Immersed in soothing jazz music, the entire cruise ship was enveloped in an eerie silence, intensifying the already creepy atmosphere, especially with the sound of the sea waves.
Matthew shook his head in response to the crown prince's suggestion. "We should explore the area and search for any clues that might help us understand what transpired here. Besides, we need to find an exit."
Matthew didn't plan this because of his obsessive-compulsive disorder or a desire to play detective. Instead, he believed it was crucial for them to identify the culprit; otherwise, he and the crown prince would be held responsible for the incident, along with the other survivors.
"This place is unsettling, and I won't deny it. If you're scared, you're welcome to leave," Matthew said, tightening his grip around Bloodreaper. Simultaneously, he had his metal needles ready under his sleeves, prepared for any unexpected surprises.
While Matthew expressed his concern for the crown prince's safety, the latter didn't seem to appreciate it. "I've never been scared in my entire life. Now, listen—courage is my middle name." The crown prince was irritated, but when he glanced at the lifeless corpses around him, a shiver ran down his spine.
"How unfortunate! I didn't kill you guys, so you'd better leave me alone. Go search for those who did this to all of you," the crown prince muttered to himself before following Matthew into the cabin.
Soon, they reached a hall on the ship's first floor. Bright lights illuminated the spacious area, with dozens of poker tables and machines sparkling, which would have been a pleasant sight if not for the bodies strewn about.
"Seriously? Are you suggesting we play a game now? At this time? I doubt we should even be considering that," the crown prince curiously asked, pointing at the bloodstains and corpses in their surroundings when he saw Matthew approaching the poker table.
In response, Matthew rolled his eyes and dismissed his words in annoyance. "Nonsense! I'm trying to find traces that could lead me to the truth of what happened here. Furthermore, I have no interest in gambling or money." After finishing his words, he crouched down and began examining the marks and tracks on the poker table.
Now, that's my man! How wise! The crown prince gave Matthew a thumbs-up.
Matthew beckoned the crown prince over and explained his discoveries. "These marks were caused by blades, not bullets. Additionally, the injuries on the bodies appear to be fatal, indicating that the killer was an expert. Moreover, the female victims still had their high heels neatly on, suggesting they were not running in a hurry. Therefore, it is highly likely that they were attacked by the culprit unexpectedly. To accomplish that, the culprit either disguised themselves as a guest or was among the crew members."
The crown prince's face turned pale upon hearing this. "Are you suggesting that the murderer who killed all these people was someone sent by the Keller Family?"
Matthew shook his head. Although the crown prince's theory could be plausible, they had no concrete evidence to support it. "I'm not entirely certain about that either. The murderer could be working for another larger and more powerful entity. Perhaps the massacre occurred because the cruise was hijacked before it even set sail, allowing them to replace the crew members with their own men."
Upon learning that the tragedy was a meticulously planned scheme, the crown prince no longer felt fear. Instead, he straightened his posture and took determined strides forward, eager to uncover the truth.
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