Chapter 263 – Useless systems

“Inducer?” The Archduke muttered. “I think I've heard of it but never knew it had such powers.”

“Sounds like one of those useless systems with unknown work specialty that some unlucky fellows get,” Carl said quietly, but Lord Belmont heard him turning to him with a smile.

“Indeed it is. However, these useless systems, as you named them, are actually just systems that people of this age do not understand and cannot properly utilize. If we are to believe the historical findings from the ruins of previous civilizations, then the people with these special-type systems were, on the contrary, the lucky ones. Their systems fit the world quite naturally back then and had very helpful powers to their users.

“It is only because our civilization has degraded in science over the centuries that they have lost their usefulness. The systems themselves are not the useless ones. It is just the wrong period for them. I believe that in the future, when humanity once again restores science to the levels of lost civilizations, these systems may once again shine as before.” Lord Belmont explained.

“However, in some cases we actually managed to clarify and find the method to their advancement, bringing their powers back into the world. Inducer is one such system.” He added, taking a sip of tea.

“This system allows the user to slightly heat up metal, if I remember correctly. Barely anywhere close to what you can do with the simplest of magic spells. So how is it used for mind control?" Asked Archduke.

“Induction is an ancient term in the laws of physics. Ability to manipulate magnetic fields and electric flows.” Theressa said.

“Physic? Electri what?” Carl said, confused.

“As expected of you, Duchess. You seem to be quite well-read…” Started to say Lord Belmont

“For a monster?” Said Theressa raising an eyebrow, her face instantly going cold, chilling even the room. Everyone in the room looked at her, surprised, as shivers ran down the spines of two young men sitting on the couch in front of her. The Archduke and the knight still standing behind the prince’s back instantly tensed up.

“Khem. That is not what I was about to say!” Said Lord Belmont, startled. “I meant to say…” He started to make excuses.

“It's a joke, Lord Belmont.” Said Theressa laughing, and everyone in the room breathed out in relief.

“Please don’t joke this way; my old heart may not bear much of this kind of joke.”

“I am sorry. But in truth I did it so that you would not forget who you speak with, Lord Belmont. I am an ancient immortal monster. I am, in fact, so old, the ancient civilization that you mention is something I have witnessed with my own eyes. The term Induction that you know from books was added to these books by me.”

“What?” Lord Belmont said, surprised.

“Yes, if you have ever taken a Cillingham encyclopedia into your hands then you ought to know that quite a few things that Cillingham had added to it were actually things he learned from us Guardians. Monsters who live long enough to witness previous human civilization. In fact I personally added the term “induction” into his book.”

“No way.” The prince muttered, “Grand maester of alchemy, Cillingham, the author of the encyclopedia?"

“Where do you think he found the knowledge that made him the forefather of modern science, Your Highness? He was quite an interesting man. And had the guts to actually visit us Guardians and ask for lost knowledge. Not many humans dared to come into contact with us back then. Even though we were already part of society, humans still feared us immensely and were wary of us. Cillingham was one of the first to decide that we can be useful beyond our jobs as Guardians and broke the ice for deeper cooperation. Well, we made quite a lot of money from him; knowledge isn’t cheap, you know. But I believe it paid off with all the science works he sold later on as his own knowledge, becoming even the most famous person in modern science.” Theressa said with a smile, remembering the past.

“Oh? An interesting man?” Asked Noah with a smirk.

“Not, that way, dear.” Theressa said with a shy push to his shoulder. “But I heard he did have an intrigue with one of the guardians.”

The people in the room looked at them with strange faces. This woman just reminded them of what an ancient and dangerous creature she was, yet behaved no different from any young lady in front of that man.

“Khem. As you know more about induction, may you please answer Archduke’s question instead of me?” Lord Belmont said after a short cough.

“Very well.” Theressa said. “As I said, induction is an ability to control a magnetic field and electricity, and as you mentioned, it is a lot weaker than magic. Thus thunder- and lightning-magic can produce a much more destructive effect than an inducer. However, their ability is more supreme in fine control of electricity than magic. Magic is just a powerful burst, whereas what the inducer makes is finer and more complicated. It is more useful when you deal with something like this.” Theressa said, then turned to her Dryad maid.

“Aster, do you still have one of those things on you?” Theressa asked her maid.

