Drost's Past

"Mr. Diomedes!"

When the square-faced, serious elf heard Iver's voice, he momentarily thought he was hallucinating.

After turning around, he helplessly confirmed that it was indeed Iver walking towards him.

"Your Excellency, what is this—"

Diomedes felt a surge of anger rising within him.

—I clearly told you, "Don't go out, don't go out, don't go out!" Why did you still go out so openly and even come looking for yourself!

This was already an implication to the Moriarty Father and Son, telling them that "Charles Drost plans to silence Iver," and warning Iver not to give him any excuses during this time... No, it was no longer just an implication.

That was already a clear indication! They clearly agreed readily!

If they really need to come to me for something, why can't I just let that old man Oswald come to me?

He wasn't familiar with Iver, and he would pass on messages to them partly because he disliked Minister Drost, and partly because of his long-standing friendship with Oswald.

They were classmates in the Pope Guard, childhood friends, and had been stationed together in a foreign land for four hundred years.

Among this group of Pope Guard who served as guardian spirits, only the two of them knew each other before they were transferred here.

If one of them were a female elf, they would probably have great-great-grandchildren by now.

Diomedes was fairly certain that as long as Iver stayed at home obediently, even if the Stibnite Person completely controlled Avalon, Drost would most likely not dare to make a move against him.

Charles was Diomedes's caregiver since childhood, and he knew Diomedes's personality well.

He's a coward now. He's developed a habit of holding back; he won't act unless he's sure.

—Completely the opposite of Charles back then.

Diomedes thought to himself.

When Diomedes was sent by the Pope to Avalon to protect the Bloodline of Dagonite, he was a thin and timid boy. Charles was not as old as he is now when he was born.

Charles's most endearing period was when he was a teenager.

Back then, he was optimistic, cheerful, and sociable. He had deep-set features, an upright and dignified air, spoke clearly and forcefully, always had a smile on his face, and never became despondent even when faced with setbacks.

At most, they'll just wallow in their own depression for a while, and then they'll be all smiles, cheering themselves up and getting back on their feet.

During that period, Diomedes was always somewhat melancholy.

Because at that time, his partner in Avalon died.

She had known Diomedes since he was a student, when he was a handsome middle-aged man. When he died of old age, Diomedes was only slightly aged.

His spirits were dampened for a long time, and he would silently look through old photos whenever he had nothing to do.

Those were the years when he aged the fastest.

It was by watching young Charles, who always encouraged himself and cheered himself up after failure, that Diomedes gradually recovered.

Therefore, Diomedes once had a very good impression of Charles.

Charles was a heartthrob during his teenage years.

He tied his long, flaxen curly hair into a ponytail. He played cricket and football, and even honed his horsemanship with the intention of pursuing a career in polo. His academic performance was also excellent; he became Second Level Law Mage by his sophomore year. Coupled with his background Founding Family and his cheerful and passionate personality, he had many girlfriends during his university years, sometimes changing as many as three a week.

Although he was Law Mage, Charles was always keen on exercising. He would get up at five o'clock every day to exercise. Although he was a playboy, he didn't drink or stay up late. His interests were sports, good food, and women—things that brought him pleasure.

He was only thirty-eight years old when he inherited the position of family head. At that time, he had already reached the Fourth Level, become the Minister of Trade, and was hailed as one of the most promising superhumans to reach the Fifth Level. He had also been married for many years, and his wife had given birth to three children. The eldest was almost an adult.

But it was after that... for some reason, that he suddenly started drinking. And then he became an alcoholic.

Even before becoming a minister, when he served as a special legal advisor to the Ministry of Trade, his habit of daily morning exercise had already disappeared. As for the ball sports he used to enjoy, he hadn't touched them since graduating.

The energetic and passionate boy in Diomedes' eyes had slowly disappeared without anyone noticing.

He even started sending Diomedes to do dirty work—assassinations, thefts, surveillance. Diomedes didn't know if the other guardian spirits had done similar things, but it was his duty; he had to obey the patriarch's orders and protect him. He'd only offer a few words of advice when he had nothing else to do...

At first, Charles would listen to Diomedes ' advice politely and respectfully; later, as he gradually became aware of his own power, he stopped accepting all advice but still maintained a respectable demeanor. Still later, he began to argue with himself, yet he would still value Diomedes ' words and reluctantly correct his behavior.

—Until the day Diomedes witnessed Charles insulting his daughter, Talia Drost.

He was completely disappointed in Charles.

From then on, Diomedes stopped discussing these things with Charles.

Charles noticed this as well—so he stopped calling him "Mr. Diomedes" and started calling him by his first name; he stopped asking for his advice and started ordering him around.

The once innocent and passionate young man gradually became cunning and sinister. His career path Path of Authority, remained stagnant; his once strong and energetic body was now covered in fat. Charles, who graduated with unwavering faith in law and justice, ultimately succumbed to the ravages of time, committing numerous crimes including hiring a hitman, accepting bribes, smuggling, and rape...

—At this point, Charles has even been labeled a traitor and Kingslayer.

It's worth noting that it was Queen Sophia who put him in the position of Minister of Trade back then!

The man known as "Minister Drost" is a completely different person from the one he used to be.

Everything about him has changed. The only two things that remain unchanged are the cheerful smile that he always wears on his face and the burning desire in his heart.

Therefore, Diomedes would deliberately do things outside of Drost's orders.

For example, he would entrust the illegitimate daughter that Drost might want to murder to Oswald for protection in advance; and he would never remind Drost to destroy evidence if he forgot to do so.

These were all carefully left behind, one foreshadowing after another.

