smile. "Not bad. Aside from the lack of windows, it's actually quite decent."

Anna, on the other hand, was far from calm. Pacing back and forth, she finally burst out, "Come on, brother! Think of a way out! Are we just going to sit here and wait to die?"

"Haha, relax! The Modiwen family wouldn't dare kill us."

"Then why imprison us?"

"To use us as leverage."

"Leverage for what?"

Earl Evan casually pulled out a chair, sat at the round table, and reached for the kettle. He sniffed it, his expression turning sour when he realized it contained water instead of wine.

Pouring a glass for himself and his sister, he said calmly, "Do you remember what I told you about Duke Dressrosa's winning strategy?"

"Yes. You said it involved Vera dying in Silvermoon City. Wait... are you saying you were right?"

"It seems so."

"But what does that have to do with them arresting us?"

"Patience, Anna," Earl Evan said, taking a deliberate sip of water. "Let me explain."

Anna folded her arms, clearly frustrated but willing to listen.

"Although I suspected Vera would meet her end in Silvermoon City," Earl Evan continued, "I didn't anticipate who the murderer would be."

"Vera's murderer?"

"Precisely." A gleam of excitement flickered in Earl Evan's eyes.

Anna, well-acquainted with her brother's mannerisms, recognized the look immediately. He was thrilled—thrilled by the prospect of matching wits with a formidable opponent.

Earl Evan seemed genuinely thrilled, as though he had stumbled upon an entertaining puzzle. "I originally thought Duke Dressrosa would arrange for someone in the wedding procession to assassinate Vera—perhaps Luis Hartmann or some hidden assassin.

After all, that would've been the simplest method.

But no! Duke Dressrosa went further—he orchestrated it so that someone from the Miller family would be the murderer!

How did he manage that? It's brilliant!

Not only did he secure an excuse to send troops to Silvermoon City, but he also wiped any suspicion off himself. No one would believe he was the mastermind when the blame lies so conveniently elsewhere.

This shows that Duke Dressrosa had been scheming against the Half-Elf Kingdom for a long time. Haha, I must admit, losing to him in the East wasn't unjust!"

Anna frowned in confusion. "How do you know the murderer is from the Miller family?"

"It's obvious." Earl Evan spread his hands, as though the answer required no explanation.

"Duke Miller was killed, his body left there as a tool to frame us. Doesn't that mean the Miller family has been completely discarded?

And why discard them? Clearly, because someone from the Miller family assassinated Vera."

Anna nodded slowly but still looked puzzled. "Why would the Miller family kill Vera? Were they bribed by Duke St. Hild?"

"This is where Duke Dressrosa's genius shines!" Earl Evan's eyes sparkled with admiration. "Think about it: the murderer from the Miller family acted knowing it would mean their death and possibly the destruction of their entire clan!

So, can you guess why the Miller family would agree to such a thing?"

Anna shook her head. "I can't imagine why they'd do that."

Earl Evan sighed dramatically. "Exactly! That's what makes this so impressive—I'm not a god; I don't have all the answers."

"Then what does this have to do with us?" Anna pressed, growing impatient. "You still haven't explained why the king arrested us."

Earl Evan chuckled, leaning back in his chair. "Think about it. Vera is dead, giving the Northern Army their excuse to send troops.

Now, what should the Modiwen family do in response?"

Anna thought for a while before she came to her senses. "They definitely can't stop the Northern Dressrosa Army from entering Silver moon City. Then, they can only find a scapegoat to bear the wrath of Duke Dressrosa."

"That's right!" Earl Evan snapped his fingers and nodded, "First of all, the Miller family is definitely dead. No matter who the murderer is, this family must be destroyed. The blood of the Duke Family members is not so easy to be stained."