Another Possibility

Bals was taken aback. He had not expected Sart to answer that way, but he quickly recovered and laughed the matter off.

With a gentle push, the Spirit Letter floated lightly over to Sart. "Since you're an apprentice of the Star Tower, I'll have to ask you to keep this letter safe."

Sart did not refuse. He casually took a small pinch of Spirit Powder from the leather pouch at his waist and sprinkled it over the envelope.

An astonishing scene unfolded. As the Spirit Powder touched it, the envelope was once again dyed a deep blue before Sart casually stuffed it into the crystal ball.

Yes, Aaron watched with his own eyes as the envelope vanished into the crystal ball in the most unremarkable manner.

Although none of those present had ever seen such a scene, most of them were well-informed and had long since stopped finding strange things strange.

Only Curiosity Baby Aaron had truly never seen much of the world. Unable to hold back, he asked, "Why can this letter be stored inside a crystal ball?"

If someone else had asked, Sart might not even have bothered responding, pretending he had not heard.

The Spirit Letter was a special means of communication used by the Star Tower. Or rather, it was far more than just a letter.

At the very least, Sart knew several ways to use a Spirit Letter. It could serve as a medium to communicate directly with his mentor, Julian; it could be used as an auxiliary material for certain large-scale rituals; and it could even function as a crude container for storing spices...

Such an important item was something no one would explain to others. It already involved certain secrets of the Star Tower.

However, since Aaron was the one asking...

Sart pondered for several seconds before carefully choosing his words. "You can think of it as some kind of conversion. I'm afraid I can't reveal the specifics."

Aaron acknowledged him, but a trace of disappointment flashed through his eyes.

It was not because Sart had been vague. Rather, the system had not prompted him that he had gained any Knowledge Points.

He clearly gained a certain number of Knowledge Points whenever he witnessed a supernatural phenomenon. So could it be that this letter was not supernatural enough?

Aaron felt somewhat dejected.

According to the system, as long as he continued experiencing all kinds of supernatural events, he would be able to obtain a massive number of Knowledge Points, which meant he could keep adding points.

That was undoubtedly the most direct way to improve his abilities.

But judging from the current situation, obtaining Knowledge Points did not seem nearly as easy as he had imagined...

Meanwhile, Bals coughed softly, his eyes shifting slightly.

As a city lord, he was not as rough and straightforward as his appearance suggested. At the very least, he had noticed that Sart seemed far too respectful toward Aaron...

"You?" He cast an offhand glance at Aaron, and the smile on his face grew a little deeper.

"Lord Bals, please tell us about Tien's death." Alice finally spoke.

Noble etiquette told her to be patient, but she could not wait any longer.

At the mention of Tien, Bals's expression tightened slightly. After pondering for a moment, he asked Alice, "Can your attendants be trusted?"

Before Alice could react, the tool man Ed voiced his displeasure. "Lord Bals, I'm not quite sure what you mean by that."

Alice clasped her hands together. Her expression grew a little more solemn as she stared into Bals's eyes. "Lord Bals, Uncle Ed watched me grow up. He was also my first teacher in swordsmanship."

"Yes, of course I trust his loyalty. In fact, our exchange just now was quite pleasant..." Bals paused, then glanced at Aaron again. "However, they lack Mind Protection. You should know that Heretical Cultists excel at stealing thoughts and peering into people's minds, especially when it comes to Master Tien's death..."

Before he could finish, Ed had already leaped to his feet. Muttering incomprehensible words, he turned and left in a huff.

"Then what about Sir Aaron..." Bals smoothly turned his attention to Aaron.

Aaron glanced at Ed's departing figure. His curiosity urged him to stay, but his reason told him it would be better to leave.

Just as he hesitated, he suddenly felt someone gently take his hand.

Was it Alice?!

He froze and had yet to react when he heard Alice say firmly, "Lord Bals, he is my fiancé. I'll keep an eye on him."

Sart also coughed softly and gave Bals a slight nod. "I'll keep a close watch on Sir Aaron as well."

Although Ed had already told him about the engagement, Bals still showed some surprise. He did not say anything, merely giving Aaron a long, searching look.

"In that case, Master Sart, please set up a simple barrier."

Sart raised his eyebrows, but he still took out a small pinch of Spirit Powder and sprinkled it over the crystal ball, activating the barrier.

What had happened to make Bals treat this matter so cautiously?

Not only had he driven away the attendants, he had even constructed a barrier.

"Lord Bals, you can tell us now, can't you?" Alice spoke, her tone already carrying a hint of displeasure. "House of Iris takes Tien's death extremely seriously. He was one of the family's few seers. We sent him to Leyden City because we trusted you, and now you have clearly betrayed our family's trust."

"That's not how you should put it..." Bals casually rested his hand on the round wooden table, yet the table groaned under the pressure. "Do you think Tien's death alone would have made the Star Tower pay attention to this matter?"

"Isn't it because there is an exceptionally powerful Heretical Cultist in Leyden City?" Alice frowned. She sensed that something was wrong, yet still instinctively asked.

"An exceptionally powerful Heretical Cultist?" Bals laughed helplessly. "It seems you truly never carefully studied the information I provided to your family..."

"You mean..."

Not only did Alice's expression turn grim, Sart's did as well.

He had vaguely guessed a certain possibility, but he could not be sure.

"Yes. Tien died in his room. There had been no struggle before his death, and he had removed all his protective items. The room also contained a strong Heretical Cult Aura. Everything pointed to some unknown Heretical Cultist..."

Bals drew out his words. Although he still wore a smile, it was merely a false one. There was not the slightest trace of amusement in his eyes.

Aaron sighed inwardly.

Couldn't he have just said "but" directly?

"But there is another possibility." Bals stared into Alice's eyes and enunciated each word. "He himself was a Heretical Cultist."

Alice's expression changed instantly. "That's impossible!"

She could not help tightening her grip on Aaron's hand, squeezing until his finger bones creaked loudly!

Aaron's five points of Constitution made him feel a great deal of pressure.