Volume 5 Chapter 58 To Deceive the Enemy, First Deceive Your Allies
"No, wait... Really, enough already──"
There is a reason Cedric is holding his head.
After all, the 3 who said, "I'll go catch the brainwashed ones," brought back 4 servants without Cedric or Miranda being able to stop them.
Their skills are impressive, but Cedric can't just admire them.
After all, Randy and the others, leading those 4, are boldly walking down the hallway saying, "Let's present them to Your Excellency."
The castle has already been *noisy* since the 3 went out on the hunt, but the commotion is growing louder.
Of course, they are considering the already sleeping lady and Erienne, but the clearly restless atmosphere must have reached Rolf and Airen as well.
"What's all the fuss?"
"You guys just said it earlier. That you can see through the brainwashed people..."
As the whispered rumors grow, Cedric feels a slight sense of discomfort.
That said, he has no time to confirm it now.
In this undesirable situation, Cedric decides to take the initiative and tells Miranda, "For now, contact them," sending her off running.
In contrast to Cedric's anxiety, Randy, Harrison, and Ellie seem calm, but Cedric, holding his head, begins to speak as if admonishing a child,
"Listen... If you can see through the people who are likely brainwashed... how will you prove it?"
In response to his perfectly reasonable question, Randy and Harrison simultaneously stumble over their words, "Well..."
Harrison can see through with his eye technique, while Randy relies on his instincts.
Each can identify allies affected by charm or mental manipulation.
Extending that, they claim they can see through those who have been brainwashed or subjected to mind control, but they have no way to prove it.
"Moreover... moreover, this is not Victor, but Waldner. Depending on the situation, it could be seen as hostile action──"
As Cedric spoke up to that point, the corridor opposite the hall became bustling.
Just then, the faces that appeared from the other side of the hall were Airen and Rolf.
The two led by Miranda took a deep breath upon seeing the situation caused by Randy and the others, saying, "This is..."
Cedric stiffened at the shout, but Rolf simply exhaled the breath he had taken, prompting Airen to furrow his brows and ask, "Father?"
"Well, shall we hear the explanation..."
Surprised by Rolf's unusual voice, Cedric talked about how he believed Randy and Harrison had captured those who seemed to be brainwashed.
Of course, the captured men and women shouted, "No, we haven't been brainwashed, my lord" "Please believe us."
Looking at their expressions, no one present could tell if they were actually under brainwashing.
The servants throughout the mansion surrounded the hall like onlookers, all waiting for Rolf's words.
"...I'm sorry. While I did mention that there might be enemies lurking, it was my oversight to let them stay in the castle."
Rolf's trembling voice finally made Cedric realize why he had been so subdued.
Since they had carelessly let guests stay in a dangerous place, the responsibility for any incidents lay with Rolf and the Waldner side.
Even if the restraint of the servants was unfounded, if Randy claimed it was for their own safety, Rolf and the others couldn't strongly refute it.
"However, I cannot determine whether they are brainwashed or not. So, could you temporarily entrust them to me?"
Randy and Harrison exchanged glances at Rolf's serious eyes and nodded.
"Alright. After all, our role is over now──"
As Randy shifted his gaze to Ellie, a Translucent Membrane enveloped the entire hall.
In the sudden appearance of the wall, everyone panicked, and Randy then turned his gaze to Harrison.
"That one and that one... maybe?"
"Unfortunately, and that girl too."
"Indeed. No doubt about it."
In addition to the servant Randy pointed at, Harrison also pointed at a maid, and Ellie nodded in agreement.
"Okay. Ellie, secure them."
"Don't give orders."
Pouting, Ellie swiftly restrained the 3, just like before, and additionally used hypnosis magic to steal their consciousness.
They don't understand what's going on anymore, and the servants are screaming.
Rolf grimaced at the situation and glared at Randy.
"...What does this mean? Depending on the circumstances──"
"I'm sorry, Your Excellency. We'll discuss the reprimand later."
Randy rushed over to one of the 3 who had collapsed and shoved his hand into their mouth.
"Bingo..."
What came out was a small, pill-like object.
It was small enough to be picked up with fingers, barely visible from a distance.
But recognizing that pill, a flustered Rolf and Airen each stuck their hands into the mouths of the fallen man and woman.
Of course, what came out was another similar small pill.
Randy crushed it with the tip of his nail, and... a dark red liquid splattered slightly.
"Can someone die from this amount? It's highly toxic..."
Wiping his hands, Randy turned back to the still dazed Rolf.
"Your Excellency, I'm sorry for using you as bait."
Bowing his head, Randy had Harrison release the 4 he had captured, who said, "Sorry about that."
Cedric, who had been watching the whole sequence, finally sighed as he realized the source of his discomfort.
"Randolph, you really *did it* this time."
To Cedric's accusatory tone, Randy nodded, "That's right."
"Is there a way to tell if someone is brainwashed...?"
"Well, if they're from Victor, I can tell 100%, but this isn't Victor."
Scratching his head, Randy continued, explaining that he primarily relies on 'instinct' to detect brainwashing.
If they are from Victor, he can back up his sharp instincts with the unusual behavior or atmosphere, but he knows nothing about the usual demeanor of Waldner people.
While he can sense "suspicion" with his wild instincts, he lacks the evidence to confirm it.
By the way, the Knights of Victor also rely on 'instinct' to detect brainwashing, just like Randy.
Still, if they are familiar acquaintances, they can boast of 100% accuracy, so Victor's abnormalities go without saying.
"By the way, I can tell who anyone is."
Harrison, pointing at the eyes, can indeed see through mental interference with that eye technique.
According to Harrison, there seems to be a subtle magical power fluctuation, but Randy cannot see it.
Only Ellie can see it.
"I see. It's true that you can see through it, and even if you acted secretly, if you brought a captured person along, a truly brainwashed person shouldn't be able to approach.... So, you dragged them out?"
Randy nodded at Cedric's words.
Without any consultation, they suddenly take unexpected actions.
They make it seem like they caused a problem to gather everyone at the scene.
Moreover, their statements and actions deceive even their allies, Cedric and the others.
The spreading confusion and anxiety make the commotion bigger and easier to attract people.
"The person who should be brainwashed can live an ordinary life. In other words, only their thoughts have been rewritten, but the essence of their actions is no different from that of an ordinary person."
At Randy's words, Airen nodded, saying, "Indeed."
The servant captured by Airen and the others was indeed like that.
They acted normally and were unknowingly manipulated.
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