Chapter 26: Killing Intent

Over the following hours, Elia investigated the matter as if she were possessed.

She first checked all the food and drinks in the dining hall but found nothing.

Then she questioned all the maids and chefs who had come into contact with Kiz’s breakfast; everyone claimed everything was normal.

At that moment, the oppressive aura and killing intent radiating from the Saint made most people in the castle afraid to even breathe.

“Her Highness’s breakfast was the same as usual…” the chef responsible for preparing the meal said, trembling.

“The blood was taken directly from the Blood Repository, and the cups were clean… I prepared everything myself…”

“Blood Repository?” Elia caught the keyword. “Where did the blood come from?”

“It was taken from a provider,” one maid whispered.

“Anya was on duty today. She went to the provider’s room this morning to collect fresh blood.”

“Where is Anya then?” Elia asked coldly.

“She… she should be in the Maid Lounge…”

Elia turned and left.

The Maid Lounge was on the second floor of the castle.

When Elia pushed the door open, the maids resting inside were startled to see her. They quickly stood up and bowed.

“Where is Anya?” Elia asked, getting straight to the point.

The maids looked at each other.

“Anya… she was just here a moment ago. I don’t know where she went now…” one of the maids said in a small voice, swallowing hard.

“Search! Turn the entire castle upside down if you have to, but find her!”

1 hour later, Anya was found in the Underground Storage of the castle. She was curled up in a corner filled with old furniture.

Two guards dragged her out and brought her before Elia.

Elia looked at the young maid. Anya kept her head down, not daring to look up.

Elia took a deep breath to steady her emotions.

Once she was sure her killing intent was suppressed, she asked, “Was it you who poisoned the Princess?”

“…I don’t know what you are talking about,” Anya whispered.

“You don’t know?” Elia squeezed the girl’s chin, forcing her to look up. “You were the one who collected the fresh blood Kiz drank this morning, weren’t you?”

“…I collected it, but… but I didn’t do anything.”

“You didn’t do anything? Then why was Kiz poisoned after drinking that blood?” The corner of Elia’s mouth curled into a smirk, but there was no trace of a smile in her eyes.

“I—I don’t know… maybe… maybe someone else poisoned it…”

“Someone else?” Elia let go and took a step back.

“You were the only one who handled the blood during the entire collection process. The guards at the Blood Repository also confirmed that only you entered. And yet you say someone else did it? Who? The air?”

Anya remained silent, her head bowed as her body trembled slightly.

The fire of rage in Elia’s heart burned hotter.

She didn’t want to waste any more words. A sphere of golden light appeared in her palm and sank into Anya’s head.

“Aaaaaah—!” Anya clutched her head and rolled on the floor.

This time, Elia used a form of Mental Magic that could directly read the memories and thoughts of others. This magic caused significant damage to the target, but she didn’t care. She only wanted the truth.

Countless images and information flooded Elia’s mind.

Anya had planted the poison last night… After doing so, a twisted smile had appeared on her face. Then Elia saw Anya’s biological father, who was also the Grand General of the Blood Clan, Kaido.

Kiz stood before the throne, looking expressionlessly at Kaido, who was kneeling on the ground. Several Blood Clan Elders and a group of Royal Guards surrounded them.

“Kaido, you were originally the Grand General of my Blood Clan, guarding the border. Yet, when the enemy attacked, you issued incorrect orders that resulted in the deaths of over half our soldiers. When the border fell into its most dangerous state, you chose to become a deserter… As a general, you abandoned your troops and fled alone…”

Kiz’s voice contained her suppressed anger.

“I don’t care about your reasons for deserting. I only see the border soldiers who were wiped out because you fled. Therefore, I have decided to sentence you to death, to be carried out immediately!”

“Princess… please… for the sake of my many years of service to the Blood Clan, spare me this once… I am willing to go to prison! But the death penalty…”

“It is precisely because I remember your past contributions that I am not executing you in public. I will execute you secretly and announce to the world that you died on the battlefield. This is the last bit of dignity I can give you.”