The Dryad bowed and miraculously pulled out of her skimpy dress a big black scepter, handing it to Theressa

“This is our newest creation, by the way. And it is a very good example of what an induction can be used for instead of lightning.” Theressa said, pressing a small button on the scepter, and suddenly a loud crackling noise sounded from the stick end, with a bright flash of lightning covering it.

“This is a weapon that contains lightning in a small space and allows you to quickly take down an enemy, without a fatal wound. Very useful when you need to take down an enemy, but be sure you keep him alive to be an informant who could be questioned later.” Theressa said, looking at Lord Belmont, explaining in a voice as if advertising it.

“How powerful is it, and what about the magic shield?” Asked Lord Belmont.

“Anyone below the knight level has no chance. It uses real electricity, not lightning magic, so it can pass through the magic barrier. Leather armor can be a problem, but any metallic thing on you, like metal armor, makes you even more susceptible." Said Theressa smiling, seeing that the Royal Investigator was clearly intrigued.

“Well, this is what the so-called principle of induction can be used for. However, the term itself has been used in the past in more ways. There were phrases such as “to induce a thought”, “induce fear in an enemy”, or “to induce someone toward some kind of action”, meaning that this same word has another principle. Manipulation of people and influencing their feelings. And if we look at the biology of living things, all processes in their heads depend on electricity. So they can be manipulated through fine control of magnetic fields.”

“I see. If a system has this name, it must be possible to utilize both principles behind this word. All this time we only knew it had an ability similar to lightning yet incomparably weaker. But if we take into account that other principle… ” Said Archduke, nodding his head.

“Indeed. As Lord Belmont said, systems were first gifted to the world in ancient times and corresponded to the reality of that time. And since then they have not been changed. So, with the passage of time, they have not been updated to the current world situation, and because of that, many of those special-type systems now seem useless since we don’t know what they are used for. Like, for example, a system called Vtuber.” Said Theressa with a small smile as she looked at Lord Belmont.

The man stalled his hand holding the teacup midair for a split second, raising his eyes to her, then continued to take a sip from the cup.

“Damn woman doesn’t even hide she used that idiot in Greenville town.” Though, Lord Belmont.

Everyone noticed that small exchange of gazes between Theressa and the Royal Investigator but did not ask about it, continuing to listen silently.

“What kind of system is it? How do you advance its skills? Today we have no idea. But systems still exist and people still get born with such systems. Thus the system that was given the name inducer should have been corresponding to both meanings of the word of that time. Meaning it should have both abilities: magnetic field and electricity control, as well as mind control or at least some form of mind manipulation.”

“I see. And you say manipulations of this system user would not be detectable?” Asked Archduke.

“That is what His Excellency the Royal Investigator should answer. My knowledge here ends.” Said Theressa.

“They are only detectable at the time of direct use. So if the maid came with Lady Violette and used the skill while on the ship, I would have detected it. But the weakness of this system's manipulation is that it wears off quite quickly. Normally in a week or two, the suggestions would start breaking off and the person under its influence would regain his ability to make his own choice. In the academy that maid could constantly renew her influence on Lady Violette every night, refreshing the effect. But on this journey, Lady Violette was several days without the maid influencing her mind, so her mind started to gradually resist. That’s why she may have become aggressive toward Young Master Carl. It was her subconscious defencive mechanism.”

“You mean there is actually no feeling on her side.” Said Carl with deep sadness in his voice.

“I would not be so sure of it. Deep under the influence she may have really felt something for you. But to know that we need time. Right now she must feel confused and scared, so she can’t be sure of anything. Besides, she is still partially under the influence.”

“How do we break that influence completely?” The prince asked

“With time the majority inducer's suggestions would wear off on their own. We just have to wait.” Said Lord Belmont, but there was a note of hesitation in his voice.

“But some of it will still remain?” Asked Archduke.

“All mind manipulations have lasting effects...”

The Archduke looked intently at the Royal Investigator.

“Be out with it, would you, Belmont. What are you hiding?”

“We do not know the system level of this inducer. At a higher level there is a skill called “Reduction”. It reduces the mind's natural cognitive defenses. And this is where this system's skill truly starts to shine.”

“Umm, can you explain it in simpler words, Your Excellency?" Carl asked.

“Hypnose.” Said Theressa. “It allows the user to force his target into a hypnotic state where he can put some suggestions deep into their subconscious. A program of sorts that would activate under certain conditions. Unlike mind-control magic that loses all effect as soon as it disperses, this kind of manipulation stays in her mind even if the inducer is long since dead.

