Chapter 396: Avalon's Glass Stairs

"Have you just become a reporter?"

After reporter Dimitri had filled his stomach a little, Aiwass asked him.

"Yes, Mr. Moriarty!"

Dimitri said respectfully and joyfully, "This is all thanks to you!"

He was holding a glass of wine in his hand, and his cheeks were a little red.

"It's almost impossible for someone like me to become a journalist... Journalism is a sacred and demanding profession, and I'm clearly unworthy of it."

Dimitri was a little depressed when he said this, but he quickly cheered up: "But it's because I took that photo of you - I mean, I will do my best to prove it!"

"You'd make a good reporter."

Aiwass encouraged him gently, "Because you always have respect for the profession of 'journalist' in your heart. Only if you truly desire to be a good journalist and only if you personally embark on this path, will you have the determination and perseverance to overcome the various difficulties along the way, and only then will you have the possibility of continuing, reaching the end, and ultimately reaching the pinnacle."

His fingers were crossed and placed in a pyramid in front of him.

And Dimitri's spirits grew stronger: "I will try my best, Mr. Moriarty!"

"I'm very optimistic about you."

Aiwass said, lowering his voice: "You know, Dimitri..."

Hearing this, Dimitri subconsciously shrank his neck and showed an expression of attentive listening: "Please go ahead."

This is not his performance, but his response from the heart.

Dimitri has had a natural ability to read people's expressions since childhood. Despite his limited education, he's always been able to connect with others. This is because he's an exceptional listener. People always feel comfortable chatting with him.

It was also because of this that he, with only an elementary school education, had the opportunity to become a photographer for the Glass Steps Newspaper - this was because when he was working in another newspaper, he was brought in as an assistant by another photographer, and gradually learned and mastered outstanding photography skills.

"Master Yanis, we will be leaving Avalon soon."

Aiwass said softly, "Who do you think will take over the newspaper next?"

Hearing what Aiwass said, Dimitri's heart tightened.

He realized the weight his words might carry.

Perhaps it was because he'd drunk too much, but a smug illusion had formed in the depths of his cotton-wool brain—as if Aiwass would then say, "You can take over the newspaper." But his rational mind shouted, "That's absolutely impossible," calming him down before he could get too excited.

The more likely scenario is that Minister Moriarty wants me to give him some advice.

The person he recommended might become Master Janice's successor and the controller of the newspaper.

“…I think Editor-in-Chief Randall is a good choice.”

Dimitri lowered his voice and spoke softly.

Perhaps because of the desire that was suppressed by reason, his voice was a little hoarse.

"Yeah?"

Aiwass remained noncommittal.

Dimitri continued, "He's the oldest editor at the newspaper and one of the first people Master Janice recruited. That group of people has now died or retired... The only one left, Mr. Randall, is undoubtedly the most qualified to succeed Master Janice."

"What's in your heart?" Aiwass's mouth curled up slightly.

"...and most importantly, he was the one who promoted me as a journalist."

Dimitri paused for a moment, then whispered.

"Yeah."

Aiwass propped his chin up with one hand and said lightly, "But I don't think this person is a good choice."

Seeing that Aiwass had first excluded a high-ranking official close to him, Dimitri felt a surge of disappointment, but he quickly dismissed it and instead whispered, "Who do you support?"

"--you."

Aiwass said softly.

When Dimitri's heart suddenly rose, Aiwass continued, "Have you ever thought about yourself?"

"……some."

Dimitri's heart settled down. He exhaled and said honestly, "Of course I've had this fantasy before, and I was even excited for a moment... But it was just a fantasy. Because I know that what I know is too little..."

As he spoke, he became depressed. "I'm already this age... although I'm not too old, but I don't have the time to study anymore. After all, I'm busy with work."

"So how did you learn photography?"

Aiwass said softly, his voice filled with a kind of low persuasion: "You learned photography before, and now you can try to become a reporter. Why can't you become an editor in the future?"

"Mr. Moriarty, please stop teasing me."

Dimitri grimaced, "It would be troublesome if I really developed inappropriate fantasies."

Aiwass chuckled and said, "Isn't that just right?"

"……What?"

Dimitri was shocked.

But Aiwass simply said, "I'm not joking. I'm serious. After Master Yannis leaves, I will nominate you to be the editor-in-chief of the Glass Steps Newspaper."

"Of course, I still won't give you the position of president—after all, you have no organizational experience in this area, and it would be too much trouble for you to learn from scratch."

—Editor-in-Chief!?

