The interior of the Ghost Castle was hazy, cloaked in a thick fog. Epherene’s senses dulled as a deep lethargy washed over her, making it feel like she was drifting away from herself. Enveloped in this fog, she wandered aimlessly.0

“Carlos! There you are!” Ganesha called out, her voice cutting through the fog.0

Epherene paused and glanced back.0

“Pull yourself together!”0

“Stay strong!”0

Ganesha, Ria, and Leo held tightly to Carlos, urging him to get up and not lose hope.0

“Sis! Where’d you go, sis!” Jackal kept shouting, his voice tinged with panic as he searched frantically. Epherene forced herself to move forward.0

“… Indeed, it is you.”0

A voice suddenly broke through, snapping Epherene out of her daze. She turned slowly.0

“I offer you my greetings.”0

A man who bore a striking resemblance to Deculein stood before her. He appeared older, a faint smile touching his lips as he watched her closely.0

“Daughter of Kagan, my most favored one.”0

Epherene remained silent.0

“Step forward,” Decalane said, extending his hand.0

Epherene hesitated, then slowly stepped forward, compelled by an unseen force.0

“Leaf!” 0

Someone suddenly grabbed her wrist—it was Ihelm.1

“Stay away from him,” Ihelm said.0

He stepped in front of her, blocking her from Decalane’s view.0

“Ah, Ihelm,” Decalane remarked with a faint, dry laugh.0

Ihelm kept his silence.0

“There was a time when I was grateful for the friendship you showed my son—”0

“Friendship? Our relationship was never that close or sentimental,” Ihelm cut in.0

“Haha.”0

“What is happening here? How can a dead man walk among the living? And where are we?” Ihelm demanded.0

Decalane’s expression hardened for a moment, but he soon regained his smile and replied, “Ihelm, I am very much alive. I was never really dead.”0

Madness flickered in his eyes, hovering on the brink of obsession.0

Locking his eyes on Epherene, Decalane continued, “Daughter of...0