Chapter 90: An Unexpected Assassination

Soon, the members of the royal family gathered within the castle of the Bansenny estate. King Hudson was bound tightly with vines, while his wives and children sat before Lin Wei and Bansenny, their faces filled with worry. They seemed to want to speak, but under the pressure of Lin Wei and Bansenny, none dared to move. The sight of a kingdom’s sovereign restrained before his family was unspeakably strange.

Bansenny cast a glance at Lin Wei, then cleared his throat, his gaze indifferent. “Since Hudson chose to trespass upon the wizards’ forbidden ground, he must now face punishment and judgment. In half a day, Lin Wei and I will escort him back to the Shadow Forest. Unless something unexpected happens, this will be your last chance to see him.”

It was clear that Hudson himself was hearing Bansenny’s verdict for the first time. Though the vines gagged his mouth, he struggled desperately, his eyes brimming with endless fear and helplessness. He was innocent—how could he accept being taken to the Shadow Forest in such confusion? The mysterious realm of the wizards—what kind of punishment awaited him there? Just imagining it sent chills down his spine.

Yet neither Bansenny nor Lin Wei spared Hudson a glance.

Instead, several of the queens and princes and princesses gasped in horror, hands to their mouths.

Only Kaivilin remained unmoved. She had already learned of the course of today’s events from Lin Wei the previous night, and felt little concern for Hudson’s fate. What truly troubled her was Brent, sitting beside her. A strong sense of vigilance gripped her heart.

Lin Wei, too, kept his attention fixed on Brent ever since the latter entered the castle.

“There doesn’t seem to be anything unusual…” Lin Wei, although not looking directly at Brent, secretly used the intelligent orb core to scan Brent’s physical data, one doubt after another surfacing in his mind. “He’s nothing but a knight’s squire—not a trace of wizardly power to be found… How did he come into contact with the wizard apprentice behind all this? And why would a third-level wizard apprentice help Brent kidnap those who once wronged his mother? There must be shared interests between them… But what could a neglected prince possibly offer such a wizard apprentice?”

Brent, oblivious to Lin Wei’s scrutiny, appeared composed throughout. He showed no reluctance, resentment, or even secret joy at Hudson’s impending fate—he truly looked like a young man numbed to all feeling.

“According to the rules of the Shadow Forest, Hudson should be sent directly to the Wizard Academy…” Bansenny looked around at the assembled family and continued, “But I have lived in the Kingdom of Layton for decades. When I first met Hudson, he was still a prince. I am a man who remembers old ties, so I secured from Lord Lin Wei this final opportunity for you—you may now see him one last time.”

“So, from this moment on, each of you should say your farewells.”

At Bansenny’s words, the room fell into a brief, awkward silence. For a moment, not a single person was willing to approach Hudson or offer a final goodbye.

“Are they afraid of me and Bansenny?” Lin Wei’s tone was laced with quiet mockery. “As expected, there is no true affection in a royal family—everything is bound by interests… It’s even more complicated than the world of wizards…”

Lin Wei flicked his sleeve, then pointed to Brent, who sat with his head bowed. “Brent, why don’t you go first?”

“Me?” Brent clearly hadn’t expected Lin Wei to call his name.

Nor had anyone else, save for Kaivilin; no one imagined Lin Wei would summon the inconspicuous fourth prince.

“Yes, you.” Lin Wei nodded, confirming his choice.

Hudson looked on the verge of collapse. Throughout, he could neither move nor speak; he was nothing more than an item, a tool to be used.

Brent rose, his expression somewhat unnatural.

“Hm?” As Brent left his seat, Lin Wei’s sharp eyes caught a sudden, barely perceptible twitch in Brent’s right sleeve.

“Orb core, scan his sleeve!” Lin Wei commanded at once.

In an instant, a three-dimensional image appeared on Lin Wei’s retinas.

“So that’s it…” Lin Wei’s eyes narrowed, a flash of comprehension gleaming within them.

A razor-sharp blade was clasped against Brent’s wrist!

Brent shuffled forward, his posture even more hunched than before.

Kaivilin’s gaze remained fixed on him, her palm slick with sweat. Bansenny, beside Lin Wei, was similarly tense; as Brent passed him, Bansenny subconsciously tensed his muscles, ready to cast a spell at a moment’s notice.

“Father…” Brent came to stand before King Hudson. His hunched figure slowly straightened, and a faint smile curled his lips.

For some reason, the sight of that smile sent a shudder through Hudson. He had never seen such an expression on his fourth son’s face before—it was utterly unfamiliar.

“Honored Father, I have come to send you… on your final journey!”

In a flash, the once meek and quiet Brent’s face twisted with ferocity, a savage aura radiating from him in stark contrast to his earlier demeanor. For a moment, everyone thought they must be seeing things.

A sharp blade slid out from Brent’s sleeve, slashing straight for Hudson’s throat!

Hudson’s hair stood on end, a muffled cry for help escaping his throat. He struggled with all his might to evade the deadly blow.

But he was bound too tightly to move even an inch. Terror flooded his eyes as the blade descended, a heartbeat away from slitting his throat.

In that instant of mortal danger, Lin Wei’s wizardly power and mental strength surged together.

“Stellar Sands—Shapeshift!”

In a blink, grains of black sand materialized from thin air, swiftly melding into a thin blade that slashed mercilessly at Brent’s wrist!

With a wet snap, Brent’s wrist was severed, blood spraying everywhere!

Hudson’s face was spattered with Brent’s blood. He remained frozen in shock, never having imagined that his usually harmless fourth son would try to kill him.