Chapter 2049
Meanwhile, Carmen and his fellow disciples had been locked up in separate cells. The looks on their faces were fraught with fear and anxiety.
“Don’t worry, the principal will find a way to save us,” yelled Carmen. He wasn’t sure if he was trying to comfort his fellow disciples or himself.
Why had he bothered to conceal his true strength if he’d known this was going to happen?
He would have defeated Marcel in open battle. Things wouldn’t have gotten so complicated. At the very least, he wouldn’t be suspected of murdering Marcel.
The sound of footsteps resounded in the corridor. Quite a few visitors had arrived.
Carmen peered into the distance. It was Helis.
Was that Ethan standing next to him?
“We’ve arrested every Inner Court disciple who is a likely suspect,” said Helis. “Which one of them do you think is the most likely to have killed Marcel?”
He turned and eyed Ethan.
Ethan had pretty good sources. He had arrived as soon as they had locked up the suspects and said that he was here to help with the investigation.
After all, he had been the one that they had been trying to kill.
“I find them all highly suspicious. You should investigate everyone thoroughly,” replied Ethan.
Carmen nearly cursed out loud when he heard that.
How could they suspect them? He hadn’t done a single thing to warrant any suspicion.
“That’s rubbish! That’s utter nonsense!” Carmen yelled frantically as he clutched the bars of his cell tightly. How he wished he could charge out of his cell right now and explain that the thought of killing Marcel had never crossed his mind.
Ethan and Helis walked down the corridor. When Ethan passed Carmen’s cell, he glanced at the disciple and laughed softly. “I’m not speaking nonsense. Marcel was a disciple of the Inner Court and spent most of his time there. You’re the only ones who might have any conflicts with him. Name someone outside the Inner Court with conflicting interests.”
“You…”
“You’re the greatest suspect of them all. You share the greatest conflict of interest with him,” said Ethan earnestly. “You’re the only two disciples fighting for number one in the Inner Court.”
Carmen was on the verge of tears.
He would have been number one in the Inner Court if he hadn’t chosen to conceal his true strength. Marcel wouldn’t have stood a chance at all.
There was nothing wrong with trying to keep a low profile.
“Helis! Helis, don’t listen to his nonsense. Why would I kill Marcel? He’s not my equal. I have no reason to kill him,” Carmen tried to explain himself frantically. “Even if we do assume that he’s a better fighter than I am, he’s due to be transferred to the Portico. There’s no conflict of interest between us. None at all!”
“You’re right,” Ethan smacked his head lightly and said, “I wouldn’t have thought about that if you didn’t mention it. Marcel was supposed to be transferred to the Portico and become the Senior Elder’s disciple. That means that the Senior Elder and his disciples know Marcel too.”
Helis nodded. “That’s right.”
“The murderer might be related to the Senior Elder in some way. That explains a lot. It wouldn’t take much work for the Senior Elder to slip into this prison of yours.”
Carmen froze when he heard Ethan’s words.
Had Ethan just openly voiced his suspicions about the Senior Elder?
In fact, he hadn’t merely voiced his suspicions. He had seemed really certain of himself.
“The more I think about it, the more certain I am that this is the case.” Ethan pointed at Carmen. “He’s the one who gave me the idea.”
Carmen felt a sudden weight in his chest. What idea had he given Ethan?
Had he somehow directed Ethan’s suspicions towards the Senior Elder? He would rather kill himself than do something like that.
“I didn’t do anything of that sort…”
Carmen leapt to his feet and slammed his head into the bars. Ethan didn’t seem to notice as he kept talking.
“Helis, I think the Portico warrants a search too. This isn’t just a simple assassination. No one cares if I die or live. But they broke into your prison. They’re challenging the authority of the Disciplinary Hall and your reputation! You have to do something to preserve your reputation.”
Helis threw Ethan a sidelong glance as he cursed the man secretly.
“That jerk! Can’t he leave me a few words to say?”