Bloody ridiculous, just state the truth or say you want to talk in private...jeez, publicly asking if he reincarnated would actually put the MC in a tight spot. I honestly hate it when crap like this happens -.-
so why is he hiding it? is there an actual reason beyond unnecessary bullshit conflict?
what negative effects could telling her the truth bring? seems like you could make a strong ally and reunite with someone that was extremely close to you in your previous life...
Merlin has been pounding MC of her wrestling grappling technique through suffocation.
At least MC didnt had to be tortured using her thicc thighs instead.....
And it's still speculatory in nature, based on things our MC was too dumb to hide. Merlin being on the money doesn't change that she was asking a question.
Whereas our MC divulged actual information that was secret even though he lied about how he obtained it.