I, the Villain, Want to Save Myself, But the Yandere Heroines Disagree - Chapter 106

Based on the analysis of the clothing on the remaining bodies and their incomplete appearances, the Imperial Family quickly obtained information about several of the deceased.

There were a total of seven deceased individuals. Besides the unidentified person in the center, they corresponded to recent missing persons cases in Saint Roland City over the past three months.

In a large city, missing persons are not uncommon. Perhaps it is due to conflicts with family and running away from home, or perhaps escaping oppression, coupled with being in an era where technology is not advanced.

Not everyone can afford a mage, and even if they can, a mage cannot necessarily find a missing person.

Therefore, many cases were quickly closed after failing to yield results within two weeks of investigation.

For example, the disappearance of Susie before, it was only with the help of a doctor that she could be reunited with her brother.

Behind this were the tears of countless families, but there was nothing that could be done.

As for the unidentified deceased in the center of the magic array, based on their attire, it can largely be concluded that they were likely the cultist who created this tragic event.

Saint Roland City today is like a large mansion lacking staff. Although it appears glamorous on the surface, due to the lack of maintenance, a lot of filth has accumulated in various dark corners.

“We really need to take good care of this city from now on,” Odysseus said this, turned around, and left the scene with the guards.

…

Returning to the Student Council office, Orson saw Olivia sitting beside his seat, organizing documents for him.

Seeing this scene, his heart immediately warmed. He then quietly came behind Olivia and gently embraced her.

He could feel the body of the person in his arms stiffen, then relax.

“Why didn’t you say anything when you came in?” she said this, her tone mixed with both teasing and complaint.

“You’ve worked hard these past few days, worrying about me and also helping me finish the Student Council tasks.”

“If you know it’s hard work, then just stay by my side obediently,” Olivia complained.

“Mm, I understand,” Orson agreed, and then sat beside Olivia, helping her complete the tasks that were originally his.

“By the way, Her Highness Elsa should be returning to Saint Roland City in the next couple of days,” While the two were busy with their respective tasks, Orson suddenly remembered something and mentioned it.

“Hmm? Why?” Olivia looked at Orson in confusion.

It wasn’t that she thought there was anything wrong with Elsa returning, but it seemed a bit too soon for her to return just a few days after arriving in her territory…

If she wanted to compete for the right of succession, then Elsa’s main area of activity in the future would certainly still be in Saint Roland City.

If she were to remain in her own territory and unable to connect with the influential people in Saint Roland City, she would not be able to build up her network.

Furthermore, although the governing authority of those territories was currently Elsa’s, as Odysseus had also said, he would take back the governing authority later.

If at that time Elsa’s influence in Saint Roland City was insufficient, and she was unable to change Odysseus’s decision regarding the heir apparent, she would lose the legitimacy of all the territories under her rule. At that point, she would either have to hand over the fruits of her labor, or she would have to militarily split the Empire.

Even if she succeeded in armed resistance and the army put her on the Emperor’s throne, as someone who had lost legitimacy, she would be considered a usurper, and her future rule would be plagued with endless troubles.

However, even if she were to make Saint Roland City her main area of activity, her territory was still her most important base of operations at the moment. With so little time, could she arrange everything in her territory properly? If insiders planted by Arthas were to infiltrate, how would she deal with it?

“Perhaps because…” Orson paused, then said, “The results from the south are about to come out.”

“…” Olivia heard this and was startled for a moment.

Then she nodded in understanding.

“Right. The issue of Napoli’s inheritance is also a pressing matter.”

Currently, there were only three possibilities for Napoli.

One was for Giovanni to step down and be put on trial, and for his son Donny to take his place.

After all, when Giovanni was plotting these things, Donny was still young, and it was also entirely possible that he was used by Giovanni afterward. As the only legitimate heir of Napoli, he undoubtedly had the rightful claim to the inheritance after Giovanni’s death.

Another possibility was for both Giovanni and Donny to be put on trial, and for a collateral branch of the Florence family to inherit.

The mistakes made by the main branch usually have little to do with the collateral branches. Selecting a reputable person from the collateral branches to inherit the family would also be a good thing if it could ensure the stable development of Napoli.

The last possibility was to choose someone who could command respect to rule the Napoli Duchy.

However, this possibility was not high.

After all, the concept of “commanding respect” is quite vague.

Even if someone who could command respect were chosen from the current Empire using very strict standards, that person would probably not be able to convince a small number of people.

Furthermore, this would be equivalent to punishing the entire Florence family. Although their connection with cultists and beastmen, and their conspiracy to overthrow the Empire were sufficient reasons for the Emperor to revoke their noble status, this was unprecedented in the history of the Empire.

Setting this precedent would require considering the consequences that might arise in the future.

“Do you think General Scaloni in the army will become the new Duke of Napoli?” Orson asked abruptly at this moment.

“…Probably not,” Olivia thought for a moment, then shook her head.

“General Scaloni has neither fought a brilliant counterattack like the Duke of Antica when facing a large-scale beastman invasion, nor does he have sufficient support and connections domestically.”

“However, in a while, he might have connections and support,” Orson said meaningfully.

…

Saint Roland City, a certain mansion.

Some time had passed since she last met with Arthas. During this time, Rosalind had never received an invitation from Arthas.

However, just yesterday, Rosalind received a letter from Arthas.

In the letter, Arthas expressed his longing for Rosalind and asked to meet with Rosalind after he returned to Saint Roland City.

Rosalind was not foolish. She naturally knew Arthas’s intentions.

“Heh, men are all like this,” Looking at herself in the mirror for a long time, Rosalind couldn’t help but let out a cold snort.

“When you are powerful and influential, you ignore people like me. But when you need my help now, you come looking for me.”

“What do you take me for? Someone you can summon and dismiss at will?”

Of course, she only dared to complain like this in her own room.

Being very perceptive about politics, she had sensed a hint of something unusual in the series of events that had occurred in Saint Roland City before.

Upon learning that Arthas and Elsa had both been granted external territories, she knew that her opportunity had come.

Before, when Arthas was at the height of his power, he looked down on her. Now that he was down on his luck, Rosalind’s opportunity had naturally arrived.

She not only wanted to become Empress, but she also wanted to become the Empress who single-handedly turned the tide for Arthas when he was on the verge of collapse.

Only in this way could she secure the most benefits for her family.

“Father, just wait. I will help you reach the position of Duke.”