Chapter 342.1
Sang-je’s ultimate aspiration rested upon becoming one with nature, seamlessly woven into the fabric of this world. Eugene had unwaveringly held onto the belief that every action Sang-je took was a step towards this profound communion. Yet, in a sudden twist of contemplation, a statement by Alber resurfaced in Eugene’s mind.
“I can’t fully trust his words. He claims he desires death, but who’s to say he doesn’t have ulterior motives?”
Among the myriad pieces of information that Alber had imparted to Eugene, the one that resonated most profoundly concerned Anika’s Ramita bringing peace to Sang-je. For Sang-je, Anika’s demise was imperative.
“In that case,” Eugene speculated, “Alber must have been deceived by him right from the outset.” Alber had aligned herself with the enigmatic creature, not solely driven by the yearning for her tribe to break free from their constraints but also because the creature’s desires weren’t unreasonable. The longing to reconnect with their origins and return to the world of their birth was fundamentally human.
However, as time elapsed, Alber’s trust began to erode. Yet, due to Sang-je’s stranglehold on all information, she likely couldn’t uncover any concrete evidence to substantiate her suspicions.
Eugene halted her deduction and adopted a patient stance, aware that Mara might have deliberately sown seeds of misinformation to sow confusion.
“How can you be so certain whether or not Sang-je desires death?” Eugene inquired.
Mara retorted, “Because it defies reason for an awakened lark to yearn for death.”
“Do Hwansus have no inclination towards survival?” Eugene probed further, her thoughts briefly drifting to the turtle Hwansu she had encountered at the desert sanctuary and the reactions of Abu and the small one as they scampered away. If Mara’s assertions held true, the pieces of the puzzle began to align.