Chapter 178
Sherlock’s Perfect Logic
“…This kid, he’s alive already?”
On Friday morning, Sherlock narrowed his eyes as he looked at a certain man appearing on the front page of the newspaper once more. He certainly knew that much of the news in the *Glass Steps Herald* was the “version ordinary people can know.” For example, when Eivass first raided the Pelican Bar, it was only described as a cultist hideout. Their actions, beliefs, deeds, combat power, and characteristics were not mentioned, but it was largely not far from the truth.
The newspaper stated that Eivass claimed, “My captors were good to me and did not harm me,” and even questioned, “Was she really my captor?”
“Because she was a very polite, elegant, and beautiful young lady,” Eivass said from a wheelchair in the Grand Guardian’s home, reminiscing to the camera. “I was suddenly attacked in the middle of the night, and almost killed in my unprepared state. But with the help of another friend, I managed to resolve everything safely. Then, when I relaxed and sent her away to treat my wounds and sleep, that young lady suddenly appeared and enveloped us with her powerful shadow abilities, taking me and Miss Lily away… She was much stronger than those people; we had no ability to resist throughout the ordeal. During this time, she merely forbade us from leaving, but hardly asked me anything, nor did she harm us; she even cooked for us. Two days passed like this, and then she suddenly released us. I don’t know if her name is ‘Alistair,’ nor am I certain if the Alistair you’re talking about is her.”
Eivass finally emphasized, “All I know is that she has curly chestnut-colored hair. And she truly did not harm me.”
In the magic painting on the newspaper, a white Gryphon could be faintly seen taking flight behind Eivass, indicating that he was at least within the control of Avalon’s higher-ups, proving his safety. The magic painting also showed that his complexion was indeed very good, even radiant. There were no problems whatsoever. Anyone who saw the newspaper would certainly be reassured.
Below Eivass’s interview, there was also mention of “Alistair.” Traces of a Transcendent being, specifically a Shadow Demon, were left at the scene of Eivass’s disappearance. According to the Inspection Bureau’s investigation, there was a fiend within the Noble Red Society whose codename or true name was “Alistair,” and who was possessed by a Shadow Demon. Therefore, it was initially believed that Eivass was captured by Alistair.
It could not yet be determined whether Alistair was a young lady, or if the person who took Eivass was not “Alistair.” The true Alistair remained a mystery. However, in any case, the name “Alistair” would become well-known on Glass Island. Readers would also become curious about the story between Eivass and this “Miss Alistair”—did nothing truly happen between them?
If even Eivass described her as elegant and beautiful, she must be a true noble lady, right? The citizens of Avalon were very curious about “nobles.”
“Heh, a vixen. Even faking death, she has to dig up some gossip for herself? You really aren’t afraid of ruining your reputation.”
Sherlock let out a cold laugh and began to think seriously. He found some inconsistencies in this confession. If, as speculated in previous newspapers, Alistair was a member of the Noble Red, then this news was equivalent to throwing the other party into a fiery furnace. Given Eivass’s personality, if he was “truly attacked,” he should not have directly exposed his savior. Therefore, this was not a script he wrote himself. That fox would not make such an obvious loophole. This must be a version provided by someone else… which could only be the Inspection Bureau.
“And, a young lady of the Iris Flower…” Sherlock murmured softly. He actually knew of a girl from the Iris Flower who had a connection with Eivass. That was the girl who distributed *Dracula* everywhere at the White Dance Shoe Club. Her hair color was close to chestnut. Considering the different lighting in the club compared to the outside, it was reasonable for the displayed hair color to be slightly different. What that lady was called in Avalon was irrelevant, as they were all aliases. Perhaps her real surname was Alistair, or perhaps “Alistair” was another alias of hers. But Sherlock could tell that her demeanor and etiquette indicated special training, her fashion sense when traveling was always excellent, and there was an underlying sense of superiority. This was indeed like a noble young lady. She was also the culprit who previously attempted to assassinate Minister Dross’s secretary, and the impetus that indirectly exposed the Trade Minister’s involvement in the smuggling case. Edward had mentioned this to him. According to subsequent investigations, it was basically confirmed that she was an Iris person. The Inspection Department’s investigation report concluded that she was most likely a spy sent by the Iris Flower to frame the Trade Minister, disrupt Avalon’s stable political environment, and steal trade information. Of course, both Edward and he did not believe the final conclusion. This was likely a report produced by the fat old man through his connections to defend himself. Because, according to Sherlock’s reasoning, the minister was ninety percent likely not framed—he had genuine problems.
