Chapter 43: White Fox Arrives, National Benefits
Although they deduced that the enemy should be the Hook Demon inherited by Jack the Ripper, the three Aiwasses and their child did not believe this conclusion and let down their guard.
Just in case, they still hid in this abandoned chemical plant, secretly observing the only entrance.
Aiwass could not reveal his ability to transcend the Tao, so he could not draw an anti-demon magic circle, nor could he explain the habits and weaknesses of the Iron Hook Demon.
Since there was nothing else to do, he and Lulu simply found a seat upstairs and sat down to chat. They talked about music, poetry, philosophy, the nonexistent "I have a friend", various secrets of the mainland, and the vulgar rumors that only circulated among the lower classes, and time flew by.
They even had time to give little Aiwass another lullaby to make sure he didn't panic when he woke up.
It was then that they realized that neither they nor Little Aiwass had eaten breakfast. It was only a little after ten o'clock, and they were already feeling a little hungry.
Fortunately, little Aiwass is already four years old this year and has been weaned long ago. Otherwise, if he were still a baby and woke up hungry and couldn't stop crying, Aiwass would probably have to politely give way.
For a four-year-old child, going hungry for two meals is not a big problem.
Aiwass himself said it. He said it was fine.
After all, according to the original history, little Aiwass would be in an orphanage in a few days. By then, going hungry would be a daily routine. However, according to the timeline of this fictional world, Julio and Annie obviously wouldn't have to die, and little Aiwass would have been able to grow up with his biological parents.
Of course, this future possibility only exists in their casual conversation.
Although this dream world appears very real, with various touches and the feeling of hunger, it is undoubtedly fabricated - it is full of various incongruities in the details, constantly reminding the participants of the ceremony that this is just a fictional temporary world.
It seems that if this is done, people will regard the story that happened in this ceremony as unreal.
On the contrary, it is Lulu, an inexperienced newcomer, who will seriously discuss with Aiwass the subsequent development of this world and speculate on the reasons why they encounter such problems.
She was still guessing that Aiwass Moriarty's biological parents must have been killed by the Hook Demon...but she couldn't figure out why little Aiwass had survived. Then she began to enthusiastically discuss with Aiwass the possibility that they had been attacked.
Sherlock mentioned once that "the stories in this world are not necessarily the same as the real world", but Lulu obviously didn't listen. He stopped talking and was too lazy to listen - so he simply turned around and went to explore the chemical plant to satisfy his curiosity and thirst for knowledge.
At least I did gain something.
Sherlock found two bottles of pure water and one bottle of concentrated sulfuric acid in the abandoned laboratory. They could be used as ingredients for the spell. After that, Sherlock began to look through the documents in the abandoned chemical plant, concentrating intently on the various remaining documents he had unearthed.
Just like a detective invited to investigate an abandoned chemical plant, he is investigating the incident seriously.
As someone who adapts to the path of wisdom, he inevitably has a certain degree of reading addiction. Compared to chatting, this kind of reading is actually a more satisfying pastime for him.
"I think I understand why this chemical plant was abandoned..."
Sherlock returned contentedly, a happy and satisfied smile on his face. But just as he was about to share his reasoning with Aiwass, he saw the two men still chatting there—they had started from art, circled around, and returned to art.
So the dust-covered newsboy raised his eyebrows and turned the bottle of sulfuric acid in his hand: "Are you still not finished talking?"
"Chatting is about sharing what you have and what you don't have in your heart."
Aiwass turned around with a smile and said, "How can we finish talking?
"Family, life, dreams, what I read, what I do, what I think... Two different hearts, two souls that have yet to overlap, are like two finely crafted gems. Overlapping them, pointing them towards the sunlight, and slightly rotating them, they can reflect a myriad of brilliance on the wall—the sparks of different thoughts. I call this chatting."
"And if, by chance, it happens to rotate to a certain angle, it reveals a dazzling beauty that catches your eye and is unforgettable for a lifetime—that is the focus of the soul. I call it love."
"I originally thought that you might be from the harbor area and have connections with gangs."
Upon hearing this, Sherlock said coldly, "Now I'm sure - you must be a playboy from a wealthy family. Smooth with all manner of people, sweet-talking, and eloquent.
"Did you read so many books just to please girls?"
While he was reading the account book, he was also distracted by the sounds outside. Of course, he could also hear Aiwass's voice in this silent factory.
This is indeed a man of insight and refinement. Perhaps he is not as young as he looks, or perhaps he uses a potion like "Basil" to maintain his youth... Perhaps he is indeed a well-educated middle-aged man, just like the priest Julio he is currently playing.
But after hearing Aiwass's sophistry, Sherlock was convinced that the other party was a young man.
This sophistry revealed arrogance, childishness, and frivolity, as well as a touch of condescending arrogance - of course, he could be proud. At his age, he had such mature thinking and such erudition, which far surpassed his brainless peers.
"Fox" is indeed very powerful.
But, not as good as Edwards Moriarty.
Although Sherlock only met the real Aiwass once, the young man who suffered fundamental injuries that could not be cured by illumination magic and could only recuperate in a wheelchair was a truly intelligent, polite and humble person.
Sherlock thought highly of him. If he hadn't been busy advancing, he might have had more conversations with him.
