Overpowered Reincarnation Perks! - Chapter 18.1
As Dienes said, the gates of the central palace were open. I clicked my tongue, seeing the usually tightly closed castle gates wide open without a single guard posted.
Despite being attacked, leaving the main gate open was also an expression of confidence that no one except traitors would dare enter the central palace without permission.
‘Rather, I find it more surprising that there were no other dissenters against the command center besides Arvan’s comrades.’
I took a deep breath and entered through the main gate.
Although not as tall as the outer walls surrounding the four cities, the outer walls encircling the central palace were quite high. After passing through the seemingly deliberately opened outer gate and entering the inner castle, I saw a garden bathed in bright moonlight.
This central palace looked even more spacious and mysterious at night than in broad daylight. It was hard to believe there had been a fire in the palace.
Crossing the path between two auxiliary palaces, the main palace appeared. There wasn’t a single soldier patrolling around. It wasn’t likely that the soldiers had simply abandoned their duties. This assumption solidified as I approached the main palace.
A slender figure, previously hidden in the building’s shadow, revealed itself.
A white uniform with a red sash that accentuated the body’s lines. Golden hair shimmering blue under the moonlight and vivid green eyes.
It was Commander Dienes.
“I’ve been waiting for you, Ju-in.”
It was embarrassing to return so quickly after storming out, but Dienes seemed to have known I would come before the day was over.
I lost to the intuition skill. The power of the level 8 skill was even more impressive than I had imagined. I could understand why he had confidently asserted it.
“I’ve come to become the lord of the castle.”
“I know.”
I was about to ask what I should do now, but he grabbed my arm.
Suddenly seized, I was lifted up before I could resist. Fear overwhelmed me before bewilderment could set in, and I unconsciously gasped, clutching Dienes’ red sash.
“W-what are you doing?”
“I’m guiding you to where the castle’s lord should be.”
What kind of guidance is this!
I should have asked Callion to escort me all the way into the castle. With no one to rely on, I couldn’t even voice my protests properly.
Hoping he might offer an explanation, I glared at the back of Dienes’ head, but he seemed to have no intention of speaking. Instead, without warning, he leapt down a flight of stairs, nearly causing my heart to drop.
Landing perfectly without even a hint of unsteadiness despite carrying an adult woman over one shoulder, he straightened his posture and strode forward.
A long corridor stretched out, with waterways on both sides and a narrow central walkway that seemed too narrow for two people to walk side by side. Of course, the reason he didn’t put me down didn’t seem to be because of that.
Unable to resist for fear of falling if I moved carelessly, as Dienes carried me over one arm, I clung to the red sash like a lifeline.
“You’re being obedient this time.”
“Are you doing this on purpose?”
“Whatever do you mean?”
Don’t pretend you don’t understand. You think I don’t know this is about establishing dominance?
Ignoring my reaction of trembling with anger and shame, Dienes reached the end of the corridor and opened a door. A stone door slid open smoothly, revealing a new space.
It was a smaller space than the underground garden where I had conversed with Dienes.
“This is where you will stay, Ju-in.”
Unlike when he suddenly lifted me up, Dienes gently set me down on the floor. I slowly looked around.
‘This doesn’t look like a room for someone to stay in, no matter how I look at it.’
Although it wasn’t cramped, being wider than the entire second floor where I stayed with Arvan combined, it was underground with no windows and no sunlight.
‘And what’s that?’
I saw a wide, rectangular altar under flickering lights. It was surrounded by a shallow waterway, with translucent blue crystal balls placed at each corner of the waterway.
There was no bed, no table, no chair. It looked more like some kind of chapel than a living space.
Is it possible to live a normal life in a room like this?
“Is this originally the lord’s room?”
“The previous lord’s room has been closed off. This is where you will stay, Ju-in.”
He meant that he had prepared a separate room for me, not for the lord. I suppose the strange structure of the room could be explained by the fact that they wouldn’t treat an outsider like me well.
“But Dienes, won’t people object to an intruder like me becoming the new lord?”
“We won’t announce the fact that you’re the new lord.”
Officially, the lord is still considered alive. This is to prevent the castle’s residents from panicking. It would be far more reassuring for them to believe the previous lord is alive than to know an untrustworthy new lord has taken over.
“Then on what grounds are you keeping me here?”
“……”
“It might not be difficult for you to confine one person, but hiding someone’s existence entirely won’t last long. Besides, there are soldiers who have seen my face. Rumors that the commander has brought an intruder into the castle will quickly spread among your subordinates. How do you plan to convince them?”
“It’s not about convincing. It’s about making them believe.”
As Dienes tilted his head nonchalantly, a system window appeared next to his face.
I narrowed my eyes and examined the glowing white text.
[Brainwashing Lv.10]
The ability to control the perception and behavior of the target according to the caster’s intention.
However, it cannot be used to brainwash someone into threatening their own life, such as committing suicide or self-harm.
Unless they witness something that completely contradicts the brainwashed fact, the target will believe what they’ve been told is true and follow it blindly.
Simultaneous brainwashing is possible for the square of the number of allies. However, if more than half of the allies move beyond a 1km radius from the caster, the brainwashing loses its effect.
It doesn’t work on people with mental defense skills of the same level.
Now I understand how Dienes took control of this castle, and why the castle’s soldiers and residents blindly followed the commander’s words. Once brainwashed, they don’t question anything, even if it’s inconsistent or forced, right?
It’s a very convenient yet dangerous ability. Perfect for a dictatorial monarch. There was a reason why the lord doesn’t show their face and the commander handles everything upfront. It also explains why the soldiers were gathered only in the central palace instead of patrolling the walls.
“Then… how do you plan to introduce me to the soldiers?”
“I will ensure that you have no inconveniences while staying in this castle. No one will threaten you, so rest assured.”
“That’s not an answer to my question.”
The corner of Dienes’ mouth lifted slightly.
“Let’s begin the education. Get up there.”
“Get up where?”
Dienes pointed to the altar behind me.
I thought it was strange that the altar was so large yet low in height and had nothing placed on it, but surely they’re not going to use a person as a sacrifice?
“Why do I have to get up there?”
“I believe I told you that I dislike repeating myself.”
Dienes stepped closer.
Fearing he might just pick me up and throw me if I didn’t climb up myself, I waved both hands and stepped back.
“Wait! Why have you been so commanding since earlier?”
“Does it displease you when I give orders?”
Who likes being ordered around!
