Was It My Misdeed That Came to Light?

Meanwhile, Iver also finished telling Sherlock, who was staying at the bishop's house, about what had happened in the past few days.

Upon learning of Minister Drost's death from Iver, Sherlock felt a sense of loss.

"What? You've gotten used to resting and don't want to go back?"

Seeing that Sherlock looked somewhat depressed, Iver raised an eyebrow and comforted him, "Why don't you just rest in peace? I think that's fine, since the funeral has already been held anyway."

"Even if you die, I won't die."

Sherlock lowered his head and continued writing, replying coldly, "I never argue with patients. Go to sleep. If you want to argue, I'll wait until you get up."

Not necessarily. I think you're more likely to kick the bucket than I am.

Iver thought to himself, but didn't say it aloud.

He stood up from his wheelchair and leaned over to see what Sherlock was writing.

Sherlock glanced at Iver slightly, without asking about his leg or covering the documents in front of him.

He simply explained casually, "It's the same one as before."

"You haven't finished writing yet? The one about 140 kinds of cigarette ash?"

"It's finished writing. I'll check it one more time. This kind of thing can't have any mistakes, or it'll be a huge problem."

Sherlock explained, "This book was originally written to help the Bureau of Supervision and the Censorate in remote areas solve difficult cases... If there are problems with its contents, it could actually become an obstacle to solving the case."

"So when do you plan to 'come back to life'?"

Iver said, "Your parents are very worried about you."

"No rush," Sherlock said, flipping through the book. "Mycroft can help with that."

His words revealed a subtle admiration and trust in his elder brother.

"So what about you? You're just going to keep hiding here?"

"Let's wait a few more days. After your Final Exam are over, I'll go home and talk to Mycroft about what we need to pay attention to on Glass Island, and then I'll come with you."

Sherlock said in a deep voice, "I've been investigating Eagle Cape Village for a while now. That place is quite something..."

He turned around, and his eyes, which used to always look tired, were now clear. His previously somewhat sunken, thin cheeks with prominent cheekbones had visibly filled out, and the hollows were no longer visible. His spirits, complexion, and even his skin had improved significantly.

I don't know if it was because Mrs. Mina took good care of him, or if Sherlock's mental state improved after he stopped working.

I guess both.

—Because not working is really great, and it's also good for your health.

After waking up the next day, Iver first used the Sacrificial Fire Method to restore his physical condition before going to school.

As a result, Iver substituted for a class in the morning, and at lunchtime, he heard from Isabel that... Master Agnes might be coming over tonight.

"What brings you here, Master?"

Iver somewhat surprised.

"It seems to be something related to me?"

Isabel said softly, "But I was too embarrassed to ask."

Is it related to Her Highness the Princess? That really puzzled Iver.

But Isabel seemed to have recovered from yesterday's fear, and was in even better shape than after Iver left. It's likely that Master Agnes had spoken with her again after Iver left.

"Oh, right."

Isabel hesitated for a long time before suddenly asking, "Do you know how to play a musical instrument? Or... are you interested in learning one? It shouldn't be too difficult..."

"Ah, I will."

Unexpectedly, Iver said directly, "I can play the guitar... but I've forgotten most of it."

This is a humble way of putting it.

Because this is something he learned in his Previous Life. He can remember it in his mind, but his hands might not be able to do it now—he can actually play bass, but that goes without saying.

However, the guitars of this era were somewhat different from the version that Iver learned. The version improved by Isabel's father was closer to the modern guitar. But Iver didn't know if he had invented the "Albert-style Guitar" at that time, so he didn't mention it.

"I see..."

Isabel nodded thoughtfully and made a mental note of it. But she didn't say anything more.

Afterwards, Iver didn't go back to his dorm to rest. Instead, he found a quiet place and, under the guise of "rehabilitation exercise," got out of his wheelchair and took a walk in the garden.

Lily pushed the wheelchair, with Shadow Fiend following behind them.

—For some reason, Shadow Fiend and Lily have become much closer since Shadow Fiend killed Drost.

Lily also became closer to Iver... unlike before, when she always carefully maintained the distance between master and servant.

If Shadow Fiend only lent Lily a portion of his power out of consideration for Iver...

Since Lily completed the ritual of filial piety, the Shadow Fiend's power within her has become docile, as if she had gained the Shadow Fiend's approval.

But this is for the best. Lily already had a low profile, and after mastering the Silken Grimoire and acquiring the Shadow Fiend, her presence became even less noticeable. With the Shadow Fiend hidden in her shadow, most people wouldn't even notice it.

Moreover, Lily is wearing a skirt, so it's normal for the skirt to flutter in the wind and for her shadow to wriggle a bit—besides, the Shadow Fiend can also hide directly in the hem of her skirt.

