Chapter 461 The Two Reunited

If only George were still here, Shafiya thought.

If possible, it would be best if the Grand Guardian could escort Isabel to the Theocracy while he himself attempted to steal the Queen's blood. If successful, then all would be well; if not, at least Isabel could live safely.

But the Great Guardian George is not on Glass Island at all.

Because of the recent turmoil on the border, the Grand Guardian is currently stationed at the southern fortress, commanding the navy to set up defenses.

Furthermore, if the Grand Guardian was present, the two of them wouldn't necessarily be defeated against the two fifth-level opponents, given their home turf advantage. At the very least, they could certainly retrieve the Queen's body... George also knew about the Shadow of Avalon.

Or do you want to take a gamble?

Hide Isabel somewhere first, then go and grab the body yourself.

After obtaining the Queen's Blood, he immediately performed the Shadow of Avalon Ritual. His bet was that he could resurrect Lancelot before Isabel was found...

It seems that this is the only way, Shafiya thought.

The most dangerous and prone to accidents, but also the most profitable option.

"If Meg were still alive, would she have chosen this..."

Shafiya murmured softly.

At this moment, she was actually a little confused.

It was her limit that she could react immediately and rescue Isabel.

But under the triple pressure of time, powerful enemies, and family, Shafiya felt her scalp tingle just thinking about it. She even felt her breathing tremble slightly.

If she arrived too late, or the Queen's body was destroyed or transformed into the undead, or if she was away too long and Isabel was captured... Avalon would be destroyed. They could also set a trap around the Queen's body, waiting to capture her, and she could be framed by the Round Table for aiding in betrayal, and even her husband and daughter could be implicated.

You don't even have to be killed or captured alive by them. As long as you can't obtain the Queen's blood in time, it means failure.

At this moment, the pressure piling up in Shafiya's heart was too great.

But she had to be strong - as an elder, how could she show confusion and powerlessness in front of a poor child like Isabel?

Shafiya took a deep breath and slowly asked, "Little Isa... do you have any close, reliable friends? The kind who could take you in for a few days and definitely wouldn't betray you?"

Her voice became a little hoarse due to nervousness.

Originally, Shafiya just asked casually, and then planned to hide Isabel in Hermes Manor... At least Sir Arthur must be a loyal minister who can be trusted.

But she didn't expect that Isabel actually gave an answer.

"...Can you take me to Moriarty's?"

This soft yet tough girl whispered.

"Professor Moriarty's house?"

Shafiya frowned slightly. “But he has close ties with Lloyd’s… I don’t recommend you go to their house.”

Although Professor Moriarty did not appear directly at the banquet.

But there was another possibility. Professor Moriarty had known for a while that the knights were about to start a brawl. As a scholar, he was too weak and lacked the fighting ability, so he chose to avoid the battle.

The Moriarty family usually has a close relationship with the Droste family.

The Moriarty family's ancestor is the Mordred family, and Mordred's own son once betrayed Avalon. This is not without precedent.

Now Shafia is on edge - she feels that these founding families cannot be trusted.

Among the twenty founding families, some must have received the news in advance.

Wasn't there anyone among them who stood up and issued a warning?

...Or is it that the founding families felt that Lancelot's descendants had ruled Avalon for too long and wanted to return to the era of the Round Table?

But the timid and soft girl gave her a heartbreaking look: "But, I can only..."

As she spoke, she seemed about to sob and cry: "He is the only one I can trust... If even he betrays me..."

When she said this, she finally burst into tears.

Seeing Isabel's sadness that was so strong that it didn't seem fake, Shafiya felt shaken.

She realized that her denial seemed to be the last straw that broke the camel's back. She subconsciously regretted what she had said before, but at the same time, she felt doubtful and curious.

"Who...are you talking about?"

“…Evans.”

Isabel whispered, "Actually, he and I are pen pals... We've known each other for years."

"Pen pal? Really?"

Shafiya was a little surprised: "The famous bishop?"

It turns out that this autistic princess actually has her own friends...

Seeing Isabel lower her head, Shafiya knew that her guess was roughly correct.

"But if we're just pen pals..."

Shafiya still feels unreliable.

After all, Isabel had never been exposed to social life, and such a pure and innocent girl was too easy to deceive.

Although the young Bishop Moriarty had a good reputation in the capital's circles, everyone said he was a pious, gentle and solemn man, and many young girls were attracted to him, he rejected all confessions, and there were even rumors that he had fallen in love with his non-blood sister.

As a transcendent who has dedicated himself to the path of devotion...it doesn't seem like there's much of a problem...?

Originally, Shafiya wanted to find fault.

But the more she calculated, the more she felt that Aiwass was quite reliable.

To be able to reach the third level of the Path of Devotion at such a young age, pass the church's assessment and become a bishop. He even touched the edge of the fourth level and was invited by the Church to study abroad... Considering how well someone like him fits into the Path of Devotion, it's unlikely he's a bad person.

But thinking of this, Shafiya felt even stranger.

How did little Isa get to know this bishop?

From what she said, it seemed that her trust in Aiwass was still very high. So high that if Aiwass betrayed her, she would be heartbroken and desperate.

But Isabel said firmly: "He has read my diary a long time ago."

“…I see.”

Shafiya understood.

Isabel probably liked Aiwass.

She knew what Isabel's "diary" was and what horrors it contained.

That diary, passed down within the royal family, was the most desperate and tenderest part of Isabel's heart. If she was willing to share it with someone, it would mean that she truly trusted them more than anyone else except her family... Even Shafiya and Meg had never read her diary.

