Chapter 114: Imprisonment

Chapter 114: Imprisonment

Perhaps for the rest of his life, Sifrey would never understand where he had faltered. He had seized Ludwig's fortune, had the System's blessing, and had acted with utmost secrecy. Yet, like a game of chess, one misstep led to another, until there was no turning back.

The interstellar prison wasn't as rigorously enforced as外界claimed. A separate area on the second basement level was not under the jurisdiction of the interrogation department; in other words, even if a prisoner were beaten to death, no news of it would ever escape.

Since that day Ludwig shot him in the knee, Sifrey had been locked away in private prison for three whole days without any medical treatment. He could only watch helplessly as his wound festered and rotted. His cell was enclosed on all sides, so dark he couldn't see his hand in front of his face, so quiet he could hear his own heartbeat.

Sifrey didn't know how long he'd been in prison. Extreme exhaustion and terror made him as skittish as a frightened bird, unable to sleep. Hunger gnawed at his spasming stomach, making every minute an unbearable torment.

How long had he been here?

Three days? Ten days? Half a month?

For the first time in his life, Sifrey knew what it felt like for a day to drag on like a year. The backlash from the System's skills left his mind muddled, incapable of thought. He gripped the bars with both hands, slamming his head against them, creating a dull thudding sound. He screamed hysterically, "Ludwig! Come out! I know you can see me!!"

Sifrey's eyes were bloodshot, making him look like a demon in the darkness, shaking with rage. "If you have the guts, give me a quick end! Don't be a coward! Did you hear me? You cowardly turtle!!"

He cursed with every obscenity he knew, but because he hadn't eaten in so long, his voice broke and he ran out of strength. It took only two hours for him to go from shouting curses to kneeling and sobbing.

Sifrey whimpered pitifully, "Brother...I know I was wrong, I shouldn't have harmed Grandpa. We're brothers after all, give me a chance, let me out, okay?"

"I ask for nothing else, I just want to apologize to Grandpa in person. You can do whatever you want with me!"

In the surveillance footage, Sifrey cried his heart out. If one ignored the vile curses he'd spewed earlier, he seemed genuinely remorseful.

Ludwig stared expressionlessly at the screen. His amber eyes, under the flickering light, revealed a barely perceptible tinge of blue. After a moment, having seen enough of the show, he finally rose lazily from his chair, put on his military cap, and headed down to the second basement level.

"Tap...tap..."

Because the prison was exceptionally quiet, even the slightest sound was amplified. Sifrey, with his acute hearing, recognized the sound of boots hitting the ground. Instantly, he dragged himself up from the floor with his injured leg, calling out excitedly, "Ludwig! Is that you?! Brother, brother, please, let me out! I know I was wrong!"

It was too dark for Sifrey to see anything clearly. He only sensed the footsteps drawing closer, then stopping slowly in front of him. There was a click, and a lamp overhead flickered on, its weak light nearly blinding Sifrey.

"Ahh!!"

Sifrey cried out in pain, covering his eyes as he stumbled to the ground. Struggling to open his eyes and adjust to the light, he saw a familiar figure in military uniform standing outside his cell door. The man's eyes were half-lidded, his prominent nose casting a butterfly-like shadow under the light. His jaw was sharp, and his furrowed brows were visible under the illumination. His tone, however, was nonchalant:

"Hush, it's noisy."

Sifrey had been desperate to get out just moments ago, but now that he saw Ludwig's face, he found himself speechless. He clutched his pus-filled, swollen knee, beads of cold sweat on his forehead. "Ludwig...let me go...you forgot, we're brothers..."

Ludwig used his fingerprint to unlock the cell door and stepped inside. He smelled the stench of rotting flesh in the air, but his expression remained unchanged. "Sifrey, of course, I haven't forgotten that we're brothers. Otherwise, why would I be here today?"

Hearing this, Sifrey's heart leaped with joy. He scrambled over, the silver handcuffs around his wrists jangling. "Are you willing to forgive me? Are you really going to let me go?"

Ludwig said nothing, seemingly acknowledging it by default.

After being locked up for so long, Sifrey's mind was in complete disarray. He had only one thought: to leave this hellish place as soon as possible. Ignoring his infected right leg, he staggered to his feet and tried to walk out, but suddenly a gust of wind hit him from behind, and he was thrown violently to the ground.

"Bang—!"

A dull thud echoed, dust flying everywhere.

