"I'll have to ask her opinion first," Seele said.
The moment she said that, Kiana's attention snapped over.
"Her? Who's her?"
She looked behind Seele—
there was no one there.
Both Bronya and Mei were also confused.
Was there someone else present?
"Do whatever you want. I don't really care."
That was the only reply Seele received.
Hearing this, Seele smiled.
"Then that's a yes."
The next instant, the Dark Vision on her chest shimmered violently as dark elemental energy surged outward.
Under the astonished gazes of the three girls—
Black Seele appeared.
This nearly scared Kiana half to death.
"A—A—another Seele?!!"
She pointed at Black Seele with a trembling finger.
Seele quickly explained,
"This is 'Seele'—my inner personality."
Black Seele cooperated quite nicely and greeted them flatly,
"Hey."
Kiana's brain completely short-circuited.
"This one is Seele, that one is also Seele… so from now on I have to call Seele 'Seele', and this Seele also 'Seele'—waaah! This is so confusing!!"
Black Seele looked at Kiana like she was an idiot.
"You can just call me Black Seele. That's easier."
"Then… Black Seele," Mei said with a gentle smile,
"welcome."
Bronya stared at the two of them in a daze.
"Two Seeles… double the happiness."
Seele spoke calmly,
"'Seele' was awakened when I obtained the Dark Vision. She's my opposite in personality—but also my closest companion."
Black Seele glanced at Seele.
"The closest companion. After all, the one who understands you best is me."
"Yes, yes—my closest companion," Seele replied with a smile.
Seeing that everyone had more or less settled down, Cael finally spoke up.
"So, Seele. You'll stay in the village for a while now, right?"
After being away from home for so long, she should at least let everyone know she was safe.
Kiana nodded eagerly.
"Yeah! A lot of people have been missing you, Seele!"
Seele nodded firmly.
"I definitely will!"
Mei then turned respectfully toward Cael.
"Lord Agarest, we also hope you'll enter the village. Everyone in Benghuai Village respects and admires you."
By now, even Kiana had mostly accepted Cael's identity as Agarest.
"Hey, hey, hey—Lord Agarest!"
She stared enviously at Seele's Dark Vision.
"Can you give me a Dark Vision too? You're generous, right? You won't hold grudges or anything!"
Cael simply smiled.
"And do you think… I would acknowledge you?"
"Huh?"
Kiana froze.
Cael looked straight at her, showing no mercy.
"You let your guard down in battle. You act recklessly and think without using your brain. A few years ago, Seele was taken for experiments—living in constant suffering. But she learned resilience. She learned to cherish her friendships."
"She also learned to live independently during the time she spent with me."
Cael's gaze sharpened.
"So tell me, Kiana—what have you learned?"
The question left her completely speechless.
She knew it herself.
She wasn't qualified to be acknowledged yet.
But after a brief moment of dejection, her expression turned serious.
"One day," Kiana declared firmly,
"I will earn your recognition, Lord Agarest!"
Cael nodded.
That was exactly the result he wanted.
Bronya looked at him with admiration.
"As expected of Lord Agarest… to think you could actually cure this single-celled organism."
Mei smiled warmly as well.
Seeing Kiana finally set foot on the right path genuinely made her happy.