Chapter 431 Family Reunion

After Aiwass returned to the Palace of Silver and Tin, he immediately asked Lily to call Hermes Manor and invite the Lord Chamberlain, Mycroft Hermes, to come over.

After Aiwass and Isabel, who had returned to her original form, finished framing the painting, the Lord Chamberlain, who was as cheerful as a fat seal, hurried over, shaking his body.

Although he had to work overtime urgently before the New Year, Mycroft showed no resentment at all and seemed to be in a good mood.

After he used the "preservation technique" to preserve the painting, Aiwass curiously asked him what good thing had happened that made him so happy.

After hearing this, Aiwass was shocked: "What, Sherlock is back home?"

He is even in the state of a shrunken child now... and he actually went home like this?

Sherlock has a bad relationship with his family, which Aiwass has known for a long time.

He had lived alone outside for a long time, and even suffered from long-term malnutrition due to irregular sleep and diet before moving into Bishop Mathers's house. If Edward hadn't kept a close eye on him, often rushing over to check on him in the morning and bringing him breakfast, Sherlock might have starved to death one day.

It's not because he has no money, but because he is too lazy to eat when he is busy. However, when he is free, he will go out to eat a good meal, but this kind of skipping is not good for the body.

Basically, it was because no one cared for him. According to the authoritarian customs of Avalon, ordinary people could not hire servants. Only those with a certain income and status, and after starting a family, could employ a very limited number of butlers and maids.

The Hermes family did have a quota, and Sherlock also had a personal maid who had grown up with him. But when he left home, not only did he not take his maid with him, he didn't even take a penny from home.

All his income came from consulting fees for solving cases for the Inspectorate, or small fees for helping others solve private cases. Sherlock had no habit of saving money, so he spent whatever he had. He lived a comfortable life.

When Sherlock faked his death, he didn't even choose to go home, but instead stayed at Bishop Mathers' house. Only his brother, Mycroft, knew that Sherlock was still alive. When Sherlock "resurrected" later, he simply sent a letter home to confirm his survival.

It was Bishop Mathers who urged him to go back and take a look, so Sherlock went back for a short walk. After proving that he was indeed still alive, he left immediately - without even staying overnight or having a dinner.

But does Sherlock have any grudge against his family?

...That doesn't seem to be the case.

At Sherlock's "funeral," his mother was utterly dejected by his misfortune. She wept bitterly, her grief unfaithful. Sherlock's father, Arthur, was also in a state of dismay, clearly concerned for his child.

In fact, Aiwass had always been curious about how Sherlock fell out with his family. But every time he asked, Sherlock either kept silent or changed the subject. Aiwass didn't want to ask the truth, as it would easily hurt feelings.

Hearing Aiwas's question, Mycroft just laughed awkwardly.

Until Isabel and Ligeia came over curiously and asked in person.

Mycroft had long guessed that Ligeia was Meg, so the loyal Lord Chamberlain gave Ligeia a meaningful look before finally giving his honest explanation.

As he listened, Aiwass couldn't hold it anymore.

Ligeia, who was standing next to her, couldn't hold it in either.

——Because Meg had to take one-third of the blame for Sherlock's falling out with his family.

That was when Sherlock was about to graduate...just a few years ago actually.

At that time, Meg took a fancy to Sherlock and wanted to take him as her apprentice.

Shylock is highly gifted in the path of authority, very young, and loyal to the Queen. He is highly intelligent, possesses leadership qualities, and is calm and composed. He has no obsessions or preferences towards the opposite sex, and is a man of integrity with no desire for power.

This is an extremely perfect template for the path of authoritarianism.

Because he is young enough, he will not want to chase the sunset and become lazy and conservative; because he lacks an obsession with power, he will not pursue transcendence and intend to rebel; he has no obsession with beautiful women of the opposite sex, so it is not easy for him to fall in love and be seduced by foreign spies.

This blocks the three most dangerous deviations from the path of authoritarianism.

At the same time, his clever mind makes him a qualified leader; his loyalty to the queen also enables him to assist the future monarch.

It can be said that there is nothing wrong with Meg's vision.

And at that time, Meg's life was almost over, so she had to find a successor.

She wanted to use all her strength to train Sherlock, let him enter the Inspectorate, then be promoted to the Arbitration Chamber, and finally inherit her position to become the next generation of the Great Arbitrator.

But at that moment, Sherlock felt the urge to follow the path of wisdom.

While in school, he felt unprecedented fulfillment, excitement and satisfaction from reasoning and solving puzzles, and finally realized what he really wanted to do.

Meg's approaching death was a top secret known only to the high-ranking members of the pro-Queen faction, and kept strictly confidential. Sherlock's father, Arthur, knew this and was honored that Sherlock had been recognized as the future Grand Arbitrator.

Furthermore, Meg held a high position in Avalon, yet had rarely made a request in over a decade. Arthur was naturally concerned and pressed Sherlock to get him to agree with Meg's opinion.

At the time, Sherlock was also somewhat rebellious—he had no interest in power, only in the pursuit of truth. Just as Aiwass was blinded by the urge to transcend the Tao, Sherlock also became stubborn because of his powerful wisdom and Tao gift.

"Sherlock was very naughty when he was a child, but his family was relatively open-minded. Both his mother and father were gentle people."

Mycroft said helplessly, "So the family has always been very indulgent of his various interests and hobbies... But that was a big deal after all, so my father became very tough. And because the matter was kept secret, he couldn't explain the meaning behind it to Sherlock.

"That was when Sherlock was full of energy. He was madly studying the knowledge of the Path of Wisdom in the school library, and he even excitedly came to discuss it with me."

