Scarlett laid out her plan candidly, harboring no doubts that Jeremy and his companions could thwart its success.
After listening to Scarlett's words, Jeremy smiled and nodded slightly.
"Your plan indeed poses a significant threat to us. However, how do you intend to usher our companions into the Mirror Maze instance?
Before we entered the instance ourselves, we explicitly warned our allies. We made it clear that if we did not emerge from the instance, they should refrain from entering under any circumstances.
Do you truly believe that your illusions can lead them to make erroneous judgments? We have a considerable number of companions! Furthermore, they operate as a cohesive unit!
Even if you manage to deceive some of them, it is impossible for you to mislead everyone. Ultimately, your plan is bound to fail!"
As Jeremy articulated these words, his tone exuded unwavering confidence.
However, in truth, he did not genuinely believe the words he had just spoken.
The reason Jeremy articulated such statements was solely to extract more information from Scarlett.
Upon hearing Jeremy's remarks, Scarlett let out a series of hearty laughs.
"It seems you are not as clever as you imagined. Do you truly think I would use illusions to persuade your companions? I do not resort to such lowly tactics."
After delivering this statement, Scarlett rose from her seat.
Behind her, a massive mirror materialized.
Within that mirror, another version of Scarlett appeared.
"Now, let me engage you in conversation through my clone from the Mirror World." After saying this, Scarlett swiftly exited the hall.
The Scarlett in the mirror spoke with an air of arrogance.
"After entering the instance, you all have traversed into the mirror's internal world. This implies that you left behind clones within that mirrored realm.
You cannot manipulate those clones, but I possess the ability to control the manifestations within the Mirror World. I will grant those clones a fleeting capacity to appear in the real world.
At that moment, all I need to do is send forth your clones, and your companions will undoubtedly believe every word I utter. They will certainly venture into the instance!"
After the mirror version of Scarlett finished speaking, she vanished without a trace.
Once both versions of Scarlett had departed, the atmosphere within the hall underwent a dramatic transformation once again.
The once lively banquet hall reverted to a dark and silent abandoned chamber.
Only Jeremy, Howard, and Liam remained within the hall.
The excitement that once filled the air had been replaced by a palpable sense of dread among the three.
"We must act quickly! If our companions enter the instance, they are surely doomed!" Howard exclaimed urgently to Jeremy and Liam.
Liam responded with a slight tone of resignation.
"I, too, wish we could take immediate action. But have you not noticed that we are unable even to leave our seats? We are trapped here by Scarlett!"
As Liam spoke, Jeremy was also attempting to establish communication with Bonnie and Ritchie.
His means of contacting Bonnie and Ritchie was, in essence, a miniature teleportation channel.
Ordinary individuals remained oblivious to the anomalies surrounding the doppelgängers from the mirror world.
The doppelgängers of Jeremy and his companions made their way directly towards the makeshift camp that had been established.
The first to spot Jeremy's doppelgängers was the aide-de-camp of General Howard, who was patrolling around the camp.
Upon seeing the three figures, Howard's aide rushed over to them without delay.
"You all returned surprisingly quickly! It seems that the high-difficulty instance could not hinder you. When are we set to enter the instance? What are the specific conditions within?"
Howard's aide had a multitude of questions to pose.
After all, once they entered the instance, it would be his responsibility to command the other soldiers.
Although Howard was incredibly powerful, he needed to coordinate his actions with Liam and Jeremy.
The doppelgänger of Howard in the mirror world slowly shook its head.
"You need not ask so many questions, you simply have to follow our commands. We have completed our exploration of the entire instance, and you may now enter." declared the doppelgänger of Howard.
After speaking this statement, Howard's doppelgänger proceeded to pass directly by Howard's aide.
The doppelgängers of Jeremy and Liam followed closely behind as well.
Howard's aide was undoubtedly perplexed by the demeanor of the three individuals.
He could not comprehend the reason for such an occurrence, however, he did not question the authenticity of the identities of the three before him.
He merely accompanied them as they advanced, and soon the trio, along with Howard's aide, arrived at the front of the camp.
"We have completed the exploration of the high-difficulty instance, you may enter the instance and act alongside us. During the operation, you must exercise caution.
Although the difficulty of the instance is not particularly high for us, you will still encounter some dangers."
Stated Jeremy's doppelgänger, articulating these words in a remarkably fluid manner.
In terms of logical reasoning, Jeremy's doppelgänger was significantly stronger than that of Howard's.
This situation arose entirely because Scarlett believed Jeremy was the central figure in this operation.
Thus, she reasoned that only Jeremy could persuade the others to promptly enter the instance.
Scarlett's judgment was fundamentally flawed.
This miscalculation led to the participants in the operation not immediately entering the instance.
Ritchie and Bonnie moved directly to Jeremy's side.
Although Jeremy spoke with considerable logic, they couldn't shake the feeling that something was amiss with the Jeremy before them.
"Are you truly certain that you have explored the entirety of the instance? Did you not previously tell me that the difficulty of the instance was exceedingly high?" Bonnie inquired, her tone tinged with slight confusion.
Jeremy nodded, responding, "You are correct, you should indeed enter the instance quickly."
Jeremy's response bore no relevance to Bonnie's question whatsoever.
This disconnect swiftly led Bonnie and the others to realize that there was undoubtedly something wrong with the three figures before them.