"This is too much! This has gone far beyond all limits! You've truly done something unforgivable, Great Sage!"
The eyes of those Sumeru civilians turned red.
Negative emotions—resentment, irritation, anger, sorrow, and despair—filled their gazes, overflowing until they transformed into violent and uncontrollable impulses.
The same people who, moments ago, had been fleeing in panic had now turned into enraged warriors.
With roars filled with pain and fury, they charged straight at the mercenaries and the Disciplinary Officers, initiating a brutal clash.
"W-What… what the hell is happening to them?!"
"How dare these insolent people—?!"
"What the hell is written on that paper?!"
Caught completely off guard by the sudden turn of events, the mercenaries and Disciplinary Officers suffered heavy losses, with several of their members being knocked down and trampled by the crowd.
They couldn't understand what had happened.
How had those people—terrified and submissive just moments ago—suddenly turned into ferocious beasts?
No… it wasn't just fury.
They were fighting with everything they had.
Fighting with their lives on the line.
That was when they noticed—
The papers tightly clutched in the hands of those civilians.
Something written on them had caused all of this.
"Your Highness… what did you do?"
Charlotte watched the scene with vacant eyes, completely stunned by what she was witnessing.
The admiration and fear she felt toward the Prince beside her only grew stronger.
After all, that man had done nothing more than snap his fingers…
And yet, an entire kingdom had been thrown into chaos.
With a mere snap, he had ignited the flames of revolt in the hearts of everyone below.
Leon slightly raised the corners of his lips and shook his head.
"Nothing much. I simply made the list of victims public."
"Could you explain that further…?"
Charlotte picked up one of the falling sheets and examined it carefully.
Her lips tightened.
The paper was densely filled with names.
Some belonged to people used as test subjects in the Great Sage's experiments.
Others were individuals he had sent as experimental subjects to the cult of Diablos.
There were also the names of students—especially women—who had been forcibly involved in repulsive situations by the Great Sage or by those at the top of the Akademiya.
And many… had simply died in various ways.
Even without detailing every case, Leon had recorded, beside each name, the cause of their death or disappearance.
Charlotte was deeply puzzled.
"Is this… really enough to cause all of this unrest? I don't think this alone would make so many people lose control to the point of risking their lives."
"The sense of justice most people have isn't that strong…"
She continued, thoughtfully:
"When someone sees a stranger suffering, at most they feel sympathy… but they rarely take action. Let alone fight to the death against a clearly stronger enemy…"
Leon laughed softly.
"Haha… you're right, Charlotte."
He tilted his head slightly, wearing a cunning smile.
"But… what if the names on that list aren't strangers?"
"What do you mean, Your Highness…?"
Charlotte froze for a moment.
"Friends. Lovers. Parents. Wives. Children. Brothers. Sisters."
"If the people listed there are the most important ones in their lives… do you really think they could remain calm?"
"But that's…!"
Charlotte gasped.
Now everything made sense.
If they were strangers, people would feel sympathy—perhaps even indignation—but nothing more.
They wouldn't take such drastic action.
But when the names belonged to someone dear…
Everything changed.
Their lover being deceived and forced into vile acts against their will.
Their child turned into a test subject.
Their friend kidnapped and handed over to a dark cult.
Their parents murdered by the Great Sage.
Nearly everyone present could find at least one familiar name on that list.
And upon discovering that those people had been brutally killed or sent to a dark cult…
How could they remain calm?
How could they not be enraged?
Especially when it wasn't just one case, but dozens… hundreds… perhaps even thousands.
The collective anger merged and amplified, becoming an overwhelming force.
And at that moment, the mercenaries and Disciplinary Officers became the perfect targets to unleash all that fury.
"Give me back my son's life!"
"You demons! You damned scum!"
"Now I understand why he disappeared! You bastards!"
"Great Sage! I'll kill you!"
Consumed by pain and hatred, the people charged forward without hesitation, punching, kicking, and attacking with everything they had.
"Gulp…"
Charlotte swallowed hard.
Her emerald eyes locked onto Leon.
She felt fear.
All of this… had he already predicted it?
If that were true—
It was simply terrifying.
"Your Highness… did you already know this would happen?"
"Yes," Leon replied calmly.
He recognized Charlotte's value, and so he confirmed it without hesitation.
Everything that was happening was part of a script he had prepared in advance.
Without deviations, without surprises—it all unfolded exactly as he intended.
Every person present…
Was exactly where he wanted them to be.
Nothing was mere coincidence.
Even without realizing it, they were all acting within his calculations.
And that list—
Was not just a random selection of names.
Among the countless victims of the Great Sage, Leon had carefully chosen those who had direct connections to the people present.
One coincidence could be ignored.
Two, perhaps.
But when everyone found familiar names…
It could only be intentional.
"I always prepare everything for the success of my plans. I don't like to waste anything."
His voice carried a trace of arrogance.
"Every piece on the board must be used to its fullest. Even something seemingly insignificant can produce extraordinary results… if properly controlled."
He opened his right hand, yet there was nothing in it.
Still, Charlotte had the strange sensation that invisible threads extended from his fingers, connecting to every person present.
Like puppets.
Everyone believed they were acting of their own will.
But in reality…
They were being guided and controlled by Leon.
"Keep all of this a secret, Charlotte."
Leon turned to her, smiling.
"Y-Yes…"
Charlotte nodded quickly.
As a reporter, her mission was to reveal the truth.
But she also understood—
Not every truth could be revealed.
Leon nodded, satisfied.
Then he slowly stood up and stretched.
"It's almost time for the High Court, and I'll be ready to take the stage."
"You… are finally going to act?"
Charlotte's heart raced.
Even without appearing directly, he had already manipulated everything.
Now…
He would step onto the stage himself.
It was unthinkable.
But also—
Extremely thrilling.
The pink-haired girl felt excitement rising within her.
She knew very well:
Leon rarely acted.
But when he did—
It was to deliver the decisive blow.
Which meant that the climax of this grand drama—the Sumeru rebellion—
Was about to begin.
(End of Chapter)