The Evidence Has Me Wondering If I'm the Killer

"Am I suspected of murder?"

Rein was completely confused. His eyes darted around, and he thought that these guys were probably trying to pull a trick on him by taking him to the Security Department first and then interrogating him under torture.

He sneered and asked directly, "Sir, may I ask who I am suspected of killing?"

The white-robed Archmage calmly said, "August Winster. Also known as the fifth city lord of City of Radiance, and the eldest son of the Winst Family."

"August?"

Upon hearing this, Rein realized it was indeed that name.

Although he had heard of this young master's name, they had never had any interaction.

Oh, wait a minute!

Last night, this guy came over, acting like he was giving "Brother Liangchen face," wanting to ask for the [Karnap's Sacred Gauntlets], and then I told him to "get lost"?

Could it be that because that guy died in the Beast Tide, these people suspect him of being the murderer because of this "motive"?

Or perhaps he never died at all, and it was just a fabricated excuse?

Since he was already prepared to confront them directly, Rein wasn't in a hurry. He calmly asked, "Your Honor, my friend and I were dealing with the Beast Tide all last night, right up until just now. When did I participate in a murder? Where was it committed? Where is the body?"

You think you can convict someone with just one sentence? Don't even think about it!

Since they're an "Enforcement Team," Rein wants to see if they dare to blatantly trample on the laws of City of Radiance!

"Bring it over here."

Clearly, the white-robed Archmage had come prepared.

He raised his hand and waved, and two forensic doctors in white coats carried over a body covered with a white sheet.

The Archmage then said, "Explain the current situation to this gentleman."

One of the lawyers stated. "The time of death was twenty minutes ago. The body was found in the storage compartment of a tent 500 meters from here; the cause of death was a severe blow to the head, resulting in a fractured skull, brain contusion and laceration, a fractured occipital bone, and subdural hemorrhage."

They provided a long list of professional descriptions of the injuries on the corpse.

Rein understood.

It's actually quite simple. That guy named August was punched in the back of the head twenty minutes ago and died.

Then, probably before they could destroy the evidence, the body was put into a storage ring to prevent it from being discovered.

He frowned and asked curiously, "Tens of thousands of people died in the camp, why do you all think I'm the murderer?"

He paused, then continued directly, "Could it be that because this young master August tried to forcibly take my spoils yesterday, you think I have a motive to kill him? Also, you were able to find the people in the storage ring, did you use divination? Did you determine that I was the murderer through divination?"

"If I remember correctly, the laws of City of Radiance explicitly state that divination results cannot be used as evidence for conviction."

Rein's words made no attempt to hide his disdain.

If that's the reason, then these guys are really bad at framing people.

Of course, if it were Rein himself who were to deduce the case, he would also list himself as the prime suspect.

But the problem is, he didn't kill the person!

However, he was also very curious: how could the eldest son of the prestigious Winst Family have been murdered?

Tsk tsk, this is getting interesting.

If this was a frame-up, the price seems a bit too high.

"Divination techniques cannot be used as evidence."

Upon hearing this, the white-robed Archmage's expression remained unchanged, confirming Rein's statement.

This is the brilliance of Master Cavo's original laws, even though "divination" is surprisingly effective in solving cases.

However, the cost is too high, and it's too subjective, easily swayed by objective circumstances. For example, the divination might be wrong, or the diviner's stance might not be absolutely neutral.

He explained directly, "Every member of the Winst Family has a unique magical mark. Therefore, even if their bodies are hidden or burned, we can accurately pinpoint the last location of the crime!"

Upon hearing this, Rein became somewhat interested.

So there are "magic marks"?

"Huh?"

Suddenly, his mind raced, and he vaguely guessed a possibility!

The Archmage continued, "Last night's argument did indeed fuel our suspicions about your motives. But the root cause is the cause of Master August's death."

"Let me explain."

Just then, a muscular, bald man stepped forward and introduced himself, "I am Kuchi Rosas, the fifth disciple of Grandmaster Qianghu the 'Tiger Martial Arts School' in City of Radiance."

Announcing one's name signifies that one speaks with authority and assumes responsibility.

Rein glanced sideways; he recognized the bald man.

Without further ado, let's wait and see what happens next.

The bald, burly man ripped off the white sheet on the stretcher, then pointed at the corpse with its head smashed open, saying, "The fatal blow to August was from this blow to the back of the head, not from a sharp weapon, but from a fist. The mark is obvious, a penetrating, cracked wound—this is an injury caused by the [Cannon Fist] technique from the Martial Arts Profound Meaning art!"

Hearing this, Rein finally understood what the other person was trying to say, and he finally realized where the real danger lay!

He exclaimed in his heart: Professional!

Those were just child's play framing; this is the real masterstroke!

The bald, burly man continued, "According to the forensic examination, the assailant attacked from behind, killing Young Master August with a [Cannon Fist]. Moreover, there wasn't a trace of any internal energy clash in that punch! This means..."

