"Since you're here to deliver a letter, very well, I'll give you a chance," Kael shifted slightly, his gaze fixed on Climb.
Although it sounded like a benevolent offer, Lakyus couldn't shake a bad feeling in her heart as she watched the man's expression gradually turn cold. A small alarm rang in her mind.
However, before she could say anything, Kael pulled out the [Ultimate Grimoire] from his spatial backpack and continued, "After undergoing a test, if you perform well, I may consider accepting you as a follower."
As soon as he finished speaking, the [Ultimate Grimoire] detached itself from Kael's hand, automatically floating beside him, and its pages began to flip rapidly. As magical light shimmered, magical spells quickly appeared on the blank pages of the book, and then those spells activated instantly.
[Charm Species]!
A red light enveloped Climb's entire body. Lakyus's worry suddenly reached its peak at this moment. She stepped forward in a panic, "Your Excellency! Please stop!"
[Dominate Species]!
Another magical light swept through, and a layer of red light also appeared on Lakyus's body. She felt as if her body was bound by millions of incredibly strong silk threads, and she suddenly became unable to move! Panic crept over her, realizing the situation was beyond her control.
"Once the test begins, no one may interfere," Kael looked calmly at Lakyus and said lightly.
With just that one sentence, Lakyus felt an immense weight settling on her shoulders, like a profound, inviolable will.
Although [Dominate Species] and [Charm Species] were both control spells, the first only controlled the target's body, while the second controlled the target's mind. Furthermore, the user could tell if the spell effect had successfully activated, and the affected person could not feign compliance even if they wished to.
After restraining Lakyus, Kael turned his attention back to Climb and asked the first question, "Boy, do you think you're a good person?"
"I don't know if I'm a good person or not. I am merely a knight who serves Her Royal Highness Princess Renner. Her Royal Highness is the kindest and gentlest being in the world. Whatever you do according to her instructions will be correct, so I will carry out Her Royal Highness's wishes," Under the influence of mind-control magic, Climb regarded Kael as his closest friend and expressed his true feelings without hesitation.
No surprises there.
Kael then asked the second question, "So, what is your impression of the God of Destiny? Do you think he is someone worthy of admiration and fighting for?"
"I don't know much about the God of Destiny, but I hear that he is a being who can grant power to ordinary people. If I can obtain power from him, I can better protect Her Royal Highness Princess. In my life, I will only fight for Her Royal Highness Princess and will not be loyal to anyone else,"
Done!
As Climb answered Kael's questions uncontrollably, Lakyus's face turned slightly pale, and she felt a wave of bitter regret in her heart.
Kael had previously been very kind to Blue Roses and the four others, and his subsequent actions in saving the city made her unconsciously think that Kael was a very easy person to talk to. It was only at this moment that she suddenly realized. Kael was not merely as she had thought, but a God with immense power!
Do not be cunning and do not lie in the presence of a God.
This was originally a jest that temple priests used to coax children when she was learning at the temple, but at this moment, Lakyus profoundly understood its meaning. The words resonated in her mind.
"It seems there's no need to ask the next three questions," Kael seemed to have suddenly lost interest in Climb. He waved his hand gently, and the magic on Lakyus and Climb lifted.
Upon regaining her freedom, Lakyus felt her legs weaken and her body sway slightly, while Climb's face changed drastically. Charm magic was not memory manipulation magic. After its effect wore off, the recipient could recall previous memories.
Climb immediately stepped forward, bowed deeply to Kael on the throne, and said, "Forgive me! I..."
"You don't need to say it," Kael didn't give Climb a chance to speak, interrupting directly. "You are the first to come after me with the intention of gaining power, but you won't be the last. Given that you are also loyal to a god, I can forgive your sin this time. As for you..."
The voice trailed off, and Kael's gaze settled on Lakyus, as if pondering how to deal with her.
Lakyus took a deep breath upon seeing this, bracing herself for the worst. There was no point in claiming she hadn't realized it earlier now, as it would only make things worse. After all, she had promised Renner that she would let Climb return to the capital safely. Now that the man in front of her had no intention of holding Climb accountable, that was already a hidden blessing.
Thinking this, she stepped forward, slowly kneeling before Kael under everyone's gaze, bowing her head and apologizing, "I am deeply sorry, Your Excellency! We should not have come to offend you with such impure intentions. I am willing to accept your punishment, and please let Climb go safely."
"Sir Lakyus!?" Climb was horrified. Upon seeing Lakyus, he too knelt before Kael and pleaded, "Your Excellency! This is all my fault. I forced Sir Lakyus to bring me here. Please punish me and free Sir Lakyus!"
"Get up! Don't be stubborn, Renner is still waiting for you!" Lakyus snapped, struggling.
"Sir Lakyus, I cannot let you bear my mistake!"
Lakyus and Climb began to argue as if no one else was around. If you didn't know, you would have thought they were fighting over a treasure.
Clink!
Kael didn't like watching such sensational scenes. He clicked his tongue slightly in displeasure and tapped his finger lightly on the armrest of the throne. Although the sound was not loud, it was like thunder in everyone's ears. The argument between Lakyus and Climb instantly ceased, and everyone's eyes turned to Kael.
"It's up to me to decide who is to blame. It's not your turn to choose," as he spoke, Kael gave an order to Enri Emmott who was beside Lakyus and the others, "Enri, take this boy away and revoke his right to join the church in the future."
"Yes!" Enri nodded solemnly.
"Please wait a moment!" While kneeling on the ground, Climb cried out in haste.
His own treatment was not an issue for him, but if he were taken away like this, it would mean Lakyus would have to bear most of the responsibility for the matter, which he could not accept.
Enri, standing beside him, did not give him a chance to continue his defense. The staff in her hand glowed faintly, and she cast the control magic [Full Body Paralysis] on Climb.
In an instant, Climb fell to the ground with a thud, his entire body trembling slightly, and he was unable to utter a single word.
"Now, you must obey me. To continue causing trouble will only make things worse," Enri whispered something in Climb's ear, then grabbed the collar of Climb's armor and dragged him out of the hall.
"You two should also withdraw," Kael waved a hand to Quaiesse and the two others on the other side. The three bowed politely then left the hall.
For a moment, only Kael and Lakyus remained in the hall.
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