Rise of the Eromancer

Chapter 200 Sentence

"Under arrest…

…for the murder of Sylas West!?"

Even with all the noise that was going on outside, the ears of the reporters were still sharp enough to hear what the officers were saying even though they were far away and being blocked by the police.

And fortunately for the police, as soon as they heard that, almost all the reporters backed away. Unfortunately for them, they have forgotten how persistent the media are as they started rushing into the building to get to Sylas's apartment to get some videos and photos.

Rhys was the media's favorite, whether it be bad publicity or good publicity, they were always chasing him since they knew that no matter what he did, it would be something worthwhile — all of them were also fully aware of how violent the aftermath he leaves whenever he is done.

And so, all of them were already expecting that something heinously gruesome was done to Sylas, especially since they all saw Rhys carrying his sister out of the building; bruised and unconscious.

The police all chased after the vulture-like reporters as they disappeared into the building. One reporter, however, remained — Karl Harper.

He was completely alone and did not have a team; his camera, just completely focused on Rhys and not bothering to even join the other reporters in trying to see what happened to Sylas. After all…

…he already had photos and videos of what happened; all provided to him by Maria.

And so, Karl just focused on making sure he was getting the best angle of Rhys being slammed and pinned to the ground by the police; making sure that he also got a photo of his sister being dragged away by the ambulance, completely unconscious and bruised.

Ever since he had met Rhys back in the Wilder's Harem's first recruitment and Rhys discovered him in his car… he had actually been on his payroll. Of course, he was forced to at first, but the advantages and benefits he received were just too much.

The short-lived Dregs of Society terrorism, he knew it was going to happen beforehand — he was always there. The greatest journalist is the one who can get the most accurate story and deliver it well — the best reporter is the one who can get the story first…

…and twist it to the narrative he wants.

As long as he was under Rhys's payroll, he could do just that. He may have sold his soul to the Serpent… but it was worth it.

The story that was unfolding in front of him right now was just…

…beautiful. And everyone could be darn sure he was going to see the end of it.

***

Rhys was taken to the nearest station — and since the station was not really equipped to handle someone like Rhys, the station basically had to lock down their entire building; transferring all of the people in their custody to another station so they could fully focus on Rhys — some of the staff were even sent home and replaced by people higher up.

No, the station didn't just lock down their entire building, they practically turned it into a fortress…. but the person they were doing all of that for wasn't even resisting at all.

"I am going to ask you again, did you kill Sylas West?"

"Yes," Rhys had been answering the same question for probably the tenth time now. And each time, he did not even hesitate for a single millisecond before opening his mouth, "I received a call from my sister, but I didn't answer it — I am sure you are well aware of our relationship."

"Talk to me like I don't know you," the person interrogating Rhys was even more robotic and monotonous than Maria; her eyes, almost as if delving deep into Rhys's soul.

"That is what I am doing right now," Rhys uttered, "My sister is not usually the persistent kind, and when I see her calling me again and again, I need to find out why — and then I remembered that she and Sylas West moved together. Despite our torn relationship, she is still my sister. So, I found out where the apartment was and went there…

…and I found Sylas West beating her and almost drowning her. And my vision just darkened and the next thing I know, I already massacred Sylas."

"We have reviewed the time of all the call logs, the neighbors' statements, and the surveillance of the building," the interrogator continued to stare into Rhys's eyes, "Everything checks out except the most important part — the timeline does not make sense. Add to the fact that the cameras were turned off before your sister called you…

…are you sure you and your sister were not planning to kill Sylas West from the start?"

"If we were planning to kill him…" Rhys then finally returned the interrogator's glare, causing her to very subtly flinch and look away as Rhys's silver eyes almost felt like it was penetrating deep into her soul,

"...Then we would not be having this conversation, Ma'am. I would have hidden his body, never to be found."

"I am assuming you are saying that you are good at hiding bodies?" The interrogator once again collected herself as she looked into Rhys's eyes once more, "The reports are saying that some of Sylas's body parts are missing, I will also assume you are hiding them…

…but why?"

And while Rhys was being interrogated, a lot of people were currently being barred from entering the building by the entire police force, as well as the Surface Army. Rhys may not have any signs of causing trouble for them, but the same could not be said about the people supporting him.

And the people that are supporting him are… trouble.

"Why can't we see him!?"

"We are under strict orders that no one could see him, please understand."

"We are his family!"

"...You're not. And even if you are, no one is allowed to see him."

"Go fuck yourself, you balding fucking bitch!"

"Ma'am, I do not appreciate you using that language on me. Please, step back."

"Why, I ought to—"

Katarina, Ayesha, Lina, and even Vicky and Agatha were there — all problematic individuals in their own right. If they truly wanted to, they could probably lay siege to the building and leave bodies behind.

Fortunately, none of them seem crazy enough to actually do so.

"That's enough, Princess…" Ayesha pulled Lina away as she started using her wind abilities, "...These people are only doing their jobs."

"T… thank you, Ma'am," the people stationed to guard the entrance of the building let out sighs of relief as they saw Ayesha calming down her colleagues.

"And apparently… they value their jobs more than their lives." Her next words, however, caused all the guards to just shrivel there and then.

"Ma'am, please! We truly can't let you see him — he has confessed, and is even refusing to go on trial."

"What…?" Katarina could not help but exhale as heavily as she could, "Why… would he do that? Why would—"

And before Katarina and the others could wonder, Rhys stepped out of the building, escorted by more than a dozen people surrounding him.

"Rhys!? Rhys!" Katarina and the others all waved their hands and looked at him. Rhys, however, only glanced back and smiled at them before being taken to a podium in front of all the reporters.

And of course, Rhys really only answered and looked at Karl.

"Rhys, is it true that you are refusing trial!?" Karl raised his voice.

"Yes…"

"Don't you want to stand in front of people to let them hear your cause!?"

"I already have," Rhys shook his head, "Trial and the court will not give me justice…

…and so I just took it in my own hands."

"Is it true that you mutilated his body!?"

"You have everything you will ever have, Mr. Rhys Wilder! Everything is already laid out for you - why did you throw them away!?"

"...Because she's my sister," Rhys breathed out --- and unbeknownst to everyone else there, Rhys actually felt some surge of power as soon as he said that; he tried his best to hide it since it came sudden, and he knew what the feeling was...

...it was the feeling whenever he filled up 5 Hearts. Somewhere, someone out there was conquered by him with those words.

"But weren't the two of you not in good--"

Rhys was then pushed away before he could answer some more questions by the woman who interrogated him.

"As all of you can see — Rhys is fully aware of what he did and has confessed to his guilt," the woman addressed the reporters; the tone of her voice, still incredibly monotonous, "If this went on to trial, we could have considered this as a crime of passion given the circumstances and history of Mr. Wilder. But since he refuses to go on trial…

…Rhys will be given the maximum sentence possible reflecting his crime."

"What!?" Katarina screamed as soon as she heard that. She was about to rush toward Rhys, but Ayesha, as well as Maria who just suddenly appeared out of nowhere and stopped her.

"Rhys Wilder shows no remorse, and expresses utmost gratification with what he has done…" the woman then took in a small but very deep breath as she looked at the reporters, "...We have concluded that Rhys Wilder is a very dangerous individual and is capable of very dangerous things-"

"No..." Katarina breathed out as the only thing she could do was stare at Rhys as they announced his sentence.

"-He is also connected to some very powerful individuals. The government has therefore concluded that Mr. Rhys Wilder...

...shall be sentenced to life in prison, without possibility of parole."