When Audrey heard Raphael's words, she immediately asked, "Why?"
Raphael replied, "Because Susie didn't take part in our earlier expedition to the Fourth Epoch ruins."
Seeing that Audrey still looked bewildered, he smiled and explained further, "During that expedition, we probably came under the Evernight Goddess's gaze."
"The Underworld Emperor had made arrangements there, which were very likely to draw the Evernight Goddess's attention-"
In the past, the Evernight Goddess might not have noticed that place. But now that she had gained control of the Death God Pathway's Uniqueness, she should have been able to discover it.
Of course, the Evernight Goddess certainly wouldn't be considering using that teleportation array now. She would most likely observe whether her control of the Death God Pathway's Uniqueness had affected any of the Underworld Emperor's earlier arrangements, and just how significant those effects were.
Thus, Raphael and the others' actions back then had very likely drawn the Evernight Goddess's attention.
Raphael continued, "-If I'm not mistaken, you only began to feel some inexplicable connection to this oil painting after that expedition ended, right?"
Audrey thought back for a moment before nodding. "Yes."
That all but confirmed Raphael's guess. It was the Evernight Goddess's gaze, or some mark she had left on them, that had established a connection between Audrey and the oil painting.
Since Susie hadn't participated in that expedition, she had been unable to enter the oil painting even with the help of the relevant dream abilities.
Audrey let out a soft breath. She hadn't expected to attract the Evernight Goddess's attention without even realizing it. That felt rather daunting. Would the Goddess turn her gaze toward her again in the future?
Then she smiled helplessly. *As a believer in the Goddess, shouldn't I be hoping she'll turn her gaze toward me?