Old Books, New Use

Duke Colin's meeting with the King lasted about twenty minutes. Out of courtesy, Benjamin did not eavesdrop. Instead, he waited quietly outside with the two siblings.

Twenty minutes later, the Duke emerged, disappointment written across his face. He turned and glanced at Benjamin, his gaze somewhat complicated, but he said nothing. After a nod, he left.

"...What did they talk about?"

Watching Duke Colin depart, Benjamin suddenly asked the system in his mind.

The system said helplessly, "Didn't you say you wouldn't eavesdrop on their conversation?"

"I didn't eavesdrop, but the room was within your detection range, so you definitely did." Benjamin spoke with perfect confidence. "All right, tell me everything you heard. I won't condemn you for it."

"..."

The system was speechless for a moment. However, under Benjamin's repeated urging, it quickly summarized their conversation—the entire meeting, Duke Colin had been trying to persuade the King to leave with him.

He repeatedly mentioned the word "double." Clearly, after the King's disappearance, The Church had accelerated preparations for its backup plan. Duke Colin stated that if the King did not return to the Royal Capital soon and reclaim his throne with the nobles' support, then once the double was put in place, he might never be able to return.

The King had actually wavered over this. However, his efforts to persuade people across the country these past days had also greatly changed his outlook. It had nothing to do with Mind Arts; in the end, he still rejected the nobles' proposal.

—He said that staying with Benjamin gave him more hope.

Thus, after trying to persuade him for so long, Duke Colin could only leave in disappointment, just as he had earlier.

After learning what they had discussed, Benjamin nodded to himself. He turned around, looked at the King