Chapter 313: Curse and Blessing
Magnus gazed at the man’s lifeless body, noting the gruesome details: the face severed beyond recognition, fingers brutally cut off, and a mysterious circle etched into his chest.
"What do you think, Magnus?" Izaak inquired, his voice tinged with concern.
"Except for the witches, I don’t suspect anyone else," Magnus answered in a resolute tone.The attendant in the mortuary carefully draped the body with a white fabric, concealing the horrific scene. The two princes exited the dimly lit room, stepping into the open courtyard where the morning sun cast long shadows on the cobblestones.
"According to the chief surgeon, the body hasn’t been identified. It seems whoever did this targets those who are alone or perhaps street beggars with no one to miss them," Magnus told his brother, his brow furrowed in thought.
"I think you’re right. Who could be this fearless to start performing such atrocities on humans? I thought the witches would stay in control, but it seems like they’re no longer interested in keeping the peace," Izaak muttered, a hint of frustration in his voice.
"For power, anyone can become hungry. It’s not new, Brother," Magnus remarked. "Don’t you think such activities started only recently?"
"Because a lot is happening to create instability, that’s why such people are finding the chance to create troubles," Izaak asserted, his hands locked behind his back, a posture that betrayed his unease.
"Hmm. We will get more intel on this soon," Magnus opined, his mind already working on possible leads. The two began to walk, their boots echoing in the quiet courtyard, and soon found the surgeons awaiting them, their faces etched with worry.
"We have seen the body. You can send it away for the last rites if no one comes to claim it by evening," Izaak instructed them firmly. The surgeons exchanged uneasy glances, their fear palpable. Magnus could see the anxiety in their eyes, a reflection of the growing tension among the kingdom’s subjects. Humans were the easiest targets in these turbulent times.