CHAPTER 46: 46 HOW DID YOU FIND OUT?

The treehouse was silent.

One could hear the faint sounds from the organs in jars and bottles.

The beating of a heart, the rumbling of a stomach, the trembling of an eye stalk, the breathing of gills... and the noise made by the rocking of a wicker chair.

Creek, creek, creek—

That annoying sound was particularly piercing in the quiet space, drilling into Svanni’s ears one after another.

"..."

The aloof Elf’s eyes trembled slightly; for the first time, she raised her eyes and looked directly at the leisurely white-haired boy in front of her.

Beauty no less than an Elf’s, with pure, crystal-clear light gray eyes, hair as pure and white as if blessed, and a half-dry, slightly translucent silk robe.

Rather than resembling a Holy Professional Prison Warden managing a prison, he seemed more like a noble youth who would appear at aristocratic balls.

Moreover, the devilish smile tugging at the corners of his mouth only added a carefree air to this noble scion.

He clearly seemed like the type who would glide effortlessly around the dance floor with noble ladies, or be secretly pulled into a hidden corner by a few madams for intimate emotional exchanges.

Honestly, is he really a Paladin?

Though Svanni had unresolved doubts in her heart, it was the exposure of her disguise that truly changed her demeanor, rather than such trivial questions.

Given his ability, he shouldn’t have been able to see through my disguise.

So, what went wrong?

Even though the matter had been exposed, Svanni’s attitude hadn’t changed significantly; she neither stubbornly denied it nor flew into a rage, maintaining her aloof demeanor.

She nodded towards Herbert, saying, "You also surprised me a bit. How did you discover it?"

"How to put it, intuition?"

Herbert tilted his head, raising an eyebrow, and teased, "I’ve always felt that a beautiful woman like you seems skilled at deception."

Svanni didn’t laugh; she frowned instead, asking, "Are you implying that all Dark Elves are deceitful liars?"

Herbert: ?

"Uh, no, I didn’t mean any racial discrimination, don’t overthink it."

He wiped nonexistent sweat from his forehead, adding awkwardly, "What I mean is, I think you’re quite beautiful!"

No.

It’s another world, why is dark skin still so sensitive?

I didn’t, I haven’t!

I’ve never persecuted you!

"Is that so?"

Svanni’s eyebrows moved slightly, and she shook her head, "No, even if you truly think that, it doesn’t matter."

"Dark Elves are indeed a race skilled in deception and trickery. This trait runs in our blood, and in this regard... I am no exception."

"You’re right, I’m just such a person, indeed very skilled at deceiving others."

The Dark Elf’s earnest attitude left Herbert somewhat speechless, feeling the conversation might not progress much further.

What’s up with this sister?

So inept at conversation.

No, are you really so withdrawn?

"Ahem."

Herbert cleared his throat, forcibly bypassing this topic, steering the situation forward: "Of course, intuition is one aspect; what truly led me to judge was your behavior."

The boy slightly raised his chin, indicating her to look at the lifeless skeleton head on the table.

"The biggest flaw is here."

"Earlier, when I handed it to you, you didn’t take it, did you?"

He gazed at Svanni’s thoughtful expression, saying slowly:

"Clearly a fellow of your kind, clearly just a skeleton head, yet you were unwilling to touch it... afraid?"

Finishing, Herbert’s eyes swept across the various bizarre organs in the room, chuckling inexplicably.

Are you afraid?

Shouldn’t I be the one who’s afraid?

"Of course, there’s also the possibility that you’re severely germophobic, unwilling to touch something I, a filthy person, have touched."

"But rather than this peculiar possibility, I’m more inclined to trust my intuition—you are not here; the one present is merely an incredibly real illusion."

"And in fact, my guess was correct."

"I guessed right."

Herbert satisfiedly shook his neck, finding a more comfortable posture to half-recline.

That posture, that look, almost screamed arrogance and pride.

Heh↑ heh↓

"Since I’ve already guessed, there’s no need for you to continue acting, wouldn’t you agree?"

After hearing Herbert’s explanation, Svanni pondered for a moment before slowly standing up, nodding towards him.

"You’re right, in that case, Lord Prison Warden, please follow me. My real self is upstairs and can’t come down for the moment."

Having said that, she didn’t wait for Herbert’s response before heading towards the seemingly empty wall.

The bark-covered wall slowly cracked as she approached, revealing a dark passage.

Herbert squinted, looking at the phosphorescently vine-covered steps, gazing up at the dark void reaching up, squinting his eyes again.

Should I go?

For now, I can still say I’m not deeply into the prison, just wandering outside the bars. Going deeper... could indeed invite some risks.

Svanni turned her head at the entrance of the passage, silently watching him without speaking.

Isn’t it you who wanted to see my real self?

So now, will you follow?

"Of course, it’s no problem." Herbert said with a grin, casually following her with relaxed steps.

Since things have come this far, there’s no reason to give up halfway.

I must see what exactly you have up your sleeve!

Svanni, seeing him follow, said nothing more, merely nodding silently and leading the way.

The passage was long and deep.

Not long after Herbert followed Svanni upstairs, Nenasha, who had been silent for a while, couldn’t help but speak:

["Hey, how did you find out?"]

["I clearly didn’t tell you, and was waiting to see your laugh... awaiting the moment you’d discover."]

?

Herbert squinted, having an internal chat: "You intentionally said only half the words, right? You’re intentionally picking a fight, aren’t you?"

["Of course~"]

Nenasha shamelessly laughed: ["But I’m really curious about how you noticed, it’s not just the reasons you gave her, is it?"]

"Well, besides the reasons I just mentioned, there’s another crucial point."

"Her reaction upon seeing me was just too indifferent."

Herbert calmly explained a reason that sounded a bit narcissistic.

"According to you, all Demons would develop an inexplicable fondness for me, even if not love, at least show some goodwill."

"Yet, she was too calm, even cold to the point of not seeming like a living person."

"Besides that, there’s actually one more reason."

["What is it?"]

"It’s... the smell."

Nenasha: ?

You’re, you’re strange!