A half-smile appeared on Rein's face as he continued, "So that means the murderer is either a First Tier Transcendent who knows [Cannon Fist], or a High-tier Extraordinary Transcendent deliberately killed someone without using battle qi?"

Once this was said, everyone understood.

Since the body was deliberately hidden, murder is clearly the more likely explanation.

If you're framing someone, there's no need to hide the body; the sooner they find it, the better.

Besides, if it were a frame-up to kill the eldest son of the Winst Family, the cost and risk would be too great, and there would be no need for it at all. It would be better to just kill someone else.

All the clues suggest that this was a "revenge killing".

Moreover, the wound was caused by the [Cannon Fist], which makes the diagnosis even more precise.

There aren't many people who know the Martial Arts Profound Meaning. The entire base has less than 10,000 people, and there are only about 1,000 to 1,000 fighters. But those who know one or two ultimate techniques are less than one in ten.

[Cannon Fist] is one of the two most difficult of the "Six Forms of Combat" secret techniques, and I suspect the circle has become even smaller, probably around 10 or 20 people.

If we rule out the possibility that High-tier Extraordinary being framed, then the person who made the move is likely a First Tier [Awakened] who cannot possess battle qi.

Yesterday's sparring session revealed to everyone that Rein possesses at least three ultimate techniques.

It's not surprising that he knows the "Cannon Fist".

"Did I kill him?"

At this moment, Rein was both amused and exasperated. All the clues pointed to himself, no wonder others had come knocking on his door.

You're trying to argue that you don't know how to use the "Cannon Fist"?

Now it's not up to you whether you know the evidence or not; it's enough for the "law enforcement team" to arrest and interrogate people!

But if you change your perspective, the truth will become clear instantly.

Because Rein himself was involved, he was certain that he did not kill anyone and that he was framed.

That means the person who framed him possesses the [Cannon Fist] skill, is close enough to launch a sneak attack on August, and knows about the hidden fact that he has a "magical mark."

The circle of skeptics becomes even smaller.

Thinking back on what had happened, Rein was certain that this matter was 100% related to those guys from the "Sunflower Merchant Guild"!

[Cannon Fist] Ultimate Technique, that Uhm's technique!

Fia, who has advanced to the Second Tier, might also...

These two guys are the ones who were truly capable of ambushing and killing August.

But then Rein thought about it again and was startled: Wait, didn't I hear that the eldest daughter of the Lopez Family Fia, and young master Wins were having an ambiguous relationship and there was even a trend of marriage?

Isn't this murdering her fiancé?

Although I don't know why they did it, they did it!

Tsk tsk, the aristocratic circle is really messy, I can't afford to mess with them.

The guys who orchestrated this came prepared; it was obvious they wanted to get Rein "in jail."

At that point, he won't have a choice.

The purpose, of course, goes beyond this; ultimately, it points directly to old man Tuster.

The Archmage presented the evidence and asked again, "Do you have anything else to say? If not, then cooperate with us and go to the Security Department."

As they were speaking, the Enforcement Team prepared to come up and take the person away.

"Etc."

Upon hearing the "evidence," Rein didn't try to deny it at all. Instead, he asked with a strange expression, "Are you sure that person definitely died from [Cannon Fist]?"

Hearing the questioning, the bald, burly man felt his dignity had been insulted and said coldly, "This test result is not my conclusion alone, but a result of joint judgment with the trace evidence experts of the 'Enforcement Team,' so there is absolutely no mistake!"

The Archmage then spoke up at the opportune moment, "This evidence is sufficient for us to take you to the Security Department for interrogation. If you are innocent, our [Torturers] will naturally clear your name."

"Oh?"

When Rein heard this, he laughed.

If it were really Master Cavo here, he would really dare to conduct "mental torture".

After all, he didn't kill anyone, and even after being tortured, he still didn't kill anyone.

But these guys are clearly going to a "black jail," and if I go there, I'm sure I won't get out.

Moreover, the method of "mental torture" is very mysterious, and it is certainly not a problem for absolutely fair interrogation.

But if it gets exploited by someone with ulterior motives, then the problem becomes much bigger.

To put it bluntly, it's a form of psychological hypnosis. It can not only get you to tell the "truth," but also alter your memories!

If you are given "extra memories" during hypnosis, you might wake up and believe you are the murderer.

The evidence is irrefutable, and unless forced to arrest, the only option is to go with law enforcement.

Seeing that Rein had given up on arguing, the high mage from the "Enforcement Team" spoke again, "We have now explained everything to you according to the law enforcement procedures. So, please cooperate with us and we hope you will not do anything irrational."

The tone of his words was full of threat: if you dare to resist, you will be shot on the spot.

Rein smiled, narrowing his eyes, and said calmly, "Wait, I have a small question."