"Okay, I'll take you there."

Shafiya made up her mind: "But he is only Professor Moriarty's adopted son after all. His opinion may not be decisive. If Professor Moriarty doesn't want to take you in... I will find a way."

Compared to the loyalty of the Hermes family, Aiwass, who can soothe her heartache and fear, is indeed a better choice.

Isabel lowered her head slightly.

She clenched her fists slightly.

——I have to say, she is actually gambling.

Because she couldn't be 100% sure that if I descended upon "myself," then Aiwass would also descend upon "Aiwass." At least Shafiya's words didn't match the Aiwass Isabel knew.

Not Minister Moriarty, but Bishop Moriarty.

Fortunately, Isabel reacted quickly enough and made adjustments in time.

...But if "Evans" is not Aiwass, will his lies be exposed?

Isabel was a little worried.

Because when she realized that Avalon was facing an extremely dangerous situation, she subconsciously wanted to seek Aiwas's help. Mainly because she knew that she must not go to Hermes Manor... because she knew that York Hermes was the traitor, and it seemed that he had not been discovered.

...Let's take it one step at a time.

If Aiwass is not him, then try to trick him...

Isabel still believes in her acting skills.

If she can play the role of the cold and correct queen, she can also calmly play the role of her former autistic and weak self.

——No matter the past or the future, that is her.

On the other side, Aiwass was sitting with James.

"...small key?"

Aiwass murmured softly, frowning slightly.

Many possibilities came to his mind, but there was no definite answer.

A key is supposed to open a door, but what door can only be opened by oneself?

Looking at Aiwas's reaction, James suddenly laughed.

The old man stretched out his hand and calmly made a gesture of silence.

"Is this something that can't be said?" Aiwass asked.

"It seems you haven't made enough progress."

James smiled happily, and the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes were wrinkled: "Then I won't say anything."

There is no doubt...James is testing Aiwass to see how much he knows about him.

And Aiwass had no reaction to this keyword, which exposed some of his intelligence.

- For example, from which period did he return to Aiwass? Or, to what stage had he reached in his plan?

"How about we exchange questions?"

James asked gently, "Why are you so wary of Dad?"

After hearing this, Aiwass made two points clear:

James was indeed aware that under the skin of "Evans" was another Aiwass; and he could sense Aiwass's vigilance and alertness towards him.

Since he could so keenly perceive what was in Aiwass's heart in many different timelines regarding this detail... then Aiwass's adoptive father must have seen it even more clearly.

...Is this the reason why he left?

Because he sensed that Aiwass was wary of him, he simply faked his own death to escape and hid in the dark...

"I sent the guests away, sir."

At this point, Oswald returned.

Aiwass subconsciously looked up at Oswald, and Professor Moriarty waved his hand, signaling Oswald to leave first.

After Oswald nodded and left, Aiwass said softly, "Father, I don't really want to answer this question."

"Then don't answer."

James smiled and nodded, then said calmly, "If you ask me a question and I don't want to answer it, I won't. The same goes for me asking you a question and you don't want to answer it. Our relationship is equal, Aiwass."

"No need to compromise, I will do my best to help you."

"…Because you want me to live, right?"

"right."

James gave an affirmative answer.

The professor must have a plan for Aiwass, and Aiwass, who didn't know what the "little key" meant, would definitely not complete his mission. In order to help his other self complete his plan, the professor would not let Aiwass die in the dream world.

Aiwass also vaguely realized this, but he still had to ask to confirm it.

——In other words, James' ultimate goal must transcend personal interests.

He knew that he was in the ascension ceremony, and was merely a simulated soul created by the Pillar God, but he was trying his best to maintain the stability of the ascension ceremony, and trying to help his other "real self" hide information.

If he was serving himself, then he wouldn't have to stand so firmly with his true self. To him at this moment, he would be a completely different individual.

"Then it's my turn."

James asked, "You are now a [Divine Entity], correct?"

"…I'm not 100% sure, but it should be."

After a moment of silence, Aiwass answered seriously.

This is not a lie, but the truth.

Because even if he told the truth, the real Professor Moriarty would not know. But Aiwass hoped to get information from James, who had more information - every question from Professor Moriarty must be meaningful.

By carefully exploring his perspective on the problem, the purpose of his questions, and his reaction after receiving the correct answers, you can get some feedback.

But Professor Moriarty stopped asking.

He simply leaned back, resting happily on the sofa. "I have no more questions. I can still answer one last question of yours, or help you complete a task."

"...Can you lend me Mr. Oswald?"

Aiwass pondered for a long time and then asked.

"Can."

James answered without hesitation.

He didn't even think about it, but responded immediately the moment Aiwass finished speaking.

But at this moment, Oswald suddenly came back quickly.

"Excuse me, sir. But..."

The old elf hesitated to speak, his expression a little strange. He glanced at Aiwass, then looked at James hesitantly.

"What's wrong?"

James asked.

Without waiting for his response, Shafiya took Isabel's hand and walked out closely behind Oswald.

She took Isabel and sneaked directly into Moriarty Manor.

Oswald obviously knew what was happening in the Temple of Silver and Tin, so when he saw Isabel fleeing here directly, he subconsciously thought that this was Professor Moriarty's arrangement.

But Aiwass, who was sitting on the sofa, met Isabel's eyes as she looked straight at him.

Just a moment of emotional eye contact is enough for both parties to understand each other's identity.

——This is him.

——This is exactly her.

Seven thousand five hundred words, updated!

(End of this chapter)