"I heard you became a hero yesterday?" Isabel asked with a smile.

"Just something I did casually."

Iver briefly touched on the topic and did not continue the discussion.

Perhaps because of his awkward personality, Iver always felt a little awkward when talking to girls about the good things he had done.

He doesn't like to talk about these things. On the one hand, he doesn't know how to brag about himself, and on the other hand, he feels that doing so would raise suspicion about his motives.

This would make him feel a little embarrassed, like he was laying bare his true feelings for someone to see. There was a thrill of exposure.

It's better to just tell a few lies and say something nice to make the girl happy. Iver's lies came much more naturally; he could go on and on all afternoon without repeating a single sweet story.

Although I was a little worried about how those people would spread their news yesterday, or whether they would do something awkward... but if I didn't hear about it, it's as if it didn't happen.

They soon arrived at the edge of a lake.

The lake is surrounded by a meticulously maintained garden, but in winter only clumps of thorns remain.

There are quite a few scenic spots like this at Royal Law University, but it's getting colder lately, and most students don't want to go out. That's why Isabel is out for a stroll—she deliberately chooses to go for a walk when there's no one around.

"The lake there is beautiful in the summer. There are fish in it. When I was little, I had an older sister who studied at the Royal Law University, and she said that you could fish there... I even pestered her to take me there."

Isabel said softly, "But it's frozen now... I haven't tried it since I enrolled."

At that time, she was very withdrawn and couldn't even think of finding a place to play.

Every day after class, I would rush home to continue with the second round of classes, day after day, without any entertainment. I lived like a high school senior preparing for a college entrance exam.

"But the lake outside the Silver and Tin Palace doesn't seem to be frozen in winter."

Iver casually remarked, "Haven't you ever gone fishing there?"

"... There must be a lot of people coming and going there every day, right?"

Isabel was a little nervous, even her back straightening unconsciously. "How can I fish in front of people? That's so rude, I'll get scolded..."

No, not necessarily. Not at all.

Iver thought to himself, "Your grandma is way more adventurous than you... She definitely tried it."

After all, in this era, watching plays, fishing, playing cards, and playing chess are among the few forms of entertainment available. The rest are all somewhat harmful to health or illegal.

However, from this perspective...

"Are you still afraid of people, Isabel?"

Iver asked the girl beside him.

Isabel shook her head. "It's impossible to say I'm not afraid at all... but I'm trying my best to correct it."

"It doesn't really need to be called 'correction'."

Iver said softly, his voice gentle. "Because there's nothing wrong with that. Whether you're afraid or not is simply your own choice."

"What about Iver?"

Isabel, with her hands behind her back, turned slightly to face Iver directly. "Do you want me to be afraid?"

Of course I hope you can be strong.

Iver said earnestly and honestly, "Just for yourself... and also for Avalon."

He finished the first part of his sentence, then realized it might be a bit too intimate, perhaps even inappropriate. It might frighten Isabel and make her instinctively run away. So, after Iver, he added the second part.

Isabel just smiled shyly and didn't answer.

They chatted idly, more like strolling than taking a walk or admiring the scenery—they had no particular purpose, just walking and talking.

The two said goodbye just before class was about to start.

"Ugh... I'm exhausted. I feel like my stamina is really declining... Please, Lily, take me back to the classroom."

As soon as Isabel left, Iver plopped back into his wheelchair, closed his eyes, and prepared to take a nap.

"Young Master," Lily's voice, tinged with a faint smile, sounded behind him, "Why weren't you sitting in your wheelchair the whole time?"

"It's just politeness, after all, I'm not really sick... It would be too much of a diva to have the future Queen walking next to me and chatting with me."

Iver made up an excuse on the spot.

This is, of course, a lie.

The real reason was... when Isabel looked down at him, he always felt she had a motherly quality about her. This made him feel a little awkward.

—It must have been the impact of that previous advancement that was too great, Iver thought.

The impression will fade when I advance to the next level... Anyway, it'll be soon, this weekend is the day for the advancement.

After Iver and Lily finished their class, Iver saw an unexpected person at the classroom door.

"... Dean Meg?"

Iver blurted out, "Who are you looking for?"

Seeing the short, serious-looking old woman staring at him, he suddenly felt a pang of guilt.

"Of course I'm here to see you, kid!"

Meg said without any politeness, "Come with me."

As she spoke, she looked Iver up and down.

—Why are you looking for me? What did I do wrong?

Ah, no...

Iver realized that he had probably fooled himself.

Because he has committed quite a few offenses.

So, what bad thing was discovered? Meg seemed to be smiling; it didn't seem like a big deal...

Could it be that my flirting with Isabel has been exposed...? Update complete! This month's update totals over 180,000 words, with only one day off! Almost 20,000 words per month—

I'll keep working hard to update next month!