Chapter 88
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Violet's First Words - Episode 88
* * *
While Violet Everdin slept, Bella swiftly moved her to a secluded building owned by the Religious Sect.
The building stood in an exceptionally quiet location. Though imposing in size, it was disguised as an ordinary warehouse.
Yet within its walls lay a secret passage leading to the Basement.
Beyond that passage existed the Punishment Chamber.
This Punishment Chamber was an ancient room that had been transported wholesale to the Capital centuries ago—a space designed for interrogating those capable of wielding magical power.
Unremarkable in appearance, the chamber's walls were constructed entirely from stone called Demon's Bane.
This Demon's Bane resembled marble at first glance.
Yet when surrounded by it, one could neither gather aura nor summon spirits.
All magical power was completely severed.
Bella dripped more of the drug into Violet Everdin's mouth, then issued her command moments later.
"Open your eyes, Violet Everdin. The substance I've given you will make you speak only truth."
"Knight Commander... ma'am? Where am I...?"
Violet Everdin's eyes fluttered open. Her blue irises were wide and unfocused beneath heavy lids.
"You've consumed a drug that opens the heart's door. Pour out everything in your mind to me without reservation."
It was a common brainwashing technique employed by religious organizations.
They would elevate the mind's state, compelling one to divulge every secret desire.
"Surely there exists ugly hatred and malice within your heart as well. Confess it all. Come now..."
Bella coaxed her gently. The hypnotic suggestion dormant within Violet Everdin.
This was the second stage of completing that hypnosis.
By making her pour out everything in her heart, it would create psychological dependence on the hypnotist.
Violet Everdin was confused. Because of this, she struggled to form words.
"I... I..."
"Come now!"
"There's something I've been holding in my heart for a long time. I've wanted so badly to tell someone."
"Yes, that's it. Speak freely."
Surprised by how readily Violet Everdin complied, Bella cried out in exhilaration.
Violet Everdin blinked, then gazed at her with a shy smile.
"Are you doing that voice on purpose?"
"...What?"
"Your tone suddenly becomes affected in front of Ash. And the way you speak with subtle consideration before making someone look foolish—it's exactly like my Younger Sister."
"...
"Ah, my Younger Sister has become a cripple now. That's hardly relevant to discuss. Since what age has she been like that? Was it her natural disposition from birth, or did she become that way as she grew?"
Bella's words caught in her throat.
Violet had revealed the story hidden deep within her heart. The drug's effects seemed to be working well.
What Bella hadn't anticipated was a side effect—her own blood pressure rising.
"—What, now?"
"Oh, and another thing. I'm curious why you change your attitude and tone with each knight. When Juran and Kyle insulted me last time, you smiled a little—was that because you found it amusing?"
"Such things.... Ho ho, you were keeping track of that?"
Bella raised her voice an octave higher and spoke in her usual affected manner.
"Right now! Just like right now! Your entire personality seems to transform completely!"
Violet's eyes sparkled.
"Is this an act, or are you being sincere?"
"...."
Bella went blank.
"Ah, I have another question. Are you naturally theatrical by disposition? Sometimes when you speak, it sounds like you're reciting a predetermined script.... I'm being rude, I apologize. But this drug really works well, doesn't it?"
Violet, intoxicated by the drug, chattered away cheerfully.
Bella's anger surged so intensely she nearly clamped her hand over Violet's mouth.
Bella was born as the daughter of a high-ranking official of the Night Shadow Cult. From the moment of her birth, she had been educated and raised by the Religious Sect.
Even now, this appearance was nothing more than an act of playing the perfect woman.
Violet's words that everything visible was mere artifice were not wrong at all.
"My, the drug's potency seems quite strong. Anyway, tell me about your experiences from childhood. You must have endured many hardships as you grew."
Bella made a deliberate effort to silence Violet's mouth.
"My experiences are mundane. Starving, beaten daily, cursed as a bastard. It was difficult."
"How difficult it must have been! Take my hand. Let me comfort you. We are like sisters!"
Bella spoke in an earnest voice, coaxing Violet.
Feeding someone a mind-altering drug specially manufactured by the Religious Sect and calling them "brother, sister, family" was a classic form of brainwashing ritual.
"But I have one more question."
"What now!"
"Does the Knight Commander have no work to do? Ash only shows up at the Knight Order for an hour or two a day at most. But you, Commander Bella, dress and groom yourself perfectly every day, loiter by the entrance an hour before he arrives, and the moment Ash shows up, you cling to him and chat away."
"...."
"So, how does the Knight Order even operate? Who brings in the money?"
Violet's expression showed genuine concern.
"Ho ho, don't worry about the Knight Order's operations. Everything is running smoothly."
Bella ground her teeth.
At this stage, before hypnosis was complete, she couldn't lay a hand on Violet. She needed to make Violet trust and follow her.
Which meant that even if she wanted to punch her, she couldn't.
"But wearing such thin clothes all the time must make you cold. When exactly do you find time for sword training...."
"Is that all you're curious about me?! And when did I ask you to ask about me? I told you to talk about yourself!"
"...Yes, I can do that. Please don't be angry."
"Ho ho, I'm, I'm sorry. I got a bit excited just now. Come now, let's be honest in the name of our God...."
Bella refilled the incense burner placed near the candle with fresh incense.
This fragrance was extraordinarily rare—a subtle incense that loosened the mind's grip on reality.
It took a full day to burn through a single stick.
* * *
The incense burner bore the accumulated residue of spent fragrance, layer upon layer.
A week had already passed since Violet Everdin's confinement began.
'This brainwashing nonsense, or whatever it is. Damn it. What am I, a handmaiden?'
Fortunately, Violet Everdin, intoxicated by the hazy fragrance and sedatives, harbored no thoughts of escape.
She had simply accepted the explanation that this was training.
To complete the hypnosis, Bella needed to open Violet Everdin's heart, so she had tended to her with meticulous care throughout.
"The medicine... it seems like I'm taking too much of it..."
"Don't worry. First, your body will experience extreme calm, and then once your mana recovers, the training effects will manifest properly."
"...Yes..."
Violet Everdin nodded blankly, her gaze fixed on empty space.
"You'll do everything I tell you to, won't you?"
Violet Everdin gave a small nod.
"Then, you'll believe everything I say, won't you?"
"...Yes."
Now Violet Everdin's mind seemed completely clouded. A broad smile spread across Bella's lips.
"Hehe, then let me tell you. You fool, everything you've seen about training methods is a lie. A week of confinement? Sedatives? As if such things could make you stronger."
Violet Everdin, as if unable to comprehend Bella's words, curled her body languidly.
"Ah, but one thing is real. Our Religious Sect's secret technique—the one that completely seals mana. Spending a week in this black chamber and then leaving helps greatly in forming a circle. That's the only part from the Knight Order records that's actually true."
Bella lifted Violet Everdin's chin and smiled with cold malice.
"Don't worry, you foolish girl. I'll make you strong."
This was all part of the Night Shadow Cult's plan.
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