The Secret of the Drunken Revelry

"... Hmm."

Iver groggily got out of bed, making unintelligible whimpering noises.

Lily immediately came over, supporting Iver's back with one hand and handing him a glass of water at the right temperature with the other. "Have some water, young master."

As Iver gently fed Lily warm water, Aiwass's consciousness, which had been sluggish and dry like an unoiled machine, quickly revived.

... Am I blacking out?

His last moment of consciousness was when Isabel left with Edward; his memories after that vanished into thin air.

That's really strange.

How could Third Level Dedication Path Transcendent be this drunk? "I'm much better... Give me a candle, Lily."

Iver tilted his head back, finished the last sip of water, and then said in a slightly hoarse voice, "Is it time for dinner?"

Only then did he suddenly realize that there were lit candles everywhere in the room.

Lily handed him a candle and got up to draw back the curtains.

Looking at the sky outside, Iver paused for a moment. "It's already the second day?"

Iver, holding the candle, quickly realized. "Is it because I was making 'that' Phantom Demon Card?"

His memory and rationality gradually returned.

Iver recalled that the final step in creating the "Lust" Phantom Demon Card was to induce the Card Making into a completely uncontrollable state of intoxication amidst surging passion.

Then, with her own will, she will drip blood containing a high concentration of alcohol onto the card. This will simultaneously sacrifice a small portion of her last memories to Constant Self... The final effect is similar to "blacking out from drinking too much."

... But was that much memory consumed? He couldn't even remember if he had eaten.

While using the Sacrificial Fire Method to recover his physical condition, Iver asked, "Did I have dinner with you guys yesterday?"

"Have eaten."

As Lily went to pour water, she explained softly, "You didn't perform the final step of the ceremony until 10 p. m. last night."

As she spoke, she showed Iver the Tarot Card on the table that Iver had sealed into two crystal plates, the cards soaked in blood.

It was shimmering with a hazy, illusory light, making the card surface blurry, distorted, and constantly fluctuating.

It's like a distorted view seen through the air above a barbecue grill.

Only when he saw that the card had been completed did Iver finally breathe a sigh of relief.

"... Did I say anything while we were eating? I mean, after I got drunk."

But then, Iver suddenly became worried. "And when did I get drunk? Was it while we were having dinner together? Or after that?"

Creating this card requires entering a state of complete excitement and intoxication. That state is far too dangerous.

—There is a significant risk of death, both physiologically and socially.

Those who dined with Iver last night to celebrate the New Year were basically the people Iver could trust most in the world. Maybe with Sherlock and half of Hai Na at most... He trusted Hai Na wouldn't betray him, but he didn't trust Hai Na intellect.

If Iver didn't dare to make this card even when he was with them and under their watchful eye, he certainly wouldn't dare in any other situation.

This card is a necessary tool to completely "kill" the "Succubus" Emma.

Without the seal of the Phantom Demon Card, even if Emma is killed, she will be reborn.

At that point, Iver's secret might be exposed, and it might even attract the attention of the Fallen Angel. Therefore, to kill her, she must be sealed away to silence her—or rather, before the Fallen Angel are brought down, all the Greater Phantom Demon who Path of Transcendence Dao that Iver kills with the Great Sin Beast must be silenced in this way.

Although I knew this was inevitable, and the card was already made.

But now Iver has suddenly started to feel anxious and insecure again.

To ensure that Iver could get completely drunk with ordinary alcohol, he most likely used the host's ritual to ensure he entered a state of chaos. After that, he lost about four hours of his memory.

... both excited and drunk.

Although Iver was quite confident in his rationality... he still couldn't be 100% sure that he wasn't drunk and talking nonsense.

Iver looked at Lily expectantly and pressed for details, "What did I do? Or rather, what did I say?"

Based on Iver's understanding of Lily and himself, Iver would have definitely kept Lily by his side before things got out of control. In other words, Lily must have witnessed the entire process.

But Lily just smiled and shook her head.

For once, she did not answer Iver's question, but instead comforted him, saying, "Young master, you were not drunk at the banquet, nor did you cause any trouble. You got drunk in your bedroom after the banquet, and only managed to say some drunken ramblings."

"At that time, Her Majesty the Queen and Miss Ligeia were drinking with you. You used a special ritual to get yourself drunk quickly... and the second person to get drunk was Her Majesty Isabel. However, after you were all drunk, Miss Ligeia took Her Majesty away."

"As for what you said at the time... you should ask Miss Isabel."

Lily's lips curled up slightly, as if she was trying to suppress a laugh.

... Huh?

Iver was explicitly rejected by Lily for the first time.

But Lily's words reassured Iver a little; he was sure he hadn't said anything crazy or inappropriate. Otherwise, Lily and Isabel certainly wouldn't have reacted this way.

This only made Iver even more curious. "Can't you just tell me, Lily?"

"That was your own order at the time."

Lily said seriously, "After you completed the ritual, you briefly regained consciousness. You yourself said that there was no need for your awakened self to know this, and told me—unless Her Majesty Isabel is willing to tell you, what you said must be kept secret."

"...Um?"

Iver became even more curious.

"You can't tell me what I said... but you can tell me what I didn't say, right?"

He could only confirm indirectly, "I didn't say anything offensive or rude, did I?"

"No."

"I didn't say anything about another world or the future or anything like that?"

Iver's words actually revealed something.

