Still Had Some Sense

What would happen if Iver did nothing?

Now all the ministers, knights, and officers, those loyal to the Queen, will die within a year. Of the remaining members, more than half will perish in the chaos and infighting. Finally, upon Isabel's return, the last remaining members will be imprisoned or executed.

The people will experience four major wars over the next three years.

The arrival of the Shadow Land will cause a nationwide food shortage, leading to famine and widespread chaos... which will then spread to neighboring countries.

After the Fallen Angel descend, six Civil War will erupt within Star Antimony. The largest one splits the planet into six pieces, eventually returning to three. Within three years, the population of Star Antimony and Avalon alone will be reduced to less than a third.

Looking at Glass Island alone, the impact might not seem significant. In versions 1.0 and 4.0, Glass Island simply saw a decrease in population. However, the rural areas have almost become ghost towns, with villages now having only a few households, and that number is steadily decreasing. Civilized areas are constantly retreating, villages are clustering into towns, towns are clustering back into cities, and vast tracts of land are being reduced to ruins.

The newly established Camelot seemed full of hope, but it lacked talent so much that even the ministers couldn't fill their posts. The council numbered only about thirty people, and more than half of them were not from Avalon, but elves who had participated in the Extermination War the Shadow Angel.

And Star Antimony was even more formidable. Already embroiled in internal strife, after being briefly controlled by the Fallen Angel, the remaining members dropped all pretense. Various armed warlords carved up the land... using all their advanced technology, weapons, and magic against their own people.

In some places, several towns in succession were turned into the undead, while others were bombed into ruins. Some places were cursed and turned into inaccessible ghost towns.

Just considering these two countries alone, that's at least tens of millions of lives lost. Just thinking about that number makes Iver feel a heavy weight in his heart.

—Should we stand idly by and use these people to buy a glimmer of "hope"?

Are you kidding me?

Just thinking about it made Iver furious.

It wasn't based on moral indignation, but rather anger at my own subconscious weakness—a fear that I myself possessed.

How could I be afraid? With a system that gives me insight into the future, how could I still be so afraid that I think, "Maybe I should just give up"?

—How could that be?

—Unforgivable.

Changing all of this is incredibly difficult. If you can't simply tear it down and start over, rebuilding the decaying Avalon into Camelot, Iver will find it difficult to even take a single step forward.

If the Fallen Angel hadn't been allowed to massacre the royal family, mismanage their forces, and launch attacks on the Stibnite Person in all directions, even without a split, Star Antimony would have been a formidable enemy.

Even so, could he simply let everything happen? — To listen, to let things take their course. To wait for the plot to unfold as he knew it, and then to intervene at each crucial juncture, expending the least effort to achieve the greatest benefit.

Profiting from disaster, rallying people in despair, becoming a hero—and nobody knows that you could have changed all of this, prevented it from happening in the first place.

Yes, that's what the protagonists in novels do. There's no risk, only benefit. Since these disasters have nothing to do with the "protagonist," why can't I profit from them? And if I change one aspect, the resulting chain reaction could lead to the loss of my precognitive advantage.

To ensure everything is under control. To ensure the future is under control. To ensure one's superior position, as if omniscient and omnipotent.

... Iver didn't know whether this counted as a mistake.

But he always felt as if there was a fire burning in his heart.

Ever since he changed history and saved Yulia, that fire has burned. He once thought that fire was called ambition... but now he thinks it might be "pride".

Even if he could change all of this, even without relying on prophetic abilities, he would still be exceptional.

If that's the case, why didn't he change things from the very beginning? So that Avalon would never become like Camelot, who had nothing but hope. So that the Fallen Angel wouldn't trigger world wars on all sides... so that as many civilians as possible, powerless to decide their own future, could survive.

He must live longer than he foresaw in the future. Only then will his arrival have meaning...

"Don't overthink it."

The Grand Guardian suddenly reached out and placed his hand on Iver's head, speaking softly.

Iver was slightly startled and looked up at the Grand Guardian.

He didn't look down at Iver. He simply lowered his head slightly, staring at the floor. At the same time, he calmly said, "Don't put too much pressure on yourself—as long as we're not dead, it's none of your business to worry about this."

"You are the future of Avalon, but only the future. The present is for the people of the present to handle."

His voice is deep and resonant, giving people a sense of security and comfort.

The old Queen simply smiled gently, "Yes, Little Iver... you've practically worn through your wheelchair."

