Chapter 14: Hypnosis

When attached to the nasal mucosa of a living creatures, the pollen of Arlaune is transformed into a substance having a hypnotic effect on the spot and is transferred to the brain. Unlike pollen itself, this substance has no effect on the immune system in the body. Most of this substance is made of magic, and the particles are considered to be very small compared to pigments in blood.

The type of truth serums used in the military is too heavy for the body so if it is used for prisoners who have lost their physical strength due to torture, it is life-threatening. However, in the case of Arlaune, it was a naturally performed hypnosis that even nourishes the living creature, it activates the body to some extent rather than burdening the body.

It’s a terrible story, but this beautiful flower survival strategy is horrifying. In the spirit world, only the nutrients obtained from the soil are sufficient, but once summoned to this world, it becomes very greedy to secure nutrients from other creatures.

However, if you sign a contract immediately after summoning it, such properties of Arlaune will not be a threat. I’ve never been in danger in studying the ecology of this spirit.

“This is … what is shining…?”

“It’s Arlaune’s pollen. As you can see, it works well in a small space. In such places, you can surely let the other party inhale the pollen. Otherwise, it is not effective. “

“Pollen… Isn’t it the one who make you sneeze when you inhale it? The season when it’s full is tough…”

By inhaling pollen, substances produced by the immune system in the body responses, causing symptoms such as sneezing or eyes and nose itching. Arlaune’s pollen does not cause an immune response, so even if we inhale it, nothing happens.

―However, it’s different for the targeted prisoners.

The expression of the woman wearing a rag clothes changed. She was now in a hollow state and she was weakened –this is a success. When it comes to hypnosis, you can only obey what Arlaune and the summoner say. I silently watch Presha-san –she nodded, shocked.

“I’m going to ask you some questions from now on, and answer them without hesitation.”

“……Yes……”

The woman who was previously stubborn and refused to speak, nodded obediently. The expression is soft and has a slight smile –for a moment I think I’m doing something seriously dangerous as a doctor.

She’s a prisoner–I’m doing hypnosis.

I asked Lendl-san to take notes in order to write down the patient’s information. I was thinking of using it since I started working at this fortress – the leather cover is stamped with “Medical record”.

The pedestal on which the prisoner’s hands are placed during torture –probably the one used to tear off her nails –is no longer needed. I used the table as a desk and spoke carefully while observing the patient carefully.

“Why did you go across the border and went to the other side?”

“… In the Zirconia Empire… we have an insider … weapon deal…”

“Don’t tell me that you sent weapons to the enemy?!! The weapons in our country were far superior to those from Zirconia!”

That would be an unforgivable fact for Presha-san but now she has to swallow her anger and listen to all of it.

“Who is your ringleader?”

“We just caught that guy and put him in another prison.”

“…The mastermind… is that man…”

“Uh…!?”

One of the prisoners of war who was already been caught was the real mastermind. In other words, the knights did not grasp the actual condition of their organization, and could not grasp the inner situation.

Presha-san confronts one of the two men but was in hypnosis and weak. At first glance, I could guess that the man about to be in his thirties was dressed in a similar fashion to the other one to prevent himself from being identified as the mastermind.

“…So what was left in that hideout was someone of lower position?”

“They are bandits … he is the leader of the bandits… I… was hired to trade weapon…”

Most of what they were doing is now clear. Perhaps the Zirconia Empire had promised them a big amount –the bandits dazzled by the amount of profit they could earn even risked crossing the border and dared to sell.

“Where did the bandits procure weapons to sell to Zirconia Empire?”

“……that is……”

“Summoner, I’m afraid there is a lot of resistance to this question. This person’s spirit is being overwhelmed. Would you like to continue asking?”

A certain resistance is maintained even during Arlaune’s hypnosis. This woman is more afraid to talk than to die. Still I have to continue.

“… Glass-sama, if you feel distressed…”

“It’s Okay… I still have to ask anyway.”

No matter how distracting the content is, we must face it.

Presha-san just looked at me without saying anything. She doesn’t ask what to do, but she knows she has no choice.

“I can’t avoid this question. Where did you get the weapon?”

Arlaune’s pollen thickened. After showing a little resistance, the light faded from her eyes and her lips moved.

“… Northern Knights… Through a member of the royal family… they give us weapons…”

―Presha-san looked up at a heaven that she could not see from the prison.

Northern Knights. For Presha-san, a knight, even if they belongs to a different group, should still be their comrade yet they sold weapons to the enemy… This fact would be unacceptable to Astina-denka and to Raquel-san once it’s relayed –the enemy is among those who they thought were their comrades.

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