Under Abner's deliberate misdirection, Delau took the person Lust had described to be someone else entirely. Realization dawned on his face.
"So that's it. You've actually gained His favor... No wonder..."
He did not doubt Lust's words. This city had close ties to that existence whose name could not be spoken. If Lust had lied about Him, the lie would have been exposed at once.
What he did not know was that Abner had not lied. Abner had meant another great existence whose name could not be spoken.
"I was merely lucky," Abner said with the practiced courtesy of Owen's usual manner.
Owen might have been a lecher, but he was a beast in gentleman's clothing. Born into a prominent Intis family, he carried himself with considerable elegance.
Delau moved on from the subject of "that existence" and returned to Owen's earlier words.
"Actually, it's quite possible that the Persona Mask's effects weakened after your 'lust' was satisfied.
"The seven Persona Masks the organization provided amplify the corresponding thoughts and emotions to help you recognize your own problems and address them directly...
"As you put that persona into practice, you gain insights and begin to reflect. Naturally, you no longer need the mask.
"You had been enduring its negative effects for so long that the Lust persona filled your mind without your realizing it. I thought it would lead you down the wrong path...
"But I never expected you to have built up enough inner strength already, then use outside help to uproot it completely when your 'lust' reached its peak...
"The results are clearly excellent!
"Perhaps your method is the truly correct path in the domain of the mind."
*You started from a completely wrong premise and still managed to reason all that out? It even sounds plausible... But