Sealing Succubus Emma with a Phantom Demon Card

Edward naturally did not refuse Her Majesty the Queen's invitation and arrived at the Silver and Tin Palace on time.

As Edward reached the Griffin Bridge, he even ran into the Minister of Royal Affairs, who had just left the Silver and Tin Palace. After a brief exchange of pleasantries with this kind and gentle old man, he strode towards the Silver and Tin Palace.

At Iver's request, Edward was not led into the side hall by the servants, but was taken directly to Iver's bedroom.

Edward had naturally visited the Silver and Tin Palace before. He was, to some extent, the Inspector General of Glass Island.

But every time he came to the Silver and Tin Palace before, he was either led to the Reception Room that could accommodate more than forty guests listening at the same time, or he went to the Round Table Hall to attend the meeting in place of his adoptive father James.

Edward had only one experience of meeting Queen Sophia alone—that was when he had just returned from the Iris Flower Kingdom.

Edward then went to the Queen's study and personally explained to her the demands of the Iris People and the price they were willing to pay.

This is the deepest part of the place Edward ventured into. As for reaching the bedrooms of the royal family members, that was absolutely impossible.

He was even a little nervous—although he remained expressionless, his palms were already sweating.

Edward knocked politely on the door, and only after hearing Iver say "Come in" did he feel a little relieved and push the door open to enter.

As soon as he entered the room, he paused for a moment.

—Because there were just too many people inside.

Iver was sitting at his desk, seemingly engrossed in tinkering with something.

Isabel pulled up a chair and sat down next to him, very close to Iver. A raven was perched on her shoulder.

Ligeia stood across the table, also intently watching Iver's work. Yulia stood at the far corner of the table, clutching her beloved teddy bear "Mr. Dad," her gaze also occasionally drifting towards Iver.

There were many people, but no one paid him any attention, Edward thought.

"Young Master Edward."

The only one who had time to come up Lily, who seemed to have appeared out of nowhere. Edward added to himself.

Lily led Edward to sit down and served Edward hot black tea at just the right temperature.

"Thank you, Lily."

Edward responded politely, picked up his teacup, and took a sip.

But then he tasted the unexpected flavor and almost spat it out.

Ligeia let out a crisp, triumphant laugh, as if she had just pulled off a prank. "How's it, kid? Not bad, huh?"

"This is black tea made by Miss Ligeia."

Lily explained considerately.

"... The taste is not bad, Your Grand Arbitrator."

Edward sat up straight and answered politely and seriously.

"Tsk."

Ligeia smacked her lips.

Although his expression was calm, his posture perfect, and his breathing steady... Ligeia could tell at a glance that the boy was practically sweating. She found it rather boring to tease Ligeia so rigidly disciplined, so she stopped talking to Edward.

She gently patted Isabel on the shoulder to indicate that Edward had arrived. Then she returned to her spot and continued watching Iver scribbling on the Tarot Card.

Isabel reluctantly looked away from the table in front of Iver, stood up, and smiled as she greeted Edward. The raven on her shoulder took flight and landed back on Iver's shoulder.

When Edward saw Isabel approaching him, his heart skipped a beat. He immediately rose from his seat, knelt respectfully on one knee, and bowed his head. "The Silver Crowned Dragon above... greets you, Your Majesty."

"May the Silver Crowned Dragon bless you, Edward Moriarty."

Isabel reached out and touched Edward's head with practiced ease, signifying "motherly affection."

This is a more intimate gesture of courtesy, a level above kissing the dragon head Ring of Power.

Edward was only allowed to raise his head after being touched by Isabel.

After Edward eyes met, Isabel smiled brightly and took a half-step back, saying, "Good evening, Edward. Get up."

Upon hearing this, Edward suddenly turned his head to look at Iver.

He seemed to understand something in an instant, and then immediately turned his head away as if afraid of angering Isabel.

He breathed a slight sigh of relief and nodded respectfully and politely as he stood up.

"I wanted to leave Iver and Yulia here for the New Year, but that would make you too lonely. So I just had Iver invite you here too."

Isabel's smile was bright and confident, and her slightly curved eyebrows gave her an extraordinary sense of friendliness. "Why don't you stay here with me tonight, Brother Edward? There are still many empty rooms in the Silver and Tin Palace."

In fact, it was Iver that initially made the request. But Isabel instinctively realized that Edward might blame Iver being impolite or breaking the rules if she did so.

So she readily accepted the responsibility and made it her own version of events.

Iver Card Making at the table, naturally heard this.

He looked up at Isabel with some surprise, and their eyes met as she turned around.

Isabel blinked her right eye rapidly, her smile remaining perfectly unchanged. Like the best actor, she left no flaw.

She clearly noticed Edward's stiffness and awkwardness, so without waiting for his reply, she smiled and said, "By the way, Brother Edward —may I call you Moriarty, Knight?"

"Qing" is a unique honorific title for knights in Avalon.

To be called "Qing" means to become a knight armored by the Queen.

Edward's Extraordinary Skills had already reached the threshold of the Arbitration Hall Arbitration Hall. However, he had previously declined the invitation because of his adoptive father's opinion.

Therefore, as a member of the Moriarty family, he was unlikely to enter the Round Table Hall. The armor inherited by the Moriarty Family was left behind by the founder Mordred, and this armor was worn by old James.

