Chapter 50: How Did You Find Out?

The treehouse was silent.

One could hear the faint sounds of organs inside jars and bottles.

The heartbeat, the stomach’s peristalsis, the trembling of eye stalks, the breathing of gills… and the creaking of the rocking wicker chair.

Creak… creak… creak—

That annoying sound stood out sharply in the quiet space, drilling into Sfan Ni ’s ears with each repetition.

“…”

The cold-eyed elf’s gaze trembled slightly; for the first time, she lifted her eyes and looked directly at the leisurely white-haired youth before her.

Her beauty rivaled even that of an elf: pale gray eyes like pure crystal, hair as white as if blessed, clad in a damp, semi-translucent silk nightgown.

He looked less like a holy jailer and more like a nobleman who belonged at a nobleman’s ball.

Add to that the strange, un-holy smile curling at his lips—further cementing the image of a reckless nobleman.

The type who excelled at twirling with noble ladies on the dance floor, or being secretly pulled into hidden corners for intimate conversations.

Honestly, is he even a paladin?

Though Sfan Ni ’s doubts remained unresolved, what truly shifted her attitude was not this trivial matter, but the exposure of her disguise.

Given his strength, he should never have seen through her illusion.

Then where exactly had she slipped up?

Though her cover was blown, Sfan Ni ’s demeanor didn’t change—she neither denied it nor lost her temper; her aura remained cold and aloof.

She nodded at Herbert and said, “You’ve surprised me. How did you find out?”

“How to put it… intuition?”

Herbert tilted his head, raised an eyebrow, and teased, “You just seem like the kind of beautiful woman who’s good at lying.”

Sfan Ni didn’t laugh; she frowned. “Are you saying all dark elves are deceitful liars?”

Herbert: ?

“Uh, no—I didn’t mean any racial prejudice. Don’t overthink it.”

He wiped imaginary sweat from his forehead, embarrassed. “I just mean—you’re really beautiful!”

No.

We’re in another world now—why is this black-skinned woman so sensitive?

I didn’t, I didn’t do that!

I’ve never persecuted you guys!

“Is that so?”

Sfan Ni ’s brow twitched; she shook her head. “No, even if that’s truly what you think, it doesn’t matter.”

“Dark elves are indeed a race exceptionally skilled in deception and trickery—this trait runs in our blood. In this regard… I’m no exception.”

“You’re right. I am exactly that kind of person—very skilled at deceiving others.”

Sfan Ni ’s solemn tone left Herbert momentarily speechless; the conversation felt harder to continue.

What’s wrong with this sister?

She’s terrible at chatting.

Are you seriously this antisocial?

“Cough.”

Herbert cleared his throat, forcibly shifting the topic. “Of course, intuition is one thing—but what truly confirmed it was your behavior.”

The youth lifted his chin, gesturing toward the lifeless skull on the table.

“The biggest flaw is here.”

“When I handed it to you just now, you didn’t take it, did you?”

He watched Sfan Ni ’s thoughtful expression, speaking slowly:

“She’s your own kind. It’s just a skull. Yet you wouldn’t even touch it… afraid?”

Then Herbert’s gaze slowly swept over the grotesque organs in the room, smiling silently.

You’re afraid?

The one who should be afraid is me.

“Of course, there’s another possibility—you have severe Jiepi and refuse to touch anything I, a filthy person, have handled.”

“But given how strange that is, I’d rather trust my intuition—that you’re not really here. What stands before me is merely an incredibly lifelike illusion.”

“And the facts prove my guess correct.”

“I won.”

Herbert stretched his neck contentedly, settling into a more comfortable half-reclining pose.

His posture, his expression—almost screaming arrogance.

Heh↑ heh↓

“Since I’ve figured it out, there’s no need for you to keep pretending, right?”

After listening to Herbert’s explanation, Sfan Ni fell silent for a moment, then slowly rose and nodded to him.

“You’re right. In that case, Jailor, please follow me. My true body is upstairs—I can’t leave it unattended.”

Without waiting for Herbert’s reply, she walked straight toward what appeared to be an empty wall.

As she approached, the bark-like wall slowly split open, revealing a dark passage.

Herbert squinted, staring at the glowing vine-steps, then at the endless darkness above.

Go?

So far, I’ve only been circling outside the prison bars. If I go further… the risk becomes real.

Sfan Ni turned back at the passage’s entrance, silent, watching him without speaking.

Didn’t you want to see my true form?

So now—will you follow?

“Of course.” Herbert rose with a smile, stepping lightly after her.

At this point, there’s no turning back.

I’ll see what secret you’re hiding!

Seeing him follow, Sfan Ni said nothing, merely nodded silently and led the way.

The passage stretched long and deep.

Soon after Herbert followed Sfan Ni upstairs, Nenaisha, who had been silent for a long while, couldn’t help speaking:

【“Hey, how did you figure it out?”】

【“I didn’t tell you—I was waiting to see you laugh… waiting for when you’d finally notice.”】

?

Herbert squinted, mentally retorting: “You deliberately left half the sentence unfinished, didn’t you? You’re baiting me, aren’t you?”

【“Of course~”】

Nenaisha grinned without shame. 【“But I’m genuinely curious—your reason isn’t just what you told her, is it?”】

“Yes. Beyond what I just said, there’s one crucial point.”

“Her reaction upon seeing me was far too calm.”

Herbert calmly stated a reason that sounded slightly self-absorbed.

“According to you, all monsters should feel inexplicable fondness toward me—even if not love, at least some warmth.”

“But she was too calm. Almost unnaturally cold—like she wasn’t even alive.”

“Besides, there’s another reason.”

【“What?”】

“It’s… the smell.”

Nenaisha: ?

You’re not right in the head!

(End of chapter)