“I know,” Jared said.

Evelyn pressed her lips together, then asked softly, “Young Lord, forgive me for asking… are you trying to save someone?”

Jared fell silent for a moment before answering quietly, “Two friends.”

Evelyn looked at him, something complicated stirring in her chest.

A man this powerful—so strong it barely seemed real—had still crossed such a vast distance into the Luminous Sanctuary, all to find the Celestial Basilica and seek help for his friends.

In that moment, the cold distance he carried no longer felt like his true nature.

It felt more like something he wore—a mask.