Sifrey groaned in pain. His cuffed hands were held firmly under a black military boot. Looking up, he saw Ludwig's face towering above him. The man slowly crouched down, raising an eyebrow almost imperceptibly, as if puzzled by Sifrey's naivety.

"Let you go?"

Ludwig asked with a half-smile, "If I let you go, who will let Amber and me off the hook? You don't really think I'm unaware of everything, do you?"

His heart wasn't as calm as his surface demeanor suggested. Sifrey's head was smooth and unblemished, showing no sign of the gunshot wound. That shot had struck him dead center between the eyes, yet somehow, he had returned alive to the capital.

Sifrey realized he had been naive. He struggled violently, his face contorted as he demanded, "Ludwig! What right do you have to lock me up here! Even if I wanted to harm Grandpa, it was only an attempt. The court wouldn't have given me a severe sentence!"

When he committed evil deeds, he wielded the butcher's knife high. Now that punishment had arrived, he remembered the law and justice.

Ludwig didn't say a word. Instead, he pulled out a syringe from his pocket. Holding Sifrey's right hand, he slowly injected a cold liquid into it. His voice was low and deep. "Even if Grandpa doesn't pursue it, the fact that you attempted to kill a male named Fang Yun is undeniable. I can't guarantee he'll let you off the hook."

Sifrey couldn't hide his panic. "What did you inject me with?!"

Ludwig's lips curled slightly. "Of course, something good."

Sifrey tried to resist, but he couldn't muster any strength. Everything before his eyes turned upside down, making him dizzy and nauseous. Ludwig noticed and sprayed a small bottle in front of him. The sweet fragrance invaded his nostrils, as if trying to seep into his brain.

"Amber..."

Ludwig suddenly whispered these two words, seemingly disconnected. Sifrey's pupils slowly contracted to a pinpoint, as if entranced, repeating softly, "Amber?"

"Yes, Amber."

Ludwig repeated, then got up and left. Having spent too long in the dark cell, the sudden brightness of the corridor made him squint. The adjutant, who had been waiting outside for a long time, hurried forward, handing him a paper document. "Lieutenant General, according to regulations, we can detain Sifrey for a maximum of three days. Prince Three has already contacted the prosecutor's office, applying pressure. If we don't release him soon, it might cause controversy."

Ludwig took the document and signed his name directly on the release order, raising an eyebrow lightly. "I never said I wouldn't release him. Transfer him to a regular cell. Lord Fang Yun has already reported to the military. Sifrey can't avoid facing him during the interrogation."

Even though he had heard the truth beforehand, the adjutant still found it unbelievable. "Why did Sifrey try to harm Lord Fang Yun? Didn't he know that it's a capital offense?!"

Hearing this, Ludwig raised the brim of his cap, looking towards the distant sky where the sun hung high. He said meaningfully, "But the world is never short of fools who seek their own destruction."

News of an explosive nature quickly spread through the capital. Fang Yun, one of the two male members of the Black Eagle Corps, suddenly reported to the military, claiming that he had been deceived and harmed by Sifrey during combat. Sifrey had implanted dozens of miniature bombs in his body, and he requested a strict investigation to restore justice.

Once the news broke, it shocked all the high-ranking officials in the capital. Putting aside how inconceivable it was for a female to harm a male, the fact that Fang Yun and Sifrey's love vows were once known throughout the city, and now they had suddenly become enemies, provided enough gossip for the city's residents for half a year.

Sifrey was finally released from the pitch-black dungeon, only to undergo a harsh interrogation. After Ludwig injected him with that unknown drug, he became dazed, confessing everything, including how he had instructed Fang Yun to poison Amber's wine.

The interrogating officers were increasingly alarmed as they questioned him. They had never encountered such a major case in their lives, especially since it involved Prince Three. When the relevant documents were submitted to the military's high command for review, after considering various factors, Sifrey was directly sentenced to a hundred lashes and lifetime imprisonment on a barren planet.

Death wasn't the most terrifying thing; suffering for a lifetime on a barren planet was the true torment.

When Prince Three learned that Sifrey had exposed his role in poisoning Duke Bach, his face turned unspeakably ugly. He exhaled slowly. "Sifrey, oh Sifrey, even at this point, you still turn around to bite your Highness. You truly deserve to die..."

Steward Hati worriedly said, "Your Highness, I heard that Xifray has been clamoring to see you. Could this drag you into it?"

