Chapter 428 (2/2)
“If that’s the case, could Marcus be the one who brainwashed Mine?”
When Mine heard it, she looked down in shame. But she could not have done anything about the incident.
“Probably so. I think it was a “Seduce” to protect Elsa from seeing anyone else and make sure she married the Marquess.”
That would explain that awful attitude of hers back then. And somehow I accepted the fact that I could not blame her for it.
“Mine was amazing at that time. I was told, ‘I will cut you if you do something insolent,’”
“Lord Jin, that’s embarrassing. Please forgive me already.”
With a beet-red face, Mine pleaded for Jin to stop while looking down in embarrassment.
Aside from the people involved, Jin and Reinhardt were the only ones who knew about how she tried to go into exile with Elsa in order to protect her.
“Back to the topic at hand. So it’s safe for us to assume that the demons could utilize Hypno, correct?”
It was released when the head was seriously injured, so it was unclear whether the demons utilized Seduce or Hypno. However, it would be safe to assume they could utilize both brainwashing systems.
“And then … the level of the demon culture.”
Marcus was a top-notch Magi Engineer. Lardus was also familiar with the heat consumption of magical power.
“Ann mentioned that the demons aren’t very social. In other words, they don’t create a “country”; they are organized in family units instead. This means that while humans lost their cultural civilization after the Magi War, it is highly possible that the demons didn’t.”
On the human side, a specific knowledge was inherited by a specific person, whereas on the demon side, everything was inherited on family basis. Therefore, Jin speculated that the surviving demons would have inherited a great deal of knowledge. In other words, as if the demons had a lot of backup.
“That’s … a threat.”
Reinhardt responded with a slightly pale expression.
“But if you don’t know what their ultimate goal is ….”
Jin also speculated that the low concentration of Ether in the presence of humans today would make it unsuitable for the demons to survive. Reinhardt sighed in relief upon hearing it.
“Hmm, does that mean it’s unlikely for them to attack immediately?”
“Yeah. However, we should stay alert. That’s why this isn’t the time for humans to engage in petty skirmishes.”
Jin was about to explain the “The Fuso Island Sanctuary Plan” he was currently brewing.
But at that time,
“Miss Elsa, the Viscount has awakened!”
The maid, who was tending to Elsa’s father, came rushing to report.
Everyone hurriedly headed to his room.
“Father!”
The Viscount’s eyes were open, while still lying down.
“Elsa?”
“… Fa-father?”
However, his eyes seemed to be unfocused. His words were difficult to hear as well.
“I-it feels like … I just … had … a night … mare.”
“….”
Jin figured that there were most likely some aftereffects left in his brain.
Even the highly advanced healing magic could not revive dead brain cells after all.
According to Elsa’s diagnosis, there was a tendency for mild hemiplegia.
“What ha-happened to Marcus?”
“… Marcus … disappeared.”
“I-I see. Su-such a heartless p-person!”
The Viscount noticed Mine standing behind Elsa.
“… Welcome b-back.”
And then he closed his eyes again.
“… Hmm, there are some aftereffects left in the brain after all.”
Jin said softly while returning to the living room.
“The first cerebral infarction seemed to be mild. However, this time it seemed to be a little worse. Nerve cells could not be regenerated no matter how advanced the magic utilized.”
The way healing magic worked was based on activating and healing the cells. Nerve cells and brain cells, which originally had no regenerative ability, could only be repaired and not regenerated.
“… Will father be in that state forever?”
“I can’t say anything because I’m not a doctor, but maybe rehabilitation could ….”
Jin could only give such a response to Elsa, who was worrying about her father.
Author’s note:
The Viscount did not recover.