It feels like a really weak development to have Nao ‘fall’ for this after time and time again she’s been fooled like that. Esp since it’s the last game it’s kinda a tired cliche by the author at this point
Let me attempt some mental gymnastics. If the plot was played straight (pun intended), then it would be a pretty typical villainess story where Carol’s villain origin would be her husband being like yeah I’ll never love you you were just a tool. But since Julius is actually a woman it subverts...