Chapter 98: Operation Arrest Crownhall Hypnosis App - 6

Chapter 98: Operation Arrest Crownhall Hypnosis App - 6

Crownhall was a large city, with the residence of the Imperial Family at its center. Just as modern real estate values were influenced by factors like transportation and amenities, this world's land value was similarly determined.

In this world, the closer the land was to the center of the city— the Imperial Palace—the more valuable it was. Therefore, one could roughly gauge someone's power and influence by the location of their mansion or villa.

This was a simple map of the city.

The area nearest the inner wall that protected the Imperial Quarters, known as the 'Golden Wall,' and the adjacent zones were referred to as the 'Golden Ring.' Only those favored by the Emperor could reside here.

This area was highly coveted by ambitious nobles since entry required not just wealth, but also significant merit.

I had heard that the boy knight who nearly destroyed the Purple Magic Tower owned a private mansion in this area.

Beyond the 'Golden Ring,' there was an imaginary concentric circle dividing the city into inner and outer zones. The main difference between these areas was whether they fell within the patrol route of the Imperial Capital Knight Order.

The Knight Order, composed of the Empire's elite, ensured impeccable public safety within their patrol areas. Petty crime was nearly nonexistent in these regions, clearly making it a wealthy region.

Most high-ranking nobles and extremely wealthy individuals lived here, and even the nobles who ran their fiefs in distant places maintained a villa here.

Some nobles claimed, "This is the real Crownhall," and questioned the authenticity of areas not protected by the Knight Order, distinguishing between what they considered the true and false Crownhall themselves.

The outer walls marked the boundary of Crownhall, and that was where we had fun and wandered around so far.

Viscount Whatever's mansion was situated right on this border. Pink-Haired Lesbian explained that it was difficult for a viscount to have property here, but with the duke's support, he was barely able to manage it.

And then she added.

“The Capital Knight Order is under the Imperial family, like the Imperial Defense Bureau, but their main priority is suppressing disturbances in Crownhall. This sometimes puts them at odds with us. Do you know what I mean?”

“So if we delay, the Capital Knight Order will come after us?”

“Exactly. It's unclear if Viscount Dompel’s mansion falls within their sphere of influence, but if they show up, things will get complicated.”

“So it’s blitzkrieg.”

I interpreted it as doing everything possible before the police showed up.’

===============================================================

We quickly approached the viscount's mansion. The outer walls of the mansion were decorated with all kinds of decorations, but it looked ugly because it felt like he was trying to show off his wealth rather than making it aesthetically pleasing.

Who hangs a jeweled necklace outside a mansion? It didn’t even look like an artifact.

Two guards were stationed at the front gate, surrounded by fences.

Entering the mansion itself needed to be done quietly. There were undoubtedly more guards inside, but if a fight broke out outside, we would be in trouble for two reasons.

The risk of attracting the Capital Knight Order's attention and the open field being disadvantageous for us in battle.

If a fight was unavoidable, it was best to fight it inside the mansion if possible. Stealth would be ideal. In this case, it was necessary to determine if the viscount was a perpetrator or a victim.

I exchanged a glance with my soulmate, Pink-Haired Lesbian.

“Should we try saying that there’s a delivery?”

“Let's go with the story that I'm a farmer who sold my land and entered the commercial world. But because my goods overlapped with the viscount's, I ran into trouble. So now, I’m bringing a bribe to ask for mercy⋯⋯."

While we were setting up our ruse, a guard pointed at Senior Scarface and approached us. What was this? Should I use hypnosis magic to deal with this?

The guard bowed and spoke to Senior.

“You came quickly this time. The master has been waiting for you.”

"⋯⋯?"

“Are they hypnotized slaves? Master will like them. If you have any leftovers, then can I⋯⋯."

"⋯⋯⋯⋯!!"

Pink-Haired Lesbian and I immediately feigned blank expressions, pretending to be under Hypnosis App. This was a wave we had to ride.

I saw my reflection in her eyes. It looked like I had been caught by the Hypnosis App and had lost consciousness.

I also shielded the Tower Master, who was struggling to keep up with the situation, with my body.

It seemed that Senior Scarface’s experience had paid off, as she quickly regained her composure and adapted to the situation. With a sly smile, she responded to the guard.

“But I don’t think there’s going to be a leftover this time. You can tell they’re all S-ranks just by looking at their faces. Do you really think the viscount would leave any? Ah, maybe this guy right here might be left.”

“Haha, it’s alright. It isn’t like I am in a position to be picky either⋯⋯."

Ah, fucking hell.

Goosebumps ran down my spine. You motherfucker, at least be picky about the gender.

The Senior Scarface led us into the mansion. The guard's friendly demeanor towards her indicated that they had interacted more than just once or twice. It seemed the culprit had been using Senior Scarface’s face for various schemes.

