Beauty is a Beast

A Rose That Kills

The sun slips itself through the twin mountains and its blinding but morning warm light peek itself into everyone's window. People began their usual daily routines at home and going to work; however, there are some that gathered around an isolated alleyway trying to catch a glimpse at the crime scene while the military stops them from coming in and potentially destroying the evidence. 

"As expected of Blood Rose. All he left were dead bodies and roses." The Head of Justice Hall turns towards the General. 

"We won't be able to identify Blood Rose if this continues." Licus, the Head of Justice fixed his black gloves as he glance at the bodies decorated with roses. 

"Some bodies were decapitated with sharp blade. But the others seems to have been killed by the white rose." 

It was unbelievable but this is what Licus concluded. Squatting down, he inspected the bodies and caresses the bruise around the official's neck. 

He then continued; 

"All of them had been tied up before they were killed." He also notice the small dots from the bruise where they were tied up. 

Licus looked at the bodies with penetrating gaze and took out a white rose that was covered in dried blood. 

The stem is as ordinary as it looks, brittle and easy to break. However, if he activated his spiritual energy and condenses it into the stem...

The stem hardens. 

Licus tried to stab it back to where it was dug before, but the sharp tip of the flower stem only pierce through the skin of the dead body before the stem broke in half. 

Licus frown. If condensing it with spirit energy does nothing, how strong is Blood Rose and how did he did it? What is his reason for assassinating them? Is he a person who's against the current Emperor? 

Impossible. Those who are against the Emperor were all exterminated by his own hands.

But this trick, it only works with 'real' weapons and not some lousy roses that could easily snap in half. 

Furthermore, as far as my investigation. Blood Rose doesn't seem to be the type of person who like using poisons as there were no poison on each of the flower tip. 

The other's being killed with poison is out of the question. 

Furthermore, as he gaze at the official, there was a really large and deep gash on his chest that even the bone on his chest were s***h and his heart had such a deep cut almost turning it in two.

'This Blood Rose is too scary. He have no intention of making them escape.'

But the question is...how did the stem puncture the other's chest? As Licus can see, those white rose pierce exactly at the center of their heart. 

Should he have to examine the inside of their bodies just to answer his curiosities? Licus turn to his assistant to relay his message. 

"How is it?"

"There's no spiritual energy left in the vicinity or in these roses at all. If there is, we could have identify Blood Rose by using the spiritual locator if Blood Rose uses his spirit energy again. Looks like we have to report to His Majesty with no other findings." Licus replied. However, he was  deep in thought. Though he cannot feel any spiritual energy, he can feel an unknown violent force covering the flower. 

After checking once more, both the General and the Head of Justice were called by the Emperor. 

"Apparently, Blood Rose has killed another one of my high officials yet again." 

Sitting in his throne with his cheek propped into his fist was the current Emperor, Alvore Macrove. 

His treasury was robbed a few days ago and a mysterious assassin targeting his officials one by one suddenly appeared. Both people had left traces around with the same symbol or mark.

The white rose. 

The thief and this killer called Blood Rose might probably be the same person! His instinct is telling him he was right. 

"Is there any new evidence about this case?" 

"No, Your Majesty. No new evidence is found." The General replied in sullen.

"The crime scene is still the same when we get there Your Majesty. We haven't seen any weapons but dead bodies covered in roses. The same scene met us, others were beheaded by a sharp weapon and some were killed by roses that is covered in an unknown violent power. However, we have no idea how Blood Rose did it. Your Majesty, please allow me to examine the dead bodies thoroughly."

The Emperor listened attentively and upon hearing the same response from the two, his head still perked up interest. 

He was very interested about this Blood Rose.

Though he was in a bind for losing his government officials, they were terrible people that may threaten his positions and might go against him sooner or later. Just like how they did to the previous Emperor. Furthermore, this was a chance created for him to assign new officials that would be loyal only to him. 

This a blessing in disguise if he must say. 

However, he still needed to do something about this matter as they were his people and were killed under his reign. He also needed to appease the family that were left behind. 

'Tsk. Even though they died died they still cause me trouble. Those burdened fools!'

"What an interesting weapon indeed." The Emperor laugh with interest. 

"General, send your men to the Capital's nook and cranny. Wherever he appears, capture him immediately. Licus, your request to examine the dead bodies...you can do whatever you want."  

"Your subjects heed your command!" The two bowed and after being dismissed, they left the throne room.

Left alone in the room, the Emperor's face twisted even more. If he can make Blood Rose join him and made him his loyal subordinate, not only can he eliminate those who wanted to push him out of the throne, he can conquer the rest of the continent and make them all bow down to him!

After all, in order to subdue the people, they must feel fear first!

That has all been the case for people in power. To make others loyal to them because of fear.