Once Iver placed Sherlock on the bed, he lowered his voice and turned to Isabel. "He's asleep. He can't hear anything."
--That was a mysterious technique from the Path of Twilight, known as Turtle Breathing.
It allowed one's bodily functions to adjust to a sleeping state while maintaining keen awareness of the outside world. It was not a profound technique and could be forcibly performed through a mage's ability to imitate.
Isabel had not known this technique existed.
But she understood what Iver meant—it meant Sherlock was not asleep. He was pretending.
So what am I supposed to act out? Isabel looked at Iver inquisitively and lowered her voice as well. "What should I do? And... Mr. Hermes was so badly injured. How long will it take him to recover?"
"Four or five days at most, but I hope to heal him today or tomorrow."
Iver glanced at Isabel and quickly replied.
--There was a chance of keeping him alive until the end of the ritual, but there was also a chance he would be killed within a day.
"But before treating him, there are a few things I must say to you..."
Then Iver respectfully bowed to Isabel. "Your Highness... No, I should address you as Her Majesty the Queen of Avalon now. Let's have an open and honest discussion."
Isabel's heart stirred, and her tone turned cold. "What is it? Is there something you want to discuss?"
Following Iver's expressions and movements, Isabel's improvised performance instantly made her tone become forceful.
She knew what Iver wanted her to act out.
"I'm just a little confused... Or rather, I suddenly had a thought."
Iver sat beside the bed and looked up at Isabel. He said softly, "Could the Stibnite People's conspiracy have gone a little too smoothly?"
"...What do