Coincidentally, the Third Prince had just finished his meal. Hearing this, he pulled out a handkerchief to wipe his fingers, then sneered. "The military doesn't have the guts. Even if the Bug Emperor finds out, he'll only suppress it. However, Xifray's mouth is indeed trouble. We must find a way to shut him up. Since he wants to see me, prepare the airship. I'm going to the military headquarters."

Today happened to be the last day of the two-month assassination period. The system's buzzing warning echoed incessantly in Xifray's mind, almost driving him mad. He squatted in his cell, his hands painfully clutching his head. His originally azure eyes had turned into a murky brown.

"Warning! Mission deadline in 6 hours and 53 minutes!"

"Warning! Mission deadline in 6 hours and 52 minutes!"

"Warning! Mission deadline in 6 hours and 51 minutes!"

"Shut up! You're deafening!"

Xifray screamed hysterically, then started frantically pulling at the bars. "I want to see the Third Prince! Did you hear that?! I want to see the Third Prince!"

As long as he saw the Third Prince, the other party would surely find a way to save him. Then, after killing Amber, the mission could be completed!

Xifray's expression was deranged and sinister. He still had a Mutual Destruction Card he hadn't used. Even if he couldn't survive, he would make sure Amber joined him in death!

On the other side, Prince Nurman had arrived at the military headquarters. Coincidentally, the military officer responsible for receiving him was none other than Ludwig. Though both wore smiles on their faces, an undercurrent of tension hung in the air.

"General Ludwig, it's been a while. I heard you're about to marry Sir Amber. Congratulations."

Though it was a simple courtesy, the complexity of the Third Prince's emotions was known only to himself. Not long ago, though Ludwig was the empire's most promising young general, he was overshadowed by his brother Xifray and dragged down by Amber, his worthless fiancé. He had become the laughingstock of high society.

But how long had it been since his situation had made a dramatic turnaround? If one were to ask who the hottest male bug in Heiz City was now, it would undoubtedly be Amber.

Since the Black Eagle Corps returned, invitations to Amber's parties flew like snowflakes, countless in number. They were all from families trying to arrange matchmaking opportunities for their female bugs, but Amber hadn't accepted any. He stayed home alone to heal, personally handling the wedding preparations with Ludwig. True intentions didn't need to be shouted to the world like Fang Yun did; actions spoke louder than words.

When Ludwig heard this, his eyes lifted slightly, seemingly detecting a hint of unspoken sentiment in the Third Prince's unnatural tone. He slowly rotated the ring on his ring finger, smiling ambiguously, lost in thought. "Thank you. Xifray is still waiting for you inside. Please, go ahead."

The Third Prince was about to enter with his attendants when Ludwig suddenly patted his shoulder. A fleeting sweetness brushed past his nose, but quickly dissipated in the air. "You're heading the wrong way. Xifray is a serious criminal. The visiting room is in the basement."

The Third Prince paused, changed direction, and asked seemingly offhandedly, "I heard that Xifray is about to be sent to the barren planet. He is your younger brother, General Ludwig. Don't you plan to plead for him?"

Ludwig replied indifferently, "He brought it upon himself."

For some reason, the Third Prince felt seen. He forced a smile. "Indeed. I have something to say to Xifray. When we meet, there's no need for you to accompany us."

Ludwig seemed to raise an eyebrow. "Are you sure you don't need me to protect you?"

The Third Prince didn't trust Ludwig and politely declined. "No, I brought guards."

Since the Third Prince insisted, Ludwig wouldn't press further. He opened the door to the meeting room, led the other party inside, then left. But he didn't go far, instead leaning against the corridor with a miniature earpiece. His eyes half-closed, he listened idly to the sounds inside.

The Third Prince sat at one end of the table in the meeting room, hiding half a white, quick-dissolving pill in his hand. He ordered his guards to cut the surveillance, then dropped the pill into the guest's water cup. Only then did he adjust his posture and wait for Xifray to come out.

This was a slow poison. It wouldn't take effect until ten days later. Xifray was being sent to the barren planet tomorrow. If anything happened then, it wouldn't be traced back to him.

The monitoring earpiece transmitted intermittent conversation.

A minute passed,

Ten minutes passed,

And when the fifteenth minute arrived, a sudden, loud gunshot pierced through the earpiece, causing pain in his eardrums—

"BANG!!!"

Ludwig suddenly opened his eyes and slowly stood straight.

The fish... took the bait.