After parting ways with Victorina, the three went to the city square to further discuss their plans. Along the way, the people couldn't help but stare at the unusual trio.
Zarria had just sent the letter to the Theocheirós Manor. While the bizarre event had stirred up anxiety and fear within the imperial capital, the children of Divinity informed the clan that they needn't worry. It would actually be a good thing if either Zarria or Dhein were to encounter the culprits of the crime.
The child of Spirit Clan also introduced herself to Zarria, and told her the reason for her tagging along with her brother.
Fiorelle explained that she wasn't here to compete in the tournament. Her older brother, the heir to the Spirit Clan was already married and hence had no reason to participate. So as a formality, they sent Fiorelle instead.
'So that's how it is...'
Dhein laughed at himself for assuming something... mildly inappropriate.
"I have access to the spirit of truth, as I have told you earlier," said Fiorelle.
"Though it's true that this will greatly help us in solving the case, we can't fully rely on it. The spirit of truth only shows me what it wants when it wants," she added.
Dhein felt obliged to listen. He'd read and studied each clan's systems for years and already had a solid foundation on how each one worked. But still, there was always more to learn. Especially now that the information was coming from an insider — a high status one at that.
He could use this for his stupid schemes.
Fiorelle continued.
"Furthermore, it often only shows me the shallow truths, such as when a person is lying about a 'yes or no' question, if a statement is true or false, or, if it's feeling a bit generous, it would show me a vague vision about a truth that I wanna know."
His guess was more or less right.
So, as long as the great spirit of truth doesn't play a joke on him, his secret was pretty much safe. Perhaps, the spirit of truth didn't find it necessary for his powerlessness to be exposed, or it was amused by how desperately Dhein tried to hide it. Those were the only reasons that Dhein could think of for his secret not being found out yet.
Unless... the spirit of truth itself didn't know about his powerlessness.
'No, that can't be right...'
It sounded ridiculous. But at this point, when even his own father, Axerion Theocheirós the Godhand who was known as one of the most perceptive and intelligent humans in the world hadn't caught wind of the truth about Dhein's circumstances, he wouldn't be surprised if that was the case.
It might be thanks to the fact that his father was often not home for some important business overseas. But at times that Axerion did come home, Dhein always had to make up reasons to avoid him.
And of course, that was something that wouldn't work at all times.
Dhein was a diligent learner. When it came to academic skills and knowledge, he was proud and confident. His father could ask him anything about the financial world and he would be able to answer. A very specific question about an ancient detail in their religions? No problem! Science, economics or warfare? All easy!
What put Dhein in danger countless times was when his father asked for a demonstration of his divine abilities.
Fortunately, he had always prepared for that in advance. Dhein would gather holy artifacts and then create a problem for him to solve using those artifacts. One time, he even had to revive an ancient giant beast — a behemoth of havoc — for a limited duration. When that duration was over, Dhein set it up as if he was the one who put down that monster with one strike
He could still remember Zarria's bewilderment. While he felt guilty for tricking his beloved sister, that, undeniably, was very amusing.
Dhein shook his head to avoid it from going to another tangent. He then opened his mouth to speak.
"Then when I say this, let me know if the spirit of truth has confirmed:"
Fiorelle and Zarria listened closely to his next words. He continued.
"I know who is behind all this."
Everyone fell silent for a few moments. And then, Fiorelle's eyes opened wide.
"You're... telling the truth."
Dhein's eyebrows furrowed.
'I see,' he thought.
It seemed that the great spirit only recognized true statements when the one saying that statement believed it to be true. Technically, Dhein knew who was behind Princess Shina's disappearance: it was himself. However, if the spirit of truth considered things such as context, that statement would hardly be true.
Fiorelle was thinking about an abductor while Dhein wasn't. Yet, the spirit of truth relayed the statement to Fiorelle as true. It either meant that the spirit of truth was extremely limited or intentionally misleading.
That or it was just dumb.
In any case, Dhein could use it to his advantage.
"But... how did you know?" asked Fiorelle.
"And who is it?"
They heard a snicker. Zarria was crossing her arms and smirking with pride. She then spoke.
"There is no point in trying to comprehend my brother's genius mind. Trust me, I tried. Just do whatever he tells you if you want to find the princess as soon as possible."
Fiorelle stared at the girl. With the way this pattern worked, Dhein was pretty sure the child of the Spirit Clan was already starting to form this absurdly idealized version of him in her mind.
And that was exactly what he needed.
"Listen, Fiorelle Wixorn," he stepped a little closer, looking down directly to her brown eyes.
"There is a purpose for everything that has taken place. When you were sent to the capital instead of your brother. When the princess disappeared. When you saved Victorina."
He could see her pupils dilating. The girl was uneasy yet intrigued at the same time.
"And you need to find that purpose. I am only here to guide you."
The best part about blabbering nonsense was knowing the other person believed them. But in this case, Fiorelle knew — or thought —that Dhein was telling the truth.
When it came to lying to oneself, Dhein was a master. He had been playing make-believe his whole life.
Saying there was a purpose for all that had occurred while thinking of something vague and general, Dhein tricked the great spirit again into recognizing it as truth. There was a purpose to Shina leaving: freedom. There was a purpose for her saving Victorina: fairness and justice.
'Fiorelle needed to find that purpose and Dhein was there to guide her' could be translated as 'Fiorelle needed to believe whatever Dhein wanted her to believe.'
"You don't need to hear it from me. You'll find out about the truth yourself."
Now, to complete the misdirection, Dhein had to make up an imaginary enemy. Something they could all agree to antagonize without compromising anyone. Whatever would do, he just had to buy some time.
"But I'll tell you one thing: the one behind this acts for reasons beyond yours. Trying to use conventional methods to understand their intentions will lead you nowhere."
Of course, he was referring to none other than himself. No one would ever think that he let the princess go so that the tournament would be cancelled, saving his butt. That wasn't the main reason, but it sure played a huge part!
'That should do it. She's going to wonder what kind of monsters could do this and then search for it endlessly.'
"Hm.." Fiorelle cupped her chin, a sudden grim look on her face.
"Are you perhaps... talking about demons?" she asked.
Demons? That race had never set foot in the human continent for years now since Dhein reportedly obliterated their weapon manufacturing plans. However, those were just low class demons. The real deal, high ranking demons wouldn't be so easy to defeat.
But why would Fiorelle think about them at this time?
Well, whatever.
After a moment of silence, Dhein replied.
"Who knows?"
***
"That damned divinity's scion..."
"Is it really true that he warned the princess about our plans?"
"That must be it. The princess can't just disappear on her own right before we capture her."
"The timing is too perfect."
"Dheinyrus Theocheirós... what a headache. What are we gonna tell those monsters?"
"Don't ever mention those... creatures if you still wanna live!"
"Boss, what are they gonna do to us? We failed..."
"Don't panic. There must still be a way. Some spies had already began tracking the princess and we are making good progress. But for now, send him to follow the Theocheirós siblings and we might get a clue about their next move."
"No matter what, we must bring her to them."