Newborn Festival

"That woman... which direction did she go?"

Iver asked immediately.

The girl was also clever; she guessed that Iver was looking for someone.

"They came from over there, and went there!"

Based on her fondness for Iver, she added, "That pretty lady got off a carriage! It was a brown horse, very tall! The carriage was also brown, just like the horse's color."

Do you remember what patterns were on the carriage?

Iver pressed on.

The girl immediately replied, "There's a maze-like white pattern on the train carriage!"

—That's Minister of Justice Carter's carriage!

Iver immediately realized that it was a special insignia belonging to the Carter Family.

That carriage should belong to the current president of the White Shoes Club, Arun Carter!

The Minister of Justice is also a member of the "Chocolate Faction." Given his high status, his carriages are naturally equipped with anti-detection features. Ordinary rituals and tracking methods simply cannot confirm his identity.

If a normal search ritual were to be performed, Iver would only fail repeatedly. Only the "Eye of Avalon" could find the target.

But thankfully today is the Candle Holder Festival...

Perhaps the Candle Master was more willing to respond to Iver's prayers at this time, or perhaps Emma's reckless actions had also incurred the displeasure of the Candle Master or his apostles. Therefore, even though Isabel could not be found by the search ritual, the descending apostle gave Iver guidance— Isabel's brief stop when she got off the carriage left some traces in the same spot.

The apostle led Iver to this place, and by sheer coincidence, Iver encountered the girl he had once bought flowers from.

If it were just a coincidence, that would be one thing.

But now it seems to be a series of coincidences...

Iver happened to have a strong impression of this alley where Shadow Fiends were summoned, and he also happened to have a good relationship with this girl.

If Isabel hadn't suddenly decided to give her some money, Iver wouldn't have been able to find her through the girl; if Iver wasn't familiar with the area, it might have wasted time and led to the girl being attacked or even killed; if Iver hadn't known her before, she probably wouldn't have given him the hundred White Coin, making him realize that Isabel and Emma had contacted her, and she certainly wouldn't have proactively told Iver about the carriage.

... They say good deeds are rewarded and evil deeds are punished?

That's hard to say.

But there is another possibility... that the coincidence before our eyes is the interference of those great beings from the Dream Realm in reality and destiny.

Even the Ring Angel can interfere with the mortal Present World silently, so the Pillar God can certainly do even more.

—Perhaps the Twin Mirrors are interfering with reality, which is why everything is so similar to the past!

It's also possible that the Candle Holder Festival, offered Iver his assistance.

... Of course, there is also a possibility.

That means it has nothing to do with any Pillar God or any miracle.

They received good results simply because of the good deeds of Iver and Isabel.

Iver didn't have time to think too much.

He didn't want to accept the money, and even wanted to give the girl more. However, he was worried that the girl would be attacked again, so he simply took her with him on the griffin.

The girl trembled with fear the first time she rode a griffin. She practically lay on the griffin's back, but was afraid that her dirty clothes would soil the White Feather Griffin.

Feeling the girl trembling on his body, Philip gently comforted her, "Good girl, don't be afraid. You won't fall."

To griffins, humans are very cute and worthy of protection, much like humans view cats and dogs.

To Philip, the girl was like a skinny stray cat, trembling with fear and its fur standing on end... curled up obediently, yet utterly harmless. Philip didn't care about the dust covering him; he just felt his heart melting.

But his reassurance was of little use, because the girl shuddered at the sound of Philip's voice, "The griffin is talking!"

Philip stood tall and proud on the street, his voice steady like that of a middle-aged man, tinged with a hint of helplessness. "Yes, I spoke—want me to tell you a joke, girl?"

"Never mind that, Philip... fly this way!"

Iver interrupted him and gave the order directly.

Although Isabel was probably out of danger, he still wanted to see Isabel as soon as possible. Only when he was sure she was safe could he truly feel at ease.

Following the direction the girl pointed out, riding a low-flying griffin, Iver easily found the carriage that hadn't gone too far.

The curtains in the carriage were drawn tightly shut. From the outside, it was impossible to see anyone inside.

If the girl hadn't given him directions, Iver would never have been able to find Isabel!

"The succubus is not here."

Before Iver could ask, Viennes on his shoulder suddenly spoke, uttering an ethereal voice.

"Then stop the car first!"

After receiving confirmation from the Night Demon, Iver instructed Viennes to cut the ropes connecting the horse and the carriage.

He yanked open the carriage door. There he saw "Yulia," dressed in her finest attire, sitting obediently inside, motionless.

She didn't draw back the curtains. Or rather, she couldn't.

As Iver opened the car door, the midday sun streamed in. It eagerly filled the small, dark carriage, bathing her shoulders, arms, and hands clasped in front of her. The warm winter sunlight seemed to possess a veil-like texture, as if it had some tangible substance.