If she were a spy, how could she righteously help Avalon purge traitors? They could have contacted Minister Dross and reached a cooperation. Even if they wanted to kill him, it would be to silence him after failing to establish contact—but if that were the case, Dross would have directly revealed the matter. This would be the most advantageous evidence to prove his innocence. Furthermore, a spy could not be so high-profile every day, dressing so beautifully when going out. She wished everyone would focus their attention on her, even wearing perfume and makeup. This was Glass Island, where one could see Gryphons flying overhead every hour outside of the Lloyd District. What kind of spy would be so narcissistic… If she were truly such a narcissistic spy, she wouldn’t be assigned such an important mission as assassinating the minister’s secretary. Considering this, the chain of evidence for the assassin lady being a spy was completely broken.
But now, Eivass had provided him with new evidence. If considered from another angle, everything would make sense. That is, the assassin lady had a personal vendetta against Minister Dross. She was targeting the exposure of Minister Dross from the beginning, so her strange behavior could be explained.
“Then the matter becomes logical,” Sherlock murmured. Moreover, if she were an Iris spy, she wouldn’t have needed to escape. Because Avalon and the Iris Flower exchanged spies every year. True spies would surrender without a fight once their identity was revealed. Living spies were very valuable resources, and they would not be further harmed if they surrendered. Although she assassinated the minister’s secretary, she did not do anything else and would have been exchanged back soon. On the contrary, running away would easily lead to her being killed by Gryphons on the spot. Minister Dross was, undoubtedly, connected to the Noble Red Society. Added to this Eivass’s “disappearance,” Vice President Boka and President Lloyd were quickly arrested. According to Eivass’s previous statement, the Lloyd Society had close ties with the Noble Red Society. Therefore, Eivass’s disappearance this time was to bring down the Lloyd Society—and this was targeting the Noble Red Society. Although Eivass’s disappearance was faked, his “crime scene” did indeed retain shadow traces. Otherwise, the Inspection Bureau would not have been fooled.
So, how did Eivass, without any shadow ability, leave behind shadow traces? —Eliminate all impossibilities, and whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth. That is, Eivass and “Alistair,” the fiend possessed by a Shadow Demon, were cooperating from the very beginning. The reason he was able to see through the shadows and find the young lady within them was because she had told him beforehand. Sherlock had never heard of the ability of shadow stealth, but if that was the case for a Shadow Demon, it made sense. Sherlock had pondered for a long time, never understanding how Eivass had seen through the truth of the events. But if from the very beginning Eivass knew she would appear there, then everything aligned perfectly. This was a two-person drama, and Eivass played the role of the detective. He was cooperating with her to expose Minister Dross’s crimes! Perhaps from the very beginning, when Eivass purged the Pelican Bar, she had already contacted him. Or even earlier—when Eivass was first sacrificed, they had already met. And through their collaboration at the club, they officially formed an alliance. At that time, the whole of Avalon was looking for that assassin lady. The official story was that she was an Iris spy attempting to assassinate Princess Isabel, so no one would dare to get involved in such trouble. But she still managed to escape—disappearing despite countless people pursuing her. Even after Eivass “disappeared,” there was no news of her. Looking back now, perhaps she was hidden by Eivass in his dormitory at the time. That was a mansion granted by Princess Isabel herself, and no one would dare to search there. She had been with Eivass all along, and together they targeted the Noble Red. It was only when the Noble Red launched a surprise attack and assassination at night that Eivass was called out of his sleep. Otherwise, Eivass could not have possibly defeated so many powerful enemies. He was intelligent, but he couldn’t win if he was outmatched. Sherlock could relate to this. After defeating those enemies, Eivass had her leave traces to help create evidence of his faked death and abduction by her!
Thus, the logic was complete. Using this version, all the following questions could be explained at once: “How Eivass survived after being sacrificed,” “If Eivass didn’t know his mentor was dead, why dare he retaliate against the Pelican Bar, knowing it was a Noble Red stronghold,” “Why Eivass, who was not from the Lloyd District, knew the Sweater Brotherhood and the Lloyd Society were related to the Noble Red,” “How Eivass discovered the powerful Extraordinary hiding in the shadows,” “Why that assassin disappeared without a trace,” and “How the shadow traces were left when Eivass faked his death and disappearance!”
“–A gilded cage, Mr. Fox.” Sherlock clicked his tongue. As expected, a philandering fox!
“A gilded cage? What are you talking about?” Bishop Mathers, who had just entered, was stunned for a moment and asked with interest.
