Chapter 64: Reversal

Chapter 64: Reversal

“I’m innocent!” Ye Tian shouted as he was thrown into a damp cell.

“How dare you attempt to assassinate His Majesty? Tomorrow, you'll face the pyre,” a guard spat out with hatred.

“I’ve been framed, truly framed!” Ye Tian insisted earnestly.

“Hmph, who would believe you?” the guard sneered, leaving Ye Tian alone in the dim, damp cell.

“What an environment—solid stone. What’s this? A magic array?” Ye Tian noticed faint markings on the wall. “How interesting.”

“Hey, how did you end up in here?” someone nearby suddenly asked.

“I’m a doctor, I save lives. I…” Ye Tian recounted the events that had brought him here. “I swear, I’m innocent!”

“Heh, poor guy. You’re just the scapegoat!” the man sighed sympathetically.

“Oh, so that’s how it is,” Ye Tian replied with a sigh.

“Pitiful fellow, tomorrow you’ll be nice and warm!” The others broke into laughter. “Attempted regicide—at best you get the pyre!”

“Fire, huh? Not a good day for it—too hot,” Ye Tian remarked, then lay straight down on the stone bed.

“Still holding out hope?” someone mocked.

“I never give up until the last moment,” Ye Tian replied with a smile.

“Ha! Interesting!” The cell grew lively with laughter again. Ye Tian yawned. “You all carry on, I’ll take a nap.” With that, he really fell asleep, prompting everyone else to shake their heads in pity.

Ye Tian was still dreaming when he was roughly hauled to his feet.

“What’s this? I wasn’t finished sleeping!” he protested.

“Don’t worry, you’ll soon sleep forever,” one guard said slyly.

“Oh, thank you. By the way, have you brushed your teeth today? Your breath stinks!” Ye Tian wrinkled his nose.

The guard’s face darkened as he raised his hand for a slap, but Ye Tian sent him flying with a kick. “Sorry, my foot itched.”

“What are you staring at? Weren’t you going to drag me out?” Seeing the stunned faces, Ye Tian couldn’t be bothered to talk further and strode out himself.

The other prisoners gaped at him, while the fallen guard, realizing no one cared, could only clutch his face and curse his luck.

Ye Tian swaggered into the hall, causing a commotion.

“Impudent! Kneel!” Truman barked.

“Kneel? To whom?” Ye Tian retorted.

“Kneel…,” Truman fumbled for words, but Bradis interjected, “Insolent Gehr, confess your crime!”

“Confess? To whom, and for what?” Ye Tian asked.

“You killed my father, and you still won’t confess?” Rudy accused.

“I didn’t kill His Majesty, so I have nothing to confess. Congratulations, Your Highness, on finally ascending the throne,” Ye Tian replied with a broad smile.

“You can make excuses all you want. The evidence is clear. Guards, take him to the pyre!” the Empress ordered.

“Wait! Oh, Your Majesty the Empress, you’re here too? Sitting on the throne already? Do you also aspire to be Emperor?” Ye Tian said.

“Nonsense! Drag him away to the pyre!” the Empress shouted.

“Wait!” Mickey suddenly interjected. “Your Majesty, Your Highness, His Majesty’s body is barely cold and yet you sit on his throne. Isn’t this improper? And how can you be so certain Gehr is the assassin when you haven’t even let us see His Majesty? Isn’t that hasty?”

“Hasty? How?” the Empress sneered. “I hear you’re close to him—are you trying to shield him?”

“No, I just want the facts. My lords, am I not speaking sense?”

“Yes, let us see His Majesty!” murmurs of agreement broke out.

“Where is General Bradis?” Rudy asked suddenly.

“I too wish to see His Majesty,” Bradis replied respectfully.

“You!” Rudy’s face twisted.

“Father!” Truman tugged at his father’s sleeve. Receiving a look, Truman fell silent.

“Very well, bring the Emperor’s body here!” Rudy commanded.

“By the way, where is Prince Dilufi?” Ye Tian asked suddenly.

