At that moment, Percival truly panicked. Earlier, he had only worried about being implicated. But now, faced with such a serious accusation, he was completely caught off guard.
“Hmph! The evidence is irrefutable, and you still dare deny it? Do you want me to torture the truth out of you?” Austin barked.
“Your Highness, I’m innocent!” Percival was so terrified he was on the verge of tears.
He raised his hand and swore, “If I had anything to do with Jovian’s death, may I be damned for eternity.”
“If swearing oaths proved innocence, we wouldn’t need an enforcement team,” Austin said coldly. “Out of respect for your years of service to West Lucozia, I’ll give you a chance to come clean and receive a lighter sentence. Tell the truth now, or I’ll throw you into Grimhold Keep.”
At the mention of Grimhold Keep, Percival began to shake uncontrollably. Tears and snot ran down his face as he wailed, “Your Highness, I swear I didn’t do anything. Who’s the bastard making up these accusations? I demand to confront him face -to-face.”
“Oh? You want to know who reported you? Are you planning to silence him?” Austin narrowed his eyes as he glared at him.
“I wouldn’t dare, Your Highness. I’ve been framed. You’re too wise to be fooled by these baseless accusations,” Percival pleaded.
“The informant is highly respected and holds a position of great honor. I have no reason to doubt his words,” Austin replied.
Upon hearing that, Percival seemed to connect the dots. He suddenly raised his head and asked, “Was it Warrick Prescott who accused me? That scoundrel is setting me up, isn’t he?”
“Mr. Prescott is an honorable man. He wouldn’t accuse you without solid evidence,” Austin said.
“So, it is him. That scoundrel set me up.” Percival’s face twisted with anger and despair.
He had already felt suspicious when he saw Warrick chatting and laughing with Axel from the enforcement team. His doubts deepened when he overheard a royal guard mention that Austin was hosting a banquet for Warrick.
At first, he didn’t think much of it, but now it all made sense. Warrick was shifting the blame for Jovian’s death onto him.
“That scoundrel!” he cursed in his head. ” If he’s playing dirty, I won’t hold back either.”
Percival gritted his teeth. Throwing caution to the wind, he decided to reveal everything.
“Your Highness, I know exactly how Jovian died. Warrick is lying. He and Huxley are the real murderers. They conspired to extract secrets from Jovian, and that’s why they killed him. If anyone deserves punishment, it’s those two scoundrels.”
Austin raised an eyebrow, looking skeptical. “You’re not just trying to shift the blame onto them, are you?”
“I swear on my life that every word I just said is true. If I’m lying, I’m willing to be executed,” Percival declared with conviction.
“Mr. Prescott accused you of murder, and now you’re accusing him. So, who am I supposed to believe?” Austin looked conflicted.
“If Your Highness doubts me, then summon that scoundrel here. I’m ready to confront him and clear my name,” Percival insisted with unwavering determination.
“And what would that accomplish? You’ll both just keep pointing fingers at each other, and the argument will never cease.
What we need is evidence,” Austin said sternly.
He continued, “You’re accusing Mr. Prescott and Mr. Thatcher of murdering Jovian. Do you have proof? Or at least a witness?”
“Evidence?”
Percival paused to gather his thoughts. After a while, his eyes lit up, and he quickly said, “I know the locations of their secret hideouts and several of their covert connections. If you investigate them, you’ll find the evidence you need.”
“What if we find nothing?” Austin raised an eyebrow.
“Then, I’ll accept whatever punishment you deem fit.”
Percival was going all in now. Since Warrick and Huxley had betrayed him, he had no intention of showing mercy. If it came down to it, he was ready to go down fighting and burn every bridge behind him.
“Axel, take Mr. Wentworth and investigate immediately. Report back as soon as you have news,” Austin ordered, gesturing to the man standing nearby.
“Yes, Your Highness,” Axel responded before leading Percival away.
The enforcement team’s earlier investigation had been going in circles. With corrupt officials covering for one another, finding a lead in such a short time had been nearly impossible.
But with Percival as an informant, everything changed. Dead ends turned into clues, and hidden connections were dragged into the light.
Percival held nothing back. He exposed Warrick and Huxley’s shady dealings, personal vices, and weaknesses. It was either their downfall or his.
With Percival’s full cooperation, the palace enforcement team launched a citywide crackdown, rounding up suspects one after another.
Warrick and Huxley’s corrupt dealings and illicit operations were exposed, and even the crimes they had buried for years finally came to light.
