"Hey, young brother."

"Hehe."

"You are really amazing, to be so calm and collected at a time like this."

"Even though you are still at this age... not to mention a boy."

"Boys at Acadia's age... should be enjoying the perks of youth, right?"

"But you are so strong, so powerful."

"As if you can survive without relying on anyone."

"The feeling of having control over your own destiny... must be nice, right?"

George left, leaving Merka and Xiangjun alone in the empty room.

Xiangjun's tone sounded a bit envious and contemplative.

"No one can survive alone... not even the Duke George."

"Look, if she could survive on her own, why wouldn't she leave you?"

Upon hearing Xiangjun's innocent questioning tone, Merka thought of his work in the confessional room. Driven by professional habit, he unconsciously moved closer to Xiangjun, placing his warm palm on Xiangjun's back, comforting his body.

"Human beings are social creatures... If they don't support each other, they cannot survive."

"Compared to material support, emotional support may be subtle, intangible."

"But it is equally important as financial support."

"Please believe, even if she hasn't explicitly said it, you are indeed supporting Duke George in her heart."

Even though the situation was urgent, Merka knew there was no use in panicking now.

To find Oedipus, they needed the help of fog lights, so Merka decided to relax and not rush.

Seeing George completely gone, Merka slightly relaxed his body. He lowered himself slightly, speaking gently and humbly to Xiangjun.

Realizing that Merka understood his thoughts, Xiangjun blushed and gave a slightly embarrassed smile.

"You have such a sweet mouth..."

As if remembering something, Xiangjun's face lit up with understanding.

"So that's it, you're the rumored boyfriend of Turing Altria, right?"

"I heard he's a Curseborn."

Upon hearing the term Curseborn, Merka's expression turned somber, but he still nodded.

"Ah... I'm sorry, it wasn't intentional."

"I really didn't mean to discriminate. Even George, she always spoke well of Curseborn to me."

Merka found it strange how traditional feudalists could think that way.

"Why?"

Merka asked.

"I heard her say... over twenty years ago, Curseborn were quite popular."

"Although they were ugly, they could quickly become great wizards by using sacred relics, holding important positions everywhere."

"But when George came back from studying abroad one day, the situation changed in an instant."

"The shortcut for men to hold important positions in major families was cut off."

"The women of Acadia, who used to resent Curseborn being able to effortlessly rise to high positions with sacred relics, suddenly turned against them and put Curseborn in their current state."

"So I'll give back to you what you just said to me."

"Human beings are social creatures, they need to support each other."

"So Curseborn and ordinary Acadia people are equally important."

"After all, see, aren't we still relying on Curseborn now? Right?"

Xiangjun said gently.

But what he believed to be a gentle comfort to Merka came across as a dangerous awakening to Merka.

The situation changed in an instant...?

How did Oedipus manage to do this?

Moreover, why did she do it?

What benefits did she gain by treating Curseborn this way, and how about herself?

"Hiss."

Just as Merka sank into contemplation, a sudden sharp pain in his head interrupted his thoughts.

Merka realized that his clone had been scattered by a powerful attack.

Just as Merka was about to organize the information from his clone, a couple of eerie knocks echoed in the empty room.

"Is George back already... so fast."

"I told you she's amazing."

"I'll go open the door."

In the empty room, Xiangjun got up and walked towards the door of the cramped space.