"Drop your weapon"

Pearl's ethereal voice resonated, compelling the Black Knight to heed her command.

But it was only the Black Knight. The pervasive influence of Pearl's psychic spell extended beyond him, affecting those with weaker mental defenses throughout the training ground.

"What a terrifying spell. It's more powerful than my hypnosis" Lisa, who was still in her Vampire form, softly spoke as she felt her racial ability defend against the Psychic Spell.

"No wonder that referee moved back so quickly" Marquis Morgan commented as he held the necklace that was protecting him.

It wasn't just that. Pearl did it without any signs of Spell Activation, so they were all momentarily affected!

Marquis Morgan couldn't help but doubt the integrity of the Formation Circle that the butler activated to protect the spectators.

Unfortunately, he had no time to complain as he watched his Knight struggle.

***

"Another troublesome Arcane Path But I can win this!"

Amidst the alarming realization of facing a formidable opponent proficient in a dangerous Arcane Path, the Black Knight remained resolute.

He was well aware of the insidious nature of Pearl's Psychic Spell. Dropping his weapon wasn't just a command. Once he let himself follow her command, there was no way of going back!

Luckily, he wasn't ill-equipped.

He relied on his protective black helmet, which not only shielded him from physical assaults but also fortified his defenses against spells that could typically bypass traditional knight's magic.

The brief protection it gave him allowed him to muster enough Arcane Energy to fight against the spell.

However, despite the opportunity he obtained, he still found himself grappling with the compelling urge to release his sword. His willpower was being tested to its limits.

"Ho~ You're defending against it? Not bad!" Pearl commented after seeing how the Black Knight was struggling to control himself.

"You!" The Black Knight heard her words and gritted his teeth.

As he strained to maintain control, Pearl observed his struggle with a sense of detached amusement.

She didn't even bother using another spell or striking him with his cane, treating him as entertainment!

The Black Knight then burst with power as he held his sword firmly. He was about to celebrate by cutting this woman in half, but something unexpected happened.

Pearl ominously declared her intent to intensify her psychic art!

"I'll make it stronger Be ready"

Pearl said before activating her Psychic Art once again.

"Drop. Your. Weapon."

Upon uttering these words, Pearl's piercing blue eyes radiated an intense gleam, while her azure hair danced as if stirred by an invisible breeze.

Witnessing this display, Vale couldn't shake the memory of Pearl's commanding presence when she unleashed the formidable Storm Surge Spell to halt the 14th Prince's airship fleet.

The familiar, potent aura she exuded filled him with concern for the fate of the beleaguered Black Knight.

Fortunately, Pearl exercised restraint, refraining from pushing the Black Knight beyond his mental limits.

She simply broke his Arcane Defenses and compelled him to heed her directive or that was what Vale was hoping she did.

Clang. Clang... Clang

As the knight's sword clattered to the ground, the Black Knight's vacant stare prompted Vale's uneasiness, fearing the potential damage inflicted upon his mind.

After all, he lacked the means to remedy such an injury.

Utilizing his Dragon's True Sight, Vale scrutinized the Black Knight before discreetly signaling Faith.

Faith acknowledged his message with a nod as she announced the conclusion of the battle.

"Pearl wins this duel since the Black Knight has lost his consciousness," Faith declares.

"What?"

Startled by the unforeseen turn of events, Marquis Morgan and the White Knight sprang into action, unaware of the Black Knight's incapacitation.

"He really passed out. What a terrifying ability... Is she one of the top-ranking members of the Oracle Hivemind?" Marquis Morgan whispers in shock.

"I don't think so She doesn't have their usual mark on their bodies, and she's not emiting that twisted and wicked aura like those other Mind Controllers do."

"I guess you're right She also doesn't have a row of slaves following her every footstep." Morgan muttered as he really had a bad impression of Psychic Arts.

He'd rather befriend a Dark Magician than those Mind Controllers of the Oracle Hivemind!

"I think everyone here is terrifyingly strong"

Reflecting on the harrowing display of Pearl's abilities, Morgan whispered his acknowledgment of their formidable strength, recognizing the invaluable role they could play even if he ascended to kingship.

'I guess even if I became a king, I'd have to rely on them for a little.' Marquis Morgan said, but in the end, he felt that it wasn't a bad idea at all.

***

After ending the duel, Marquis Morgan and Vale's group finalized their alliance to overthrow the king.

This also ensured their castle's access to vital resources. They would no longer have to travel to faraway towns just to get some decent resources.

The Marquis even offers to provide workers to repair the Airship that Vale had taken from the Royal Knights. Well, they were still broken because of Pearl's Storm Surge Spell at that time. They could probably make it work, but it requires several Shamans to patch up the damage it has incurred.

"You can repair it for us? That would be helpful!" Vale exclaimed. He couldn't help but anticipate positive developments once the Kingdom was stabilized under the Marquis's leadership.

"Of course This is not a problem."

The Marquis expected to benefit most from Vale's group's assistance, having witnessed their strength.

He had believed that with the Vampire and the enigmatic Psychic, they could deal a heavy blow to the Kingdom's main force discreetly, increasing their chances of success.

"Sir Vale, this token is a symbol of our alliance. It doesn't have any magical properties; it is made of meteorite, so it cannot be easily broken" The Marquis explained as he handed over the token.

"Interesting..." Vale mused as he accepted the token.

The token didn't have the Marquisate's emblem but had instead featured what appeared to be the Rebel Army's emblem or not.

Vale was confused. "Wait Isn't this similar to the emblem of the Church of the Divine Sorcerer?"