How did you find out?

Inside the tree house, absolute silence prevailed.

The faint, subtle sounds of organs preserved in various jars could be clearly heard.

The beating of a heart, the peristalsis of a stomach, the trembling of eyestalks, the breathing of gills... and the creaking noise made by the rocking chair as it swung back and forth.

Screech, screech, screech—

That irritating sound felt exceptionally grating in the quiet space, drilling relentlessly into Svanie's ears.

"..."

The aloof elven eyes trembled slightly. For the first time, she raised her gaze and looked directly at the leisurely white-haired youth before her.

Possessing a beauty that did not pale in comparison to an elf, pure crystal-like pale gray eyes, hair as pure white as a blessing, and a half-dry, slightly translucent silk bathrobe.

Rather than a clerical warden managing a prison, he looked much more like a young aristocrat who might appear at a noble ball.

Coupled with the wicked smile playing at the corners of his lips—one that bore no resemblance whatsoever to that of a man of the cloth—it added an air of unrestrained libertinism to his aristocratic appearance.

He was obviously the type adept at waltzing with noble ladies in the ballroom, or being secretly pulled into secluded corners by several matrons for deep, emotional exchanges.

Seriously, was he really a Holy Knight?

Although the doubts in Svanie's heart were hard to resolve, compared to such trivial matters, what truly compelled her to change her attitude was the exposure of her avatar.

Given his strength, it should have been impossible for him to see through her disguise.

So where exactly had something gone wrong?

Although she had been exposed, Svanie's attitude did not change dramatically. She neither offered endless denials nor flew into a rage; her demeanor remained as aloof as ever.

She nodded toward Herbert and said, "You have also exceeded my expectations somewhat. How did you figure it out?"

"How should I put it? Intuition?"

Herbert tilted his head, raised an eyebrow, and joked, "I just have a feeling that a beautiful woman like you is exceptionally good at lying."

Svanie did not smile; instead, she frowned and said, "Are you implying that all dark elves are accomplished liars?"

Herbert: ?

"Uh, no, I don't mean to be racially prejudiced. Don't overthink it."

Wiping a nonexistent sweat from his brow, he added with a somewhat embarrassed expression, "I just meant that I think you are very good-looking!"

No.

This was another world already; why were dark-skinned people still so sensitive?

I didn't! I really didn't!

I have never persecuted you people!

"Is that so?"

Svanie's brows twitched slightly, and she shook her head. "No, it doesn't matter even if that is truly what you thought."

"Dark elves are indeed a race exceptionally skilled in deception and cunning. That trait has always existed within our blood, and in this regard... I am no exception."

"You are quite right. I am indeed such a person, and I am truly adept at deceiving others."

The dark elf's deadpan earnestness left Herbert somewhat speechless, making the conversation feel a bit difficult to continue.

What is wrong with this older sister?

She is so terrible at making small talk.

Wait, are you seriously socially awkward?

"Cough, cough."

Herbert gave a dry cough, forcibly skipping past the topic, and steered the conversation forward. "Of course, intuition is one aspect, but what truly allowed me to judge was your performance."

The youth lifted his chin slightly, signaling her to look at the skull on the desk that had completely lost its vitality.

"The biggest flaw is right here."

He gazed at Svanie's thoughtful expression and said leisurely:

"Clearly your kinsman, clearly just a skull, yet you were unwilling even to touch it... Were you afraid?"

With that, Herbert's gaze slowly swept across the various bizarre organs scattered around the room, offering a self-evident smile.

You were afraid?

The one who should be afraid is me, surely.

"Of course, there is another possibility: you suffer from severe mysophobia and are unwilling to touch an object that has been handled by someone as defiled as me."

"Yet, rather than entertaining such a bizarre possibility, I prefer to believe my own intuition—you are not actually here; what stands in this place is merely an extraordinarily realistic illusion."

"And facts have proven my guess to be correct."

"I won the bet."

Herbert shook his neck with satisfaction and shifted into a more comfortable, semi-reclined posture.

His posture and demeanor lacked only the words 'smug and arrogant' written across his face.

Heh ↑ heh ↓

"Since I've already guessed it, there's no need for you to keep acting, don't you agree?"

After listening to Herbert's explanation, Svanie pondered for a moment, slowly stood up, and nodded at him.

"You are right. In that case, Warden, please follow me. My true body is upstairs and cannot spare herself at the moment."

With that, without waiting for Herbert's reply, she walked straight toward what appeared to be a completely solid wall.

As she approached, the bark wall slowly split open, revealing a dark passageway.

Herbert squinted, looking at the staircase paved with fluorescent vines and then into the darkness that stretched endlessly upward.

Should he go?

Up to now, one could still argue he hadn't penetrated deep into the prison, just lingering around the outer perimeter of the bars. But if he went any further... there would genuinely be a certain degree of risk.

Svanie turned back at the entrance of the passageway, remaining silent as she gazed at him without a word.

Didn't you want to see my true body?

Well then, will you follow now?

"Naturally, no problem." Herbert rose with a smile, following closely with light steps.

Things had already reached this point; there was no turning back halfway.

I must see what kind of medicine you've got in your gourd!

Seeing him follow, Svanie said nothing more. She simply nodded silently and took the lead.

The passageway was long and deep.

Shortly after Herbert followed Svanie upstairs, Nienassa, who had remained silent for quite a while, could no longer hold back:

["Hey, how did you figure it out?"]

["I clearly didn't tell you, and I was waiting to see you make a fool... waiting to see when you'd notice."]

?

Herbert narrowed his eyes and retorted internally: "You deliberately left out half your words, didn't you? You were deliberately trying to trip me up, weren't you?"

["Naturally~"]

Nienassa showed no shame whatsoever, laughing as she said: ["But I'm genuinely curious how you noticed. The reasons couldn't just be what you explained to her, right?"]

"Well, aside from the reasons I just mentioned, there was one more crucial point."

"Her reaction when she saw me was far too lukewarm."

Herbert calmly stated a reason that sounded somewhat narcissistic.

"According to you, all monsters develop an inexplicable sense of goodwill toward me. Even if it's not affection, they at least display some kindness."

"Yet her reaction was too calm, almost chillingly cold—not at all like a living person."

"Aside from that, there was actually one more reason."

["What is it?"]

"It's... the smell."

Nienassa: ?

You—you are seriously abnormal!