The Queen could not bestow armor upon other members of the Founding Family, as this would essentially constitute a division within the family. Therefore, Edward, unlike a commoner, could not simply gain entry to the Round Table Hall through armor bestowal.

To circumvent this rule, one must acquire armor in their own name that is not inheritable to their descendants.

This type of armor was typically the official armor of a minister. It was acquired upon assuming office and relinquished upon leaving office.

So Isabel's question is essentially equivalent to "Do you want to be a minister?"

Edward hesitated for a moment, then shook his head and refused, saying, "My father taught me... if I am promoted not because of my own ability, I must refuse. Because my ability cannot wield my power, so..."

"Naturally, this is based on your achievements, Moriarty, Knight."

Isabel simply chuckled and replied calmly, "Your peace talks with the Iris were of great significance, bringing peace and prosperity to Avalon. This has already exceeded the scope of your duties as Inspector General—"

Although the Inspectorate is essentially an intelligence agency, it also functions as an oversight agency for the Bureau of Supervision. Senior Inspectors are basically on par with the Bureau of Supervision, but are half a rank higher due to their functions; and above Senior Inspectors is the Inspector General, who is responsible for commanding all Senior Inspectors within a certain area.

A typical town or village will have only one Bureau of Supervision, while a city-level city usually has multiple. Multiple towns or villages form a district, and a district only has one inspector general. Because Glass Island is the capital, although it is a city-level city, it has a district-level organizational structure.

Even so, it's still somewhat inappropriate for an inspector general to sign a contract of this scale with Iris in his own name.

"Therefore, in order to make this contract more enforceable and to prevent the Iris People from turning against us, after speaking with the Iris Flower Kingdom Prime Minister, I will appoint you as the Minister Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Iris and grant you knight's armor at the Round Table Conference on the first day after the Day of National Funeral."

Isabel said seriously, "This is not a request for your opinion, but a notification."

After she finished speaking, she added, "This is also Grandmother's wish."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Edward immediately knelt on one knee again, accepting his new appointment without hesitation. Minister Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary—this was the second-highest-ranking official position with real power in Avalon's diplomatic system. The only problem was probably that he'd have to be stationed permanently at the Iris.

This kind of thing requires the consent of the Iris. In other words, the Iris faction also hopes that they can stay there.

Having realized his new mission, Edward neither questioned, nor argued, nor uttered any superfluous words. This is exactly what a pure Path of Authority would do.

Immediately afterwards, Isabel's smile became friendly again.

She took Edward's arm with one hand and led him warmly to her study. "By the way, Moriarty, Knight, there are still some things I don't understand about this document..."

Edward was clearly very nervous and even somewhat at a loss about the relationship between Isabel and Iver. He didn't know what would be considered rude or disappointing.

But when it comes to serious work matters, he can immediately calm down.

Iver did not reveal Edward's information to Isabel beforehand. It was Isabel, after getting to know Edward, perceived his personality and instinctively chose a way that Edward could accept to get to know him.

"... I really want Sherlock to see this."

Iver sighed softly.

Sherlock hadn't been in contact with Isabel for a long time, so he probably didn't know just how fast she had grown after truly experiencing pressure. He would definitely be very surprised if he saw Isabel again.

She's the type of person who, as long as she's not crushed by pressure all at once, will become stronger and stronger at a visible speed.

Thinking this, Iver shook his head and continued Card Making. Ligeia, with Iver's permission, watched him make the Phantom Demon Card.

Every Phantom Demon Card used by the Great Sin Scholar records blasphemous knowledge.

It differs from regular Tarot Card, most notably in that it lacks cards such as "Justice," "Strength," "Judgment," and "Temperance."

However, the Phantom Demon Card also include several brand-new cards that correspond one-to-one with the Tarot Card.

The card "Strength" corresponds to "Lust".

It can also be translated as "Lustful Power" or "craving".

This is a card belonging to the Domain of Love, and its attribute is also Dark Attribute.

In the "Power" card, there is a goddess of victory with an "infinity" symbol or Ouroboros Ring symbol above her head, bending down to stroke a fierce lion.

The lion symbolizes primitive animal instincts, and can also be called a "beast." For example, impulsiveness, or chaotic passion... It is tamed by the love of the goddess and guided by the mercy of the goddess.

Therefore, the "Power" card actually symbolizes "controlled power." It signifies the Constant Self and also the Beast Lord.

In its mutated form, the "Lust" card is almost the complete opposite of the "Power" card.

The card depicts a beautiful, naked goddess lying drunk on a seven-headed lion.

Her right hand held the Holy Grail, from which dripped blood from the moon, from which countless snakes slithered and crawled. Her left hand gripped the lion's reins, taut as if they might slip from her grasp at any moment.

This is another interpretation of the state of the Constant Self and the Beast Lord —that is, the Constant Self has not actually completely tamed the Beast Lord. It is also an explanation for the fact that the Path of Love still possesses a chaotic and savage bestial nature.

Chaos, love, passion, reins, desire, drunkenness, snake, out of control, blood, reproduction, moon... so many keywords are enough to prove the strong compatibility between this card and the succubus.

—This card is the Phantom Demon Card that Iver meticulously crafted to seal away the "Succubus" Emma.

The process of making this card was, in a sense, very dangerous...

But Iver was not afraid.