He found this place purely by chance.
The plot of land is sizeable but completely overgrown with weeds in the neglected backyard.
In one corner lies an old well that dried up decades ago—this was the entrance to the ‘Sanctum.’
“Gathering believers from scratch again… well, as long as I have a Guardian, I can manage.”
Muttering this, the Boy Priest quickly slid down the ladder he had set up for entry and reached the bottom of the old well.
The swirling sand and the gushing water are tales from long before the boy was born. Now, there’s no moisture at all, just a dry cavity stretching out.
Despite the dark bottom of the well, the lamp in his hand indicates the presence of a crack wide enough for a child to squeeze through.
Not minding that his pure white robe got slightly snagged, the priest slipped his fragile body through.
What lay beyond was a small rocky space that appeared to have originally been filled with underground water.
Completely a part of nature—but without hesitation, he advanced to a point where a door seemed to be embedded directly into the rock wall.
If he were a rank 4 or higher veteran adventurer active in Avalon, he could have immediately judged it to be a type of door found in ancient ruins-based dungeons underground.
The intricate relief carved into the door had worn away over the ages, weathered by time, but the large cross symbol depicted in the center could still be seen clearly.
Perhaps it wasn’t even locked; it opened and guided him inside with a gentle push.
Upon entering, ancient magic, which still seemed to function, activated normally, illuminating the white light of fixtures installed in the ceiling.
What filled the boy’s eyes was a familiar white chamber.
The size and height were likely comparable to the chapel of the orphanage; it could be considered spacious for one person, but the presence of the magical equipment in the space created a sense of overwhelming pressure.
Among them, the most noticeable was a giant bed—rather, it would be more appropriate to call it a coffin—containing the body of a Guardian over two meters tall.
There were twelve of them, arranged six on each side of the central aisle.
Two Guardians were already operational, while nine lay in metallic white coffins, ready to awaken.
Though there were twelve coffins, one had already been empty since the boy discovered this place, making for a total of eleven bodies.
What could these beings, who had been sleeping for what could be called an eternity, actually be? The boy himself had no way of knowing.
However, he knew one thing: he could wield their overwhelming physical capabilities with complete freedom. That alone was enough.
“Let’s get this activated… and then, I need to reset the summon coordinates… such a hassle.”
Everything he needed to do and how to do it was already pieced together in the boy’s mind.
He dashed through the sleeping room of the Guardians, opened another door, and moved into another chamber.
This next room was much tighter than the last, resembling a cluttered laboratory of a derelict Mage or Alchemist at first glance.
Ancient books, weathered and unclear if they held any value, along with mysterious metal parts and tools of unknown purpose, were piled up everywhere.
Ignoring all this as accustomed, the boy stood before an altar—a setup he personally called it—in the center of the room.
On a black metallic plate shaped somewhat like the obelisks from ‘Beginning of History’ scattered throughout Avalon, a series of indecipherable ancient letters glowed brightly.
Even if he couldn’t read them, it didn’t matter. What’s important here was the pedestal section installed at the bottom of the metallic plate.
“Fulfill my will, ‘Heavenly Gem.'”
What had been embedded in the center of this pedestal at the time of discovery was this “Heavenly Gem.”
This was a powerful magical tool that possessed the threat of ‘domination’ over others, but apparently, its true value lay in being a key item to activate and operate the ancient altar.
He had no way of knowing the actual detailed, correct operating procedure, but the reason he could realistically wield it was that if he willed it like sending telepathic thoughts to the “Heavenly Gem,” it would almost function as he hoped.
However, not everything would come to fruition in an instant just by wishing.
To activate the Guardians, a supply of magical power serving as an energy source is required, and to bring them out of this Sanctum, summoning magic must be used.
Tonight’s ritual was scheduled to summon the awakened Guardians to that chapel.
This would serve as a very clear demonstration for the believers.
However, since that plan was now ruined, calling them there was meaningless. With the enemy closing in, it would be ideal to summon them right next to the well.
If the opponent wasn’t affected by dominion, the boy stepping forward would be too dangerous.
Nevertheless, changing the summoning coordinates would take a considerable amount of time.
If he couldn’t visualize the desired location more clearly and vividly, it had become evident through repeated trials that the summoning magic wouldn’t function properly.
Thus, the boy placed his hands over the “Heavenly Gem” and earnestly focused.
It was a similar posture and action to a true priest earnestly praying to the gods.
How long had that prayer lasted?
Just then, when he finally felt something akin to the sensation of success,
“Good evening, what a lovely hideaway.”
His elegant voice reached him through the door behind.
He had only heard it once, but he would never forget who the voice belonged to.
It was a Demon Race adventurer, undoubtedly the Fairy girl clad in light.
“Heh…”
However, the expression he wore was not that of someone cornered.
This was the face of someone laughing at their prey caught in a trap.