Perhaps they will never need it, or perhaps Drost himself will suddenly remember it... but there is a slight possibility that they will destroy Charles Drost, liberate Diomedes, and give him freedom and a new master.

Diomedes acted very discreetly and was thus never discovered. Drost would still entrust him with the most important tasks, because he had become extremely suspicious, and only the Guardian Spirits were absolutely incapable of betraying him, and his life had to be protected as much as possible, and orders had to be carried out 100%.

Just like now—when Charles wanted to silence Iver Moriarty, he gave his entire family a heads-up.

According to Diomedes, Star Antimony is unlikely to offer Charles many benefits.

Because Star Antimony was deeply divided, each party simultaneously controlled power. The benefits they bestowed upon Charles —land and titles—were essentially a price paid by all three parties.

One party proposes a plan where the other two contribute funds to accumulate merit for the proposer—this is simply impossible. It's impossible for them not to sabotage the project. Even if they don't back out in the end, the benefits will likely be reduced... or they might simply assassinate the proposer to avoid paying.

This means that Charles will inevitably not gain a high position in Avalon's new government.

Conversely, James Moriarty, as the head of the Founding Family, a high-ranking leader of Lloyd's's, with an excellent reputation in the public eye, one of the wealthiest businessmen in Avalon, and a world-class scholar with monographs in mathematics, James Moriarty and other fields, would be a key target for the Stibnite Person to win over.

Charles is utterly incomparable to James.

As long as the Stibnite Person take control of Avalon through that fake Queen, Professor Moriarty will immediately be given an important position.

By then, Iver will be absolutely safe.

Therefore, if Charles wants to kill Iver, he must do so before the Stibnite Person take control of Avalon, in the darkness when Avalon's order has completely collapsed—he must kill Iver first.

Edward, as an inspector, has no priority in the inheritance, and Yulia is already dead. Iver is Professor Moriarty's future successor. Charles absolutely lacks the ability to kill Iver, the sole heir of the Moriarty Family, without anyone noticing. Therefore, if he were to kill Iver, Professor Moriarty would definitely find out.

That means you've offended the other party.

Sending Diomedes to try and abduct Iver is his last act of courage. If Diomedes can bring back James's unwavering resolve, Charles will back down.

As a bishop with a bright future, Iver will certainly not forget this grudge and will keep it in mind... He will become a thorn in Charles's side, making his master restless and unable to eat or sleep.

Once Iver gains more power, he will be able to expose the evils of the Stibnite Person and reveal Charles's crimes.

During his reluctant time with Charles, Diomedes learned Charles's smooth acting skills and his ability to hide his true thoughts. Although he wore a regretful expression, Diomedes was actually quite satisfied with the outcome.

... But at this moment, Iver came to him on his own.

This completely disrupted Diomedes ' plans.

But as he looked at Iver, about to explode in anger, he suddenly paused.

He gleaned some information from Iver's eyes and expression.

"Please take me there, Mr. Diomedes."

Iver placed his right hand on his chest in a gesture of respect and said politely and respectfully, "Let me speak with him. Rest assured, I will not risk my life."

"I am confident enough that after hearing what I have to say, he will not come to kill me. Or rather, he cannot kill me."

He can't kill me.

Despite being a fragile priest, Iver's words revealed such confidence.

"What are you doing...?"

Hearing Iver's words, Diomedes gradually understood. "Do you want to save someone?"

Iver had clearly guessed that Minister Drost intended to kill him—which meant Iver realized that the man had intercepted his letter to Princess Isabel. Only through this channel could Minister Drost harbor murderous intent towards Iver, whom he had never met before and knew nothing about.

And based on this...

As expected.

Iver's next words were exactly the same as Diomedes's thoughts. "Yes, I not only want to live, but I also want to save Sherlock as well."

"I guess the missing Sherlock is with him too. Minister Drost wants me to go there so much, probably because he wants me to be a breakthrough point to get Sherlock to talk."

"—Since that's the case, whatever he wants to know, I'll tell him. If he needs a hostage, I'll be the one. I'll replace Sherlock ... He's already severed ties with the Hermes Family, so let Minister Drost release him to the Theocracy. As long as he doesn't return, there's no need to go after him, is there? Killing two people to offend two families is a last resort. Now I choose to back down, I'll soften my stance for him—I'll use Professor Moriarty's support, the future ' Moriarty ' friendship, the intelligence he wants, the evidence he wants to destroy... I'll use these things to exchange for our lives—especially for Sherlock's life."

"Since Minister Drost usually prides himself on being a businessman, let's ask him to take a look and see if this deal is worthwhile."

Iver stated clearly.

Just like Professor Moriarty's previous persuasive tactics for the Grand Adjudicator Shafiya, he created an atmosphere of "no matter what, it's not a loss," a friendly atmosphere that made him relax, and then made him think about "what would happen if he agreed with him," thus prompting him to follow Iver's lead.

Minister Drost didn't want to offend Professor Moriarty, but he also wanted to resolve the matter cleanly. Iver's personal intervention to mediate was the solution Minister Drost could best accept.

Diomedes did not want Iver and Sherlock, two righteous and innocent young men, to be killed, and hoped that they could serve as witnesses to record Minister Drost's crimes.

This is what you call learning something new and applying it immediately.

Although his rhetoric was still somewhat immature compared to Professor Moriarty's.

But Diomedes had already been persuaded by Iver.

Since Diomedes can accept this outcome, and he also believes that Minister Drost can accept it as well... then this plan must be feasible.

Diomedes then stopped trying to dissuade him and instead led Iver to the Silver and Tin Palace.

It didn't seem like a kidnapping; it seemed more like they were traveling together.