Iver's three right fingers, which were unconsciously tapping rapidly on the wheelchair, suddenly stopped.

—I need to find a way to change this habit.

Whenever Iver falls into deep thought or feels anxious, his right hand can't help but want to move. This is a habit he developed from playing games as a child—when he was nervous, he would unconsciously tap the mouse and perform some meaningless and ineffective operations.

For example, constantly switching screens, shaking back and forth in place, or repeatedly opening and closing the scope.

In the words of Iver's roommate, he was "a bit of a jerk".

"I don't know what you're worried about," the Grand Guardian said calmly, "But I don't think Her Majesty the Queen chose to tell you these things to seek your help. Even if you really want to do something, you can tell us."

"Dad is very strong!"

David, standing to the side, said with great certainty.

"We are not the same as we were four hundred years ago. We are not strong... we can even be called weak."

Queen Sophia simply smiled and said frankly, "It's a good thing that we realized this sooner. Those older knights all grew up listening to the stories of the Round Table Knights, which instilled in them a proud nature. Even though they later focused on vying for power and money, they still retained the pride of being knights."

"But they simply don't understand Avalon. Or perhaps they don't want to understand."

"But whether it's you or Sherlock, your generation of young people is different. Avalon will ultimately be handed over to you..."

At this point, the old lady, who was lying in bed exhausted but still exuded vitality, revealed a sly smile, "I think Sherlock must still be alive, right?"

"Yes."

Iver replied, "This was our plan, to fake our deaths to lure those people out... It was what he and I did."

"You know what? I was terrified."

Her Majesty the Queen clicked her tongue, disregarding her image. "I think, oh no... Given Sherlock's character, he is indeed capable of doing such a thing—putting himself in danger for the sake of investigation, or being retaliated against. It is precisely because he could indeed be retaliated against or assassinated that I once thought his death was real."

"Then how did you figure out that he was faking his death?"

"Iver asked, puzzled."

Queen Sophia laughed out loud, "No, I'm not that smart... This is what Yanis told me. She said to me, 'Don't be so sad, things might still turn around.' I understood what she meant right away."

Yanis? Iver paused for a moment, then realized—she must have seen Sherlock and himself at the bishop's house through the painting!

What kind of camera has come to life...?

But Yanis clearly wanted to keep it a secret for Iver. Otherwise, the Queen would have known long ago that she hadn't been captured by Aleister at all... because he went to the bishop's house on the very first day he disappeared, but Her Majesty the Queen and the Grand Guardian were obviously unaware of this.

"Is there anything else, Iver?"

The Queen asked kindly, "Next, we'll be talking about some adult matters... Would you like to go out and play with David for a while?"

"Oh, by the way... Isabel might have been traumatized. If you have time, why don't you go and comfort her?"

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Iver replied.

He was indeed a little worried about Isabel and was wondering how to bring it up with Her Majesty the Queen.

Based on his understanding of Isabel, she hadn't truly let go of the pressure of the curse; rather, she was trying to forget it.

Although the Queen was completely unconcerned, knowing the curse had ended... Isabel was unaware of this. And indeed, she was not suited to know—if Isabel knew the curse was because foreigners wanted her to ascend the throne, the psychological pressure on her would likely be even greater.

After asking the Queen about Isabel's location, Iver, along with David, was pushed away from the Queen's palace by Lily.

The first thing he did after he went out was to take David to a secluded and deserted place.

Iver warned in a low voice, "Don't talk to your sister Isabel about curses and rituals... Be careful what you say, understand?"

"I understand. I'm not good with words or comforting people, so I'll keep quiet, Mr. Iver."

David nodded seriously, whispering as he planned, "Just tell me when the time comes... I'll agree to whatever you say."

Indeed, it's true that you won't make a mistake if you don't say it.

Iver hissed.

You can understand this without a teacher? This child doesn't seem to have a completely different personality from the Grand Guardian...

However, Iver seemed to have a vague feeling that... David might want to match him up with Isabel? After a moment's thought, Iver understood.

Then he started to lose his composure.

—Oh, you mean if I'm with Princess Isabel, Miss Aleister will give up her place for you, right?

This kid isn't as naive as he seems...

Updated ahead of schedule! (Cat banging on an empty bowl. jpg) I only realized my owner had left after finishing one chapter. I'll order takeout and finish writing the second chapter before eating (sad face).