For example, imagine she is given an order to stab her husband in the heart on the wedding night. As the program is hidden it would be undetectable, sleeping in her mind until the conditions are met. She may live a normal life, be absolutely sane. But the moment conditions are met, she would lose control of herself for just a split moment, unconsciously completing the program and then reawaken once again. The program would disappear and she would understand the horror of what she had done. We don’t know what programs may have been put into her subconscious and when they will activate.” Explained Theressa.

“H…How…How do we get rid of that completely?” Asked Carl hesitantly, shaken by Tessa’s explanation. “Can we ask someone to check her mind?”

“Unfortunately, for this kind of situation we would need the help of someone with similar power. We would need another high-level inducer.”

“No way… how would we be able to find someone with a rare system…” muttered Carl in chagrin, but Archduke patted his shoulder in a reassuring manner.

“Seeing as you know so much about this system, there must be some possessors of the system that you know. Isn’t that right? I would be surprised if the investigation bureau does not have someone with this ability at their service already.

“It is not that we don’t have anyone at our service… it’s just that…” Said Lord Belmont with hesitation.

“Just what?” Asked Archduke.

“All of their identities are a state secret.” Said Theressa. “And even our Lord Royal Investigator has no authorization to know them.” She explained with a small smile as she sipped tea gazing at the Royal Investigator.

“I wonder, how do you know all that? But yes, Dutchess is right. The identities of all inducers are a state's top secret, and without royal authorization I may not help you.”

“We have a Royal member here.” Said Carl, pointing at his friend Kevin, but Lord Belmont shook his head.

“It can only be authorized by His Majesty himself.” Lord Belmont said.

“If this is what it takes, then, I am sure he would not refuse…” started to say Archduke.

“Are you sure you would want that though?” Said Theressa interrupting him.

“What? What do you mean?” Asked Archduke, turning to her.

Theressa did not answer but glanced at the prince sitting in front of her.

Kevin looked at her strangely, raising an eyebrow, then his face went serious.

“Please speak clearly, Duchess. I swear the words here would not reach anyone beyond this room. I assure you that I would not take offense at any words spoken here, no matter how brazen they may be.”

Theressa looked at him for a few seconds silently as if measuring him.

“Very well.” She said, nodding before turning to Archduke. “If you listened to Lord Belmont's words clearly, you would have noticed him saying ALL of their identities are a state secret. All, as in every single one of them, is in the country's duty. Am I right, Lord Royal Investigator?” Said Theressa.

“Indeed.” The Royal Investigator said, closing his eyes and letting out a deep sigh.

“Wait…You mean that inducer…” Said Archduke, his face filling with anger.

“What Dutchess suggests is that this inducer may have been working for a Royal family all along. However, this is merely a possibility. Our country is not the only one that knows about them. All four states utilize their powers. Their abilities make them incredibly useful for espionage, and so every inducer that the state finds is recruited into the intelligence branch of the bureau, serving directly under the King. As a part of the investigation branch of the bureau, we are taught about them only as a measure to discern the signs of spies and enemies within the state. So yes, they are working for a state, meaning this maid is also a spy. But who exactly does she work for, we would never know.” Said Lord Belmont

“I see. So no matter what the truth is, the royal family would suggest it was a foreign spy.” The Archduke said.

“Indeed. They would have to be stupid to admit that it was their spy. However, can you be one hundred percent sure in their words? Can you be sure that the inducer the royal family sent to help Lady Violette would actually erase suggestions? Would your family be able to trust her?

“Yes.” Said Lord Belmont. “Although, as a Royal Investigator, I may not tell you that, but as the Duchess suggested, the possibility of it still exists.”

“B...but, why would my family need to do it?” The prince asked.

“Archdukes are powers that rival the Royal family, and as four protectors they are holding the power that may lead the country to its downfall. It is only natural to keep an eye on such power.” Said Theressa.

“Then, you all suggest that we just leave Vi as is? That we will not help her?”

“That is not the case.” Said Archduke with sadness in his voice.

“Then what?  That I break off with her? Is that it?” He said with anger.

The Archduke did not say anything, just looking at Carl with a sad expression.

“I may have an alternative though.” Said Theressa breaking the silence in the room.