Facing Bernadette's question, Abner gave a simple explanation:
"He—Lucien Evans, the 'Mechanical Emperor'—has, in a sense, become my avatar.
"I imagine you're no stranger to this kind of 'mechanical avatar.'"
Upon hearing that, Bernadette nodded thoughtfully.
Just as Abner had said, she was very familiar with the High Sequence abilities of the Savant Pathway. After all, both her father and younger brother were Knowledge Mentors.
But precisely because she understood them, Abner's few "truthful" words misled her. She thought he had previously been using characteristics to "upgrade" Morning Star City, the mystical item left behind by the Mechanical Emperor, before drawing upon the power of a Knowledge Mentor through some kind of Secret Art to create this avatar in his own image.
As for his purpose, Bernadette felt that he seemed to have been impersonating the Mechanical Emperor from the start, and now merely wanted to make it official.
Although Bernadette herself would never engage in such a "cuckoo taking over the nest" act, she didn't think there was anything wrong with what Abner had done.
It was better for him to occupy that faith than for some evil god to emerge from it.
The Hidden Sage was an example.
In short, Bernadette had never considered the possibility that the Mechanical Emperor really was Abner.
After introducing the Mechanical Emperor to Queen Mystic, Abner changed the subject and asked with a smile, "When do you plan to go to Observer Castle?"
Taking Bernadette to Observer Castle had been agreed upon beforehand, as the condition for exchanging her blood.
Bernadette pondered briefly before saying gently, "I still need to make some preparations... Besides, I've been delayed in this city for a while, so I need to follow up on the clue regarding the 'Darkness' card that I mentioned before.
"Once I'm