Super Righteous Player
Chapter 875 - 412: The Ultimate Winner?

Chapter 875: Chapter 412: The Ultimate Winner?

"If you are prepared in advance."

Victor pondered briefly before quickly replying, "Even a common person, with only one head, can survive."

"What method specifically? How long can they survive?"

Annan pressed.

Victor paused, "Do you mean to say, His Highness Philip isn’t dead?"

"He couldn’t possibly be dead."

Annan shook his head.

He had already made a deal with the tragedian... He was destined to die in a grand tragedy as a sacrifice to please the tragedian.

And this scene, if called a "grand tragedy," was far too sloppy. Annan was more inclined to believe in the possibility that Philip wasn’t dead yet than that the tragedian had hastily concluded.

Annan’s brows furrowed slightly as he drew back the curtain and looked out the window.

The news of Philip’s assassination had clearly not gotten out yet.

Because the density of people outside had more than doubled, and the pace of those coming and going had quickened a lot, no longer leisurely but much more tense and serious.

Yet on their faces, Annan saw not much panic or unease, at most just some tension, or perhaps fatigue from being woken up early and working until now.

The only possibility was that although they were searching for the "murderer," they didn’t know what the perpetrator had actually done.

This was mainly to prevent the news from leaking out.

If, during Duke Winter’s state visit, the second heir to the throne was assassinated... If that news leaked, it would be greatly unfortunate.

Because it would seem very abnormal.

And once people encountered something they couldn’t explain with their own logic, they would start concocting a conspiracy that could rationalize it.

Prime among the suspects would be Duke Annan, who was visiting.

This visit would be dubbed a "conspiracy of the enemy nation" by some, and Philip’s death would be linked with Annan. Previous discussions about reopening commercial ports and restoring normal trade between the two countries would also be hindered.

Moreover, the Eldest Princess couldn’t escape blame either.

Kafney was a whole generation younger than them... Philip and she were siblings, and since some twenty years ago, Philip had always been against her. It was also during that period that many of their siblings died for strange reasons.

It was commonly believed then that it was likely Philip’s doing.

Because the Eldest Princess, with her significant advantages, had no need to engage in such dirty deeds, and the only surviving fourth prince had initially refused the throne—he was an idler. Thus, it could only have been Philip’s doing.

Though there was no evidence, that was generally what people believed.

However, after Philip’s "death," such public opinion would inevitably bounce back.

Regardless of whether it was Philip’s doing before... as soon as Philip died, people would suspect only the Eldest Princess.

As for Kafney... she was just too young.

She was only fourteen, which might make her seem unreliable... but in the face of such a conspiracy, it would also subconsciously exclude her.

The general populace might lean more towards the idea of "Annan as the mastermind behind the scenes."

But Noah’s elites—especially those aristocrats who had quietly shifted their allegiance to Philip not long ago—their aim was naturally for the "Fourth History Talk" in Philip’s hands.

Philip himself was the best spokesperson for the "healing powers" of the Fourth History.

His existence was enough to prove that this Great Calamity Curio did indeed possess the transcendent ability to reincarnate mortals. Moreover, what was miraculous was that he hadn’t even been sanctioned by the Silver Baron... implying that it was likely an approved method of reincarnation.

More than that, they wouldn’t understand. After all, specific information about a Great Calamity Curio was weighty knowledge. For mortals, they were too profound, potentially leading one into an inescapable nightmare.

And from their perspective, the logic of the situation became very clear—after Philip had made a deal with them, the original "guarantors" of the Crown Princess started defecting to Philip en masse.

Also, with the political theory advocated by Kafney, she had gained the support of Noah’s military.

All the advantages the Crown Princess had held were now gone.

But Annan’s trip to Noah, to renegotiate trade agreements... this was presided over by Crown Princess Elizabeth. And reopening sea transport meant that ocean exploration would develop in conjunction, making it easier for the army to re-employ.

In the eyes of those nobles, perhaps they would also see it as a trade-off—initiated by Duke Annan, giving this achievement to the Crown Princess in exchange for not attacking Kafney too harshly.

At the same time, as Annan was signing the trade agreement, killing Philip meant that those aristocrats who had betrayed the Crown Princess would have to choose sides anew, between Kafney and Elizabeth; and there was also a scapegoat openly, that being Duke Annan.

Because Annan was openly taking the blame, he couldn’t publicly support Kafney. Otherwise, the entire Noah might erupt into rioting... which would mean that Annan virtually admitted to the crime of "murdering a foreign heir and installing a puppet King."

Especially since, it was just the Duchy of Winter—a mere duchy.

If it were the elevated Holy Nation, that would be different... but to the people of Noah, Winter was seen as a country poorer and much weaker than theirs, its people impoverished, its land barren. After all, the Winterites seen in other countries were either laborers engaged in physical work or were mercenaries and assassins.

Thus, whether Prince Philip was killed by Annan or not, it meant that the Crown Princess had lost all her enemies—although Kafney was spared, this was inconsequential.

After all, she had no offspring herself, and adopting Kafney as her foster daughter would arrange everything neatly.

—So assassinating Philip at this time was undoubtedly a masterstroke for the Crown Princess, killing three birds with one stone.

"The nobles of Noah... Anyone who knows about my relationship with Kafney will definitely think so. Because with Philip’s death, the one who benefits the most is Crown Princess Elizabeth."

Annan scoffed, "They always act out of self-interest, unlike the Winter nobility who value dignity and tradition... They are more like merchants, not landlords. So they will assume that the biggest beneficiary of an event must be involved in it.

"Because they really would do that, and they are willing to do that.

"As long as they get the chance... they definitely can do it."

It could even be said that if Crown Princess Elizabeth thought of this plan and had the capability to carry it out, she indeed would do so.

Compared to the throne... killing her own brother, whom she had always disliked, was not a "choice" for her.

It could even be considered a "celebration."