"There was a light in his eyes then," Mycroft said softly, with a hint of nostalgia.

"Sherlock was furious and even incredulous at his father's interference—he felt betrayed by his family. But I knew it was essentially a misunderstanding caused by a confidential matter he couldn't share with his family... After all, if Sherlock really disagreed, his father wouldn't be able to force him to come."

Mycroft said helplessly, "But after that, Ms. Meg never accepted any apprentices again. No matter how talented the school was, she always looked down on them - you know what happened next."

"…Project 'Supreme Glory'?"

Ligeia murmured, sighing: "So that's what happened..."

She glanced at Aiwas and Isabel, who seemed a little confused, and then explained in detail to them.

This plan actually means that Meg will be promoted to the sixth level ahead of schedule.

Meg actually has a lot of life left in her.

If all the life-extending rituals and props are used, he can at least barely live for another twenty years.

Of course, there wouldn't be much combat power left in the end, but at least it could serve as a flag and act as a deterrent.

Although she would become increasingly weaker due to continued aging... as long as there was a suitable successor, she wouldn't have to worry too much about Avalon's future. However, if she couldn't find a suitable successor, she had to prepare for the promotion while her body and spirit were still strong. The longer she delayed, the lower her chances of success.

"And to be honest...no one felt that the 'Supreme Glory' plan was feasible. And my father didn't know about the 'Shadow of Avalon' plan at the time, so he thought Sherlock's willfulness had made a big mistake—angering and disappointing Ms. Meg.

"So he flew into a rage and strongly accused Sherlock. He also issued a death order, demanding that he apologize to Ms. Meg and change his mind..."

"Wait a minute," Ligeia said, unable to contain herself any longer, and revealed her identity. "You should know that I used to be Meg, right, little fatty? Let me make it clear... I emphasize that I was not angry at the time.

"I searched for a successor for many years before I found Sherlock. If he wasn't willing, I felt it would be difficult for another successor of the same caliber to appear if I delayed any further, so I focused on maintaining my mental and physical health and preparing to execute another plan."

"Yes," Mycroft smiled helplessly, "I also feel that you are probably not angry. But in any case... this is because Sherlock did not accept your invitation.

"Sherlock felt his father was unreasonable and had a furious argument with him. He then moved out and prepared to pursue his dreams. I never told him the truth about the incident. It was only after you... 'appeared' that I explained the truth to him."

Obviously, this top smart man in Avalon realized that Ligeia was Meg the moment she appeared.

After Mycroft realized that Sherlock's mistake was in the past, he finally breathed a sigh of relief and told him the truth, because by that time, the fundamental conflict between Sherlock and his father Arthur had disappeared.

Mycroft truly loves Sherlock, which is why he protects him so attentively. Not only to protect his safety, but also to protect his spirit and mind.

...It turns out that Sherlock was partly responsible for the collapse of Avalon.

Aiwass couldn't help but sigh in his heart.

History is truly a complex and intertwined system, seemingly connected to everyone.

Aiwass finally understood why Sherlock was in such a low mood and looked so confused in the previous Inception-like promotion ceremony, like a cat drenched in the rain or a homeless abandoned dog.

He was even thinking of sacrificing himself to help Aiwass and Isabel get promoted.

He has repeatedly wanted to give up his advancement in the path of wisdom and switch back to being a lawyer in the path of authority when he is promoted next time.

Aiwass felt like he'd had an argument with his girlfriend and then tried to deny it even though he knew he was wrong. But at the same time, he regretted it and wanted to make some major sacrifices and changes to show he'd admitted his mistake.

It was only after Aiwass coaxed him for a long time and gave him a new job that Sherlock's spirits were lifted.

At that time, Aiwass vaguely felt that Sherlock was eager to fail, but he didn't know the reason behind it.

Now Aiwass finally understood - now Sherlock looked back and finally understood the mistakes he made in his youth.

He didn't know how to make up for the mistake he had made, and Sherlock's pride made him unable to let go of his face. He just wanted to find another way to make up for it, but he didn't want to... and didn't dare to go back to apologize.

In fact, by this time, Sherlock had already realized his mistake. He just missed a step.

If he could sacrifice for Aiwass and Isabel during the promotion ceremony, it could be used as a stepping stone - to show that his detective career was just a personal hobby, and now he still had to return to the path of a lawyer.

But Sherlock didn't really give up on detective work. He simply sacrificed it to make up for the guilt he felt for the disaster his naivety and willfulness had nearly caused.

It's like pinching your own hands when you have a headache, or listening to sad songs when you are heartbroken.

Use pain to relieve pain. Use harm to numb the harm.

"I don't know who convinced him," Aiwass couldn't help but say, "but I really have to thank him very much."

"That's right."

Mycroft said with a smile, "And Sherlock still looks like a little kid now... so cute. Both his father and mother look like they are a dozen years younger. It's been a long time since I've seen such a happy family scene. It's also been many years... many, many years since I had such a reunion.

"If Your Majesty has nothing else to do, I will go back to celebrate the New Year."

He said it with an ease that was almost ostentatious.

For Sherlock's change and for the happiness of his family.

Even Aiwass and Isabel couldn't help but smile happily.

"Okay, let's go back."

Isabel smiled and said, "Take my best wishes with you - give my regards to Sherlock and Arthur."

Looking at the young queen's bright and generous smile, Mycroft glanced at Aiwass thoughtfully, then nodded cheerfully.

"Okay, okay."

7,500 words of update! Seeking votes at the end of the month and the beginning of the month~

Tomorrow will be January 1st, both in the book and in reality! Cats are geniuses! Such exquisite counterpoint! Please cheer for me, cheer for me!

(End of this chapter)