Chapter 964: Moriarty's Legacy (Seeking monthly tickets!)

The cold, white moonlight penetrated the lingering mist and fell on Aiwass, as if it had condensed into frost.

After Oswald left, he remained standing there, staring at Old James. He said nothing, remained motionless, like an ice sculpture.

“—It’s my problem.”

Old James suddenly spoke up: "I didn't expect Mr. Oswald to react so strongly after he found out about that incident."

"Which one?"

"Little Yulia. Where I come from, where I'm going... these things are not secrets. I've told him a long time ago. I never keep these boring secrets from people around me, just like I do from you. It's just that some people are not worthy enough. If they knew the truth, they would only suffer or be powerless... I never tell them anything they can't bear.

"The citizens of Avalon don't need to know what life is like for slaves in the southern continent, and the common people of Iris don't need to care whether Avalon and Star Antimony are going to go to war. Regardless of the outcome, they can't change anything, and their knowledge will be meaningless and will only add to the pain."

Knowing is a kind of pain. Just like himself.

The old man's frown relaxed slightly as he smiled helplessly. "I thought he would get angry, scold me, or just accept it in silence—all for the greater good. After all, when I threatened Edward, he chose silence."

"But I didn't expect the truth to pierce his heart. He remained standing straight, silent. But blood streamed from his eyes, and his back gradually became hunched. In an instant, he seemed to have aged ten years... I mean, ten human years."

At this point, Old James sighed: "I was wrong. But that might be a warning, or a beginning..."

The adoptive father clearly did not consider his actions to be anything above and beyond devotion.

As a self-proclaimed "savior," a good young man recognized by Cardinal Loki, James naturally possessed the potential to dedicate himself to the Way. He embraced a necessary evil, a premature death... For him, allowing Julia to incubate the phantom within her, and then allowing her to be "killed" by it in a way that rendered her unable to be resurrected, was an acceptable price to pay in order to activate Aiwass's potential.

It's just a life.

In the face of the end of the world, any price seems so pale and meaningless - no matter how brilliant, wise, lovely, just, or loved a person is, the unit of his life can only be "one".

Compared to the tens of billions of living beings, compared to the hundreds of thousands of years of history, compared to the immeasurable future... any price paid is worth it.

everything.

If one can see a person clearly, one will not fear them; if one knows when they will die, one will not be angry with them. Old James always looked down upon all beings with compassion... His perspective was more like that of a god than a hero. This was also the reason why he never panicked or got angry, always remaining calm and rational, regardless of anyone or anything.

Because he doesn't care.

But now it’s different…

"The 'future' has changed, hasn't it?"

Aiwass's mouth curled up: "Of course, for you... it should be 'history'."

"—Did you do the 'Ouroboros Ritual'?"

Old James' expression was serious, and he asked earnestly, "This answer is very important to me. I... beg you to tell me."

Hearing this, Aiwass smiled even more happily.

He looked at Old James—his face was half expectant, half rejecting. Even Old James himself didn't know what kind of answer he wanted.

He wanted to change the future, but he was afraid of it being changed. In the final analysis, he just wanted to change the future in his own hands.

I consider myself the protagonist of the era...

...This hypocritical attitude is so similar to myself.

Thinking of this, the smile on Aiwas's face gradually faded.

"Look, do I have that ability?"

He spread out his hands and said calmly, "No.

"But I know that this was a conspiracy planned by Huan Tiansi. He has been preparing for this scene for at least tens of thousands of years."

"...I guessed this possibility. After all, his name was once the Heavenly Master of Samsara."

Old James did not lose control.

He just nodded slightly, as if accepting the answer.

The old man looked up at the night sky.

In the originally dark night, there is a violet background color.

Ever since the Snake Father began his "final transcendence", the color of the night sky has become paler day by day.

After a long silence, the old man suddenly said: "Do you know your shortcomings, Aiwass?"

"Why," Aiwass laughed, "are you judging me, Father?"

"You're very mature."

Old James looked at Aiwas quietly: "This is your shortcoming."

