Oswald's Departure

"... How did you do that?"

After examining Yulia's condition and confirming that she had indeed recovered and that the demonic energy within her had vanished, Oswald knelt before Yulia and murmured in amazement, "This is nothing short of a miracle."

"I think everyone has some little secrets of their own, doesn't they?"

Iver, sitting in his wheelchair, chuckled softly behind Oswald.

Oswald has lived in the human world for at least five hundred years, so it would be difficult for Iver to deceive him.

It would be better to just say "I don't want to tell you" directly. The message is the same anyway, and that would actually be more amicable.

Surprisingly, Oswald was quite satisfied with Iver's answer.

The old elf rose and put his hands behind his back. A somewhat stiff but genuine smile appeared on his face, which was as old as an ancient tree.

It looks like a wolf with its mouth wide open.

"Of course, Young Master Iver. Everyone can have their own secrets."

Oswald nodded slightly and said with a sigh, "You've grown up, that's good. If the master were still here, he would be very happy."

"What exactly did Father go to do?"

Iver asked seriously, "It's been so long since I've seen him. I've also heard some things..."

"Not so good, right?"

The old elf continued.

Iver nodded. "I heard that Father may have been in danger. But he didn't leave any contact information when he left, so I can't confirm if it's true..."

Yulia, who was standing nearby, hugged her stuffed animal "Mr. Dad" and tilted her head, asking in a questioning voice, "Danger?"

Oswald sighed softly.

He avoided answering the question and instead said to Iver, "You can take Miss Yulia to school now."

"I think this is something you've been waiting for a long time."

"That's true..."

Yulia answered softly.

But she asked with some concern, "What happened?"

The girl was very perceptive and intelligent. Even without relevant life experience, she could sense what the old butler Oswald, was worried about simply because of her familiarity with her family.

"Because I'm going on a long trip, miss. Avalon might be a bit chaotic during this time, so it should be safer for you to stay in the dormitory."

Oswald explained patiently.

Are you also going on a long trip?

Iver raised an eyebrow, then quickly realized what he was about to do. "You're going to find Father?"

"That's right."

Oswald answered honestly, "In fact, I received news of the master's death through official channels. But I don't believe it—I firmly believe he is not dead."

"Do you have any way to contact me?" Iver asked.

"Pretty much," Oswald nodded. "As the guardian of the Moriarty Family, I can sense the approximate location of every ' Moriarty ' at any time. If the distance is close enough, I can confirm their condition."

So, he used this ability when he was analyzing Yulia's body just now.

Iver suddenly realized.

Oswald clearly didn't possess much medical skill, nor would he Dedication Path. Otherwise, it wouldn't have been Iver's turn to treat Yulia.

But the old butler only touched Yulia's forehead slightly and sensed that the illusion demon in her body had indeed been eradicated.

This is probably why Oswald was able to find Iver in time when he was taken to the alley to be sacrificed.

"I sensed that the master's position was constantly moving. Although it was very slow, he basically didn't stop for very long."

Oswald said in a deep voice, "While it's possible the body is being moved... there's even a way back. So I'm wondering, could it be that the master has been imprisoned and is being transported? Or perhaps, the professor faked his death to expose certain people and secretly investigate something?"

"But in any case, I believe the master is in a dangerous situation right now. He is very likely to need my help."

At this point, Oswald looked at Yulia: "But at the same time, I must also protect you, which is also my duty."

"Young Master Edward no longer needs anyone to take care of him. The Royal Law University is the territory of that Grand Arbitrator, and it is also home to two-thirds of the descendants of the knightly families. Many arbitrators patrol at night. Therefore, Young Master Iver, you do not need to worry."

"But Miss Yulia the only one... As the Phantom Demon Egg, she had to hide her identity. Therefore, she couldn't go to school with you and could only use being unwell as an excuse to stay indoors every day."

At this point, Oswald looked at Yulia.

She sat to one side, clutching the doll, her eyes wide open. Her eyes seemed to be shining with excitement and anticipation.

As she wished.

Oswald declared, "If I stay at home, I can indeed protect Miss Yulia, for Miss Yulia has nowhere to go. Only I can protect her."

"But now that Miss Yulia is no longer the Phantom Demon Egg and can go elsewhere, I must now fulfill another duty of mine—I'm very sorry, Miss."

"It's alright, Oswald."

Yulia said earnestly, "I really want to go to school with my brother!"

Iver, however, thought of something else and asked from the side, "Who are the people who know that Yulia is the Phantom Demon Egg?"

