Kays Translations
Just another Isekai Lover~
Chapter 139: Extra Story—Thor, the Ancient Document, and Forbidden Hypnosis
This time, the story is a little unusual.
Thor appears to have found a document about hypnosis in the Demon Lord’s Castle…
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“I found an ancient document from the Heroes’ world concerning hypnosis. May I conduct an experiment?”
One afternoon.
I asked Demon Lord Rukie and Chancellor Kelve while in the throne room.
“Thor, what’s this ‘hypnosis’?”
“It seems to be a technique that influences a person’s mind to draw out hidden abilities.”
“…How intriguing.”
“Here is the ancient document and a translated copy.”
I handed Rukie two sheets of paper.
One was the ancient document I had found in the storeroom, titled Awaken Your Latent Abilities Through Hypnosis!
The other was a translation of it into the language of this world.
Due to poor preservation, parts of the text were missing here and there.
Even so, I believed its general meaning could be understood.
“‘Hypnosis’… is it something like casting a suggestion on someone?”
“The translation says, ‘By entering a hypnotic state, you can speak to the deeper self and awaken hidden abilities.’”
Rukie and Chancellor Kelve said.
“Perhaps the otherworldly heroes were so powerful because hypnosis awakened their latent abilities.”
“It may be worth experimenting.”
“I think so too. The only issue is who will be the test subject.”
“I understand. I’ll be the test subject!”
I raised my hand.
Since I had found the document, I wanted to test it rather than simply seal it away.
It would be a waste to just shelve it away.
“That can’t be permitted.”
Chancellor Kelve shook his head.
“Making Thor-sama the test subject is out of the question. If you fall under the effects of hypnosis, who will cancel the spell?”
“The document includes the cancellation method. I believe it should be fine if we follow the instructions…”
The section on how to cancel the hypnosis is fully intact in the document.
That’s why I thought it could be used.
If we know how to cancel it, we should be able to use it safely.
But Chancellor Kelve said,
“Thor-sama is the person most knowledgeable about the Heroes’ world in the Demon Lord’s Domain. To ensure the hypnosis can be safely undone, you mustn’t be the subject.”
“Then, I’ll be the test subject.”
The next to raise her hand was Mabel.
“If I can be of help to Thor-sama, I would gladly do so.”
“Wouldn’t it be difficult to confirm the effects if it’s Mabel?”
“…Is that so?”
“Mabel is utterly devoted to Thor-sama. She might pretend to be hypnotized merely to please him.”
Kelve said.
But that’s… a bit too paranoid, don’t you think?
…Huh? Mabel is averting her gaze.
And why is her face turning red?
What were you planning to do by pretending to be hypnotized?
“Then how about asking Agnis?”
It was Rukie who spoke next.
“I believe Agnis would gladly accept the role.”
“I understand that. However, if Agnis-sama awakens her latent powers, controlling her might become difficult. She already possesses great strength. For safety reasons, we should avoid using someone with strong combat abilities.”
“Then, who would be suitable?”
“Well…”
Chancellor Kelve thought for a moment, then said,
“The first condition is that the person shouldn’t be too close to Thor-sama. They should hold a position equal to or higher than him. Ideally, someone who can speak sternly to him. And to minimize risk even if latent abilities are awakened, we should choose a civil officer. Someone with strong rationality is also essential.”
“…I see.”
Demon Lord Rukie looked at Chancellor Kelve.
Mabel and I also turned our eyes to him.
Even the guards stationed near the entrance looked at him.
“So that’s it, Kelve. You intended this from the start…”
“Thank you very much, Chancellor.”
“Oh, Chancellor… how kind of you.”
“We Minotaurs also respect the Chancellor.”
“A truly admirable person, Kelve-sama.”
A warm atmosphere filled the throne room.
Someone not too close to me, with a higher status.
Someone who can be strict with me.
A civil official with strong rationality.
There’s only one person who fits all those conditions.
“U-uh, Your Majesty. Thor-sama, Mabel-sama… why are you all looking at me with such gentle eyes? Even the guards… eh? Someone who matches the conditions I just listed? Eh? A-a-a… ahhhhh!?”
Thus, Chancellor Kelve became the hypnosis test subject—despite never actually volunteering.
“Now then, please stare closely at this disk tied to the string.”
A few hours had passed since the conversation in the throne room.
Kelve and I had begun experimenting with hypnosis.
The location was a small room in the Demon Lord’s castle.
Kelve and I sat across from each other with a desk between us.
There was a small window in the wall, and through it, Demon Lord Rukie and Mabel were peeking in.
“I’m going to sway this disk—about the size of a coin—left and right. Then I say… um, something like this. ‘You’re getting sleepy. When you awaken, you’ll have awakened a great power’…”
“…Haa.”