“My brother is ill and resting,” Rudy replied coldly.

“Or perhaps you’ve already killed him,” Ye Tian said with a grin.

“Nonsense! He’s my brother. Why would I kill him?” Rudy snarled. “You’re just making trouble.”

“Just asking.” At that moment, the attendants carried in a coffin, within which Charles V lay as if peacefully asleep.

“Your Highness, do you recognize this?” Ye Tian suddenly produced a small bottle.

“I don’t,” Rudy replied.

“Is that so? Perhaps the maids would know. Go on, ask one of His Majesty’s maids.”

“That’s the bottle His Majesty always used for roast meat,” a maid confirmed when Rudy glanced at her.

“Thank you, my lovely lady,” Ye Tian smiled. “You’re saying I killed His Majesty with this, and you think everyone will believe you? Are you sure?”

“I’m sure,” the maid replied honestly, not understanding Ye Tian’s intent.

“Here, see if it smells familiar?” Ye Tian tossed her the bottle.

“Yes,” the maid poured out a little and sniffed, confirming it.

“Thank you.” Ye Tian turned and tossed the bottle to Bradis. “General Bradis, wasn’t this something you presented to His Majesty? Take a look.”

“I don’t recognize it. It smells nice, but I’ve never seen it before,” Bradis replied seriously.

“Then, Your Highness, can you tell me who gave this to His Majesty? As I recall, only you and the Empress never ate it.”

“What do you mean by that? Guards!” Rudy shouted.

“Wait! Let him finish,” Mickey intervened.

“Mickey, you want to rebel?”

“No, Your Highness, but there’s something strange here. We should clarify it.”

“Hmph!” Rudy snorted. Mickey was a swordmaster; subduing him would be troublesome. Best to wait.

“Your Highness, tell us—who gave this to His Majesty? And for the record, this is called Mandrake, a slow-acting poison!”

Faces in the crowd went pale, all eyes turning to Rudy.

“Really now, haven’t you settled this yet?” A new voice rang out as a young man in armor approached. “Rudy, still not done? If you can’t, just kill them all.”

“Charles!” Bradis shouted.

“Well, General Bradis, long time no see. How’s your health?”

“What are you doing here?” Bradis asked grimly.

“Nothing much, just helping my brother ascend the throne.” Charles gave a bright smile.

“That’s enough. Shadow Guards!” Rudy called.

In an instant, a blade was pressed to every minister’s throat. From the shadows, an assassin materialized. Only Bradis and Mickey, both swordmasters, remained free; Truman, however, was subdued.

“Is there anyone who opposes me sitting on the throne?” Rudy asked with a smile.

Charles noticed Ye Tian staring at him. “What is it? Something on your mind?”

“Oh, just wondering if this benefits you. He killed his own brother yesterday, as for you, who can say?”

“You killed him?” Charles asked.

“No, I wouldn’t kill my brother,” Rudy replied with a smile.

“Would you kill me?” Charles asked.

“No.”

“My child!” The Empress rushed forward, embracing Charles. “You’ve suffered.”

“Mother,” Charles said emotionally. “I’m back now.”

“Back for what? Just to be a sideshow?” Ye Tian snorted.

“Guards, drag him out. I want him on the pyre!”

“Sorry, Mother. There’s really no one left outside. They’re all dead. Maybe later,” Charles replied with a laugh.

“Brother, long time no see.”

“Indeed, brother, it’s been a while.” With those words, Rudy stepped forward and hugged Charles.

“Ah, brother, you…” Pain twisted Charles’s face.

“Charles! Charles, what’s wrong?” The Empress caught him as he slumped. “Blood! Charles, what’s happening to you?”

“To achieve great things, one must be ruthless. Mother, isn’t that what you taught me?” Blood dripped from the dagger in Rudy’s hand. “It’s useless. A wound from a cursed blade can’t be healed.”

“Why? Why?” the Empress screamed in anguish.

“Because there should be no irrelevant people beside my throne,” Rudy said coldly. “Now, for the last time—does anyone object to me sitting on the throne?”