Chapter 164 (1/2)

Claire frowned, drumming her fingers on the table exasperatedly.

“Perhaps…” Philips suddenly said, his tone incredulous.

“Perhaps what?” Claire hurriedly asked.

“Perhaps it was mind control!” Philips uttered in a low voice.

“Impossible.” Xi Shaoqi humphed. “Such a low level technique, anyone would be able to tell. Those mind controlled have unfocused eyes and stutter. Anyone with the slightest bit of strength would be able to sense they are being mind controlled.”

“Not always.” Philips started to ponder, stroking his chin.

“What exceptions are there?” Mind control was no simple technique. Not only did the controller have to have very strong spiritual power, making a controlled person appear normal was exceptionally difficult.

“Rumors say there is a sub-artifact* that can control minds without anyone detecting it.” Philips frowned as he spoke, then shook his head. “But it’s not possible. The sub-artifact has already been missing for five hundred years. There is no way the Temple of Light would have it. However, if this sub-artifact was were to control someone’s mind, it would take a sorcerer to break through the spell.”

*Remember, Claire’s sword, the Azure Ripple blade, is an artifact, whereas this item is only a sub-artifact

“Has the Temple of Light ever approached my mother during the time she was imprisoned?”

“No. Because the situation is so serious, no one is allowed to visit, including his highness, the second prince, her highness, the princess, and Duke Hill himself.” Philips was certain.

“Humph!” Claire humphed coldly. Not being allowed to visit did not mean they could not reach her mother. She herself was a prime example.

“Divine Princess, what do we do next?” Philips asked.

Claire was quiet for a moment, then stood up. Her voice cold, she said, “Tonight, I will visit my mother to see what really happened. Wait for me to return before making any other moves.”

“That’s not possible, I’m afraid.” Philips shook his head slowly. “Currently, Calou is guarded by Tempest Warriors and members of the Griffin Squad. Even the Temple of Light sent a cardinal.”

Claire immediately understood. This time, the Temple of Light was pulling out all the stops.

“I reckon there are not only guards at the door, but also a barrier around her room. After all, the results of this case are extremely crucial,” Philips surmised.

“Has the Hill clan made any moves?” Claire’s eyes narrowed a cold glint flashing across her eyes. It was unlikely the Hill clan would do nothing after such huge developments.

“Divine Princess, your father was extremely anxious when the news came. He constantly meets with the second prince. However, Duke Hill, who had previously been calm, recognized something was wrong when he heard the news and requested to visit your mother, most likely to check if she was mind controlled. However, the Temple of Light refused him.”

“The Temple of Light does not have the right to refuse him.” Claire laughed coldly.

“Of course they do not have the right. However, the emperor supported the Temple of Light, saying that prisoners of Calou cannot visit family before trials.” Philip’s thick brow raised in disdain. “The emperor saying this changes things.”

“Wow! Pressuring the Hill clan like this, isn’t he afraid the Hill caln will rebel?” Xi Shaoqi cried loudly. “After all, the Hill clan controls the armies.”

“The emperor knows where to draw the line.” Xi Shaosi shot a glance at Xi Shaoqi. Xi Shaoqi fell silent.

“Tomorrow is the public trial. Divine Princess, what will we do?” Philips asked quietly.

Claire remained silent, her eyes flickering.

“What about my master?” Claire frowned.

“A few days ago, he left the capital with Cardinal Lawrence for an unknown reason.” As expected of Philips’s vast network. He even knew where Cliff was.

“Are we going to rescue her?” Xi Shaoqi asked excitedly.

“No,” Claire shook her head slightly. The situation had developed out of her expectations. Mother actually confessed that she had poisoned the crown prince. This disrupted her original plan. What was Grandfather planning? How would the situation be resolved? How would she rescue mother?

“If you can prove during the public trial that your mother confessed under mind control by either the crown prince or Temple of Light, then the tables will turn,” said Philips.

“But what if it is that sub-artifact? Is there a way to break its spell?” Claire frowned.