Chapter 90: Pinning The Blame
/The cause of the Ball of Honors’ attack was the rampant criminals, as of today known as the Black Shepherds. It has been confirmed that one of the Academy’s instructors was working under them, and it was none other than Bard Decker, the first-year principal who was also a member of the Black Shepherds./
/After careful research, it has been confirmed that Bard Decker was the one who recommended Jack Trade to the Academy, a smuggler and a member of the Skull Snake Gang. It has also been confirmed that Jack Trade was working with the Black Shepherds after being interrogated by Darwin Moose back at the Academy./
/Jack Trade has been missing from the Academy since the attack. No remains of his were found, and it has been confirmed that neither his remains nor his corpse were discovered there. With that being said, we are doing our best to uncover the cause of the attack on the Academy and the motive behind the attempt to stain the name of the great Viola Family./
Khalish Viola.
He was the one who announced that the Black Shepherds had attacked the Ball of Honors and blamed Bard Decker for it. Using Bard’s connection with Jack, who was confirmed to be a member of the Shepherds, the curious people seeking justice for the Academy’s attack finally had someone to direct their anger.
Bard Decker, the one who was currently imprisoned.
Jack Trade, currently a missing student of the academy.
Khalish Viola used the hatred of the common folks towards these two people.
And that wasn’t all that he had achieved.
/Lord Harper Xesie and Yama Hanetry have decided to collaborate with me. We have promised to do our best to uncover the truth about these Shepherds. To those who were affected by the attack, we sincerely apologize./
’So this was their plan from the beginning? Since the rally was turning to the point where it might cause an unnecessary revolution if not addressed properly, they decided to finally make a move by pinning the blame on someone.’
Cillian pondered inwardly, feeling that some of the things Khalish said did not align with the current situation, especially for someone who knew both Bard and Jack personally. Well, that was only regarding Bard, since Cillian knew that he did not give off vibes of being part of the Shepherds.
Then, Cillian’s gaze swept towards the front.
’I mean, if they are going to do it anyway, then why does this guy look so angry and frustrated?’
Cillian mused inwardly while watching Leo wearing a twisted expression and clenched fists. His father’s eyes were bloodshot, and the veins in his neck bulged as he tried to maintain his composure.
Cillian found the development regarding Bard absurd, but it somehow made sense for them to blame someone.
What did not make sense is them being part of the casualty.
That’s why Cillian was confused about this development.
If this had just been another attack designed by the Viola Family, then Leo would not have allowed it to happen. After all, they had attended that ball. And not just them. Everyone from the Sparrows had attended as well.
Everyone close to Viola was affected.
It didn’t make any sense.
Additionally, Cillian remembered that Freya told him the ball was meant for this, blaming Bard, an instructor from the Academy.
Does that mean it wasn’t meant to be attacked?
’But we’re still attacked. What the heck is going on? Do I really have to think about this? My attention should be on researching more about Arthur now that he is confirmed not to be an ally who was about to die. I should continue going towards the library to see if Mouthful Eye will give me an important clue regarding him.’
"Son."
Suddenly, Cillian had to stop himself from thinking about Arthur and move his attention towards his father, who had spoken.
"I’m sorry... I didn’t know about this. My brother is also unaware. We were informed that this is important and the Lord promised us safety during this time, but... but..."
Before Leo could blame himself any further for this ’negligence’, Cillian had to stop him by interjecting with another important question.
"What about mother and Ella?"
Leo’s expression remained stiff after that question was asked, but if he wasn’t reacting strongly, then it only meant that they were safe from the explosion.
After the explosion the previous day, Cillian’s first visitor was his father. He wasn’t even able to see his mother and sister because he was still resting.
"It’s good to worry about them. Don’t worry, they are much better than you, who couldn’t get yourself to walk when you got blown away."
"I see. Then, I want to get out now."
"No. Even though you are healed, you still suffered damage."
After he decided to be rescued since there was no need to make a move in there, Cillian got rescued half an hour later.
He was brought to a famous healer from another guild. In fact, all the nearby healers from each guild were dispatched, and thankfully, they arrived in no time. The only casualties from the bombing were the ones that got directly hit, and they can be counted on both hands
Thankfully, he wasn’t part of those hands.
"I’m honestly fine."
"You’re not honestly fine. As your father, I will respectfully tell you to relax."
’Relax down... Now that sounds boring...’
Cillian mused inwardly before giving a short nod. It was because the face Leo was giving was no different from a strict parent that will give him a belt if he didn’t follow.
Seeing that his son had been convinced, Leo calmed down before standing up.
"Stay here, okay?"
"Yes."
Leo turned around and left the room. The moment he saw that his father had left, Cillian tried to sit up ever so slightly, only to see the door open and Leo’s face peeking through the gap.
Leo was looking at him menacingly that any attempt that Cillian was trying to make forced himself to sit down again.
When Cillian sat down again, the door of the room closed.
He tried standing up again, but Leo opened the door again, which made Cillian irritated.
’Are you leaving or not?!’
...
An hour had passed since Cillian had to be fully sure that Leo had left his room, and not see him peeking through the door’s gap. During those times, he was reading through his system’s ability and the artifacts stored in his Inventory.
Just to make sure that he hadn’t made a mistake regarding how his abilities worked, Cillian carefully reviewed and confirmed his understanding of them.
Especially, his Death Flag System.
’Just because they are white flags doesn’t mean it’s safe from danger. It is still a threat. However, this level of danger is kind of low. And it can increase. Right at the point of explosion, my flag changed to red. It’s not a Death Flag, but it still poses a danger.’
Cillian got ahead of himself, but he was glad he was able to learn about this flaw beforehand rather than thinking about it in times when he was battling opponents.
’I want to make my flag disappear as much as possible, but how come they haven’t disappeared when I overcame my first Death Flag?!’
Cillian had never once seen himself without a flag.
Heck, when he first transmigrated, the first thing he saw after looking at himself in the mirror was this, and the system had not even fully awakened yet at that time. Maybe it was the nature of his system or something related to it.
But if he had not received a flag, Cillian might’ve known about the system, which is currently the greatest weapon he has wielded. A trump card kind of thing.
But then again, if Cillian started worrying about his raised flags, it would conflict with the way he wanted to have fun.
That’s why Cillian decided to embrace the danger. This way, he can overcome the incoming Death Flags that might come his way.
As long as he prioritized his safety while having fun, it would all be worth it.
’I really have complicated wants in my life. To a guy who loves thrills while also worrying about life... that kinda complicates things, but I like it. I love things complicated. It makes things sometimes unpredictable.’
Cillian mused inwardly before finally standing up. He suspiciously looked at the door to see if it was going to open, and his father was peeking through it, but there was nothing.
Cillian let out a small chuckle as he imagined the scenario before having an intention of roaming around Hensel Hospital.
If he wasn’t allowed to get out, then it’s better to explore a Runic Gate without relying on the previous knowledge he currently possesses.
This was the only opportunity he could do this, and he would not waste it.
Cillian opened the door of his room and began roaming around the Hensel Hospital, previously known as the Conjoined Buildings