For thousands of years, Charman always believed that depriving the citizens of the Golden Kingdom of their thoughts was the most brutal act the King of Gold could inflict upon his people. He turned people into tools for production, with eternal life serving only to extend the tools' shelf life.

But now, Charman changed his view.

Maybe the King of Gold had deeper considerations when establishing the mind link. Until today, Charman realized how severe the consequences could be when the link contained uncontrolled individuals.

"Am I the only one who thinks Charman's head is pointy?"

Here it comes again!

Charman thought his heart had already become numb over the millennium, but now his brain felt like a thousand wild horses were galloping, yet he couldn't figure out who was using the golden mask to spread these incendiary messages stoking primitive rage.

He also noticed the changes occurring in the Golden Kingdom.

This nation without independent thought and emotion was collapsing at a visible speed. Cracks appeared on the previously calm golden masks, with anger consuming the citizens' hearts, growing increasingly intense.

Charman listened to the voices of numerous citizens of the Golden Kingdom, expressing the same demand through anger.

——Who the hell spread the misinformation?

He must be dragged out, tied to the stake, and burned to death ten times to appease the people's wrath.

Initially, no one paid him any attention, but the spreader of misinformation clearly had a plan. Not long ago, he used his ultimate weapon—key politics. He utilized the golden mask to talk politics about the Empire, Ophira, and the Golden Kingdom, even disseminating easily recognizable fake news, and finally, someone couldn't help but curse him.

The curse battle intensified, and eventually, even some members of the Six-Person Council joined the fray.

Yet Charman had never seen such a detestable person. The King of Ban Shi shamelessly labeled all who corrected or rebuked him as "filial sons," dividing camps quickly into groups: those trying to reason and correct the mistaken thoughts, the abusive cursers, and even worse, the strong emotional fluctuations made some people recently cleansed by radiation regain partial consciousness.

When this batch of sarcastic individuals joined the battle, everything spiraled uncontrollably.

Charman noticed the King of Ban Shi, who incited the chaos, gradually faded out after everyone started arguing, as if that was his initial intent.

Oak City's military production line halted.

The inaction of the Six-Person Council became unbearable for the Golden Kingdom's residents, who took up hammers and sticks to the streets in search of suspects possibly linked to the King of Ban Shi. Their emotions became uncontrollable, like powder kegs ready to explode, causing incidents of collateral damage throughout Oak City.

As the conflict escalated, people no longer cared who spread the misinformation; it was no longer important—they reached a new conclusion: anyone opposing me is the King of Ban Shi and must die!

Charman stayed on the second floor of the town hall, witnessing Oak City's chaotic situation, and everything unfolding before him was terrifying.

He imagined countless scenarios for a showdown with the Empire, believing ultimately, both sides would clash on the Empire's borders, with severed limbs everywhere and prosperous towns left in ruins. However, the opponent was far more troublesome than he imagined, having almost single-handedly plunged Oak City into chaos.

The link completely collapsed, filled with unbearable noise.

"Charman!"

Far away in Sivalentine Capital, members of the Six-Person Council couldn't bear it any longer, screaming at him, "What the hell kind of people did you recruit?"

Even their questioning was tainted with expletives under the foul atmosphere.

When those cursing and pouring out negative emotions in the link realized the Six-Person Council had no idea who was speaking, the riot became even more lively.

"I must drag him out!"

A voice filled with anger came from the link. Crowley, the King of Gold's executive officer, could no longer maintain his usual cold demeanor; he spoke through gritted teeth as if wishing to tear the King of Ban Shi to pieces.

Yet they couldn't even confirm if the King of Ban Shi was in Oak City.

"Why drag me out?"

The response made Charman's vision go dark.

Based on the link's nature, the King of Ban Shi could also hear their conversation. He found it hard to imagine what kind of detestable face lay behind the golden mask speaking these words, making even him, who once advocated benevolent rule and refrained from implementing capital punishment, wish to publicly hang the person.

His provocation continued, "You don't allow the truth?"

Crowley no longer answered, but Charman heard the sound of a door slamming downstairs.

"Who are you exactly?"

Charman questioned him.

"I already said, I'm Charman."

This response shattered Charman's last shred of rationality. He rose up, flung his sleeves, and followed Crowley's footsteps.

Today, they must drag out this scoundrel.

...

"Hmm, this should just about do it."

Ethan put down the golden mask, speaking with satisfaction, but immediately, he noticed the change in the Earth element's expression. Her chubby little face openly displayed her disdain, the look reserved for filth, as Princess Vivian warred with the aristocratic etiquette she learned from childhood.