The Two Who Reunited

"If only George were still here," Shafiya thought.

Ideally, the Grand Guardian should escort Isabel to the Theocracy while he attempts to steal the Queen's Blood. If successful, all will be well; if unsuccessful, at least Isabel will survive.

But the Grand Guardian George wasn't on Glass Island at all.

Due to the recent border unrest, the Grand Guardian is currently stationed at the Southern Fortress, directing the navy to deploy defenses.

Furthermore, if the Grand Guardian were present, the two of them, even with the advantage of home territory, might not necessarily lose against two Fifth Level opponents. At the very least, they would definitely be able to retrieve the Queen's body... George also knew about the Shadow of Avalon.

Or are you going to take a gamble?

First, hide Isabel somewhere, then go and steal the body yourself.

After obtaining the Queen's Blood, immediately proceed with the Shadow of Avalon Ritual. The gamble is that he can resurrect Lancelot before Isabel is found...

It seems that this is the only way, Shafiya thought.

It is the most dangerous and accident-prone option, but it is also the most profitable.

"If Meg were still alive, would she have made this choice...?"

Shafiya murmured softly.

At this moment, she was actually feeling somewhat lost.

It was already her limit that she was able to react immediately and rescue Isabel.

Under the triple pressure of time, a formidable enemy, and family, Shafiya felt a chill run down her spine just thinking about it. She even felt her breathing tremble slightly.

If she arrives too late, or if the Queen's body has already been destroyed or transformed into a ghost, or if she takes too long and Isabel is captured... Avalon will fall. They could very well have set a trap around the Queen's body, waiting to capture her, and she could be framed by the Round Table Hall for aiding and abetting treason, potentially implicating her husband and daughter as well.

They don't even need to be killed or captured alive; as long as they can't obtain the Queen's Blood in time, it means failure.

At this moment, the pressure building up in Shafiya's heart was simply too great.

But she had to be strong—as an elder, how could she show confusion and helplessness in front of a pitiful child like Isabel? Shafiya took a deep breath and slowly asked, "Little Isabel... do you have any close, absolutely reliable friends? Someone who would take you in for a few days and would never betray you."

Her voice was hoarse from nervousness.

Originally, Shafiya had only asked the question casually, but then she planned to hide Isabel in the Hermes Manor... at least Lord Arthur was definitely a trustworthy and loyal subject.

But to her surprise, Isabel actually gave an answer.

"... Could you take me to Moriarty's house?"

This soft yet resilient girl said in a low voice.

"Professor Moriarty's house?"

Shafiya frowned slightly. "But he has close ties with Lloyd's's... I don't recommend you go to their house."

Although Professor Moriarty did not appear directly at the banquet.

But there's another possibility. That is, Professor Moriarty already knew the knights were about to start a brawl. And as a scholar, he was too weak and lacked combat ability, so he chose to avoid the fight.

The Moriarty Family usually maintains a relatively close relationship with the Drost Family.

The Moriarty Family's ancestors were the Mordred family, and Mordred's own son had betrayed Avalon. This was not without precedent.

Shafiya is on edge now—she finds these Founding Family untrustworthy.

Of the twenty Founding Family, some must have received advance notice.

Wasn't one of them the first to raise a warning?... Or did the Founding Family feel that Lancelot's descendants had ruled Avalon for too long and wanted to return to the Round Table Era? But that timid and gentle girl gave her a heartbreaking look. "But, I can only..."

As she spoke, it seemed she was about to sob and cry, "He's the only person I can trust... If even he betrayed me..."

At this point, she finally broke down in tears.

Seeing Isabel's intense, seemingly genuine sorrow, Shafiya felt a wavering.

She realized that her denial seemed to be the last straw. She subconsciously regretted what she had said, but at the same time, she felt doubt and curiosity.

"Who... are you talking about?"

"... Iver."

Isabel said softly, "Actually, he and I are pen pals... we've known each other for many years."

"A pen pal? Really?"

Shafiya was somewhat surprised. "That famous bishop?"

It turns out that this autistic Princess actually does have friends...

Seeing Isabel lower her head, Shafiya knew that she had probably guessed correctly.

"However, if we're just pen pals..."

Shafiya still doesn't seem very reliable.

After all, Isabel had never been exposed to social interaction; such a pure and innocent girl was too easy to deceive.

Although the young Bishop Moriarty was well-regarded in the capital's social circles—everyone described him as a devout, gentle, and solemn man, and many young girls were enamored with him—he rejected all confessions of love. There were even rumors that he had fallen in love with his stepsister.

As a transcendent being who Dedication Path... it seems there's not much of a problem...? Originally, Shafiya wanted to cause trouble.

But the more she calculated, the more reliable Iver seemed to her.

To reach the Third Level of Dedication Path at such a young age, pass the Church's examination to become a bishop, and even touch the boundary of the Fourth Level, being invited by the Theocracy to study abroad... given such a person's affinity for the Dedication Path, they are unlikely to be a bad person.

But thinking about this made Shafiya feel even stranger.

How did little Isa come to know this bishop? Judging from her words, she seems to trust Iver to an extremely high degree. So much so that if Iver were to betray her, she would be heartbroken to the point of despair.

But Isabel firmly stated, "He has already read my diary."

"... I see."

Shafiya understood.

Isabel most likely likes Iver.

She knew what Isabel's "diary" was and what kind of fears it contained.

That diary, passed down within the royal family, was the most desperate and tender part of Isabel's heart. If she was willing to share it with someone, it meant she truly trusted that person more than anyone else except her family... Even Shafiya and Meg had never seen her diary.

