Huang Doju was moving around as if enjoying the current situation.

“Well, then. Will you come again?”

“Yes. By the way, what kind of magic is memory sealing? Is it difficult to undo?”

“It won’t be easy. Ultimately, it shows only the memories one wants to see, and seals away the important ones.”

“Well, is unlocking the magic the right approach?”

Listening to his words in silence, I became skeptical. Would undoing it be more helpful to the child? Perhaps I was doing something unnecessary. I questioned that thought, but Huang Doju’s response was quite firm.

“Yes, it is. The child would be anxious.”

“Really?”

“Think about it. How would you know what happened during the time I can’t remember? Even if cruel memories come up, like hurting the people I love, it’s better that they come up rather than staying sealed.”

Suddenly, I thought.

What if I didn’t have Noah’s memories, if I didn’t have those painful memories? I might feel a bit relieved. But how terrifying would it be for me not to remember that child who existed in the world and no one else remembered? So, I quickly changed my mind.

Even now, Ruedello was anxious because of the memories that were gradually surfacing.

“That’s true.”

“Well, well. Not remembering is more agonizing than you think. You’ve experienced it, too. Suddenly, memories that come back can shake your identity.”

“Do you know it well?”

“I did the same.”

As if feeling the need to tell the story, I hesitated and sat down. Huang Doju, as if waiting, nestled in my arms.

“Why are you sitting down again to listen to an old man’s words? Well, if you want it that much, I’ll tell you.”

“Yes, please tell me.”

“I was, originally, a sorcerer created in the beginning.”

After a long pause, he awkwardly smiled.

“A sorcerer created in the beginning?”

That was what he said. Long ago, sorcerers had the same power without distinguishing between strength and weakness. Therefore, people always wanted strong power, and Huang Doju was created when sorcerers gathered.

Most of his childhood memories were about experiments, he said. However, even living with sealed memories, he felt the agony of life when the person who sealed the memories died, and memories returned. From then on, he felt the meaninglessness of life.

“It must have been a difficult life.”

“But now, I’m happy. Still… I want to live like an ordinary person at least once. So, show me. Show me how enjoyable the world can be and tell me. So that I can live as a human again.”

“Yes.”

I smiled happily and stroked the doll’s head. I wasn’t feeling great.

In addition, Huang Doju shared various stories about his life, and I listened to his words for a long time.

“I’ve been talking for too long.”

“Oh, the children must have woken up.”

“I guess I’ve held you too long.”
“I’ll bring the children soon.”

Getting up from the seat, I placed Hwang Doju on the bookshelf.

“Sure, sure. I’ll be waiting.”

I was about to head straight to the Star Palace, but I recalled what he had said earlier.

“Before I go… Does the twin outside have some secret too?”

“Oh, that.”

The doll’s brow furrowed.

“People still hold negative views about twins, right?”

“Yes.”

“Twins are originally derived from one. So, problems often arise because what should be one is divided. But that one… it’s a bit strange.”

“What do you mean?”

I tilted my head. What was continuously strange about it?

“Things derived from one are usually inherently weaker. So, it’s mostly one that dies first. Unfortunately, that’s the nature of this world. If you want to protect both, you have to raise them evenly. There’s a high chance they will be acknowledged as individuals and live well until they become adults. But… to achieve that, you have to maintain the balance of power from a very young age.”

“Really? So, as long as they are safely raised until adulthood, even twins can live without problems?”

The doll’s head nodded vigorously.

“But to do that, a sorcerer needs to periodically infuse power or go to the temple to receive regular blessings. Usually, twins are abandoned right after birth, and there are no caretakers who care about them. I’ve been trying hard to change that perception, but the deep-rooted prejudice remains.”

“Then, isn’t Ken outside not that big of a deal?”

“Yes. It’s correct that one of the twins should have died. It feels somewhat like… forcibly awakening something on the brink of death.”

I chuckled.

“I wondered if it was something related to the temple, but it was magic. And the other twin probably knows that they are dying. So, they are tirelessly trying to take away the main body.”

“Oh, I see.”

“Don’t leave it alone. The fact that the lifeline, which should have been cut long ago, is still alive means there’s a sorcerer behind it. Although they are somehow living now, it could turn crazy again.”

Is Ken also in a bit of danger?

“I don’t know what you’ve been through, but you’re probably cornered. If it’s not something you can solve… unless absolutely necessary, don’t provoke it.”

Uh… I’ve already provoked it as it is.