Moriarty's Death

After brewing some black tea, Lawyer York took off his suit jacket, leaving him only in his thick brown plaid shirt.

He didn't look like a lawyer at that moment, much less Lloyd's's executive. He seemed more like a friendly neighbor.

After York served the tea, he sat down opposite Iver.

He interlaced his fingers over his chest and said softly, "But I don't actually think Lloyd Prince is the so-called 'disgrace to the monarchy'—he may not have considered himself part of the monarchy. I'm more inclined to think of him as a hero. A hero who shook authority and challenged the monarchy."

"The Path of Authority is like a pair of shackles. Those who walk this path cannot disobey the orders of those of higher authority; it is strict and cruel, like an anthill or a beehive. Knights cannot do this, but they may not necessarily want to."

"No one wants to be a slave to the Path Power. The Silver Crowned Dragon tells you to be loyal, disciplined, lawful, and orderly, but must we really be?"

Lawyer York, said in a low voice, "Have you ever thought about how Lloyd Prince, who came from humble beginnings, managed to prevent Lloyd's's from being swallowed up by the royal family?"

Iver raised an eyebrow and remained silent.

He vaguely guessed what Lawyer York was planning. Therefore, he remained silent, only showing a hint of doubt and curiosity on his face.

"It's very simple. Because the existence of Lloyd's's is the common will of the knights in the Round Table Hall; it is the symbol of the word 'merchant,' and countless people uphold Lloyd's's."

Lawyer York spoke slowly, whispering a secret unknown to others, "To this day, more than 60% of the knightly families in the Round Table Hall have at least one direct member who has secretly joined Lloyd's's. We share secrets, and secrets are a double-edged sword."

"Do you think the royal family doesn't know this? No, they do, but they can't do anything about it. Lloyd's's thrived because of the royal family's power to share profits, but now the royal family can no longer take that power back—because times will change, and we move forward."

"... Why are you telling me all this?"

Iver was silent for a moment before hesitantly asking the question.

Lawyer York slowly extended his left arm toward Iver, palm up.

The next moment, a pure, amethyst-like light suddenly emanated from the depths of his pupils. And the skin on his forearm wrinkled and bulged, writhing like a snake.

The next moment, four pure black, headless, scaleless snakes suddenly emerged from under the skin of his wrist—

It was a snake-like Magic Creature, about the thickness of a finger. It had no head; its front end had only a hole filled with countless sharp teeth. It looked like a snake with its head severed, or a leech with its mouth wide open.

The Magic Creature raised its head, swaying in the wind like an unconscious vine.

Lily reacted immediately, her gaze hardening as she prepared to step forward. But Iver quickly shook his head, signaling her to step back, so the silent maid remained standing calmly behind Iver.

But her expression was more serious than ever before, and the backs of her hands were covered with eerie green spiderweb-like cracks that were faintly glowing.

Lawyer York simply smiled gently and looked at Iver, saying slowly, "Do you know how Lloyd Prince won Her Majesty Marlene's heart back then?"

"Because he was also a talented poet. One of his poems contained these lines: 'One day, I will break free of these leaden shackles;'"

"I will rise with the smoke, free as the wind; I will have my day to shine, as bright as the stars, as radiant as the moonlight..."

Before Lawyer York could finish speaking, a dialog box suddenly popped up in front of Iver:

York Holmes is teaching you "Breach of Covenant." Do you wish to pay 48 public experience points to master this mystical art?

The art of Breach of Covenant is a mysterious skill that Path of Transcendence, with a particular emphasis on overcoming Path of Authority. It is used to break oaths, break free from shackles, and escape pursuit; it is a cunning technique employed by those who have made promises but decide not to keep them.

No. Iver answered in his mind without hesitation.

This skill isn't very useful, but learning it might pollute Iver's ability pool. Different mystical skills can conflict with each other... Iver currently doesn't have any reset potions and can't take the risk.

And 48 points is far too expensive—this is just a common-level mystical skill, yet it requires so much experience. You yourself probably don't even understand it, do you?

You didn't just memorize this part, did you?

Iver thought to himself.

But Lawyer York's actions had already proven his position. The lukewarm and confused look on Iver's face vanished, replaced by a calm and somber expression, as if it had all been an act.

"... The Devouring Demon?"

Iver asked in return.

This is a rare type of familiar, ranked lower than a lower-level demon or Demon Dog. It is a minor demon that can be created by Demon Scholar. It is not very aggressive and is usually used to torture or interrogate others—the size and thickness of the Devouring Demon can change, allowing it to burrow into or wrap around any part of the human body.

As it wriggles, its sharp, bee-sting teeth inject a weak toxin. These teeth easily break off inside the body, becoming as difficult to remove as cactus thorns. This causes intense, prolonged pain and can easily damage the dignity of others.

It can conceal a large number of familiars within its own body without being detected...

This is a unique characteristic of the Fourth Level Parasitic Fiend.

It's not Demon Scholar, but an advanced profession of a demon.

The biggest difference between a Demon and Demon Scholar is that a Demon is almost completely fused with and inseparable from its symbiotic demon. To advance to the Demon realm, one must first be Phantom Demon Egg —except that the Phantom within the egg is a Dark Attribute demon.

Before they became extraordinary beings, they were already known as "demons possessed." Compared to other types of demons, demons are more likely to manipulate their host's body and harm or even kill others when out of control. However, if they are persuaded by the demon within them to embark on the Path of Transcendence, they can reach a consensus with the demon within them and enter a symbiotic state.