"Is wisdom no longer wisdom when it is shared with others? Is truth no longer truth when it is shared with others?"
Aiwass asked in return, "I read in order to tell others about it—isn't that also a form of dedication? There will always be people who can't read, but they are not necessarily the outcasts of great philosophers. They are just like the eyes of the blind, the legs of the lame, and the ears of the deaf; they lack the organs that enable them to read. Besides that, they are still mature souls, qualified to pursue light and truth."
The black-haired, blue-eyed young monk narrowed his eyes, his mature and handsome face revealing a fox-like smile.
Sherlock raised an eyebrow and remained silent.
Although this still sounds like a sophistry...it doesn't sound bad.
But Sherlock soon realized that this was just Aiwass changing his words to make him feel happy.
"As expected of a 'fox'."
Shylock sarcastically said, "I've heard that in the Taichu Empire east of the desert, there was a legend about 'fox charm.' It was about a fox that was eloquent and seduced the monarch."
"Then I guess you don't know much. According to the Taichu Empire, foxes, in the Path of Wisdom, are said to be 'connected to the heavens at a thousand years old.' In the astronomical sense of the Adaptation Path, they represent the ninth star of the Tail, signifying fertility and prosperity. In the Path of Authority, it's said that 'the arrival of the white fox brings prosperity to the nation; its absence leads to arrogance among the people.' In the Path of Love, there's also the saying 'a king who is not obsessed with beauty will appear.' This means that if a king is not obsessed with beauty and is diligent in governing his country... foxes will appear."
Aiwass countered without hesitation, using the same words: "Doesn't my presence prove that Avalon is flourishing?"
...Do you believe what you said?
Aiwass's words choked Sherlock and he didn't know how to refute for a moment.
Especially when he knew that "Lulu" was Princess Isabel, he didn't dare to say anything. Compared to Sherlock, Lulu obviously liked foxes more... If she went back and spread some news, he would be blamed for nothing.
——Sure enough, this “fox” also guessed who Lulu was.
That's why he specifically said that. And that's why he deliberately approached "Lulu"...
Sherlock had originally stepped forward to stop the inexperienced young princess from falling for the fox's charm. It turned out the fox's erudition far exceeded his expectations... even reading the original texts from another continent. So, perhaps the secrets he'd just shared during their conversation weren't all lies...
Thinking of this, he actually felt a little admiration for the fox.
This is the way of wisdom. They seek mystery and truth, but not to leave a legacy or teach others.
Simply learning is joyful enough, and the search for truth itself is the meaning of life. From this perspective, if the fox were to follow the path of wisdom, perhaps he could actually be considered his predecessor.
Sherlock raised his eyebrows, but his tone softened: "I was wondering, could the third dual-path person be you?
"Your knowledge and wisdom already surpass those of many fools who vainly pursue the path of wisdom. If not, are you interested in pursuing the path of a mage?"
"If you are willing, you can come to me. You know where I am... I can help you on the path to wisdom."
"Ah, that's not necessary."
Aiwass shook his head. "I read for a very practical reason. If you want me to read just for the sake of reading, I might not be able to bear it."
"How bizarre. Someone who has devoted himself to the Way says he is utilitarian."
"There's no conflict. My goal is to save all living beings."
At this point, he smiled and said, “You may not believe it now.
"But I will eventually save Avalon... and even this world from danger."
“…No, I believe it.”
Sherlock paused, but answered softly.
Because when the "fox" said this, the subtle smile on his face that always seemed to say "he doesn't look like a good person" faded, and he became much more serious instead.
At that moment, Sherlock always felt that the "fox" was telling the truth.
Perhaps the cunning fox always lies without thinking...but perhaps, this is the only truth.
Seeing that the atmosphere between Aiwass and Sherlock suddenly became silent, Lulu became a little flustered.
She was a little tired from holding little Aiwass, so she put the child's head on her lap and let him lie on the side of the chair with his head resting on her lap to sleep.
Lulu actually didn't quite understand what the two people were talking about - because she didn't understand the foreign language that Aiwass was speaking.
But she subconsciously felt that they might have had an argument. It might have something to do with her.
Lulu became nervous, wondering if she had done something wrong.
She was so nervous that she wanted to stand up and speak—because according to the etiquette Isabel had learned, doing so would appear formal and polite to her now protected child. As a result, she nearly dropped the forgotten child to the ground. Fortunately, Sherlock was quick to move and cushion the blow with his hand, preventing the back of little Aiwass's head from hitting the ground.
The three of them were in a panic for a while, but they managed not to wake up little Aiwass.
"...Please take good care of the children."
Aiwass was somewhat helpless: "How about I do it?"
Sherlock sighed and said nothing.
Lulu had already forgotten what she was about to say when she stood up.
She stretched out her hand to twirl her hair at the temples awkwardly, and whispered, "Let me think about what I wanted to say just now..."
But at this moment, her expression suddenly changed.
“…Hmm!”
Lulu felt her abdomen churning and suddenly she felt a sharp pain - as if the pain of menstruation was magnified three or four times. She suddenly turned pale, her legs went weak, and her whole body trembled violently.
She stumbled forward two steps.
Just as Aiwass supported her, Lulu vomited a mouthful of dirty blood on the ground and then coughed violently.
The dark red blood was mixed with black clots that looked like jelly.
(End of this chapter)
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