As the black door slowly swung open, Lucian gripped the Shield of Truth in his left hand even tighter. If it was that monster coming, then based on his and Rhein's deductions, it would most likely possess peak legendary power.
Crimson eyes, a short stature, arcane robes that dragged slightly along the ground, a refined but weathered face — Lucian blurted out: "Master."
Then he saw the tall old man following behind his master Fernando — the kind yet commanding Douglas: "Your Excellency, the Chairman."
Fernando didn't answer immediately. Instead, he fell silent for over ten seconds, as though secretly confirming Lucian's identity from the shadows. Then, he seemed to relax slightly. "There's no danger here, is there?"
…………
Fernando had pushed open the black door with magic when he suddenly sensed two auras inside, putting him on even greater alert. The Robe of Dominion, the Eye of the Storm, and the Sharp Turn spell were all primed and ready.
Then he heard Lucian's voice: "Master. Your Excellency, the Chairman."
The worry in his heart diminished considerably, but he didn't let his guard down. Quietly, he used various magical means to verify Lucian's identity. Douglas was also employing astrology to confirm the unique signature of "Fate's Enigma."
…………
Although every indicator — aura, mental energy fluctuations, and other characteristics — told Lucian that the people before him were truly his master and the Chairman, his earlier encounter had made him unwilling to let his guard down for even a moment. The Shield of Truth remained raised. "Your Excellency, Master — there's a monster here. It can perfectly transform into anyone, replicating every single trait. I just encountered it impersonating Mr. Rhein. It could even simulate the resonance of the Blood Origin."
Fernando's eyes widened. "You're saying we're monsters in disguise? Could it even fake a demiplane projection?"
A black storm erupted around him, crackling with lightning and thunder as "Thunder Hell" descended directly upon the area.
Seeing the familiar roar and storm, Lucian felt warmth in his heart and was somewhat inclined to believe it was his master.
Douglas, however, considered for a moment before speaking: "Lucian, since the Silver-Eyed Count is still with you, that means you have other ways of confirming each other's identities. What do we need to do to cooperate?"
"We use the Progenitor's aura to confirm — I doubt you'd have that capability," Rhein answered with a smile in place of Lucian. "But it's simple. The entrance isn't far from here. We don't need to travel with you, and as two peak legendary mages, you should have no trouble returning. Once we're outside, everything will become clear."
In the "World of Doors," with a monster that could impersonate anyone, suspicion was inevitable. Even now, Lucian hadn't fully let go of his last reserve of wariness toward Rhein, so he wholeheartedly agreed with the suggestion.
Fernando roared: "Nonsense! With such a terrifying monster around, would it just stand by and watch you leave? Can't you verify my identity?!"
Though he roared, he was perfectly rational. He didn't underestimate the monster and stepped aside to clear the path.
"In that case, you two head for the entrance first. We'll follow, guarding against the monster's pursuit," Douglas said, unsurprised by Rhein's proposal, nodding gently in agreement.
And so, the two peak legendary mages each took a corner of the gray hall, leaving the black door clear. Lucian and Rhein made their way toward the entrance with extreme caution, each watching one side. Only when they were about to step through the doorway did they allow themselves to relax slightly.
At that moment, Douglas and Fernando also left their positions and followed behind the two.
This behavior posed no problem, but Lucian was growing anxious. His Transformation Spell was about to expire, and casting it again would require several seconds of bloodline stabilization — several extremely dangerous seconds. The current situation didn't allow for any slip-up.
Should he have the others follow from across the hall? But if they encountered a monster that had transformed into a peak legendary mage, they'd lose their greatest help.
He had to find a way to verify their identities... Lucian's mind raced.
Just as Rhein was about to open the black door ahead, Fernando and Douglas grew increasingly worried that the two might encounter a peak legendary monster and drew closer and closer.
Suddenly, they heard Lucian speak: "Your Excellency, Master — wait."
"What is it?" Fernando sounded as though he was suppressing irritation at being doubted.
Rhein looked at Lucian curiously, unsure of what he was going to say.
Lucian asked with great solemnity: "Your Excellency, Master — how do you use matrix mechanics to solve the atomic model for an atom with two electrons?"
"Uh..." Fernando and Douglas both froze.
…………
"Aura, mental energy fluctuations, bloodline characteristics — all consistent..."
"The astrological prediction of his location is slightly off, but it can't be 'Fate's Enigma,' since similar effects could be produced by other means..."
Through their mental link, Fernando and Douglas communicated. They couldn't be too careful — their repeated brushes with danger had instilled in them a healthy respect for every perilous place. They would never blindly trust their own magic. And this was the deepest reaches of the Necromantic Realm, where countless legendary mages had vanished!
"It should be Lucian, but even if it truly is Lucian, we can't be careless. Mages who've been tempted by devils to fall and abandon their true nature — are they so rare?" At this moment, Fernando was neither irritable nor impulsive. Throughout his past adventures, his temperament had nearly gotten him killed on several occasions, and he had long since learned to keep it in check.
Holding the Shield of Truth, Lucian spoke urgently, his voice a mix of joy and desperation: "Your Excellency, Master — there's a horrifying monster here. It has reached peak legendary power. If I hadn't run into Mr. Rhein, who at the critical moment summoned the power of Silver Moon Aitena to help drive it back, I would have been killed."
"Let's leave this place quickly."
"But where is the Silver-Eyed Count?" Douglas asked, looking around in confusion.