Kelve let out a sigh of exasperation.
I couldn’t blame him.
I wasn’t from the Heroes’ world and possessed no Hypnosis Skill.
It’s only natural he’d be exasperated seeing someone like me trying to mimic their world’s techniques.
So, I spent some time swaying the disk in front of Kelve, but then—
“Unfortunately, it seems I’m immune.”
A few minutes later, Kelve spoke as if giving up.
I agreed.
Even though I’d been swinging the disk for a while, Kelve’s eyes remained sharp. He didn’t look sleepy at all.
It appeared the hypnosis hadn’t worked.
“I’m sorry, Chancellor. It’s my lack of skill.”
“This isn’t your fault, Thor-sama.”
“Is that so?”
“Actually, this experiment was only Phase One.”
“Phase One?”
“Yes. To prepare, I drank a large quantity of strong tea, bit into an extremely spicy Karakarahirihiri Fruit, poured cold water over myself in the large bath, and struck my body with Fuwarara Grass, which produces a refreshing tingling sensation.”
“…Sorry, what?”
“That’s probably why I couldn’t get sleepy. In fact, my mind feels sharper than ever, like I can do anything. Right now, I feel like I could take down a magical beast with my bare hands.”
“B-But Chancellor, why would you go that far!?”
“I decided to begin by building resistance to hypnosis.”
Kelve began to explain.
Since hypnosis is a new technique, we should first focus on discovering how to defend against it.
If we know how to resist it, we can minimize damage in case the technique spreads.
It’s better to experience the effects of hypnosis only after that.
That’s what Kelve told me.
“I’m the chancellor. Whenever new technology appears, my first thought is how it can be regulated and countered.”
“…You’re amazing, Chancellor.”
So that was why he drank so much strong tea, bit into a Karakarahirihiri Fruit, poured cold water over himself, and struck himself with Fuwarara Grass.
Kelve is incredible.
He had literally put his body on the line for the safety of the Demon Lord’s Domain.
…With all that, no wonder hypnosis didn’t work.
His eyes are wide open and his speech is so energetic it’s almost manic.
“I’m humbled. You truly are remarkable, Chancellor.”
“You flatter me. It’s a bit embarrassing, actually.”
Kelve scratched his head, looking bashful.
“I’m always being surprised by you, Thor-sama. I just wanted to surprise you for once.”
“So, if this was Phase One, does that mean there’s a Phase Two?”
“Of course. Once the effects of the tea, Karakarahirihiri Fruit, cold water, and Fuwarara Grass wear off, I’d like you to try the hypnosis again. We should be able to compare the results.”
“Understood. I’ll give it another shot when the time comes.”
“Then, I’ll return to my work.”
With that, Chancellor Kelve stood from his seat.
He really is an amazing person.
When a new technology is discovered, the first step he takes is figuring out how to resist it.
Thanks to people like him, I could develop magic items with peace of mind.
I need to follow his example.
As I thought that, I watched the Chancellor’s back as he left the room.
—After that, Chancellor Kelve—
“I’ve come to inspect. How’s the progress on this month’s financial reports?”
After parting ways with Thor, Kelve visited the administrative office in the castle.
“We’re already past the middle of the month, so I came to check on the current status.”
“Ah, Chancellor! Please have a look at the progress here.”
“Hmm… It seems you’re behind schedule compared to usual. Hand half of this over to me. I’ll take care of it.”
“S-Surely not! We couldn’t possibly trouble you with such tasks…”
“I’m the chancellor. Supporting my subordinates is part of my duty. Besides, a workload of this size is nothing to someone who has awakened his latent abilities—”
“Chancellor?”
“—Did I just say something?”
“…U-Um, yes.”
“Well, no matter. Hand over the rest of the documents. I’ll take care of everything.”
“Oh, surveying the land, are you?”
Next, Kelve came to the cultivation area near the castle.
“I see. So you’re going to develop the fields with the ‘Water Summoner,’ right?”
“Yes, Your Excellency the Chancellor. We’re investigating land that can be used for fields and paddies.”
“I’ll help.”
“Th-that’s not something the Chancellor should be doing…”
“Don’t worry. As head of the civil administration, matters concerning land are—potentially—within my duties—and an opportunity to demonstrate my abilities—”
“Your Excellency the Chancellor?”
“Did I say something just now?”
“Ah, you mentioned ‘potentially’ and ‘civil official’s abilities.’”
“That must be your imagination. I’m not under hypnosis. Since I’m not hypnotized, I wouldn’t be saying anything about latent abilities. Therefore, this is my own will. Now then, let’s get to work.”