"Okay, I'll take you there."

Shafiya made up her mind. "But he is, after all, Professor Moriarty's adopted son, and his opinion may not be decisive. If Professor Moriarty doesn't want to take you in... I will find a way."

Compared to the loyalty of the Hermes Family, Iver, who could soothe her heartbreak and fear, was indeed a better choice.

Isabel lowered her head slightly.

She clenched her fists slightly.

—It has to be said, she was actually taking a gamble.

Because she couldn't be 100% certain that if she descended into "herself," then Iver would also descend into "Iver." At least, Shafiya's words didn't match Isabel's understanding of Iver.

It wasn't Minister Moriarty, but Bishop Moriarty.

Fortunately, Isabel reacted quickly and made adjustments in time.

... But if "Iver" isn't Iver, will her lie be exposed? Isabel was somewhat worried.

Upon realizing the immense danger Avalon faced, her immediate instinct was to seek Iver's help. Mainly, she knew she absolutely could not go to the Hermes Manor ... because she knew York Holmes was the traitor, and judging by the situation, he didn't seem to have been discovered.

Let's take it one step at a time and see.

If Iver isn't him, then find a way to fool him...

Isabel still has a lot of confidence in her acting skills.

She can play the ruthless and righteous Queen, and she can also calmly play the withdrawn and weak version of herself from the past.

—Whether in the past or the future, that is her.

On the other side, Iver was sitting with James.

"... Little Key?"

Iver murmured softly, his brows furrowed slightly.

He considered many possibilities, but none of them were definitive answers.

A key is for opening doors. But what kind of door requires you to open it?

Seeing Iver's reaction, James suddenly laughed.

The old man stretched out his hand and calmly made a shushing gesture.

"Is this something that can't be said?" Iver pressed.

"It seems your progress is still not enough."

James laughed heartily, his wrinkles deepening with each laugh, "Then I won't say anything more."

Without a doubt... James was testing Iver to see how well he knew him.

Iver's complete lack of reaction to this keyword revealed some of his intelligence.

—For example, from which period did he return to Iver? Or, for example, to what stage was his plan at?

"How about we switch questions?"

James asked gently, "And why are you so wary of your father?"

Upon hearing this, Iver understood two things—

James definitely realized that beneath the "Iver" skin was another Iver; and he could sense Iver's wariness and vigilance towards him.

If he could perceive Iver's thoughts so keenly in this detail across many different Timeline, then Iver's adoptive father must have seen it even more clearly.

... Was his departure because of this? Because he sensed that Iver was wary of him, he simply faked his death to escape and then went into hiding...

"I have seen the guest off, sir."

At this point, Oswald returned.

Iver subconsciously glanced up at Oswald, and Professor Moriarty waved his hand, signaling Oswald to leave first.

After Oswald nodded and left, Iver said softly, "Father, I don't really want to answer this question."

"Then I won't answer."

James smiled and nodded, saying very calmly, "If I don't want to answer the questions you ask, I won't; and if I ask you questions, you can do the same if you don't want to answer. Our relationship is equal, Iver."

"There's no need for me to compromise; I will do my best to help you."

"... Because you want me to live, right?"

"Right."

James gave an affirmative answer.

The Professor definitely has more plans for Iver, and since Iver doesn't know the meaning of the "Little Key," he inevitably failed to complete his mission. In order to help his counterpart in another timeline complete his plans, the Professor wouldn't let Iver die in the Dream Realm.

Iver had a vague feeling about this, but he still had to ask to confirm it.

In other words, James ' ultimate goal must have transcended personal interests.

He knew he was undergoing Promotion Ritual, merely a simulated soul created by the Pillar God, yet he was doing his best to maintain the stability of the Promotion Ritual. He was also trying to help his "real self" conceal information.

If he is serving himself, then he doesn't need to stand so firmly with his true self. To him at this moment, that self is ultimately a different individual.

"Then it's my turn."

James asked, "You are now a [Sacred Entity], right?"

"... I'm not 100% sure, but it should be."

After a moment of silence, Iver answered seriously.

This is not a lie, but the truth.

Even if he told the truth, the real Professor Moriarty wouldn't know. But Iver had a chance to get information from James had more information—every question Professor Moriarty asked must have some meaning.

By carefully examining his perspective on the problem, the purpose of his questions, and his reaction after receiving a correct answer, we can gain some feedback.

But Professor Moriarty did not ask any further questions.

He simply leaned back on the sofa, looking quite pleased with himself. "I have no more questions. I can answer one last question for you, or help you with a task."

"... Could you lend me Oswald?"

After pondering for a long time, Iver finally asked.

"Can."

James answered without hesitation.

He didn't even think for a moment; he responded the instant Iver finished speaking.

Just then, Oswald suddenly returned quickly.

"My apologies, sir. But..."

The old elf hesitated, his expression somewhat strange. He glanced at Iver, then looked at James with some hesitation.

"What's wrong?"

James asked.

Before he could respond, Shafiya took Isabel's hand and followed closely behind Oswald out.

She took Isabel and infiltrated Moriarty Manor.

Oswald clearly knew what was happening at the Silver and Tin Palace, so when he saw Isabel fleeing here, he instinctively assumed it was Professor Moriarty's arrangement.

But Iver, who was sitting on the sofa, met Isabel's gaze as she looked straight at him.

In just a fleeting, emotionally charged glance, the two people can understand each other's identities.

—That's him.

—That's her.

7,500 words, update complete!