In fact, to guard against just such a situation, the Lorenzo Kingdom's Calamity-Rank Strong Ones and Queen Cyrabelle had agreed to secretly place monitoring spells on important officials throughout the Kingdom. If anything unusual happened, the spells would sound an alarm.
The Lorenzo Kingdom had not invented this measure. Many countries took similar precautions to prevent enemy magic or other means from controlling their ministers and other important figures.
"You needn't worry. Her Majesty and I already know," Grand Duke Prady told Kebayifu. "You handled this well. There's no guarding against every trick someone as powerful as Modi might use. This wasn't your fault."
"Thank you." Kebayifu secretly breathed a sigh of relief, but his hatred for Modi only grew stronger.
He was the director-general of the Lorenzo Kingdom's Anomalies Bureau, yet he had been as helpless against an enemy as a little girl facing a thug. It was a crushing humiliation.
Modi... Kebayifu silently repeated his name. He longed to tear Modi apart and wash away his shame.
Deep down, however, he knew that was no more than a wish. Against a Calamity-Rank Strong One as powerful as Modi, he would likely never have a chance at revenge in his lifetime.
Meanwhile, in the Royal Palace, Queen Cyrabelle's face darkened as she looked at Grand Duke Prady, who had just returned from Kebayifu. "It's confirmed? It really was Modi?"
Prady nodded gravely. "It was. I've dispelled the Mind Illusion on Kebayifu, but according to reports from below, quite a few people have been spreading Modi's ideas across the Kingdom. They've been preaching in various ways and places and have gained a considerable number of followers."
Cyrabelle frowned. Though Prady had been vague, she knew the situation on the ground was probably worse than expected.
After the Blood Moon Coup,