Impersonation was terrifying in this way. If we had conducted the investigation step by step among ourselves instead of directly involving Senior⋯⋯ wouldn't it have led to a situation where we couldn't help but become suspicious of her?

Senior Scarface seemed to catch on and tapped my shoulder in gratitude. Yes, I had saved her.

“Then, have a great time.”

The guard escorted us to the front of the building before returning to his post. Senior made brief eye contact with us.

Should we go? Let's go.

It wasn’t really you, Lorei, right?

"⋯⋯⋯⋯."

It was unpleasant to meet someone who didn’t see other people as human. This person was once just like me—a human being.

He was born screaming into the world, crawled on all four limbs, walked on two feet, and probably lived his life forming relationships with many people. How did he become so twisted? When I asked myself that question...

It brought about a sadness that left a bitter taste in my mouth.

Viscount Pig spoke as he proudly held out the small stone statue to Pink-Haired Lesbian and the Tower Master.

“If you haven’t been hypnotized, I’ll do it now. Now, look this way! Khehehe⋯⋯ And all of you, become my sex slaves!”

A pattern flashed on the stone statue that could fit in one hand, emitting powerful hypnotic waves.

We were hypnotized, lost consciousness, and became the viscount’s toys. Viscount Pig chuckled and pointed.

“Yes, you with the pink hair. Come here first. Take off that muggy suit right now! You, hehe, you will be my favorite mistress⋯⋯."

Pink-Haired Lesbian, seemingly under hypnosis, slowly took off her suit jacket, revealing her voluptuous body as she headed towards the viscount and──

===============================================================

“Yes⋯⋯ hurry and come serve⋯⋯ my amazing body⋯⋯."

In your dreams.

Smack!

I smacked Viscount Pig on the back of his head. Even after his neck bent and snapped back, he kept smiling brightly, clearly lost in a happy dream from the reflected hypnotic waves.

Pink-Haired Lesbian turned her wrist, and asked.

“Mr. Crazy Wizard, can I hit him too?”

“The hypnosis might break if you hit him too ha⋯⋯ No, he will die if you hit him with that much Mana.”

I took the statue from the viscount’s hand.

This small statue seemed crafted with more effort than the larger one, and was emitting stronger hypnotic waves than I expected.

Without a mental barrier, anyone would instantly become a slave, just like those maids. The output was strong enough that even a weak mental barrier would fail under repeated exposure.

We were fortunate to be experts in this field. Otherwise, students at the Academy might have been affected. Considering this, I felt a sense of duty as an educator.

The world was wide and filled with many dangers. To protect our students from falling prey to the Hypnosis App, I would need to make them suffer a bit more. They had to develop mental barriers as firm as mountains.

“Now then, with the viscount incapacitated⋯⋯ let’s gather all the evidence.”

We needed as much evidence as possible. Finding it would transform us from trespassers into righteous people who rose up to punish criminals.

I trusted our Second Prince to handle the aftermath if we addressed the root cause.

"⋯⋯⋯⋯."

“Senior, what’s wrong?”

Senior Scarface seemed worried, contemplating with her hand over his mouth. Had she been slightly affected by the hypnosis wave?

“Esteemed Junior. About the⋯⋯ viscount. Don’t you think he was dumber than we thought?”

“He did seem pretty⋯⋯ idiotic?”

Even though we passed the guards easily, the viscount accepted us without question despite the crowd, I could only describe him as⋯⋯ simple-minded.

“If it were me, I wouldn’t have put someone stupid in charge. I don’t know if the viscount was more resourceful than I thought, but if that wasn’t the case⋯⋯."

“You’re saying there’s someone in actual power behind the figurehead?”

“Exactly.”

I understood immediately. Even if I were the mastermind, I didn't think I would want to entrust the job to this viscount bastard. I would have liked to have left it to someone⋯⋯ more intelligent and capable.

“From what Viscount Pig said, they were working on spreading 『Big Brother』 throughout Crownhall. There must be someone who acts as a commander, leading the operation.”

I thought of a classic cliche.

‘The butler next to the incompetent noble was actually the real mastermind.’ That kind of scenario.

We couldn’t let our guard down just because we captured the viscount and──.

“Mr. Wizard, above us-!"

Pink-Haired Lesbian warned sharply. Reflexively, I raised my head, looking at the ceiling.

Chajajajack-! Rumblee!

The ceiling shattered into dozens of pieces and collapsed. Three figures fell, weapons aimed at us. One had a great sword, another dual-wielded swords, and the third a bow. They were going for me⋯⋯ no. They were going for the viscount—to eliminate all the evidence by killing him?

“Protect the viscount!”

I quickly cast a spell. A flash of light appeared in the Tower Master’s hand, the sound of a chain swooshed, and Senior Scarface drew a dagger.

CLANGGG-!!

With the clash of metals, dust /genesisforsaken