CHAPTER 803: INVESTIGATION 4

Baron Stargis already lifted his head to look at the avatar as he could sense that the mind seal inside his brain had actually broken. However, he remained silent as he watched the avatar seem to prepare for something before returning to him and suddenly casting a hypnotic technique.

As Aldrian’s hypnotic technique took over, Baron Stargis, who could also feel the change, showed a slight shift in expression as his gaze trembled for a moment before becoming blank again.

Empress Vilena and the masked man looked at Baron Stargis in astonishment. Did he use a kind of hypnotic technique that easily? Did that mean he managed to break the mind seal inside Baron Stargis? That mind seal was also the thing that made using hypnosis risky, as the seal itself could be affected by the hypnotic process.

The fragile seal inside Baron Stargis might have been triggered, which could result in several possibilities, the worst being death, something the Empress had tried to prevent by destroying the seal. However, they were still working on it and needed more time because of how fragile the seal was.

Even if they destroyed the seal, their hypnotic method would still face a side effect, as their hypnosis could damage the target’s brain.

The elves did not have high compatibility with mental techniques such as illusion or hypnosis. That was why, most of the time, if they wanted to use hypnosis, they had to rely on external means like an artifact.

The imperial family had a way to hypnotize someone using a mixed of spiritual herbs that could affect and even control a person’s mind. However, their method had a major risk when used on strong willed individuals, because such people could resist the hypnosis with all their strength.

If they kept fighting the hypnotic effect, their minds could break down and they could be left permanently retard.

That is why they chose more traditional methods after learning there was a mind seal inside Baron Stargis’s brain while also working to destroy it. Although the traditional approach was more troublesome, it was much safer for keeping Baron Stargis alive. They could simply administer a healing elixir if the baron neared death and then continue to torture him.

"Why did you try to kill Empress Sylphia?" the avatar asked directly. Empress Vilena and the masked man no longer focused on the hypnosis; they concentrated on the answer Baron Stargis would give.

"I had to do it because my family was being held hostage by a group of mysterious figures. My wife and my daughter were in their hands, and to free them I had no choice," he replied in a flat tone.

Hearing the answer, Empress Vilena widened her eyes in shock before gritting her teeth. Fury rose in her heart, for it confirmed her suspicion that Baron Stargis had been ordered by someone else. Yet to learn that his family had been kidnapped truly shocked her, as there had been no news about it at all.

’No wonder he came to the banquet alone without his wife. Usually, he would attend such occasions with her,’ she thought.

"What happened to your family? Explain it in detail," the avatar ordered.

"Today, my family was suddenly attacked by a group of mysterious figures. They killed many of my men before taking my wife and daughter. My wife tried to resist, which made one of them break her hand."

"We were powerless against them, as they were much stronger than any of us. One of them then explained that if I wanted to get my family back, I had to do what they told me. They ordered me to stab Empress Sylphia using a dagger they had already prepared for the banquet.

"That was the only order he gave before placing the mind seal inside me. They disappeared afterward without giving any further information."

Baron Stargis then stopped speaking.

Aldrian nodded. "Do you have any clue to the identity of that group of mysterious figures? Did anything appear in your mind when they attacked your family?"

"The clues I could gather are that the members of that group used varied elements, but some among them could use darkness laws. I also recognized a few of them from their attack styles." Baron Stargis replied.

The avatar raised his eyebrows while Empress Vilena narrowed her eyes.

"Darkness laws? Dark elves? But the dark elves did not involve themselves in the conflict between the imperial and the opposition factions. They keep to their territory in the south." Vilena said.

The avatar considered this and looked at the Empress. "That may be only what appears on the surface. Who knows what is happening behind the scenes? Right now, the side that stands to gain the most from this conspiracy is the opposition faction. I suspect the dark elves are already in league with Grand Duke Freindor. Even if their relationship is only transactional, their actions have already drawn them into this matter." But then he shrugged.

"But whatever the case, I will gather all the evidence tonight so we can sweep the opposition faction away in one fell swoop. The sooner this is resolved, the sooner Grand Duke Freindor and his lackeys can be brought to judgment." His words made the Empress raise her eyebrows.

"Excuse me, Sir Guardian, but don’t you think you are being too hasty in wanting to gather all the evidence tonight? As much as I want Grand Duke Freindor to be punished as soon as possible, he still has plenty of support, and he may have many hidden cards he has yet to play. If we are not careful, we might be the ones harmed by our own carelessness," she said.

"Also, you seem eager to pursue Grand Duke Freindor as quickly as possible. Is this entire conspiracy his doing? Do you know something we don’t, Sir Guardian?"

"I have already discovered who gave the poison to Empress Sylphia and their connection to the opposition faction," the avatar replied. "I have to say, Your Majesty, your palace has some rats lurking without your knowledge. With that in mind, there is no way Grand Duke Freindor is unaware of it. All of this conspiracy appears to be connected to him."

Empress Vilena was stunned. She could not help but feel astonished. He already knew who had poisoned Sylphia?!

That was also the very matter she had wanted to discuss earlier. If the poison had entered Sylphia’s body, then it likely came through a drink prepared in the palace kitchen. If that was the case, then there truly were traitors among them.

She had long suspected that there might be spies from the opposition faction within the palace due to certain past circumstances, but she had yet to uncover the rats. They seemed extremely careful, ensuring they were never discovered by her surveillance.

Now, this man—who had not even spent a full day in the empire—had already found the traitors?

She took a deep breath, feeling genuinely fortunate to have someone like him as an ally. She did not know how he managed to do it so easily, but the most important thing was that they could finally solve this problem. If he could handle it more effectively, how could she possibly refuse his methods and assistance?

The avatar then turned to Baron Stargis once again and continued his questioning.

"You said you recognized some of the group’s attack styles. Who were they?"

"What I know are the hammer roots techniques of the Bailan family, the wind-element movement of the Rudien family, and the wind arrows of the Verdume family. After thinking it through, I believe this is all part of a larger plan orchestrated by Grand Duke Freindor. He is likely the mastermind behind the attack on my family."

Empress Vilena nodded in understanding, letting out a sigh before saying to the avatar, "Now I no longer doubt that this is indeed the work of the opposition faction. Those families all follow Grand Duke Freindor. With all the pieces connected, I understand now what he has in mind, and why he targeted Empress Sylphia."

The avatar nodded, then he asked Baron Stargis again, "Why do you feel such fury toward Empress Sylphia? Shouldn’t your anger be directed at those who hurt your family?"

"I couldn’t help but blame Empress Sylphia’s visit for the misfortune that befell me. I know that because of her visit, it triggered Grand Duke Freindor to act. He used me as his pawn to get rid of the imperial family I had chosen to serve. I truly fear what is about to come, the fate of my family, and I regret that I am powerless to do anything."

"My family is in their hands, and I can only trade my life for theirs, if they keep their word to return my wife and daughter."

The avatar then looked at the Empress. "For me, this is enough. With the plan I have in mind, at most by the day after tomorrow Grand Duke Freindor’s reputation will fall across the empire, and we can punish the entire opposition faction in one go."