Chapter 3: 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. 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.