After a simple explanation, the misunderstanding was successfully resolved.
The officer who had just imprisoned Lord Rhine suddenly realized:
"So that's it. The teacher of the great Oz, besides those special forms—like a hundred-meter-tall flame giant, or a giant beast with dozens or hundreds of eyes—can also have such an ordinary appearance."
"This is truly incredible!"
Uh… Lord Rhine felt the misunderstanding had deepened, but he was too lazy to explain further.
He put on his green glasses and followed the Soldiers to the palace.
...
In a small room in the palace, Oz was terrified.
Over the years, to conceal his identity and avoid being discovered by the evil witches of the East and West, Oz had always been on edge.
This anxious life had turned him into a bald, little old man, his skin as dry as tree bark.
Now, his wrinkled face was even more troubled.
He immediately ordered the Soldiers to release Lord Rhine and invited him over, wanting to gain the forgiveness of this Kingdom's Sage.
If it weren't for maintaining his mysterious image in the eyes of outsiders, Oz would have personally gone to find Lord Rhine!
"It's over. That powerful sorcerer must now know that I impersonated his disciple and disguised myself as a great sorcerer."
"Even my close subordinates weren't allowed to see me in person all these years.
I used magic to disguise myself in various forms, making everyone believe I was a terrifying, ever-changing sorcerer!"
"But Lord Rhine has seen my original appearance; he knows my true identity."
"How will he punish me?"
"Will he expose my lie in front of the entire Emerald City?"
"Will he tell everyone that Oz is just a big liar with no magic at all?"
"Or will he kill me in a fit of rage, just like the imposing great sorcerer image I've pretended to be?"
"I can only pray he will still consider my reputation.
At most, he'll deny having a disciple like me, rather than completely exposing the fact that I can't do magic at all."
The uneasy Oz was like an ant on a hot pan.
He recalled the condemned prisoners in the Kingdom who were about to be hanged and felt his current situation was much the same.
"Long time no see, Oz."
A clear voice sounded behind Oz.
The short old man's heart almost leaped out of his chest.
He turned around and found Lord Rhine had appeared behind him at some point, looking at him.
The silver-haired youth's face was still the same as it had been more than 10 years ago; time had left no trace on his face.
Oz was both startled and afraid, and the timid short old man cried and begged for mercy:
"I'm sorry, I'm truly sorry! Lord Rhine, I shouldn't have impersonated your disciple.
I'm just an ordinary person; I shouldn't have pretended to be a great sorcerer.
Please forgive me, please forgive me! I'll do anything, as long as you let me go..."
"It's alright now."
Lord Rhine shrugged and said naturally, "I've acknowledged your identity in front of your subordinates."
"Ah?" Oz was startled, clearly not having reacted.
"They all believe you are my disciple, and I have tacitly agreed.
From now on, you truly are my disciple."
Lord Rhine's calm words made Oz feel like he was dreaming.
"On the way here, I found that the people of Emerald City greatly revere and like you as their King, saying you are a very good King because you are kind to your people.
You are majestic, formidable, possess powerful magic, yet also kind and righteous—at least, that's what they believe."
Lord Rhine added, "Your terror is only directed at those boring, dishonest, and evil enemies."
"Please don't make fun of me; you know I'm just an ordinary old man with no magic at all."
Oz said awkwardly.
Oz lowered his head and recounted his experiences:
"When I arrived in this Green Field by hot air balloon, because I descended from the sky, they naturally assumed I was a powerful sorcerer.
They were willing to work for me, so I had them build this Emerald City.
"Of course, as clever as you are, you must have noticed that Emerald City is no greener than other cities.
It's just that I required everyone to wear green glasses, making them believe this was a marvelous city full of gems and emeralds.
"After Emerald City was built, I stayed in the palace and rarely left.
"I used to work in a circus and was very good at magic tricks and other deceptions.
Whenever someone came to visit me, I would use magic to disguise myself as a giant beast, a burning fireball, or other creatures, making them believe Oz was a terrifying, ever-changing sorcerer.
"However, only I myself knew that I wasn't a sorcerer at all.
"I was always afraid of the two evil witches of the East and West; their magic was genuine.
Fortunately, they both mistakenly believed I was truly formidable and never thought of directly challenging me."
After recounting his experiences of these years, Oz's expression darkened considerably:
"So, you must think I'm a big liar who has deceived the world, right?"
Lord Rhine saw the little old man's dispirited look and comforted him:
"Although both your true identity and the green Emerald City are deceptions,
the respect and affection people have for you are real, truly as real as can be.
"This is like a magic show at a circus; although it's fake, the audience's joy is real.
"Since that's the case, you don't need to feel guilty about it.
"Anyway, I've already acknowledged your identity—from now on, you truly are my disciple.
As long as I acknowledge it, it's no longer a lie."
Oz's eyes lit up:
"Really? Thank you for your generosity, great Sage!"
He felt like he was dreaming.
Even in his dreams, he wouldn't dare to expect such a desired situation to happen before him.
"From now on, you can continue to be the King of Oz until forever."
Lord Rhine smiled.
When Oz heard this, his face suddenly darkened a few shades.
The scrawny little old man shook his head:
"I'm afraid not.
My identity will probably be exposed very soon, so I've been thinking of leaving here as soon as possible.
I want to return to Rose Kingdom by hot air balloon, but I'm afraid the King is still pursuing me..."
"The King of Rose Kingdom is not pursuing you."
Lord Rhine said, "It was your brother who adulterated the gold plate, not you."
"That's wonderful!" Oz was both surprised and delighted, "Now I can return to my homeland.
I won't have to live in fear every day, being a liar."
"Wait a moment."
Lord Rhine asked, "Why do you say your identity is about to be exposed?"
Oz began to speak of the fear he had been harboring in his heart:
"A few months ago, a sorcerer named Maglido came to Emerald City..."