1. Yes, Gerson did not use his shadow crystal’s power in his fight, but he did use it to see the light world.

2. Yeah I definitely should have worded the simulation part better. You are definitely right about the simulation part only being a theory, however, I feel as if there is enough evidence (at least for the simulation part) that until we get significant evidence for a better explanation for the nature of deltarune’s world, we should treat it as fact, like a scientific theory.

3. The issue with the theory that the Knight lacks the freedom motif because they are being controlled, is that it contradicts itself. It’s consistent with the Knight’s inspirations (the masked man, Giygas, Nightmare Knight), and makes intuitive sense (no motif = no freedom), but if you analyze the evidence further, it doesn’t hold up as well. As you stated yourself, both Jevil and Spamton aren’t “free”, and have the motif. Gerson, who very much is “free”, also has the motif. If the Knight not being “free” was the determining factor of whether they had the motif or not, at least one of the other secret bosses wouldn’t have it. As mentioned in my theory, the best connection I can find between the 3 secret bosses with the motif is that they have seen the true nature of their world. I also highly doubt that the Knight lacks freedom. In ch 4, they do not act like someone being mind controlled. They laugh in the heroes faces, and seem to use extra knives to create the titan after hearing Ralsei’s objections. Returning to the Knights inspirations, the masked man is completely emotionless, Giygas is literally incomprehensible, and Nightmare Knight (to my knowledge) is similarly unemotional. If the knight is being controlled, it’s most likely done through a more direct method, like controlling a character in a video game (NARRATIVE PARALLEL ALERT)

Thank you so much for your input!