Inside the coffin, beside a skeletal figure, sat a crimson toad with only three legs.
Its front legs were intact, but it had just one hind leg.
This three-legged toad was undoubtedly a rarity, something scarce and extraordinary. Such a creature was seldom seen, not only in modern times but even in ancient history.
“Croak!” The toad, upon noticing the coffin being opened, didn’t leap away. Instead, it let out a calm, unhurried sound. Its half-closed eyes gave it the appearance of an elderly woman, frail and aged.
The toad was large, roughly the size of a soccer ball. Its belly bulged, though no one could guess what it had eaten.
“A red-bellied toad with a swollen gut!” Kayden murmured as he stared at the silver toad.
Jaxon Rocco, confused by Kayden’s words, turned to him with a startled expression. “What’s going on, Mr. Scott?”
Before Kayden could respond, Mr. Brooks interjected enthusiastically. “Good fortune, sir! This is a three-legged silver toad-a rare and auspicious creature. Its presence bodes well for the Rocco family’s prosperity and success.”
Indeed, this was a silver toad.
Silver toads were well-known symbols of wealth and good fortune. Many merchants often placed them in their shops, feeding them coins as a gesture to attract prosperity.
Hearing Mr. Brooks’s explanation, Jaxon Rocco’s confusion deepened. This should have been a good omen.
Yet Kayden remained silent, his eyes fixed on the silver toad.
“Sir,” Mr. Brooks added, “now that you’ve disturbed it, who knows if it’ll remain here? Its presence has safeguarded the Rocco family’s prosperity. You’ve been misled by petty lies!”
Mr. Brooks’s demeanor shifted from mild-mannered to assertive, his words flowing smoothly now.
Kayden took a deep breath and asked coldly, “Mr. Brooks, did you place this silver toad here?”
The question startled Mr. Brooks. His previously animated face froze in a moment of panic, though he quickly regained composure. He snorted. “What nonsense are you spouting, boy? Do you know how silver toads come into being? They’re born from the natural forces of heaven and earth, with no parents. They absorb the very essence of the universe and only appear in blessed places. Your claim that I placed it here is sheer ignorance!”
Kayden nodded faintly, then replied, “Perhaps I am ignorant. But how does a simple farmer like you know so much? It’s as if you’ve studied this extensively.”
His voice grew sharper. “Old man, if I’m not mistaken, the skeleton inside isn’t one of the Rocco family’s ancestors. It’s yours, isn’t it?”
Mr. Brooks’s face went pale with shock, while Jaxon Rocco’s eyes widened in disbelief.
“What?! That’s not my ancestor’s remains?” Jaxon’s voice trembled, the revelation threatening to shatter his worldview.
Kayden nodded slightly and turned to the imposter. “So, will you confess, or should I explain everything myself?”
“Utter nonsense! I have no idea what you’re talking about!” Mr. Brooks stammered, making one last desperate attempt to deny the accusations. But his expression betrayed him-his pale face and trembling voice made it clear he was lying.
Had it been anyone else questioning him, he might have been able to argue his way out. But in front of Kayden, he couldn’t muster a single convincing word.
Jaxon Rocco looked between Kayden and Mr. Brooks, utterly lost, his mind a whirlwind of fear and outrage. If this was true, what kind of hatred could drive someone to desecrate his family’s ancestral grave?
The Rocco family had never wronged anyone. Who would commit such a vile act?
Kayden exhaled deeply, his voice calm yet firm. “Fine. If you won’t speak, I’ll explain for you. Let’s start with this silver toad.
“You placed it in the grave, but it isn’t a symbol of good fortune. On the contrary, it’s an omen of disaster!
“This silver toad thrives by drinking water flowing through the grave. Its belly swells, and with that growth comes death. This is why someone from the Rocco family dies every three years, always a young man under forty. You’ve cursed the Rocco family, breaking its luck and prosperity!”
Kayden continued, his tone unwavering. “As for the skeleton in the coffin, it hasn’t been there for more than twenty years. But the Rocco family’s ancestors have been dead for over a hundred. Bones that old would have turned white by now, but these are still fresh. From their condition, the remains are likely from someone who died a little over a decade ago-someone who was buried alongside this silver toad.
“This is no coincidence. Someone deliberately placed this skeleton here to curse the Rocco family, ensuring it would die out within a century.”
He fixed his sharp gaze on Mr. Brooks. “And as for you, you likely arrived in this town just over a decade ago. A simple farmer wouldn’t know anything about the natural forces of heaven and earth, yet your words betray a suspicious level of knowledge. Your story may sound plausible, but it only exposes your true identity.”
Kayden stepped closer to Mr. Brooks, placing a firm hand on his shoulder. His voice softened, almost pitying. “You’re too nervous. It makes your lies too obvious. Confess. Tell us who put you up to this, and perhaps Mr. Rocco will show mercy and spare your life.”
The room fell silent. No one had expected such a sinister plot behind the Rocco family’s misfortunes.
Kayden had unraveled the truth, leaving no room for doubt.
Jaxon Rocco trembled with rage, his hands shaking uncontrollably. His eyes burned red as he pointed a finger at Mr. Brooks. “You’re not Mr. Brooks. Who the hell are you?”
Mr. Brooks opened his mouth, as if to speak, but closed it again. He knew there was no point in denying it any longer. His face darkened as he clenched his teeth and sneered, “Impressive, boy. But if you think you’ll get anything out of me, think again!”
With those final words, the imposter suddenly raised his hands to his throat and twisted violently.
With a sickening crack, he snapped his own neck and collapsed to the ground, lifeless.
The room froze in shock. No one had time to react, forced to watch in horror as the fake Mr. Brooks ended his own life.
Now, with his death, the mystery of who orchestrated this plot was buried with him.