Chapter 386: Chapter 385: Cause of Death
The entire hall was decorated like a typical manor castle, adorned with paintings, chandeliers, carpets, tables, and chairs. However, all these decorations were crafted from ice crystals. These blocks of ice varied in density, composition, and structure, allowing them to be roughly shaped into different colors beyond simple transparency.
Off to the side of the hall was a curved staircase. The wall beside it also hung with various paintings. It was somewhat ironic: all the churches displayed portraits of the Snow Queen’s military campaigns, yet her own palace contained images clearly from the time of the Kingdom of Elendale, depicting the two sisters frolicking as children.
The entirety of the hall lay before them, yet the most eye-catching feature was the fountain in the middle of the hall.
The water in the fountain had frozen solid, some ice still retaining the shape of splashing droplets.
The entire fountain was also made of ice crystals. Its bottom layer was a circular base, while the second and third layers resembled petals. Above the third layer, where a statue should have stood, a woman was frozen instead.
Encased in a thick, transparent layer of ice, she had soft, pale-gold hair and wore a deep blue gown adorned with countless glistening specks of light. Her beautiful face, trapped within the clear ice, was serene and gentle, yet it carried a hint of sorrowful sadness, an expression of helpless melancholy.
Looking down through the ice, one could see a clear, deep tear through the woman’s chest and abdomen, reaching her internal organs. Crimson blood had splattered out from the wound. Even the trajectory of the splashed blood was visible, frozen in the static ice.
The former Elsa, now Her Majesty the Snow Queen, lay still within the ice.
A faint gasp emerged from beside Li Ang, sounding exceptionally clear in the silent palace.
Li Ang turned to look. Anna, seated in the wheelchair, was now awake, her open, indifferent eyes reflecting the massive block of ice.
"How ironic," Princess Anna began slowly, her voice devoid of weakness, instead laced with a hint of mocking humor. "Elsa, who played with ice and snow her entire life, actually died in a block of ice."
"They often say in fire safety lectures that it’s the good swimmers who drown. I had a friend who was great at petting cats. He encountered a Tiger in a wildlife reserve and died a horrible death—his spine was completely gone."
Li Ang nodded. "So, Your Highness, my QQ account shows a remote login, and I’d like to investigate. If you don’t mind, I’ll head out first."
"HEH." Anna smiled gently, unconcerned about any QQ. With a snap of her fingers, the great ice-crystal door slammed shut with a loud BANG.
"You think that’s possible?"
Narrowing her eyes, Anna removed her coat’s hood and twirled a strand of her brown hair. "After all, you’ve seen Elsa’s current state."
"I understand."
Li Ang nodded. "The Queen was very concerned about global warming and froze herself in ice, hoping to inspire her subjects to pay more attention to environmental issues through this form of performance art.
I immensely admire such an act. In the days to come, I too shall follow Her Majesty’s example: burn myself to illuminate others and become an excellent performance artist."
"HEHEHE," Princess Anna couldn’t help but cover her mouth as she laughed. "Do all you Easterners speak so amusingly?"
"No. An existence like mine, possessing both a pleasing exterior and a charming soul, is one in a million, no matter where I go."
Li Ang flashed a bright smile. "Your Highness, considering the effort I took to push you all the way here, how about cutting me some slack today?"
"No."
"How about tomorrow?"
"No."
"The day after tomorrow, then?"
"No."
Li Ang abruptly dropped the reins. "What do you want?" he asked, his expression unfriendly.
"I want you to continue the surgery for me," Princess Anna said with a smile. "The heart transplant surgery."
Li Ang fell silent. In the entire palace, the only other usable heart likely belonged to the Snow Queen, now an ice sculpture.
Anna said calmly, "Don’t think I know nothing about you.
Although the trade routes from the major kingdoms to the East have been severed for a long time, as the ruler of an empire, I can still maintain some communication with the East through rare and extraordinary mystical artifacts.
Over there, there is no Monk with the identity you claim."
Li Ang’s smile gradually faded as Anna continued, "That so-called Eastern healing surgery you mentioned might fool Carly and the others, but don’t even think of deceiving me.
It’s not actually a mystical Ritual track, is it? It’s a more advanced form of supernatural power, right?
For you, even the heart of someone deceased and frozen into an ice sculpture can be revived and transplanted, can’t it?"
Anna tilted her head, gazing at Li Ang’s face. Despite being seated in a wheelchair, she seemed to look down on him with cold indifference.
"I don’t care about your true identity or your purpose in coming to Rune. Nor do I plan to investigate you afterward.
But you will perform the heart transplant surgery for me.
This is a suggestion—and an order."
Li Ang spread his hands. "If I refuse..."
Before he could finish, the gentle, warm breeze plummeted in temperature, transforming into a fierce, cold gale that swept in from all directions, carrying thousands of shimmering ice blades.
Li Ang stood his ground, unmoving.
The ice blades shot toward him but stopped abruptly a meter away, suspended in the air to form an imposing ice wall.
This was the princess’s silent threat.
Anna’s voice echoed in the hall. "If you refuse, I will kill your apprentice first, and then..."
"That would be wonderful!" Li Ang laughed, interrupting her. "Shall I list their abilities for you?"
"..."
Anna’s voice faltered for a moment; she clearly hadn’t anticipated such a response.
Why isn’t this kid playing by the script?!
Li Ang stated earnestly, "The five of us—mentor and students—appear harmonious and friendly on the surface.
But like an idol group, it’s all for show. Internally, we’re fraught with conflict. Each of us secretly hopes the others die so we can monopolize the fame and the center spot.
Kill them, maim them—do as you please. I’ll even cheer you on from the sidelines."
Anna was silent for a long while before finally speaking. "What about you? Aren’t you afraid of dying?"
"Of course, I am,"
Li Ang nodded. "But even if I perform the surgery for you, I’ll likely be silenced afterward to keep the secret, right? Just like Her Majesty the Queen here."
"..."
Anna fell silent for a moment, then said slowly, "I didn’t kill her. She chose to give up her life."
"Just like the nurse who inexplicably died of sudden illness while bringing you medicine today?"
Li Ang said flatly, "I examined her. The direct cause of death was acute respiratory failure.
The underlying cause, however, was a sudden constriction of her pulmonary artery. This obstructed right ventricular blood outflow, increased intraventricular pressure, and led to systemic circulatory failure, ultimately causing right heart failure.
The specific manner of death is identical to that of your parents, the unidentified bodies in the city cemetery, and Queen Elsa.
You’re not some ordinary person with no supernatural abilities; you’re a Spellcaster, one who has hidden your powers very, very deeply.
Your ability is likely to steal the life essence of others, attune your body with theirs, and perhaps even steal the abilities of other Spellcasters.
Am I right?"