When hunting for local monsters, you will naturally face some doubts. People might find your stories implausible (invraisemblable), or the phenomena you witness might be entirely unexplained (inexpliqué).
| People are skeptical because this story is implausible. | Les gens sont sceptiques parce que cette histoire est invraisemblable. |
Pivoting Back to the Facts
When you want to acknowledge a doubt, a digression, or an alternative explanation, but then firmly pivot back to your main point, use the expression toujours est-il que (the fact remains that / be that as it may).
| That seems implausible; the fact remains that the beast is there. | Cela semble invraisemblable ; toujours est-il que la bête est là. |
| The phenomenon had disappeared; the fact remains that it is unexplained. | Le phénomène avait disparu ; toujours est-il qu'il est inexpliqué. |
The Indicative Mood
Although many French expressions ending in que require the subjunctive, toujours est-il que does not. Because it asserts a concrete reality, it always takes the indicative mood (standard tenses like the present or imperfect).
| The hunter was skeptical; the fact remains that he was afraid. | Le chasseur était sceptique ; toujours est-il qu'il avait peur. |
This structure is perfect for standing your ground. Even if skeptics offer a rational explanation for a loud roar (un rugissement) or point out that the beast is gone, you can brush it off and return to the hard facts of your cryptid encounter!
| It was perhaps the wind; the fact remains that the roar was terrifying. | C'était peut-être le vent ; toujours est-il que le rugissement était terrifiant. |
| The animal had fled; the fact remains that we discovered its lair. | L'animal avait fui ; toujours est-il que nous avons découvert son repaire. |