[The longer she listens, the more tense Frieda becomes. The Black Flames' tale is all too familiar, down to the 2,000 years time frame - that's how long the Eldian Empire oppressed the world until her ancestor put an end to it, and this man's rule, from its initial form down to its degradation into unjustifiable sadism, sounds every bit like the imperial reign.]

...

He passed his spirit on like my ancestor passed his will on.

[It's not the same, she knows that, but hearing what the Black Flames did described as take over, crush the host's soul, and live again sends a chill down her spine. Is that what happened to her..? No, no. Her ancestor merely wanted to chain down the immense power safeguarded by his bloodline. His intentions weren't selfish, she knows that. (So then why did he flee into exile, leaving part of his people behind to atone? Why did he ask for a century of peace, knowing that the judgement day would come after the end of his life?)

She forcibly puts those thoughts aside - she can't overlay her own problems over what Need is telling her.]

I certainly hope that this isn't what's happening to us. It seems irreconcilable with the Ferryman's stated mission.

[But of course, that once more raises the other question she's heard repeated in quiet murmurs among the group: Can they trust the Ferryman?]