Dimitri opened his mouth wide. He wanted to scream out loud, but he suppressed the chaotic thoughts in his mind with reason and controlled himself with great difficulty.

"I……"

...Can I really do it?

Before he could utter this sentence, he suddenly bit his tongue and even tasted blood.

He suppressed his pounding heart and said seriously, "I will definitely do it! I will definitely live up to your praise!"

Dimitri knew that this was not the time to be reserved or modest - Aiwass Moriarty was in a high position and had plenty of people to turn to, and there was no way he would be coaxed into coming.

So at this moment, I must not take a step back or show any reluctance!

Once you miss this opportunity, it will never come again!

"As you know, Master Janice is your Majesty's teacher. So when she was here, The Glass Steps always protected your Majesty. Now that she's leaving soon, I can't help but worry about what will happen to The Glass Steps after she's gone."

Aiwass said slowly: "Do you know what the glass steps are, Dimitri?"

"...It's the same staircase that leads to the Round Table Room."

Dimitri paused for a moment, then replied, "These stairs were built so the knights could walk more slowly and cautiously."

"Now it seems that this may be the purpose."

Aiwass chuckled. "But that was definitely not the case back then. King Lancelot I founded his kingdom through valor and bravery. How could he fear knights younger than him? As the sole surviving veteran of the Giant War, a decorated veteran and the High King of the Despotic Realm, how could he resort to such tactics to extort humility from his knights?"

“That’s…?”

Reporter Dimitri hesitated.

"—The answer is that the glass steps of Avalon symbolize the monarch's absolute control and confidence."

Aiwass replied, "He has absolute confidence in protecting these incomparably fragile and beautiful things because he is Lancelot I. With just this one sentence, no one would dare to act rashly in his presence..."

The young man with gorgeous platinum hair had a deep gaze.

Dimitri looked up at Aiwass and the night scene behind him.

Outside the window, the twilight deepened, the stars dimly visible, and a translucent crescent moon rose high in the still-light-filled night sky.

Although the man was much younger than him, Dimitri felt as if he was talking to an elder and felt a huge amount of pressure.

"It's so fragile, it shatters at the slightest touch. Yet, since the founding of the nation, no one has dared to touch it. It still exists intact, unrepaired. What's the reason for this? Is it because the power of the Silver Crown Dragon makes it stronger?

"No, it's because people are always cautious. Because the 'glass steps' are the symbol of Avalon's royal power, the invisible chain holding the elephant. It is the most important symbol of Avalon's founding - stronger than the scepter, stronger than the sword, and stronger than the crown."

Aiwass said softly, "Now you know why Janice named you 'Glass Steps Newspaper'.

"You are so fragile, vulnerable to any blow—there aren't even a few extraordinary people among you. But no one dares to touch you. Because you are another 'glass staircase'."

"Then you..."

Dimitri was worried.

He vaguely realized something.

If the symbolism of the "glass steps" is so clear, why would Aiwass allow himself, who knows nothing but loyalty and seriousness, to be the editor-in-chief?

As expected, Aiwass then said something that almost made Dimiter suffer a cardiac arrest -

"But Isabel has no authoritarian tendencies. She couldn't hold the glass steps because they weren't hers to begin with.

"Avalon will no longer be an authoritarian state. The fragile, beautiful, precarious, and vulnerable glass steps... must be shattered."

Aiwass leaned back in his chair, his eyes deep. "She will get what belongs to her. But it won't be inherited from Lancelot... the glass steps that always make her cautious and nervous.

"This is Isabel's Avalon. Not du Lac's Avalon. Do you understand that?

"—Mr. Dimitri."

Aiwass's words were gentle, yet sharp and heavy, to the point that Dimitri didn't dare to say a word.

He looked at Aiwass in astonishment. But he didn't even know why he was afraid, nor did he know what Aiwass's actions meant... He just had a vague feeling that Aiwass seemed to want to change the whole of Avalon.

In an authoritarian state, the laws are immutable.

This is also the glass step that remains in his heart.

Even though he had no education and had never read a book, it was still etched in his mind, just as the knights had forgotten why the glass steps existed but still dared not destroy them.

Just then, a scream suddenly came from outside the window.

"There's a wolf—"

"It's a werewolf! Run!"

Then, shouts, sounds of fighting, and gunfire rang out simultaneously, with the clear roar of griffins and the sound of thunder descending immediately. The chaos outside made Aiwass look back out the window, and Demeter finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Only then did he realize that he was sweating profusely.

Today is the third update, with more than 7,000 words, so it’s a little late~

(End of this chapter)