Yes, a foolish Demon Race had come swaggering into a place surrounded by nine Guardians without needing to summon them.
“Good evening, what a lovely hideaway.”
Lily, who had stepped right into the heart of the Sanctum, called out to the Boy Priest, who seemed to be sequestered behind just one door.
“You found this place quite well.”
The boy opened the door to welcome Lily.
Had he finally resigned himself?—No, his face maintained the same emotionless expression he wore during rituals before his believers. In other words, he didn’t recognize at all that he was cornered.
Even without probing through telepathy, Lily was certain of this; rather than feeling annoyed, she wore a gentle smile filled with a sort of compassion and replied.
“Yes, I figured it out quickly because it’s obviously suspicious.”
In truth, she had gathered hints from the memories of a thug boy she had forced to guide her, but there was no need to share that information. It was the usual “ufufu, a secret.”
“Weren’t you supposed to bring the Witch?”
“I thought she seemed busy dealing with that vulgar woman.”
The boy’s thin eyebrows twitched. That was the second display of discomfort today.
In that moment, Lily sensed that he had at least a small fondness for that exposed woman.
Though it was an utterly trivial piece of information.
“I shouldn’t have spoken with the Demon Race; I feel dirty—”
The Boy Priest, without returning to his emotionless state, showed a slight expression of hatred and once more raised the “Heavenly Gem” in front of Lily and commanded.
“—Now awaken, Guardians!”
In response, a splash echoed throughout the room.
Inside the coffins filled with a transparent liquid, the Guardians lay submerged, but as they preserved their bodies without decay, it could be inferred that it was not ordinary water but a magical potion with powerful preservation effects.
To Lily’s eyes, nine naked forms rose vigorously, splashing the nurturing liquid.
The imposing men, well-built, had pale skin that looked almost sickly, and their short-cut hair was entirely white. Their blood-red eyes reflected no vitality.
Indeed, they were ‘puppets,’ and that was plain as day from their faces.
They all bore the same visage.
Beyond merely resembling one another due to identical hairstyles and colors, their forms were completely identical.
High noses and deeply carved features made them quite handsome, but when lined up nine in a row, it was unsettling.
Nevertheless, while maintaining her unchanging smile, Lily identified their true nature.
“Just as I thought, they’re artificial humans.”
The priest showed no particular shock at this correct answer.
Artificial humans, even by name, are a somewhat famous existence that anyone in the urban areas might have heard of.
As the name suggests, they are artificially created humans, but such technology does not exist in modern magic. In other words, they are products of over technology only possible via ancient magic.
Artificial humans are often discovered by adventurers in ancient ruins, and most of the time, they have simply turned into corpses.
However, there are indeed examples of artificial humans resurrected to the present time after transcending eternal time.
And that rare instance was occurring right before Lily’s eyes.
“This place is a part of the ancient ruins, or rather, it seems to be the laboratory of an individual sorcerer?”
“This is none of your concern, as you will soon face death’s judgment.”
“That’s not true; I’m going to make use of it.”
“You should not trifle—”
The priest, casting aside all diplomatic pretense, again brandished the “Heavenly Gem” and commanded.
Nine large bodies had already positioned themselves to surround Lily.
Though they lacked any clothing or equipment, their physiques displayed the same robust power as trained warriors, enough to contend with monsters hand-to-hand.
The priest must surely have realized that Lily could wield a powerful, light-based magic.
However, its nature was specialized in long-range attack, just like a mage’s; thus, in the close-quarters battle of an enclosed space with no escape, the artificial humans of the warrior type would hold the advantage.
He must firmly believe that their overwhelming strength was more than sufficient to crush the delicate, ephemeral fairy girl Lily.
“—Go, Guardians, offer that filthy Demon Race as a blood sacrifice!”
Confidence in victory, he issued the attack order.
In that instant, the Guardians, equipped with the cooperative ability supposed to be programmed within, began a perfect simultaneous assault—
“—Sit.”
But with that single command from Lily, the Guardians crouched immediately on the floor.
All nine, in perfect sync.
“…Huh?”
The hulking Guardians bowed in unison before a single girl, and completely naked at that.
Such a ridiculous sight left the Boy Priest with no choice but to utter a stunned voice.
The naked Guardians kneeling in prostration, Lily standing in the center with a satisfied smile, and the Boy Priest, his eyes wide in shock.
In this bizarre situation, a few seconds of silence flowed.
“W-what are you doing, Guardians! Obey my order! Kill that Demon Race!”
The boy tossed aside the mask of composed indifference and shouted in anger, issuing his command again.
Yet, the command that the freshly awakened nine would obey was…
“Shake hands.”
For some reason, only Lily’s words.
One of the Guardians lightly placed his huge palm over the small hand Lily extended.
The other Guardians remained unchanged in their prostrate position, but was it just a coincidence that they seemed envious of the one performing the handshake?
