Chapter 2 Mislead_2

He revealed a serious expression and said earnestly, "That is true, but since you, senior, know that what I am saying is all nonsense, then why would you believe an anonymous tip-off letter? What's the difference between what I say and that accusation letter?"

"...So, what is the truth?"

"I can give you another version of the story—I was attacked and taken to Stone Arch Bridge Park while out for a walk. When I came to, I was sitting in a wheelchair. I had no idea what had happened in between, had no clue that I had been offered as a sacrifice to a demon, nor did I know how they were driven off, or how I managed to survive..."

"But this version of the story is too smooth, without any flaws. It's like the defense made by a Legal Mage in court. If I tell you directly, you might actually become more suspicious."

Aiwass sighed, again appearing very helpless and innocent.

He said, "So, which one do you believe?"

...If emotional parts are set aside and judged from a rational perspective, it seems the latter is more reasonable.

I might have misunderstood Aiwass again. Is it because the jealousy in my heart hasn't completely dissipated?

—And indeed, he couldn't possibly summon a demon of that level because Aiwass was too weak. Hayna could sense that he was probably a Transcendent, but the reaction was very weak. At most, he had only ignited the first layer of the Path.

The Transcendent knowledge Hayna had learned indicated that a Transcendent in such preparatory stages, even if really summoning a demon, could only muster something on the level of a Familiar and definitely couldn't cause such massive destruction—besides, the confirmed dead at the scene of the ritual were indeed fugitives who had drifted into the Royal Capital.

That person had once sacrificed a small village and was now a third-level Demon Scholar, even capable of summoning an Upper-Level Demon.

...Could it be that after he summoned the demon, the Demonic Pact failed and he was devoured by the demon?

It wasn't impossible.

If that was the case, the demon would have been banished back with the summoner's death. Aiwass was just severely drained by the ritual and then picked up by the old butler. Logically speaking, this possibility is much greater.

...But why then would Aiwass tell such an outrageous lie to me?

Soon, Hayna came to realize—

She came up with a very reasonable explanation: because her own attitude had changed too simply. She had pronounced Aiwass's innocence without thorough interrogation. And Aiwass, as an truly innocent person, felt angry because of such a hasty attitude and deliberately spoke some strange words to mock her for being prone to preconceptions and too trusting of others.

That's how it was.

That's why the chief wasn't very concerned about this matter... because he knew Aiwass couldn't be the culprit, and most likely didn't have any important information. The investigation would just be a waste of effort. Hence, he casually sent me, and I actually thought this was some important task and tried to find a flaw in it...

Indeed, I was too impulsive. Too young, too eager to make a name for myself, and lost my cool in the process.

She still remembered, another case had occurred simultaneously yesterday—To conduct large-scale rituals like summoning demons, Demon Scholars typically required pairs. And in most cases, the pairs of Demon Scholars were master and apprentice.

If the mentor Demon Scholar was devoured by the summoned demon, then it would make sense for the apprentice to flee alone. If Aiwass was his assistant, the apprentice, then who committed yesterday's case? If Aiwass had controlled the demon to kill one person, would he let another go?

...Hey, what nonsense am I spouting. An Upper-Level Demon isn't that easy to control by such a neophyte. She mocked herself.

"I'm sorry, I was prejudiced."

Coming to this realization, Hayna apologized outright, "I am also very sorry for overstepping earlier. If you still plan to return to school, I can ask my juniors to give you some convenience."

"This is not compensation, just an expression of some regret. If you need me to do anything else, please feel free to ask."

"Anything?" Aiwass seemed somewhat tempted.

"...Just to clear things up, I don't have any money."

Hayna's face showed a somewhat sorrowful expression as she helplessly added, "Besides monetary compensation—if needed, I could do some volunteer work."

"It's fine, as long as the misunderstanding is cleared up."

Aiwass said with a gentle smile, "Actually, I'm also feeling uneasy. After all, if you return and someone happens to mention something that arouses your suspicion, leading you to investigate again, it would be troublesome for both parties. Not to mention if you were to be late again..."

"So now, why don't you guess why I would know about the demon? Even though I hadn't come into contact with anything and was unconscious the whole time. But why could I guess the moment we met that this matter was related to the Demon Scholar?"

"...I think this is what they call the art of deduction! Just like the famous Mr. Sherlock!"

Hayna's eyes lit up, "I remember Mr. Sherlock was also the professor's favorite student. He seemed to excel at this sort of divination-like method to discern other people's details! I collected newspaper clipping of the cases he solved—I cut out the parts about Mr. Sherlock from those newspapers and pasted them into a book. Now that book is already one-third full..."

Feeling that she had met a fellow enthusiast, she suddenly became excited.

Hayna had already been feeling a bit guilty, and now she was eager to show her friendliness, to demonstrate that she truly had no intention of targeting him. She nearly forced herself to exhibit a friendly demeanor, and finally, she had found a breakthrough—their shared admiration for Mr. Sherlock!

Watching Hayna caught up in her excitement, talking nonstop, Aiwass, sitting in his wheelchair, narrowed his eyes, showing a harmless smile.

If Hayna weren't so careless and had observed carefully, she might have noticed the old Elf who stood quietly by her side, whose shadow beneath him didn't move at all. However, the shadow cast by Aiwass's wheelchair was trembling slightly, like a wild beast breathing steadily in sleep.

This was entirely a 'deduction' you made on your own, I hardly told any lies.

Deduction is prone to bias when you determine a conclusion first and then look for evidence. It seems you are not yet qualified.

—Yes, Aiwass indeed was a sacrifice.

But at the same time, "Aiwass" was also indeed a participant in the Demon Ritual.

What he said before was not a lie.

Had he not suddenly recalled memories of his past life, he might well have been an "Otherworldly Demon" summoned by the ritual using Aiwass's soul as the offering.

Because accompanying those memories of the past life was the familiar light screen that appeared before his eyes:

Aiwass, human male, combined level 4

Basic professions—

Priest LV1: [Basic Prayer-1st level (93%)]

Demon Scholar LV3: [Demonology Knowledge-1st level (13%)], [Basic Ritual-1st level (5%)], [Demonic Pact-1st level (99%)]

Paths illuminated: Dedication-0th Layer; Transcendence-1st Layer

Mana Pool: 1/1 (Light), 3/3 (Darkness)

Free Experience: 24

Path Traits—

Transcendence-Shadow Affinity LV1: You have formed a lifebinding pact with a Shadow Demon, enabling you to freely use first energy level shadow abilities.