232
Inside the Chief's room in the Round Tower.
The "shadow" that had monitored Derrick throughout recounted everything exactly as it had happened. Colin Iliad, his hair graying and his face scarred, listened quietly before nodding slightly.
"Derrick, or rather Amon, had indeed prepared in advance. The candle inscribed with a symbolic emblem, the sinister item that could expose Dark's problem, the whispered prayer under the pretext of pouring water, and the final sacrificial ritual that sent the item away all indicate that everything was proceeding according to his plan."
"Two questions. First, who exactly does that hidden symbol on the candle point to—Amon's true body, or the God behind him? Second, why would Amon rather abandon this avatar than let the Exploration Squad's abnormality remain hidden? Is it because he and the one behind the curtain are mortal enemies? Then what exactly did he spend forty-two quiet years in the City of Silver for?"
"Could he have foreseen this and deliberately encountered that earlier Exploration Squad, letting his avatar parasitize them to thwart the plans of the one behind the curtain? Were those forty-two years of waiting all for this moment?"
Hearing the Chief's questions, the "shadow" monitor suddenly said in realization, "Perhaps that really is the case!"
"Your Excellency, think about it. Why did Amon wait patiently for forty-two years, only to suddenly make Yudel lose control after Derrick was locked up next door? Because the foretold time was approaching, and he was in a hurry to switch to a host who could move freely and thwart the plans of the one behind the curtain!"
"Indeed. We were only considering what was abnormal about Derrick, not the timing."
Colin, the Chief of the City of Silver, responded thoughtfully.
The "shadow" monitor immediately said, "Your Excellency, please take all