“Why, why, why!? Why aren’t you listening to me!! What have you done to my Guardians!!”
The Boy, betrayed by the very ‘strength’ he trusted most, half-crying, screamed in frustration at this absurdity.
“Heh, hehehe… ufufufu, ahahaha!”
In contrast, Lily’s smile turned into clear laughter.
Was it a mockery of his disheveled state?—No.
“Ahahaha, shall I tell you? Hehe, I figured it out.”
It was pure joy. A sense of accomplishment to finally reach the answer she had sought.
Lily’s shining fingertips danced in the air.
A circular magic circle was drawn, and emerging from within was another circle.
“Now I know how to use this.”
The Boy Priest could have no inkling that this was a mind control magical tool known as the “Thought Control Device.”
At first glance, it appeared to be a simple white ring, giving the impression of being just an ornament, without any hint of the demonic effects concealed within.
However, what would happen if he were to see it actually being used?
“Y-you can’t be… with that… you’re controlling my Guardians…”
“No, they’re my Guardians now.”
The awakened Guardians, completely naked and devoid of any equipment—yet, looking closely, it was evident they wore the same rings that Lily held in her hands, mingled among their white hair.
In other words, as soon as Lily invaded this room, she had fitted the nine artificial humans with the “Thought Control Device” before calling out to the boy.
Moreover, considering Lily’s words, it could be inferred that she had only just learned about or was able to utilize the ring at this moment.
Nevertheless, expecting such comprehension from the boy would be unreasonable.
His trusted forces were being completely taken away by the enemy, leaving him in an absolute bind. Surely, Lily could read what he would think in this desperate crisis.
“Wa-wait, I—”
“Seize him.”
Not even allowing him to utter words of plea.
Three artificial humans moved under Lily’s command. Their movements, stunningly agile despite their naked state, echoed Chrono’s speed.
Leaping effortlessly over their own coffins, they instantly restrained the boy, who showed a fearful expression.
“Stop, help me, Mamma—Guh!?”
Two of them held the boy’s arms tight while a third came from behind and covered his mouth with a large hand like a glove.
The boy, standing yet restrained, seemed to be subjected to tight restraints that pressed down on his shoulders, causing him to release groans of agony.
The sight of a delicate pretty boy being caught by entirely naked giants was so criminally awful it elicited a frown, but of course, Lily, the one giving orders, felt no pain regarding this.
Her interests lay mainly with the performance of the artificial humans and—
“Hehe, now I’m sure it will succeed.”
With a delicate hand circling around, she toyed with the white ring.
With six of them still prostrating, Lily leisurely stepped forward and approached the boy.
The one suppressing his mouth, without needing to be instructed, grabbed his neck and presented the boy’s head, covered in natural silver hair, toward Lily.
“N-nnh—!”
Even while his mouth was restrained, the boy writhed desperately, his consciousness mustering the understanding of what was about to happen to him.
As Lily grazed the surface of the ring with her index finger, seven long needles sprang forth with a high-pitched sound from within. No, she merely operated it right in front of the boy’s eyes, who was forced into a bowing position.
The boy’s sense of foreboding turned into certainty.
“Congratulations, now you’ll join the ranks of the Guardians you love so much.”
With a smile that could captivate anyone, Lily declared.
In her hand, she traced the ring once more, causing the needles to retract.
“Nn, n-nnh—!!”
Then, in a gesture reminiscent of crowning a glorious victor with a laurel wreath, the “Thought Control Device” was attached.
At that moment, he likely heard the sound of activation deep within his head.
“Ugh, as I thought, the human brain is complicated. The artificial humans were so much easier to understand… but with this…”
Thus, as if crystallizing the knowledge she had obtained through previous human experiments, Lily finally began the process of brainwashing and controlling the boy.
Because artificial humans are artificial beings, their cerebral structures are significantly simplified compared to humans.
By communicating through the ring and telepathy, Lily intuitively realized that this simplified brain served to decode the complex and enigmatic structure of the human brain.
Lily thought: perhaps the ancient civilization had unraveled all the secrets within the human mind.
That’s precisely why they could create artificial brains extracted with only the necessary components for operation.
Furthermore, another discovery was that the “Thought Control Device” had a fundamental structure seemingly tailored for the artificial human’s brain.
This is something she likely hadn’t been aware of simply by using it on humans before.
Lily speculated that the organization known as the “White of Sacred” had excavated artificial humans and mind-control rings as a set from ancient ruins, based on which they honed their research and development, refining it for current human brainwashing.
Whether or not her hypothesis was correct, she had finally uncovered the method she had been pursuing to control people using the “Thought Control Device.”
All that remained was to execute it.
After Lily activated the “Thought Control Device,” a bit of processing time passed.
As a bead of sweat trickled down her forehead, she wiped it away with a little sigh and spoke.
“…I think I messed up, teehee.”