Everyone turned their heads towards the direction of the radiant Holy Light, to see a young girl with black hair and facial stripes, raising a sacred stone high.

Many sharp-eyed people immediately recognized the object in Iyas's hand as the Holy Artifact of the Goddess Sect, known as the [Holy Light Acceleration Stone].

"What is she planning to do? Is this an enemy attack?"

Several generals thought Iyas was launching an attack, but before they could make any move, the sacred glow engulfed everyone present.

To their surprise, the incoming Holy Light did not pierce their bodies like sharp blades; instead, it wrapped around them like soft fluffy clouds, cleansing their souls.

Within this light, both Rodriza and Jin instinctively raised their hands to their foreheads.

Before the explosion of Holy Light, Rodriza, sensing something amiss, sent a series of messages to other sisters through a button she carried.

Previously, through other sisters, Rodriza had learned quite a bit from the mouths of Iyas and He Meng.

But she knew nothing about this specific plan.

The days leading up to the party, Rodriza wanted to manipulate Chilom, to see if he had any ulterior motives in alliance with the Colorful-haired Masked Man.

Yet, until the party started, Chilom stayed holed up in the kitchen, refusing all guests.

Chilom's eccentric temper was well-known: when he said no, it was a firm no—nothing could sway him.

Even if someone died next to his kitchen, he would still devote himself entirely to cooking, oblivious.

Because of this peculiar personality, Rodriza did not consider Chilom as a potential target for manipulation.

Controlled individuals inevitably exhibit some personality changes.

If the well-known Chilom's character suddenly changed, people would notice subtle clues.

Manipulating Chilom was an extremely high-risk endeavor.

To ensure the plan's progress, Rodriza decided to attempt once more before the party began.

She ordered her sisters to attempt to control Chilom during his change of clothes.

Yet no matter which highest level of charm was used, they couldn't manipulate Chilom.

They barely succeeded in intercepting Iyas with the Enchanting Demon, but they could see a strong Holy Light protective shield around Iyas.

To be safe, they prioritized asking Iyas if there were any precautionary measures and whether Chilom took any potions.

They were shocked by the response.

Chilom and the Colorful-haired Masked Man had used a potion that granted immunity to spirit manipulation, effective for a month.

Fortunately, only two bottles of such potions were made.

After several questions, the Enchanting Demon asked the most crucial question, but before Iyas could answer, the blue-haired girl began to awaken from the charm, shouting, "It's already this late, let's hurry and go," pulling Iyas along with her in haste.

It was certain that both of them had taken some spirit resistance drugs.

Upon the report, Rodriza increasingly regarded Yang Yu as difficult to deal with, realizing that he too must have seen the country's infiltration by Enchanting Demons.

Rodriza intended to find time to probe Iyas and He Meng further, but then came this troublesome incident.

The Holy Light was too intense, and Rodriza used the magic power within her to resist its erosion.

Ordinary Enchanting Demons would have fainted under such strong Holy Light.

But Rodriza and Jin were different; they were extremely high-level Enchanting Demons, as long as their magic power remained stable, they could withstand this intense Holy Light.

Though unharmed, Rodriza pretended to be affected, collapsing into the Eldest Prince's arms.

Jin also learned from her sister's example, attempting to fall into the Second Prince's arms, only for him to step forward, causing her to fall directly to the ground.

The Holy Light slowly dissipated.

Chilom's voice echoed in Emperor Luo Hui's ears:

"Your Majesty, take a good look around you!

Then, you will understand that every decision you made before was not from your true will.

You were merely a pawn on the chessboard, being whimsically manipulated."

Emperor Luo Hui looked around; many nobles gazed around in bewilderment. When they saw the Emperor and Chilom, they were astonished.

Casually, Chilom pointed to one of the previously charmed individuals:

"Clotho Mira, do you remember what you came here for today?"

The summoned minister hugged his head in bewilderment, incoherently:

"I...don't understand why I suddenly appeared here; my mind feels cluttered. Is this a dream?

I can't think clearly—it's as if a long time has passed, and I've done things against my will."

Chilom called another person: "Saimen Jiefu, do you remember?"

The man called Saimen Jiefu rubbed his temples, much calmer than the previous minister:

"I feel just like him.

It seems as though an inexplicable long time has passed...

Memories have inexplicably become very vague, as if I suddenly appeared here..."

Chilom frowned, "Remembering nothing at all... how terrifying... it's an extremely high-level control magic..."

If the enchanted could recall events from that time, everything would move in a beneficial direction.

But if it was a manipulation that directly ruled consciousness, things became much more troublesome, as then Chilom and the others wouldn't be able to find the Enchanting Demon controlling the ministers individually.

Chilom let out a long sigh:

"You were all manipulated like puppets.

The object in that young girl's hand is indeed one of the Holy Artifacts of the Goddess Sect, the [Holy Light Acceleration Stone].

She used the intense Holy Light to dispel the charming magic on you, allowing you to regain yourself.

Those who weren't controlled would clearly remember the reason I invited you here.

General Walshi, let's hear from you about why I invited everyone here."

General Walshi repeatedly stroked the corner of his mustache with unprecedented seriousness, then let out a long sigh, accepting the reality:

"I remember that Chilom invited us here because of war sponsorship between Luoze Empire and Wansheng Country..."

As General Walshi spoke, he also observed others' reactions.

The more he saw the bewildered expressions on the nobles' faces, the more he felt this war wasn't as simple as it seemed.

Walshi spoke, "Saimen Jiefu, Clotho Mira, how much do you remember, were you really controlled?"

Saimen Jiefu spoke steadily: "Before answering your question, can you tell us the exact date today?"

"Lux calendar, the year 416, April 6th," Walshi replied.

Upon hearing this number, both Saimen Jiefu and Clotho Mira furrowed their brows in unison, then both let out a bitter smile.

Clotho Mira gripped his hair, unable to accept the result, tears streaming uncontrollably down from his eyes:

"Ha... ha-ha...

Has it really been so long now?

Everything seems like it was just seven years ago, yet upon closer inspection, everyone has aged significantly.

Could I really have been controlled by some people?

I can't accept it, I cannot accept it.

I can't accept that these years haven't been lived according to my own will."

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