A variation of this technique could be applied to a specific person, making them temporarily vanish from everyone else's sight. Even if the person stood right in front of them, they would be subconsciously ignored. It could be called a form of invisibility, but it wasn't complete invisibility. For example, her movements could still be seen through surveillance cameras.
However, since the surveillance for the entire Flower Village was in the hands of the Schwarz Family, there was no need to worry about anyone discovering Flandre's traces. The only trouble was that after she used this Magic, others would also subconsciously ignore her clones. But this Magic didn't affect Flandre herself, so as long as she stayed by Chen Huijie's side, she could help her break free from the Magic's influence.
"This way, we can go outside and play the game of finding the bad guys!"
After Flandre finished explaining, the four Flandres began to spin in place. As they spun, only one remained in front of them. Seeing the dazed looks in Chen Huijie's and the others' eyes, Flandre knew the Magic was successful.
"The other three Flandres have already left. Sister, is there anywhere you want to investigate?"
The moment Flandre spoke, the group shuddered and remembered what she had just said.
"Was that the effect of the Magic just now?" Beatrice remembered that for a split second, she had almost forgotten Flandre entirely. She picked her up, feeling a bit of fear.
"That's right, they've all gone out, which is why I can make everyone wake up." Flandre nodded and then looked at Chen Huijie.
Seeing this, Chen Huijie didn't stand on ceremony anymore. She picked up the map of Flower Village and said, "Based on our previous screening, there are currently four locations in the village where gas canisters are highly likely to be hidden. And of these four locations, except for one outside the village, the other three are inside. Flandre, you can start by checking these three places."
Chen Huijie pointed to three spots, and Flandre nodded. The other three Flandres flew toward those three locations.
The places Chen Huijie chose weren't random. There were many people at these locations, and these individuals were all recorded as criminals to be arrested tonight. Flandre walked among the crowds, yet she was ignored by everyone. She looked around here and there; though she found many of their weapons, she didn't find the gas canisters Chen Huijie mentioned.
The four Flandres shared a single mind. Once they confirmed no gas canisters were present, the one staying by Chen Huijie's side told her the news.
"None of them? Could they be in the last location?" Chen Huijie was a bit surprised. Although that place was within her expectations, she had felt it was the least likely. After all, it was downwind and outside Flower Village. Even if the gas exploded, it would be difficult for it to have any effect on the village. That was why Chen Huijie had placed it last.
Furthermore, she had a slight worry: if they weren't found there either, it would mean the gas likely wasn't here at all—it would be inside Lungmen City. This was the situation Chen Huijie least wanted to see. She quickly told Flandre to check the final location.
Flandre's three clones flew toward the final location simultaneously. They arrived very quickly at a very ordinary-looking farmhouse courtyard. However, despite its appearance, there were quite a few people inside. As soon as Flandre arrived, she saw three long canisters placed in an animal pen.
Upon hearing about the three canisters, Chen Huijie stood up abruptly. "Are you sure? What do those three canisters look like? Their size, shape, and are there any markings on them?"
Flandre gestured and said that they all had a skull-and-crossbones mark like a pirate flag, but it was yellow and black.
"Then that's it. That mark is the universal symbol for toxic substances. How many people are there? Can you bring them under control?"
Flandre indicated it was very simple; if needed, she could take everyone down right now. Chen Huijie shook her head.
"No rush. Since you can control that area, just keep a close eye on it for now. Since they want to make a move on us, they will definitely take action today. We're not sure if the people currently in the village are everyone, but if they want to attack us tonight, they will surely concentrate all their forces. Pass down the orders: everyone get ready. Tonight, we must capture those criminals in one fell swoop."
Soon, night fell. The members of the Lungmen Guard Department feasted while making final preparations. During this time, the Truth Society members did attempt to limit their combat effectiveness through means like poisoning, but the food and drinks were guarded by specific personnel.
As the banquet was about to break up, Flandre pulled on Chen Huijie's hand. "Sister Chen, they're starting to prepare to move those three big bottles away."
"Keep a close eye on them. As long as they don't choose to open them, don't act rashly for now," Chen Huijie said in a low voice.
After the banquet dispersed, the entire Flower Village fell into silence. Beneath this superficial silence, both sides began their movements. The Lungmen Guard Officers were fully armed, pouncing on target locations. Doors were breached, tear gas and flashbangs were tossed in, followed by crossbow bolts and batons. As long as they saw someone still standing, they applied a five-hit tactical combo: first hitting the head, then sealing the mouth.
In their eyes, these Truth Society members didn't count as human. The only reason they didn't smash their heads open was because Chen Huijie had said they needed to be kept alive for trial.
Just as the action began, Hoshiguma and Beatrice led a team to the north. They found the core members of the Truth Society frozen in place by Flandre like statues. The three Flandres had dispelled their invisibility and were each riding a gas canister, floating in the air—a sight that made one's heart skip a beat.
"Flandre, have them put the gas canisters on the ground nearby. Be careful to put them down gently!" Beatrice said softly.
"No problem! Everyone, stop playing..." Flandre called out. The clones landed with the canisters. "Don't worry, Sister Beatrice, it's perfectly safe!"
After the four Flandres merged back into one, she pointed at the frozen people. "These are the people who were planning to release the gas here!"
"Handcuff them all first. Don't touch these gas canisters yet; I'll arrange for a biochemical team," Hoshiguma spoke up.
The frozen cultists watched in despair as they were handcuffed and foot-cuffed before the Freezing Spell was released. Some tried to struggle, only to be met with batons. One tried to break his cuffs and fell into a "peaceful sleep" after an officer experimented on him with the eighteen uses of a baton.
Chen Huijie didn't stop them; their behavior was too despicable. She was simply waiting for the biochemical team to arrive. Only Beatrice stood to the side, giving Flandre a low-voiced warning not to learn such behavior.