"Because it's inconvenient for you to use me?" Aiwass asked back.

"right."

Unexpectedly, Old James nodded calmly and said, "What I call 'utilization' is actually cultivation. What they want to do is what I want them to do. This is not because I found them, but because I nurtured them."

"Everyone needs someone who understands, Aiwass. Sometimes when you're bruised and battered, all you need is someone who understands you to have the courage to move on. And in order to keep this person who understands you, they often give up their own direction of progress... This is how I manipulate others."

As if imparting his experience, James patiently and meticulously disassembled his "experience":

"The kind of people a child meets and the things he encounters will determine what kind of person he will become. Talent can change a person's character, but experience can change his soul. No one is born holy, not at all. I have met many saints, and even more villains... What they all have in common is that they have experienced a lot of suffering.

“It’s just that some butterflies can break out of their cocoons, while others die in them.”

He looked at Aiwass, his clear eyes showing worry: "But you are different, Aiwass.

"—You are too mature. Although adults can be changed, they are far less malleable than children. Because of this, it is more difficult for adults to gain enlightenment and make progress than children. Adults have learned to endure pain and not cry out, so it takes even greater pain to make them unbearable."

Upon hearing this, Aiwass narrowed his eyes slightly and his expression gradually became gloomy.

"Is this your defense? Because I'm too mature, I need greater suffering to sting me? That's why you attacked Yulia?"

Cards appeared one after another from Aiwass's fingertips, then disappeared one by one. He looked like a magician, or a dealer shuffling cards with one hand.

"You can understand it that way."

Old James simply said, "Don't you think so? Your progress is too slow, much slower than the people around you.

"Sylock came to terms with his awkwardness after gaining his family's approval; the little queen, after gaining courage and support, was able to move forward. They're all chasing you, Aiwass.

"What about you? You're just going to stand there and let them catch up?"

The words were sincere, yet seemed to have a magical power to bewitch people.

Every word and sentence reflects what Aiwass is worried about and anxious about.

"...Is this how you usually manipulate others?"

Aiwass felt his heart waver for a moment, and his expression gradually calmed down.

The so-called "poker face" doesn't necessarily mean having a blank expression, but rather not letting others judge your cards from your expression. The smile on old James' face is essentially a poker face.

Following the example of old James, a gentle smile slowly appeared on Aiwas' face.

He even did better than old James—he had a genuine warmth about him, a light that came from his heart for the sake of others, which was completely different from James's cold, sweet taste that lingered in his throat like icy sugar water.

"If I didn't change myself, I wouldn't be in this place at this time."

Aiwass said, then asked, "Why are you here? The fragments of Wu Tiansi should be of no help to you."

"Because it helps you."

Old James said gently, "I want to collect it for you - I guess you won't believe this reason."

Aiwass raised his eyebrows and said nothing.

"But the truth is pretty much the same... because I want to know what you're doing. The current 'history' is beyond my comprehension, but you seem to know more secrets than I do. So, by following your trajectory and finding the things you seek ahead of time, I can lead you to where I want you. As long as I'm one step ahead of you, I can be faster every step."

At this point, the old man smiled bitterly, "But I really didn't realize that you would appear here at this time. The Stargazing Tantra didn't tell me where you were going... But every night when I look at the stars, I predict your future.

"Is it because the Lord of Scales and Feathers has obscured your tracks? Or is it because all this idea just came to you today? In any case, you are trying to evade my detection."

Old James said frankly: "So when I saw you appear here, I already knew everything.

"When I can't see the future...I actually see the future. You have surpassed me."

As he spoke, Old James tightened his grip on his cane slightly.

Two balls of azure light ignited in the bottom of his pupils.

His voice and the low curse sounded at the same time: "Evans, from now on you are Moriarty.

"I have an experience, a legacy, or perhaps a painful lesson...

“What you hear may not always be true, what you see may not always be true, and even the memory of your own experiences can deceive you.

"—Don't trust too much in what you know about the [future]."

As the words fell, the magic suddenly condensed.

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Next episode preview: Moriarty's death!

(End of this chapter)