"Even though the master has been purchasing Hypnos Potion, no one has any clear evidence to prove that Miss Yulia is the Phantom Demon Egg. So you can claim that she only had a strange illness that required the use of Hypnos Potion, and that she has now recovered under the treatment of Bishop Mathers."

Oswald patiently taught Iver to speak, though he didn't need to teach Iver: "If anyone asks Miss Yulia why she hasn't come to school, you can say that she is withdrawn and doesn't like to see people. That way, your secret won't be exposed."

"I'll pretend to be a loner!"

Yulia raised one hand and said earnestly, "I will absolutely not reveal my brother's secret!"

Iver touched his chin.

In other words, the fact that Yulia is highly likely to be the Phantom Demon Egg is almost common knowledge within the kingdom's upper echelons of social circles. However, they have chosen to remain silent about it because of Professor Moriarty.

... Strange, am I overlooking something?

Iver felt there was something off about this place.

If his adoptive father took him and Yulia in because he had no biological children and therefore needed an adopted son to inherit the family business...

As the Phantom Demon Egg, Yulia theoretically shouldn't have a long lifespan. Why did Professor Moriarty adopt her?

However, Oswald's temporary departure... can be said to have both advantages and disadvantages.

The advantage is that it will be easier to lure out those people from Lloyd's. Iver's faked death plan will also be more effective.

However, this would mean that Iver would need to find a stronger protector for Yulia. Edward alone would find it difficult to protect Yulia, and even taking care of her daily needs would be challenging.

Unlike Iver, Lily was able to accompany Iver to school because of Iver's special physical condition. This was a special permission granted by Her Highness the Princess.

However, Yulia obviously couldn't bring her personal maid with her. Her maid had to stay at the Moriarty Manor.

When both Iver and Lily are around, Lily can help take care of Yulia. But when Iver fakes his death, Lily will fake her death with Iver —which means Yulia will become a single person.

Even though the school's security was good enough, Iver was still worried about her.

At that moment, the image of another person appeared in Iver's mind.

Princess Isabel.

She should be able to help with this.

When do you plan to leave?

Iver asked Oswald.

The old butler replied, "If possible, the sooner the better."

"Then Yulia can come with us. In that case, we should prepare to return to school now."

Iver nodded, then turned to Yulia and explained, "There's no railway between the Red White Queen District, so Lily pushed me there directly... Luckily, it's not too far, about a two-hour walk. If we stopped to rest, it would take about three hours to get there..."

"On this point," Oswald added, "It doesn't have to be that complicated."

"Your current wheelchair was somewhat deformed due to the attack. Although it was repaired afterward, it still looks a bit less than presentable. So, using your body measurements, I had a friend, an elven craftsman, make a new wheelchair. It has improved both comfort and functionality, and I've also hidden a miniature pistol inside for self-defense, as well as a built-in Candlelight Emblem for easy casting of divine spells."

"I've already put it at the Inspectorate. You can take a car directly to the Inspectorate, have Lily pick up the wheelchair and take you back to school. After that, when you go home, you can just take a car back. There's a spare wheelchair at home."

"... Thank you so much for your help."

Iver said somewhat apologetically, "But actually, my recovery is going quite well, and I should be fully healthy in another two weeks to a month."

In two weeks, the Final Exam will be held, which will also be the second Promotion Ritual of Iver's Dedication Path.

Before that, Iver had to resolve the Lloyd's's problem. Only then could Sherlock emerge from his suspended animation.

After their promotion, they'll be going to Hai Na's hometown together. Using a wheelchair on rural dirt roads and deep forests will definitely be inconvenient... so Iver won't be able to keep up the pretense anymore.

Coincidentally, Lily would also be with Iver at that time, allowing the Shadow Fiend to reside in her shadow. Before the winter break ended, Iver's Path of Transcendence would advance once again—at which point Iver would truly be free of his wheelchair.

In other words... at most, Oswald's custom-made wheelchair will only last for less than a month. This is also why Iver hadn't suggested replacing the wheelchair before.

Although his family is not short of money now, he still subconsciously thinks about saving money wherever possible.

"Just because your legs are better doesn't mean you can't sit anymore. Those elderly people in wheelchairs aren't necessarily unable to walk."

Oswald said with a smile, "Being in a wheelchair makes it easier for people to overlook your threat; a clergyman with mobility issues, even if rumored to be very romantic, will still be seen as an ascetic. Humans are always hostile to the strong. But if the strong also have weaknesses, then it is easy for them to become admirers."

Upon hearing this, Iver instinctively felt a little guilty.

... He always felt that the old butler was implying something.

And he may be referring to more than just one thing.