Yulia, who was as still as a frozen statue, turned around when she heard the car door open.

The moment her eyes met Iver's, she froze. Iver, too, remained motionless, still holding the car door open, for a split second.

"Lu Lu!"

Iver called out instinctively, then suddenly breathed a sigh of relief.

Isabel's eyes instantly welled up with tears.

She pounced on him quickly—

Because of his anxiety, he slipped and fell forward as he got off the train.

Iver caught her easily and held Isabel tightly in his arms.

Isabel wrapped her arms tightly around Iver's neck and burst into tears, feeling wronged.

Unlike her previous sobbing and whimpering in Iver.

At this moment, Isabel was still in the posture of "Yulia," crying loudly and almost hysterically.

It seems that only in this way can the fear in one's heart be completely cleansed.

"I'm here, there's no need to be afraid anymore."

Iver didn't ask Isabel what had happened, nor did he press her for details. The moment Isabel cried, he felt as if he had guessed everything—the crying was like an opera, bringing a premonition the instant the prelude began.

Isabel also seems to have gained some kind of boost from this crisis...

Such a thought flashed through Iver's mind.

He gently patted Isabel's back, whispering words of comfort, "You've done your best. Cry if you want to, there's no need to be ashamed."

"Because all the gods will witness that a strong and brave girl will be born today."

"Look, Isabel. It's time."

Iver said, pointing to the sky: "Lift your head up—"

It is noon at this very moment.

The Candle Holder Festival reached its predetermined climax.

A dazzling golden-red radiance wove intricate, magnificent, and sacred patterns around the sun.

They surrounded the sun like thorns, and then scattered and disappeared like lightning.

All the lights in the city lit up at once, becoming even brighter than they had been at night.

People in the streets and alleys cheered loudly, raising candles to welcome the light. The Holy Fire was lit simultaneously from all the candles, torches, and lanterns, and a holy wave, like an invisible tsunami, burst forth from the flames in a form that was barely visible to the naked eye.

An incomparably warm power filled Isabel's heart. Even the mark the succubus had left on her heart faded considerably—the dreamlike tranquility seemed to be dispelled by the midday sun. The scorching and bright light made the winter midday feel as warm as summer.

The patient got out of bed, the cursed one opened his eyes, and the dying man's breathing became steady.

Old scars transformed into new flesh and blood, and fatigue and hidden ailments were burned away by the light.

January 1st, at the very minute of noon.

As the climax of the Candle Holder Festival, a one-minute Illumination Spell, of bishop rank and global scale, will illuminate the entire world as the sunlight moves.

No prayers or sacrifices are needed. There are no demands, only pure giving.

People cheered, cheering meaninglessly amidst the overflowing radiance.

In this great, light-filled miracle, we celebrate another year passing, and a brand new year is about to begin.

Sixty seconds later, the whole world seemed to be plunged into darkness. Only a little residual warmth remained on the skin, which people called the Candle Holder's Kiss.

Whether human, elf, beast, or plant, all are given a chance at rebirth at the Candle Holder Festival.

Although the brightness had only returned to that of a normal winter midday, the sky seemed to have darkened. For a more sacred light had already moved away from this place.

Isabel had already stopped crying.

Her eyes brightened again, and even the redness around her eyes was gently wiped away by the light; the lingering fear in her heart was also dispelled in the light, and her thoughts became clear and calm again.

Like a muscle that has been destroyed and then trained to become stronger— Isabel felt her mind become so powerful and fulfilled at that moment.

Perhaps, as Iver said,

This is not a disaster, but the beginning of a new life.

Seeing that Isabel had calmed down, Iver's lips curled up slightly.

Iver carried Isabel aboard the griffin, letting her hold the nameless flower girl. Isabel greeted the girl warmly and affectionately, clearly having immediately guessed how Iver had found her.

"Where to, Iver?"

Seeing that Isabel had been found again, Philip, his tone now relaxed, asked, "Shall we go find George first?"

"Take us to the Silver and Tin Palace first, and then please go and bring George back."

Iver expressed his sincere gratitude. "Thank you so much, Mr. Philip. Without your help, I definitely wouldn't have been able to find Isabel so easily."

Upon hearing Iver's words, the astute Philip immediately guessed what was going on. "Heh... I get it, you want Meg to keep an eye on His Majesty first, right?"

Philip still preferred to call Ligeia Meg.

"...His Majesty?"

The flower-selling girl repeated herself, looking at "Yulia" with almost terrified eyes.

Isabel simply smiled, patted the girl's head, and said nothing for the time being.

By having the strongest warrior of Avalon protect Isabel, Iver's intentions are self-evident.

"Yes," Iver said in a low voice, "Someone has to pay the price for this."