As for those who went out of the Kingdom into the outside world, Axelor had a plan for them too.

Those who were allowed to leave the Kingdom could only do so under oath that they would answer any question asked by Axelor after they returned.

First, only the most fanatic of Axelor were given permission in the first place.

After that, they would be required to state an oath that they would never badmouth Axelor, that they were also willing to answer any question truthfully on their return, and that they would definitely return before a stipulated period of time pa.s.sed.

After they returned, they would be quizzed on their core beliefs to check whether they were, well, still indoctrinated.

This system had been in place for hundreds of years, and it worked for the large part because people were so closed off inside the Kingdom that they never questioned the outside.

They lived fair lives for the most part, except for the fact that the tax was higher here than any other location in Central Angaria.

Half of all the citizens made belonged to the government, and if anyone disagreed, they would be put to the death.

All forms of media were contained and regularly tested to ensure that only the right content made it through.

The minister, himself, had been in charge of regulating media before he had been promoted to his present post.

Right now, he was here because just the other day, a trader had been put to the death because he gave away the real details of the Olympics.

Yet, clearly, it hadn't caused harm, and there was no more need for a purge.

These days, most times, the minister hated his job.

However, he never let his show, as he didn't have a deathwish.

After getting back to the Kingdom, the minister made his way straight to the King's Chambers.

Here, there was a special trinket in the shape of a hand placed on the door.

Pressing his palm on it, the minister began to speak.

"I've checked the place myself, My Lord. Parameters haven't been met for purging; the news hasn't spread at all."

"Hmph. Keep an eye on it anyway. A quick purge never goes wrong. Reminds people to be afraid. What news on those monkeys on the mountain?"

"We have been maneuvering our forces discreetly into their surroundings. They just saw it too late; they realize that they can't do anything about it. We are also working on choking off their resources. Even though they can get resources using teleportation, they will soon start to choke due to consuming more than they get. After that, they will have no choice but to surrender."

"Unless their formation opens. d.a.m.n the Big 4, and that Master from LARGH!"

The sound of things cras.h.i.+ng came from the inside, while the Minister patiently waited for the King to return.

This wasn't the first time this was happening, and it definitely wouldn't be the last.

After all, only a madman would decrease their power and step back into being an Exalted Human for the sake of winning a compet.i.tion.

Coincidentally, the method of going back to one's previous strength had the same effect: making someone crazy.

After a minute or so, the King of Axelor spoke again.

"We couldn't risk taking on someone whose power we don't know. Keep tightening the noose. Even if their formation opens, I've been promised help. Sooner or later, they will croak and come to our side. Or we can just destroy them and take their techniques as ours. Them and their stupid rules. How absurd is it for a rule to exist that bans the Sect from leaving that mountain no matter what happened to them? Well, it's going to lead to their downfall. What is it?"

The King was still an Exalted Human even though his power had gone down, so he could hear a pair of footsteps hurrying towards the minister.

The minister had already seen that person and was taking the communication trinket held out by him.

The King sensed this, so he waited to find out.

However, receiving no response from the minister, he got irritated and said, "Answer the d.a.m.n question."

As if this was a jolt out of the blue which made the minister come back to his senses, he shook with shock where he stood and said, "My King, news from the Hidden Kill Sect! It hasn't been confirmed, but there are multiple reports coming in. Someone has set their main stores on fire! The Sect members were able to get to it before everything was lost, but their stores have taken a major hit! This means we can move our plans up!"

…..

Standing on a walkway and admiring his handiwork, Daneel stared at the roaring flames of fire reaching towards the heaven before they were quickly doused using air starvation and ice.

Well, it had only lasted for a moment, but it had been pretty d.a.m.n gorgeous.

While the Sect devolved into chaos around him, he calmly made it back to his room.

Entering, he saw that Percy was still standing in front of the mirror.

While Daneel watched, he tried to change his appearance rapidly like Daneel had done before, but he kept failing.

On seeing Daneel, he said, "Master, please! It's driving me crazy! Please teach me this one thing about the camouflage technique, I beg of you! I've finished all of your a.s.signments!"

It had been a long day, and Daneel felt very tired, so he wasn't in a mood to handle the kid.

However, it was true that all of his instructions had been carried out to the T. So, this kid did deserve something, as there was still a lot more that Daneel intended to get done using his ident.i.ty.

Taking out an empty communication trinket, he asked the system to make a modified version of the camouflage technique that would be 10% faster in replicating someone perfectly.

It was a spell that modeled how the system did the job, so Daneel didn't take it lightly. He went over the spell and only handed it to the kid after making sure that it was only using a known concept in a different way.

"Kid, I'm tired, get out. This is just a small taste. But don't get your hopes up. It will only make you 10% faster."

Beaming, Percy said, "That's all right, Master! I would still be 10% faster than all my peers!" before cheerfully waltzing out the door and putting on the scowl, as he had morphed back into his original appearance.

Shaking his head, Daneel collapsed into his bed.

He had to admit, setting fire to supplies had been FUN.

However, that was the easy part.

Wondering how he was going to pull this off in the short time he had, Daneel went to sleep, and dreamed of burning food stores.