Chapter 134: Accusations!
Yet another corpse, yet another task that needs to be done. Edmond wasn’t pleased with this new development, but the look on Richard’s face was different from last time. It wasn’t panic, but a strange mix of smugness and detachment. This shift was unsettling, hinting at a growing darkness within Richard that Edmond couldn’t ignore, especially since he was now entangled in Richard’s mess for the sake of Prince Liam’s faction.
"I swear he came at me... in my own chambers," Richard said, obviously lying without even trying to build up his lie.
Edmond looked upon the scene of utter criminality, staring blankly at the shameless killer. Even if he claimed it to be self-defence, there is no way someone would actually destroy someone else’s face to that extent just for self-defence.
Also, there is a clear difference in power between Richard and that knight called Eric. Eric is... was a Silver-ranked knight; Richard was Bronze-ranked. The difference in strength alone is like night and day, and the fact that there was such minimal resistance from Eric meant that he was taken by surprise.
As Richard seemed to have sloppily dressed Eric’s corpse, it was clear that the two were mingled together in an intimate act, suggesting a relationship that went beyond mere acquaintance.
While such a relationship would be shameful if it were to go public, potentially damaging Richard’s reputation and standing within the knightly order, it was also known that many knights practised those ancient traditions with their juniors and even squires.
These relationships, though often kept secret, were not entirely uncommon. It was said that during ancient times, there were sacred warbands that encouraged bonding between senior and junior warriors, fostering loyalty and camaraderie through shared experiences, including intimate ones. These bonds were believed to strengthen the warband’s effectiveness in battle, as warriors would fight harder to protect those they were close to.
What Richard did "twice" not only betrayed the trust of this type of companionship, but it revealed something dark growing within him. And while Edmond wasn’t pleased that he was helping him, he found no leeway out of it since he had to help Richard for the sake of Prince Liam’s faction.
"We need a scapegoat," Edmond said while massaging his temples. "Do you know if anyone held a grudge against him?"