Lily glanced at Iver with some surprise, then said definitively, "No."

"That..."

Iver hesitated for a moment. "Did I confess my feelings to Isabel?"

"... No, not either."

Lily paused, as if thinking for a moment, before answering definitively, "Yes, no."

What else could I say? And why did Isabel have to agree to tell me? Ligeia heard it too, didn't she?

Iver felt that his brain, still recovering from the hangover, hadn't fully returned to normal—or rather, his mind wasn't thinking in that direction at all.

"It's not a bad thing, right?"

Iver finally confirmed, "It won't affect my relationship with Isabel either..."

Lily's lips curled up for a moment, and she answered crisply, "Definitely not—in fact, the relationship might get better. At least that's how it seems to me."

Wasn't that a confession? What could I say? But Lily said it wasn't a confession...

... Could it be that I went crazy in front of her?

That can't be right.

Iver couldn't think of an answer right away.

However, since Lily said it wouldn't be a bad thing, Iver decided to leave it at that for now.

Isabel would definitely tell herself—at worst, he can just coax her a little!

Let's just pretend I said something flirtatious, and when I came to my senses, I realized it wasn't appropriate for Lily to repeat it...

... But if that were the case, Lily's suppressed laughter would look very strange.

"How strange, what can I say?" Although Iver was still a little confused, he finally relaxed and said with some regret, "It's just a pity that I forgot how Edward behaved at the dinner table... By the way, where is Isabel now?"

"The Candle Holder Festival is being held outside now; His Majesty has gone to observe it."

Lily clasped her hands in front of her and answered earnestly.

Iver frowned. "Is she alone? That's too dangerous... Didn't she bring Miss Ligeia with her?"

Although Iver praised Isabel's performance yesterday and told her that she could go out in public tomorrow—January 1st—with Yulia's appearance, she wouldn't have to worry about encountering assassins.

But Yulia herself is, to some extent, a beautiful but delicate young lady... Although Isabel is actually quite strong, Iver is still very worried about her.

—What he meant yesterday was that they should change into Yulia's appearance when they came out together!

"She used Miss Yulia's appearance, at least Young Master Edward couldn't tell the difference. Very few people know Miss Yulia, so no one would want to harm her."

Seeing the uneasy Iver, Lily quickly comforted him softly, "Besides, it's the Candle Holder Festival today, so there won't be any problems. And His Majesty didn't go far; he only went to the Red Queen District to observe the ceremony... Bishop Mathers was there too."

The Candle Holder Festival takes place at the Candle Holder Cathedral. It's not too far from the Silver and Tin Palace, within a one-minute response range of the Griffins.

Furthermore, Bishop Mathers knew Yulia —when Yulia had health problems before, she had asked Bishop Mathers to "guide" her. With him watching over her, there shouldn't be any major problems.

But that's just how it is...

But for some reason, Iver always felt somewhat uneasy.

... No, I still have to go and see. With that thought, he made up his mind.

"I'm skipping breakfast."

He rubbed his stomach; he was a little hungry, but it wasn't a big problem.

Let's find a restaurant outside and eat together once we find Isabel.

Also, ask her what exactly she said back then...

"—Let's go, Viennes."

Iver called out casually.

The raven that had been resting in the corner like a gargoyle suddenly opened its bright red eyes, shook its wings, and flew to Iver's shoulder.

"If Yulia wants to go out, remember to go with her. Keep an eye on her wherever she goes. If she doesn't want you to go with her, then follow her in the shadows, understand?"

Iver instructed, "Of course, if Edward wants to go out, then don't worry about it."

"I see."

Lily nodded calmly. "I will protect Miss Yulia."

Iver sighed with satisfaction.

Thankfully, Lily is there, so I don't find myself in a situation where I don't know which side to take care of...

As he passed the table, he casually picked up the completed Phantom Demon Card and stuffed it into his pocket.

Right now.

Meanwhile, Isabel, who was watching the ceremony with great interest outside the Candle Holder Cathedral, suddenly felt someone gently patting her shoulder. At the same time, a strange, sweet fragrance, like boiling rose wine, wafted towards her.

Isabel turned around with some confusion and saw a beautiful woman with platinum blonde curly hair smiling at her.

The woman held up one finger and made a "shh" gesture towards Isabel.

Isabel immediately understood what she meant and nodded seriously and obediently.

"Don't make a fuss."

She smiled gently and said softly, "Come with me."

As she spoke, the woman raised her head, nodded amicably to Bishop Mathers not far away, and gave him a charming and friendly smile.

She raised her hand in greeting, then gestured to indicate that she was taking "Yulia" away.

Then, she took Isabel's hand. And Isabel obediently did not resist at all.

Mathers smiled and nodded, indicating that he understood. He then looked away from "Yulia" and continued to preside over the ceremony.

"Come on, Yulia. I'll take you to play."

The woman smiled gently, then took "Yulia's " hand and left the Candle Holder Cathedral.

But she didn't notice that when she heard the word "Yulia," the "Yulia" who was facing away from her suddenly paused for a moment.

Isabel's pupils cleared up in an instant.

— Yulia's back was instantly soaked with cold sweat.

But there was no change on her face, and she didn't even pause in her steps, nor did her hand, which was being pulled, tremble. She obediently followed the woman away.

7,000 words, update complete! Double monthly votes for the first day of the new year!