I, the Villain, Want to Save Myself, But the Yandere Heroines Disagree
Chapter 74 - Lingering Fear

Orson followed Elsa to the Imperial Court.

Here, Elsa had now led the formation of a special investigation team responsible for investigating the cause of Francois’s death.

The personnel within it, besides Elsa’s confidante Aphro, also included several people Orson did not recognize. However, they all seemed to be professionals in criminal investigation.

At their suggestion, the entire Saint Roland City had been put under lockdown since the early morning. The guards in charge of security began searching house by house for suspicious individuals.

As for the gray industries operating on the fringes of crime, they were the top priority of the investigation.

If it were in the past, Orson might have been worried, thinking that someone would smear this incident onto the gang he had formed. But now, the gang had been transferred, and had no further connection to Orson.

On the contrary, after the gang was transferred, the person to whom it was transferred might be in danger.

And as expected, the information presented by the staff after the conference discussion left everyone dumbfounded.

“According to intelligence, among the leaders of the underground forces currently active in Saint Roland City, particularly groups involved in businesses such as casinos, taverns, and organized crime, we have compiled a few names.”

“First is Anelli, the head of the largest local gang in Saint Roland City. His ancestors were people of Napoli, but their gang has developed in Saint Roland City for several decades, and what they understand best is how to protect themselves. Therefore, they have never leaned towards a particular political faction. Thus, in this incident, the probability of him being the instigator is very low.”

“As for the remaining gangs, they are mostly proxies for other nobles. Among the proxies we have been able to investigate, the one with the highest status and who controls the most underground forces...” The staff member said this, paused, and then spoke, “is His Highness the Prince.”

As soon as these words were spoken, everyone was startled.

“Don’t joke around. How could His Highness the Prince do something like this!”

“Exactly! His Highness the Prince is the future of the Empire. It’s impossible for him to do something that would jeopardize his future.”

“But...” At this moment, Elsa motioned for everyone to be quiet.

“According to your intelligence, the two largest underground forces in Saint Roland City, which are also the most likely to hide people and arrange assassins, are them, right?”

“Mm, and coincidentally, when His Highness the Prince invested in acquiring those facilities, it was not long before this incident occurred.”

“Although I am unwilling to think in that direction, it is not impossible that His Highness the Prince acquired these forces in preparation for an assassination attempt on the Duke, and therefore prepared a dark web in advance.”

“In any case...” At this moment, Orson offered a suggestion.

“I think we should first report it to His Majesty. Before His Majesty gives further instructions, we should not release the investigation results. Even if we do release them, we cannot include His Highness the Prince’s name.”

“Furthermore, everyone, think about it. This matter brings a hundred disadvantages and no benefit to the Imperial Family. Why would His Highness the Prince make a move?”

...

Inside the Imperial Palace, Arthas was sitting in his private chambers. Sitting before him was Odysseus.

The two were sitting at a chess table, playing a game.

“Leaving this matter for my sister to handle, isn’t that trusting her a bit too much?” Arthas moved his chess piece, asking.

“After all, she doesn’t have much experience right now, and, given her personality... things might escalate instead.”

“Otherwise, what should I do? Ask you to help? Or arrange for your men to go in and have you remotely monitor Elsa’s every move?” Odysseus said in a half-joking manner.

“Arthas, you are the older brother. Shouldn’t you give way to your younger sister a little in everything? Furthermore, in the order of succession, aren’t you before Elsa?”

“Apologies, Father. I was being presumptuous,” Arthas said this, smiling awkwardly.

Just then, a guard walked in, whispered a few words in Odysseus’s ear, and then glanced at Arthas.

Arthas immediately felt uneasy.

Indeed, the chess piece Odysseus had just picked up was put down again. He looked up at Arthas.

“Arthas, do you know what he just told me?”

“Your son does not know. I am eager to hear.”

“The Hidden Orchid Tavern on Oak Street, have you heard that name?”

Arthas’s pupils widened instantly upon hearing this name. He looked at Odysseus in surprise.

“Father, why are you mentioning this?”

“I don’t mind you developing your own factions. Whether it’s you or Elsa, it’s normal to have some secrets.”

“But!” Odysseus hit the chess table in anger. The chess pieces scattered.

“Not long before this incident occurred, you just used your personal assets to acquire the businesses of so many taverns and casinos!”

“When else could you have done this? It just had to be during this sensitive period!”

Seeing Odysseus erupt in anger, Arthas, who was usually so spirited outside, had no choice but to kneel down and beg for his forgiveness at this moment.

“Father, your son... your son didn’t mean that. This matter wasn’t done by your son... It’s just because the underground forces and dark web developed by others were too large. Your son warned the other party, and the other party wisely transferred these things to me.”

“I know it couldn’t have been you who did it, but look at what foolish things you have done! If this were exposed, what kind of public outcry would you face? Do you still think you are not disliked enough by the nobles?” Odysseus said angrily.

He wasn’t worried that Arthas would be considered the murderer because of this matter. But as his eldest son, the future heir to the Imperial throne, achieving only military achievements was not enough. If he had no political understanding, he wouldn’t be able to outmaneuver those old foxes.

“Fortunately, Elsa informed me directly. I can still help you suppress this matter,” Odysseus said this, put on his jacket, and walked out.

He still had to clean up Arthas’s mess. Imperial Family members absolutely could not be involved in this case.

Arthas looked at Odysseus’s retreating figure and hung his head in disappointment.

He began to regret why he had warned Orson in the first place.

Wait a minute...

Orson, could he have done it on purpose?

Arthas became suspicious, thinking of Orson’s decisive actions at that time.

Not only the speed in making the decision to abandon the dark web, but also the extremely low subsequent price offered to Arthas.

At first, Arthas thought Orson was proactively showing goodwill, and therefore accepted the gesture.

The dark web did indeed provide him with some help afterward.

However, if all of this was orchestrated by Orson, wouldn’t he be a little too terrifying?

Thinking this, Arthas shook his head.

Impossible, absolutely impossible. If Orson were that terrifying, he would absolutely not be able to control him. All of this should just be a coincidence.