For this reason, demons can no longer summon other demons. They are also unable to study rituals and the art of controlling demons, because the demons within them prevent them from acquiring power that could threaten them, and the interference of Dark Attribute Mana on the brain reduces their intelligence.

However, if a demon can withstand the suppression of the demon, maintain rationality, and advance to Parasitic Fiend, the positions of the two sides will immediately be reversed.

The Parasitic Fiend has transcended the concept of "demon." The Demon Man will no longer occasionally lose control, and the Demon will no longer be able to control his body. The Parasitic Fiend can accommodate even more demons, carrying a large number of familiar-level demons within his body. With each level increase, he can even accommodate a second or third demon.

"—You're Parasitic Fiend, right?"

Iver said in a way that left no room for argument.

Upon hearing this, Lawyer York opened his eyes wide in surprise.

He withdrew his left hand, and the Devouring Demon in his sleeve was also removed.

"Your Demon Knowledge amazes me, Iver."

Lawyer York exclaimed, "You are the only one among all my fellow practitioners who could recognize Parasitic Fiend at the First Level."

"So that's why you suddenly called me away?"

Iver raised an eyebrow. "Because you recognized that I am also an extraordinary being who Path of Transcendence."

"Under the influence of authoritarianism, we Transcender should help each other."

Lawyer York smiled broadly and said very naturally, "Because we are the same kind of people, I'll take you to find the organization."

"Of course, there's another reason..."

As he spoke, he pointed to Iver's left pocket. "If you have higher-level access, you can sense that too."

Iver reached into his pocket and touched it. He immediately realized what was happening.

—That's the "Noble Red" ring.

"Of course, don't worry."

York quickly pressed his hands down and explained with a smile, "I know you got your ring from Veronica. But we don't concern ourselves with such things here—after all, you're a fellow traveler who Path of Transcendence, right? You were the one they introduced to the path, so you can be considered a new member they recruited. It's normal for a new member to kill an older member and obtain the older member's token; there's absolutely no problem with that. Just keep it."

"If you take it, you will also be a member of the Noble Red Society. That's what I said."

"...I see."

Iver finally understood.

It's not that Lloyd's's and the Noble Red Society reached some kind of agreement... but rather that the top leadership of these two organizations overlaps in some sense!

"You said that more than 60% of the knights' families Lloyd's's."

After a moment of silence, Iver suddenly asked, "Does that include ' Moriarty '?"

Upon hearing this, York's lips curled up slightly.

The middle-aged man, whose face was already deeply wrinkled, gave a faint smile, "What do you think?"

Let's end this charade.

Sitting in his wheelchair, the platinum-blonde-haired youth spoke in a low voice.

Even though his status and abilities were inferior to the middle-aged man before him, he showed no respect whatsoever. Iver extended his right hand to York, his palm slowly cracking open. A ghostly purple light shone from Iver's palm—a symbol of his current state of mind and resonance with the Path of Transcendence, and also an unfriendly gesture.

It's like slightly drawing a knife out, or placing your hand on a holster. It doesn't necessarily pose a threat, but it expresses an attitude.

For those on other paths, this might be an offense. But for those on the Path of Transcendence, it is a confirmation of resolve, signifying acceptance and practice of the Path of Transcendence.

Lawyer York smiled with satisfaction and readily replied, "Yes. Professor James Moriarty is, of course, a member of Lloyd's's of London."

"He is, after all, a businessman, and one of the most prominent businessmen on Glass Island. How could he refuse our invitation? However, he is not a follower of the Path of Transcendence, and therefore has not joined the Noble Red Society."

"In that case, with my father here... you don't seem to need to invite me anymore, do you?"

Iver said bluntly, "Because the Moriarty Family is already on your side."

York was clearly trying to recruit him.

Even though he didn't utter a single word, his intentions were conveyed very clearly.

The suspected leak of information was putting a lot of pressure on him. York desperately wanted Iver to Lloyd's's, preferably before the "vice president" arrived.

"In that case, I'll tell you some information in advance."

Lawyer York, smiled smugly, "This is precisely the meaning of Lloyd's's existence—"

"According to reliable intelligence, Professor Moriarty disappeared two days ago. Although no body was found, bloodstained clothing was found. The divination results indicate that James Moriarty is dead."

"If nothing unexpected happens, news of his death will reach Avalon in a week."

The middle-aged lawyer, also named Hermes, gave a friendly smile that Iver found repulsive, "This is not a threat, just a suggestion. After all, neither you nor Inspector Edward are his real children... and Mr. James died too suddenly to leave a will."

"This means that your inheritance will face obstacles. But it's good that you Lloyd's's... We prefer someone like you who walks a path Path of Transcendence, rather than your adoptive father."

--ha?

Iver almost burst out laughing.

You mean James Moriarty is dead? Ha, I don't believe a word of it.

... Of course, the intelligence itself might be true. But Professor Moriarty isn't so easily killed, and the divination results might not be accurate. This is definitely a faked death, a way to extricate himself from the situation in Avalon.

—That mysterious guy was the final boss of Version 6.0. How could he have died inexplicably in some unknown corner?

However, even if he knew perfectly well that his death was staged, and many others probably did as well, even if it was just the identity of "James Moriarty" that led to his social death...

This also means that the situation in Avalon is about to become uncontrollably turbulent.

Update complete, meow!