Truth and Deception

"Of course."

Lewis removed the monocle and placed it in an exquisite wooden box. "We've already discussed it with the mayor and decided to hold a press conference tomorrow night."

"A press conference?" Sifa was genuinely surprised. "What kind of press conference?"

The red-haired lady, who had not spoken until now, glanced at the seemingly exhausted Lewis, took over, and replied, "A press conference about this murder case. We've contacted reporters from several nearby towns and had them release the news in advance, telling people that we'll announce our findings from the past few days at the conference, including that most important diary."

"Besides that, they'll release a crucial piece of information: Mr. Sifa has already discovered the mastermind in Mrs. Paris's basement and knows what he looks like."

"At that time, Mr. Sifa will reveal the criminal's appearance at the press conference."

"So during the time leading up to it, we and the town police will do everything we can to protect Mr. Sifa. But at the conference, our manpower will be somewhat dispersed. Before attending, Mr. Sifa will arrive at the venue early and spend the time in the lounge."

After hearing Martha's explanation, Sifa roughly understood that Lewis and the others intended to force the criminal out and set a trap to capture him in the venue's lounge.

"If that's the case, I'd like to add a few suggestions."

Sifa threw himself into the matter and offered several suggestions from a Hunter's perspective. They discussed and refined the plan in the hall.

It was nearly noon before Lewis and the others took their leave.

Sitting in the carriage provided by the mayor, Lewis took out the wooden box containing the monocle and handed it to Profiler Warren.

The shy-looking young man asked in a dim voice, "What do you think, Captain? Is there something wrong with young Master Sifa?"

Lewis put his black-framed glasses back on and glanced at the wooden box in Warren's hands. "With the help of '3-0718,' I conducted a second assessment of him just now. His words and actions seemed somewhat reserved, as though he was concealing something."

"However, regarding the key questions—such as the parchment and Beyonders—he didn't lie. At least, I couldn't detect any signs of lying."

Jeffrey, whose complexion was pale, shifted farther away from the window and said, "3-0718 corresponds to the Spectator sequence. Wearing it allows the captain to obtain relevant abilities from that sequence, letting him observe and interpret some of the other party's unconscious body language."

"If Sifa had lied, he shouldn't have been able to fool this Sealed Artifact."

Martha, who was a Seer yet gave off none of the air of a charlatan, whistled. "Does that mean we can trust him? Wonderful. That young gentleman is both handsome and righteous. I rather like him."

Jeffrey gave a dry cough and kindly reminded her, "Martha, you're older than him."

The red-haired lady said indignantly, "Jeffrey, bringing up a lady's age in front of her is terribly rude, isn't it?"

"Besides, for people who truly love each other, age is not a problem at all."

Martha looked at Lewis, who was rubbing his forehead, and said pointedly, "Captain, don't you agree?"

Lewis raised his head blankly. "Sorry, my mind wandered just now. What were you talking about?"

Martha rolled her eyes and slumped against the back of her seat like a deflated balloon, saying no more.

After lunch, Sifa informed his parents that he would be assisting the police, then returned to his room.

He folded his arms across his chest and paced back and forth. "This morning, Lewis was clearly testing me. He suspected me."

"He mentioned Beyonders, so does that mean he suspects I might be a Beyonder?"

"Why would he make that connection? Could it be because of that parchment?"

Sifa smacked his forehead and figured a few things out.

"I discovered the murder at the Paris residence and reported it to the police myself, but I didn't hand over the parchment. At the time, I was only worried that the seed of evil would take root in town, so I used another identity to send it to Saint Witte Church."

"But I overlooked something. Doing that would instead arouse suspicion. Sending the parchment to the church happened to show that I could understand the Hermesian on it and knew it was an incantation pleading to an evil god."

"Lewis must have used that point to infer that I may have entered the mysterious world and might be a Beyonder. That was why he tested me this morning."

Sifa lightly patted his chest. "Good thing I didn't answer those questions directly. Besides, those answers were a mix of truth and lies. Judging from Lewis's expression afterward, he should believe me now."

"This world really is dangerous. One careless mistake could expose me. I need to be even more cautious from now on. I'll take this as a lesson."

He glanced at the wall clock. There were twenty minutes left until two in the afternoon.

Lewis had said that at two o'clock, they would enter the baron's estate along with a team of police officers and begin the protection detail, ensuring that, with no other options left, the criminal would have no choice but to act in the lounge at tomorrow night's press conference.

"Once Lewis and the others arrive, I probably won't have a chance to summon the Book of Mysteries until they capture the criminal."

Sifa shrugged. Feeling that his spirituality was full, he raised both hands in turn and recited the incantation.

He wanted to learn more about the Abraham Family, as well as the Tudor Empire.

Tick!

The hands of the wall clock stopped moving. An illusory tome fell into his hands. Sifa opened the cover and saw the replies beneath the Message Board that he had not finished reading last time.

"User 160809145813508: The Abraham Family's ancestor was only one step away from becoming a true god, but later the entire family was cursed. What remains is not something you can know. The Solomon Empire once ruled the North Continent, *********************** hotpot seasoning is beyond your right to know. Abraham's status came from himself, not from any emperor."

This was the information he had not had time to finish reading last time. He had already seen the first part, while a section afterward had been censored.

But what was hotpot seasoning? I'm not qualified to know it? Is it because it's dangerous?

I remembered that last time, one Watcher mentioned "cassava." That also seemed to be something dangerous. Now there was hotpot seasoning too. This world really was strange.

Sifa continued reading.

"Ai Yan Doesn't Speak: *** Evil spirits shouldn't have characteristics, right? Compared to other Pathways, the Hunter Pathway is way too safe. At most, you just have to deal with ****"

"Blazing-Eyed Garen 8: The Abraham Family's ancestor was a great noble of the Solomon Empire. ************** He was only one ritual away from becoming a god. Sadly, he never got the chance. He was destined to return to ****"

PS: Thanks to "Explosion Is Art 666" for the donations and monthly tickets! Thanks to No_Words for the monthly ticket! Thank you to all the Watchers who voted with recommendation tickets! Praise you!