Aldrit had expected Mara to immediately say, “Of course! I wish to break the magic and not see those annoying elders again.” However, Mara remained silent, and when the voice abruptly ceased in his head, Aldrit sensed something was amiss.


    The door swung open, and Aldrit stood up, startled by the rush of cold air. Sven entered and said, “Prepare yourself.”


    As Sven stepped aside to make way, Eugene and Kasser entered. Aldrit instinctively prostrated himself.


    “Greetings.”


    “Aldrit, it’s wonderful to see you in such good health. Please rise. I would like to see your face and greet you properly.”


    In the room, only three humans remained. Aldrit upied the seat across from Eugene and Kasser. After exchanging pleasantries with Aldrit, Eugene redirected her attention to the rat perched on his shoulder.


    “We’ve met before, haven’t we? You didn’t look like that back then.”


    Eugene briefly recalled the memory of the fake meeting with Mara. In that encounter, Mara had assumed the appearance of a blond man who bore a striking resemnce to Sang-je. However, as Eugene hadter realized, both Sang-je’s and the blond High Priest’s appearances were illusions crafted by magic.


    “We met?”The red-eyed rat twitched its nose. Mara descended from Aldrit’s arm and approached Eugene, speaking with a cautious gaze.


    “From appearances, it seems to be the same person, but…”


    Eugene found Mara’s reaction perplexing.


    <em>Could it be that it can distinguish between me and the fake?</em>


    Sang-je himself had been unaware of the illusion, so how could Mara immediately discern the difference? Perhaps the fake had a very close rtionship with Mara, although the portion of Mara’s memory within the fake’s recollections had been minimal.


    Mara’s ability to detect the dissimrity between Eugene and the fake seemed to be rted to how Eugene treated Aldrit. In contrast to the fake, who had looked down upon the servants, Eugene had treated Aldrit with kindness and respect. Mara had found it puzzling when Aldrit mentioned seeking Anika’s help, as it didn’t align with the behavior of someone who warmly greeted the wandering tribe, which was often despised by others.


    “In this kingdom, there’s only one Anika. If you didn’te to meet me, I’ll leave,” Eugene asserted.


    “No, it’s not that. It seems the situation has changed since west met. I didn’t think the king would apany you,” replied Mara.


    “Of course, the situation has changed. We now know Sang-je’s true identity, and we know your identity too.”


    “I see.”


    “Please let His Majesty the Death King hear your voice. I know you can do it,” Eugene said.


    Mara surveyed Eugene and Kasser alternately before acquiescing, “Understood.”


    “Your Highness,” Sven’s voice echoed from outside. Eugene briefly nced at the closed door and then addressed Mara, “Before we start the conversation in earnest, Aldrit has someone he wants to meet. It shouldn’t take long; is that okay?”


    “Whatever.”


    Eugene couldn’t help but notice the marked difference between Mara and Sang-je. While both were unnerving in their mimicry of humans, Mara seemed more willing to reveal themselves, unlike Sang-je, who concealed everything behind a veil. However, this apparent openness raised a sense of unease, as it could be part of a clever ruse.


    After Kasser responded to Sven’s request toe in, the door opened a whileter, and Sven entered with the well-dressed woman. She was the wanderer Eugene had brought from the kingdom.


    Since Eugene hadst seen her in the sanctuary, she had put on more weight and appeared healthier. Herplexion was betterpared to when she was thin and pallid, but her expression remained unchanged, like an imprable wall.


    The day before, after congratting her on her hard work, Eugene had inquired about the wanderer, and what she discovered surprised her.


    It would have been remarkable if the wanderer had said just one word, but she had even shared her name. Charlotte’s care for the wanderer woman was evident. The name Eugene learned through Charlotte was “Lima.”


    “Lima!”


    Aldrit suddenly stood up and shouted. Eugene had mentioned that she had someone she wanted him to meet, but no one had guessed who it might be. However, when they saw her entering through the door, they couldn’t believe their eyes.


    Lima, who had been lowering her gaze, was startled by the voice. She raised her head in confusion, and upon realizing the situation, her expression shifted from bewilderment to joy. Her stoic demeanor crumbled instantly.


    “Aldrit. How…?”