“Understood! Your Excellency the Chancellor!!”
“Oh, are you washing vegetables?”
Before anyone realized it, Chancellor Kelve had reached the castle kitchen.
“Thank you all for your hard work.”
“Your Excellency the Chancellor? Wh-why are you in the kitchen…?”
“You’re washing vegetables, huh? I’ll help. Please hand me the pile of vegetables over there.”
“…Um, Your Excellency the Chancellor?”
“I, who have awakened my latent abilities, am doing something wrong?”
“You seem a bit unsteady…?”
“I’m fine. I’m not tired. I have awakened my latent abilities. No, this has nothing to do with hypnosis. I consumed something that completely woke me up. Since I’m not hypnotized, this is my own will…”
(Scrub scrub, splash splash. Scrub scrub scrub scrub, splash splash splash splash!!)
“Someone come—!! Stop the Chancellor—!!”
—A few minutes later, in a small room in the castle—
“Look at this disk! When I clap my hands, hypnosis will be undone! Here!!”
clap clap clap clap!
“Ha!”
When I clapped, Chancellor Kelve’s eyes opened wide.
He looked like someone waking up from a long dream.
“W-what was I doing!? Wh-why am I so exhausted!? Why are my clothes covered in mud…!?”
“Chancellor, you were under hypnosis.”
“Thor? That’s quite a funny joke. Hahaha.”
Kelve laughed.
Then he looked around left and right and noticed the civil officials, the cultivation team, and the kitchen staff present—
“…Oh?”
“Your Excellency the Chancellor—!”
“You’ve finally, finally returned to yourself!!”
“I’ve never seen anyone wash vegetables with such a fierce look…”
“Eh? Eh? Eh?”
Chancellor Kelve looked surprised and glanced around.
Then we told him what had happened after the hypnosis experiment—
As a result—
“In the name of Demon Lord Rukie, hypnosis is hereby prohibited throughout the Demon Lord’s Domain.”
Thus, the Hypnosis Prohibition Order was issued throughout the Demon Lord’s Domain.
“Spells that one can’t realize they’re affected by are too dangerous. The papers on hypnosis and the translation Thor made will be sealed. Understood?”
“Yes, Rukie-sama.”
“Sorry about that. Even though you translated it.”
“No, it’s fine. In any case, it seems hypnosis requires special conditions to work.”
After that, the dissatisfied Chancellor Kelve asked me again to hypnotize him.
But it didn’t work.
The hypnosis didn’t take at all.
Later, at Mabel’s request, we tried it on her too, but the result was the same.
It seems hypnosis requires certain conditions.
“This old document had many parts that couldn’t be read. Probably, it described necessary preparations before performing hypnosis. That part is torn and unreadable.”
“It’s difficult, huh.”
“Yes… but—”
“What is it?”
“Actually, I think I figured out the conditions necessary for hypnosis.”
Neither Kelve nor Mabel noticed.
This is something I understood after analyzing various elements as an alchemist.
To hypnotize someone, they need to be in a special state.
“I’ll only tell Rukie-sama. That’s—”
“…What is it?”
“Before hypnosis, the subject must drink a large amount of strong tea, bite into a very spicy Karakarahirihiri Fruit, pour cold water over themselves in the large bathhouse, and strike their body with cooling Fuwarara Grass!”
“I see!”
Rukie seemed to realize it too.
When Kelve was first hypnotized, he was in that special state.
Kelve had drunk strong tea, bitten into a Karakarahirihiri Fruit, poured cold water over himself, and struck his body with Fuwarara Grass. The combination had left him exhilarated enough to believe he could defeat a magical beast barehanded.
It seems hypnosis requires entering such a special mental state.
If the same state can be recreated, it should be possible to hypnotize others as well.
“Unfortunately, the Chancellor remembers none of the necessary quantities: the strength of the tea, the amount of Karakarahirihiri Fruit, the number of cold-water dousings, or how many times he struck himself with Fuwarara Grass.”
“I see.”
“Therefore… unfortunately, reproducing the hypnosis is impossible.”
“That’s for the best, I suppose.”
“Yes. Uncontrollable power is dangerous.”
“Good words.”
“Yes.”
“I’ll write it down on parchment later and post it in your and my room. That will be the end of this incident.”
Saying that, Rukie laughed.
Thus, the ancient document Awaken Your Latent Abilities Through Hypnosis! was sealed deep inside the castle—
“By order of Demon Lord Rukie: drinking large quantities of strong tea or eating spicy fruit immediately before using the large bathhouse is prohibited. After pouring cold water over yourself or striking your body with cooling grass, wait at least thirty minutes before entering.”
—Such a notice was posted in the large bathhouse of the Demon Lord’s Domain.