292. Current Condition of the Situation

“Now that the formation of the Humanity Defense Force is settled,” Ravenna said, her fingers tapping a rhythmic cadence against the table as she looked toward Alice. “What is the current status of the situation on the ground?”Alice adjusted her glasses and stepped forward, placing a fresh set of reports before everyone. “The dungeon on the northern shoreline remains active,” she reported. “However, thanks to the ‘Glass Ball Dust’ perfected by Ryan, our troops have been able to explore the interior more efficiently. Dame Aisha, if you would provide the tactical specifics.”

With a crisp nod, Dame Aisha stepped into the light of the lamps. “From our latest reconnaissance, it appears the ‘Door’ within the dungeon has ceased functioning. This explains why we haven't seen any coordinated attacks from the Cult’s central forces. Instead, we are dealing with a standard overflow of magical beasts. They are being managed effectively, largely due to the invention of the Glass Ball Dust.”

“Regarding this Glass Ball Dust,” Eugene interrupted, raising a hand. His expression was neutral, but his eyes were sharp. “Will you be providing the manufacturing method to the Humanity Defense Force, Your Highness? If we are to fight as one, our troops would benefit greatly from such a tool.”

The room fell into a long, heavy silence. Ravenna didn't answer immediately; she leaned back, humming a low, thoughtful tune. Finally, she met Eugene’s gaze.

“The Humanity Defense Force may place orders for the dust, and Kim City will oblige at a discounted rate,” Ravenna stated firmly. “However, as our treaty explicitly states, the invention belongs to my people and was developed for the prosperity of my Dukedom. Handing over the proprietary method would be a direct interference with my faction’s standing in the succession race. I am an ally against the Cult, Eugene, not a charity.”

“So petty,” Princess Serena remarked with an offhand roll of her eyes.

“Ahem… while blunt, it is a reasonable stance,” Prince Landon added, nodding slowly.

Ravenna’s smirk widened, turning into something predatory. “Is it? Then I suppose Ser Eugene would be just as willing to hand over his faction’s newly discovered method for crossbreeding genetically distant flowers? You know, the one that bypasses traditional mana-rejection?”

The room went still. Princess Serena gasped, nearly knocking over her wine as she stood up abruptly. “What! You’ve actually succeeded in an endeavor like that?”

Eugene’s expression hardened. He gave Ravenna a cold glare, his mind reeling. They had kept that research under the tightest security; how she had unearthed it was a mystery that unsettled him. “She is as ruthless and well-informed as ever” he thought, forcing a thin, diplomatic smile. “I should have known she’d hold a card like this.”

With a resigned sigh, Eugene accepted a folder from Seraphina and laid it on the table. “Prince William and I purchased the rights to the large dungeon in the Morgen Dukedom at the start of the year. We found a series of abominations within. While conducting research on how to neutralize them, we stumbled upon a solution to crossbreeding genetically distant flowers without the risk of spawning a dungeon.”

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Eugene nodded, a mirroring smirk playing on his lips as he looked at Ravenna. “And as Her Highness has so generously laid out, revealing the exact catalysts and stabilization processes would interfere with Prince William’s standing in the succession race. Therefore, we will also supply these genetically engineered flowers at a discounted rate upon the Humanity Defense Force’s request.”

Prince Landon let out a long, weary sigh. He turned his gaze toward Princess Serena, who was currently inspecting her fingernails with an air of studied boredom. “I take it that you will also refuse to allow your extensive collection of ancient artifacts to be studied? Since they represent your faction’s unique advantage?”

“Hmph.” Princess Serena didn't even look up, she just made a sharp, dismissive sound that was more eloquent than any verbal refusal.

Prince Landon reached for his wine and took a long, steady drink. The alliance was barely an hour old, and already the "Humanity Defense" was looking more like a high-stakes trade negotiation.

“Personal greed aside, we have a more pressing security concern,” Ravenna said, her voice cutting through the petty bickering. “Going forward, we need to appoint representatives to the HDF who are not only competent but are people we are absolutely certain aren't being controlled by the Cult. We cannot have the heart of our alliance compromised from within.”

“I might have some intel on how to tell if someone is being mind-controlled by the Cult,” Eugene said, raising his hand once more.

“Of course you have” Ravenna thought internally, her expression remaining a mask of cool curiosity. “You killed High Priest Caldus after figuring that out in the original novel. In this life, you’re just as quick.”

Marie, looking both a bit nervous and visibly excited to be part of such a high-level briefing, leaned forward. “How do you do that, Ser Eugene? Is there a spell or a holy ritual?”

“It is far more physical than a simple spell,” Eugene began, his voice dropping into a somber tone. “From what I understand, the Cult doesn't just use magic to sway the mind. They plant a 'Seed' inside their victims and wait for it to grow.”

“How horrible...” Marie whispered, her hands clasped tightly over her heart as if she could feel the phantom pressure of such a thing.

Eugene continued, his eyes fixed on the center of the table as if seeing the ghosts of those he had fought. “The seed eventually matures into a Black Rose. It doesn't overwrite your personality or turn you into a mindless drone. Instead, it amplifies specific emotions at precise moments to dictate the host's actions. It guides them toward the Cult's goals while making them believe every decision is their own.”

“I see...” Prince Landon mused, his brow furrowed as he analyzed the tactical nightmare. “So it isn't total control in the traditional sense. It’s more subtle. It makes the host believe the path they are taking is a choice of their own free will, even as they are being pushed by the flower’s influence?”

Eugene gave a grim, slow nod. “Exactly. The flower pulses when the host is meant to act, flooding their mind with a singular, overwhelming impulse that feels like genuine conviction. They will betray their own family and truly believe they are doing it for the greater good.”

Aurora’s eyes widened in realization, her hand resting on the hilt of her chair. “The flowers we saw protruding from the bodies of those cult members before the dungeons spawned... those were the fully bloomed roses, weren't they?”

“That’s right,” Eugene replied. “By the time the petals break the skin, the host is already lost. Their original self has been entirely consumed by the amplified emotions of the rose but now we know it can also spawn large scale dungeons.”

The room fell into a heavy, contemplative silence. The realization that their enemies could be sitting right next to them was a weight that pressed down on everyone. If the Cult could turn a man against himself, then loyalty was no longer a shield.

“However,” Eugene said, a somber, knowing smile touching his lips as he looked around the room, “there is a way to tell if the rot has set in before it reaches that final, gruesome stage.”