Words of Mad Defiance

"Perhaps he merely wanted to win your trust," someone in the gallery said.

"If he deliberately disguised himself, it would indeed be difficult to tell in this regard."

"My lords," Taxisis had no choice but to raise her voice, "if we ignore all evidence, or deliberately twist it into a trap laid in advance, then no one can truly remain innocent! On the way to Hila, I also sounded out the other Dragonborn and several sailors about the situation. I found virtually no inconsistencies. Even if the eastern ambassador had received special training and could fabricate a perfectly self-consistent lie, could everyone else possibly have acted their parts so flawlessly as well? Therefore, I personally believe he is entirely free of suspicion in this matter."

After studying her for a moment, Lady Maine gave a slight nod. "I have no further questions."

"Then did this person ever mention any knowledge concerning Lesser Evil Spirits?" another red-robed Priest asked.

Taxisis placed a hand over her chest in salute—Alek was one of the heads of the central Holy See, responsible for the instruction of believers and the study of spells, and had once been her teacher. "In fact, it was the Ambassador himself who first provided the clue regarding eastern Talismans. During our subsequent cooperation, he also discussed eastern and western understandings of Evil Spirits and ways of dealing with them many times. I believe this is an excellent opportunity to improve The Church's ability to exorcise Evil Spirits."

The other party said with satisfaction, "Later, write down the contents of your conversations and submit them to me for review."

"Yes."

"Very well. Let us set aside our suspicions toward the eastern ambassador for now," Pella IV finally spoke. "You may make reasonable conjectures, but excessive questioning is inappropriate. Accusations unsupported by