“Your Highness… no… please…”

Kiz didn’t speak further; she simply waved her hand. Two guards came forward and dragged Kaido away.

The memory shifted. In a dark basement, Kaido was tied to a pillar.

Kiz stood before him, holding a Silver Sword.

Without hesitation, Kiz pierced Kaido’s heart with the sword. His body ignited rapidly, turning to ash that scattered in the air.

The scene shifted again.

Anya, hiding in the shadows, had witnessed everything. Intense hatred grew in her heart. She wanted revenge… she wanted to kill Kiz.

So, she began her plan.

That night, she sought out a poison capable of killing a member of the Royal Blood Race… she spent all her savings to buy just a small amount. After the purchase came the poisoning.

The memory reading ended, and the golden light vanished. Anya lay paralyzed on the floor, foaming at the mouth, having lost consciousness.

Elia was trembling with rage.

‘This stupid woman…’

Her father’s desertion had caused the border to fall and the entire army to be wiped out. By law, he deserved to die.

Kiz had given him the dignity of a secret execution out of respect for his past service and even preserved his reputation as a general.

She had been more than benevolent.

And the result? This stupid woman was completely irrational.

She only saw her father’s execution, refusing to see the crimes he committed or the mercy Kiz had shown.

She wanted revenge? She wanted to poison Kiz? What right did she have?

Elia crouched down and looked at Anya’s unconscious face. Then she raised her hand and delivered a harsh slap.

Slap!

The crisp sound echoed in the study. Anya was jolted awake by the strike.

“You…” As she spoke, Elia slapped her again.

Slap!

This slap was even heavier than the last, causing blood to seep from the corner of Anya’s mouth.

“How many soldiers of the Blood Clan did your father get killed? Those soldiers had families and children too. Why should they have died for your father’s cowardice?”

“Kiz preserved your father’s reputation and didn’t even make things difficult for you as a maid… and you? What have you done?”

“She… but she killed my father…”

“Your father deserved to die,” Elia said without hesitation.

“He committed a capital offense. Kiz killing him was simply following the law. And you have also committed a capital offense… murdering royalty. According to the law, your entire family line should be exterminated.”

Anya’s face turned pale at those words.

“But don’t worry, I won’t kill you. At least, not yet.”

Having said that, Elia reached out her hand.

Anya looked at her in terror and asked, “What are you going to do…?”

“I’m going to make you remember… remember the mistake you made.”

Her hand pressed down over Anya’s eyes. Then she dug her nails in.

“Aaaaaaaaah—!!”

Anya struggled frantically, but Elia’s hand was like iron pincers, holding her head firmly. Her nails pierced the eyeballs, and warm liquid splashed onto Elia’s hand and face. But Elia didn’t care at all right now. She continued to apply pressure until she felt her nails hit the back of the eye sockets before pulling her hand away.

Anya’s eyes were now two bloody holes, and blood stained her face a deep crimson.

She was still screaming, but her voice had gone hoarse.

Elia stood up and looked at her blood-stained hand.

Then, the palm of her other hand glowed with golden light again.

To the Blood Clan, Holy Light was a lethal poison, especially true Holy Light that had not been tempered by her.

She pressed the Holy Light against Anya’s body.

“Aaaaaaaaaaah—!!”

A more agonizing scream rang out. The Holy Light scorched Anya’s skin, making a sizzling sound. Anya rolled around the floor in agony.

Elia watched coldly as the skin charred, feeling no pity—only endless rage and killing intent.

The Holy Light continued to burn for 5 full minutes. By the time Elia withdrew her hand, Anya was on the brink of death.

“Someone, come here,” Elia said.

Two guards pushed the door open and entered.

“Take her to the dungeon and keep her under strict watch. Don’t let her die. I still have questions for her when I return.”

“…Yes.” The guards picked Anya up and carried her out.

Elia was left alone in the study.