It is impossible to control a person’s mind with magic.
A person’s mind is far more complicated than one might think, and each part that affects the body is so delicate that, if mishandled, it could easily break.
If such magic existed in the first place, the nobles would have used it actively.
However, it’s not about perfectly controlling the mind to make someone do something, but about using magic to prevent someone from doing something. This is something that can be somewhat achieved.
Magic that responds to physical outcomes, not the mind, is implemented not in a place but in an object. Of course, it is not an easy magic to implement.
Generally, complex magic is equally complicated to implement, and trying to embed various conditions into a small object is almost impossible with human eyesight.
It would be impossible for an ordinary mage to embed all of that into a short piece of cloth perfectly fitting my neck.
Maybe, if it were a witch not present here, it might be possible.
“Are you treating me like a fool?”
Ayla asked.
At first, her expression showed some surprise, but after a brief moment of thought, her eyes became cold.
Ayla was a skilled swordswoman. And a skilled swordswoman, of course, learns how to protect herself from all kinds of weapons that threaten her.
Guns, bows, spears, axes… The list goes on, and there are countless weapons to consider.
Of course, some weapons are too long, large, or heavy to be countered with a sword. But knowing how to respond and not knowing how to respond makes a huge difference.
And, of course, among those responses is one for dealing with magicians. Ayla must have learned the general common sense about magic.
“It’s impossible to implement such complex magic into a small piece of cloth. I’m not foolish enough to wrap something like that around your neck.”
“If there’s a way to prove it, there is one.”
I extended the choker towards Ayla.
Ayla looked at me with a wary expression.
“Let’s assume that it truly is an item with such an effect.”
Her voice was still uncertain whether she should believe me. But perhaps due to my actions over the past week or so, she seemed to think I wasn’t someone who would lie about such things.
“Would you be able to disassemble it if I wrapped it around your neck?”
“Impossible. Unless you, Ayla, undo it.”
“Then, you want me to wear it around your neck?”
Ayla’s gaze swept around the room.
There was a slight stir among the servants. These people knew enough about me to figure out whether I was lying or being sincere.
“If you can trust me with that, Ayla.”
I said quietly, bowing my head.
“If you’re afraid, there’s no need to force yourself.”
“Afraid?”
Ayla spoke.
I raised my gaze.
I remembered Ayla’s face. The expression of someone who seemed to have given up everything, someone who knew that dreams and such could no longer be achieved, sitting in the corner of the ballroom, sipping wine.
Even here, after the Count’s death, Ayla had not fully erased that expression from her face until I appeared.
But that was not the face of a frightened person. Even the day we parted for her to become the Baroness’s daughter, during the time she was alone in the ballroom, and even when I met her here—Ayla had not been afraid.
In fact, she had been waiting for me, deliberately making a mess of the room and hiding a sword under the sofa, unsure if I was a foe or not.
Clink.
The sound of a metal clasp locking echoed as Ayla snatched the choker from my hand.
“If that’s what you want, then fine. I’ll play along. Look up.”
Ayla said.
I slowly rose, lifting my head.
Ayla’s eyes met mine. There was a faint trace of anger in her blue eyes.
Even when it seemed like she had given up everything, was it that she did not want to let go of the last shred of pride?
Then, she lifted her gaze slightly and tilted her head, preparing to wrap the black cloth around my neck.
For a brief moment, Ayla’s hands encircled my neck. Though she was taller than me, it wasn’t like she was hanging from me.
If I were to take a similar posture, it might look like I was hanging onto Ayla instead. For a moment, I regretted being slightly shorter.
Click.
The sound of a clasp locking echoed.
Ayla removed her hands and stepped back.
“Thank you, Ayla.”
I said, bowing politely.
“Do you think this will make me trust you?”
“I hope it will.”
Ayla gazed at me quietly, tilting her head slightly.
“Alright.”
Ayla said somewhat nonchalantly.
“I want to hear how that item is supposed to bind me.”
“Whatever command you give, just add the word ‘command’ at the end.”
“Any command, is it?”
Ayla looked at me with a scoff, as though she couldn’t believe it.
The witch asked after hearing my idea, “Is there really a need to go this far?” On the surface, it might seem a bit excessive.
However, I was desperate. I had enough rationality not to show it outwardly, but still, Ayla did not fully trust me yet.
If that were the case, it would be too late.
The Count is dead. I still don’t know if Ayla’s father, the Baron, is involved. It hasn’t been mentioned, but from my perspective, any other noble could bring it up at any moment.
After the Count’s death, who, besides Ayla and the young lady, could inherit his status and wealth?
Count Wellenborough never reached such a position, but the title of “Count” could have led to becoming the leader of a nation like “Baeguk.”
It wouldn’t be strange if a distant relative tried to snatch that title away.
Without resorting to violent means, perhaps they might attempt to remarry Ayla or remove her and claim the more manageable young lady instead.
Despite everything, Ayla is a responsible person.
Once Ayla feels the full effects of this choker, she will never abandon me.
“Well, fine. Kneel. It’s an order.”
At Ayla’s command, I knelt.
There was no particular reaction from those around us. They merely alternated their gaze between Ayla and me. If there were an exception, it might be the young lady.
The usually innocent young lady, upon hearing my words, seemed to instantly believe me and was staring at Ayla with genuine suspicion.
Ayla, however, didn’t seem to notice the expression and merely paused for a moment, appearing unbothered.
“Would you like to bark like a dog?”
“Woof woof.”
“You haven’t added the word ‘command’ yet.”
Ayla’s expression became more displeased than when she first placed the choker around my neck. Ah, this was a mistake. I got a little too excited and failed to follow through properly.
“If you were obedient from the start, you wouldn’t have been able to test the choker’s effectiveness, would you?”
Ayla sighed deeply.
That’s true.
I had no intention of disobeying Ayla’s commands, even without this choker.
Ayla stared at me for a while before sitting back down.
“Luna, I’ll eventually find out if you’ve lied to me or not. We still have plenty of time. As for me here, there’s nothing much I need to do.”
Ayla said with a relaxed expression, and I again responded politely.
“Ayla.”
“What is it, Luna? Do you have another unbelievable magical artifact or something?”
“Not at all, Ayla.”
I maintained my respectful tone as I spoke.
“What will you do with the group that was involved?”
Naturally, I was referring to the group that murdered the Count. The young lady knows the Count is dead, but she doesn’t know the full details yet.
“Ah.”
Ayla made a sound as if she had forgotten and blushed.
That’s right. After all, it’s not easy to remember revenge for someone who is already dead, especially when you don’t intentionally try to bring it up.
A faint look of embarrassment flashed across Ayla’s face. Perhaps she felt ashamed for forgetting such an important detail and for having it pointed out by me.
A small smile appeared on my lips.
Ayla, noticing the smile, glared at me.
“…Don’t we still lack detailed information? Until we receive it through your informant, there isn’t much I can do.”
“If we decide on a course of action in advance, we might be able to act more swiftly later on.”
Ayla observed me quietly.
She seemed to be wondering whether I was someone seeking revenge for the Count or if I was truly one of the Count’s people.
“Alright.”
Ayla said.
“It would be better to extract information. We may not be able to capture them alive, but if we find them, we should observe the situation from a distance rather than rushing in.”
“I will follow your command.”
As I bowed, the other servants also bowed in the same manner.
Seeing that synchronized movement, Ayla chuckled again, as if in disbelief.