The positioning of the cut was exactly on the vital spot of every human being - the heart.
Moreover, the thickness of the cut would entail that it was not a shallow cut, it was deep enough to fatally injure his son!
No matter how he looked at it, there was almost no chance of survival. If only there's a miracle…
What they needed was a miracle… He hoped that someone out there could create one!
Marquis Astaze was also devastated upon hearing the Imperial Knight's report. His nephew was reported to be dead, his body couldn't even be found.
"Spare no one in this order! I, General Eugine Farauld declares total lockdown of the Capital's gates and a thorough sweep of each estate, building, and establishment to look for the whereabouts of the Second Prince!"
General Farauld saw that Emperor Valentin was in no condition to carry on, so he took over and issued the order. "Everyone and every house must be subjected to the highest search order!"
"General!!! We do understand the need to lock the gates down, but to search even us the nobles! How about our dignity?!?" The nobles voiced their strong opposition to his orders. This caused a wave of murmurings and discussion in the hall.
Under the highest search order, there will be no restrictions. Everyone inside the Capital will have to present themselves to be subjected to personal searching. Their estates will also be cleared out and even the space pouches had to be unlocked and presented in front of the authorities.
This would rather step on the noble's privacy and dignity. That was why there was a great wave of opposition upon hearing the announcement.
Even Duke Maxim was flustered about the sudden sweep. At first, he didn't mind that the capital was on lockdown in the guise of searching for the dead second prince. However, it never crossed him that the General would be this aggressive.
He did not have enough time to warn his men to hide all the cursed weapons. Even the Empress had to be informed in advance!
"So you think that your dignity as a noble of the Great Seriende Empire was more important than the blood and flesh of the Imperial Family who granted you all your status? Do not forget who you are in the eyes of the Imperial Family!" General Farauld released his strong suppression aura which he only used to intimidate the opponents on the battlefield.
The nobles choked and felt like their necks were being cleaned with cold water. But General Farauld's next sentences made them feel that their necks were placed under the executioner's blade.
"Besides there are enough eyewitnesses that the criminals used some kind of a purple weapon. The Imperial Sky Knights have gathered enough pieces of evidence to identify, at least, these weapons that the murderers use. If you are opposing this search, then all of you will be accused of sheltering the criminals and traitors to the Empire!"
"As this was proven to be a matter of the sinister powers, the Temple also supports whatever the Imperial Family decides." The High Priest who was silently observing the proceedings also declared his statement.
"This… isn't this too excessive… Even the Temple is being involved." They no longer have the courage to strongly voice out their opinions so the nobles could only whisper among themselves.
However, considering the situation, the Imperial Family had every right to order such, especially when the case involved multiple murders and even harmed the Princes of the Empire.
"You all thought that it was excessive?! Could it be that until your very own descendants were murdered you would still think this is unnecessary?! Then I wish that all your sons and daughters be murdered by those rouge criminals! Let's see by then if you could still say straight to my face that this is all excessive!!" A noble, whose family have been a victim of the murders sympathized with the Emperor and finally spoke up.
He was utterly disgusted by the opposing nobility, who only cared about themselves and their prestige. They even had the nerve to be insensitive in front of the Emperor who was devastated and burdened by the entire farce.
"Yes! Shame on you all who only think about your own and not for the Empire! Most probably, you are traitors! That is why you were reluctant to expose everything you have on your houses! Are you afraid of being discovered? Perhaps you were indeed hiding the criminals!!!" As one followed the suit, the others also followed.
The opposing nobles, who were mostly under the Vesala's faction, were flustered as the event turned into something as dangerous as pointing out who the traitor was.
Duke Vesala didn't like how the direction of the emergency assembly was going.
He cursed his men for sparking something as big as this. Initially, he was gloating upon the fortunate outcome of the second prince's death for he was confident that he will be able to cover every track pointing to them.
But that was because he was expecting that it would be the Emperor who would release the order of the search.
If it was him, the nobles could still pressure him not to issue the highest order of search and if lucky, delay some time for him to prepare until the actual investigation would happen.
However, he didn't expect that it was General Farauld and the Temple who would push the search. As such, even if they managed to convince the Emperor, it would be easy to say that the Emperor would be powerless now that the Temple was involved.
Duke Vesala clenched his fists in nervousness and deep-seated panic. He had to make a way to send a message to the estate and his sister!
They must not be discovered at all costs!
Emperor Valentin raised his hand to declare his final decision. He stood firmly, with his face which seemed to have aged by a few decades, he blankly stared at the crowd and declared with a voice that was full of authority;
"Sweep the capital and implement the Highest Search Order. Execute all the suspicious and opposing people along the process. Since the criminals have not shown mercy to our innocents, then there shall be no mercy to be given by the Imperial Family as well!"
"We hear your command, Your Majesty!" The Imperial Sky Knights replied in unison.
As soon as the order was dismissed, Emperor Valentin stepped outside the throne and was about to cast a threatening look in a certain direction - in Duke Maxim's direction.
But General Farauld knew his friend well, so he immediately cleared his throat and said, "Your Majesty, I will escort you to where the First Prince is."
Emperor Valentin paused abruptly as if he just realized something and soon nodded. He signaled the chamberlain to dismiss the assembly while he, the High Priest, and General Farauld walked towards their next destination.
When they were already far from the assembly hall, General Farauld looked at the shaken Emperor Valentin with a serious look. "You must hold yourself together and never show that you already know Maxim's colors. Just hang on a little bit. This will end soon."
"I know... I know… But the cost of this all.." Emperor Valentin replied with his head hung low, trying to hide the pain and hopelessness of Antoine's matter.
General Farauld and the High Priest had no answer to this. They could comfort him and say that there might be any hope but the situation was too sudden that they were all caught off guard.
They could only silently hear his cry and agony as they hurry towards the room where Kazimir was taken.
"Your Majesty… Esteemed High Priest…" Grandpa Andi and Grandpa Ben immediately greeted the men who were not in a good state.
"How was the First Prince?" Emperor Valentin asked immediately.
"We already undid all his bounds and restrictions. The spells used had high similarities to the spell embedded in the Third Queen during the renewal of the treaty. The First Prince was also unscathed physically… but as to his mental and emotional state… We're afraid…" Grandpa Ben briefly explained everything to the Emperor.
Emperor Valentin cast a grateful look at the two grandmasters and replied, "I will see him…"
"This way, Your Majesty.."
Soon Emperor Valentin saw Kazimir sitting blankly at the center of the luxurious bed, staring at the windows with tears rolling in his eyes.
"Father…" Kazimir felt his Father's presence. However, he couldn't dare to look straight in his eyes. Thus, he could only stare at the window while saying,
"I may not see everything but I heard it all… I remember every cry and every word in my surroundings. It was engraved into my memory and my heart.
I remember Antoine's voice when he decided to sacrifice himself for everybody's sake…" His tears were rolling just as his voice quivered while he spoke.
"I also heard and recognized the voice of the criminal… I knew him very well… Hic…" This time, his cries went deep like an aggrieved child left in disbelief. His fists were clenching at the quilt hardly that it was almost torn.
"Father… the traitor was Orel… My mother's personal coachman…"
