February 16th's Promise

Iver always felt that Morgan's smile was unsettling.

But intuitively, he didn't sense any malice... and in the game, Morgan was a friendly NPC. Not only had she never entered the instance, but she had even been a teammate in the instance where they defeated Shadow Angel.

Based on this alone, Iver had a basic level of trust in her.

Moreover, as fellow Lady of the Lake on the Path of Love, Morgan's personality was clearly much more normal Vivian's —at least Morgan wouldn't be so ruthless as to kill someone she had loved.

Vivian possesses a strong obsession with seeking truth. Each of her loves is wholehearted, yet also driven by a strong purpose. After falling in love with someone, she might kill or eliminate that person to sever her own distractions, allowing her to wholeheartedly love the next one.

Morgan's obsession and desire for Path of Love were not as strong as Vivian's. She had other paths to adapt to; for her, Path of Love was simply the path that brought her the most joy and suited her best.

She prefers a carefree lifestyle to upgrading.

Therefore, she always flirted with many men, but never stayed in one place for too long... This was completely opposite to Vivian's earnestness in loving someone wholeheartedly—as long as she liked someone, even if it was just the first time she met them, she would pursue them passionately and try to be their lover for a few nights; but before she truly fell in love with them, she would decisively leave and cut off all contact.

In short, it means to fish and run.

Even the Silver Crowned Dragon ran away.

Therefore, unlike Vivian, Morgan is very famous in the Material Realm. Whether it is Vivian, Circe, Isis, or Medea, they are all very dangerous apostles... On a purely physical level, Morgan is the only fairy who is harmless to the human body.

Morgan simply enjoyed that "brief and unforgettable love." Ideally, it would be the kind where the two never saw each other again after one night—perhaps decades later, they might meet again by chance in another place and spontaneously have another one. But she would never live a peaceful and tranquil life with anyone.

However, after being briefly loved by such a gentle, beautiful, and mature goddess, it's practically impossible for them to be interested in ordinary mortals in the Material Realm again. Many even go mad in their search for Morgan... Legend has it that if you accept Morgan's advances, your heart will be stolen. Later, this sinister rumor spread and became the infamy of a witch, spreading from "Morgan" to all witches.

But in a sense, this notoriety isn't entirely unfounded.

—Because the "Love Spirit Medicine" that Iver had previously seized was a magic potion invented by Morgan.

It's a magic potion that makes someone truly fall in love with another person—when Morgan can't get what she wants, she'll use it without hesitation, never wasting her feelings or time.

And the "gift" she gave him with a wicked sense of humor...

Iver's expression was somewhat complicated.

He shook his head and returned to the Queen's study, where he saw Sherlock had returned to his youthful state.

"Hey, you're here."

Iver stood in the doorway, smiling and waving at Sherlock, saying, "Long time no see, great detective. It's so good you're still alive."

"—Pfft."

Isabel couldn't help but burst out laughing.

Seeing Iver's somewhat puzzled look, her silvery laughter grew even louder. She laughed so hard she was doubled over, laughing non-stop.

Sherlock covered his forehead, his face full of helplessness, and remained silent.

—That's why I didn't recognize her at first! I can only say that Isabel truly grasped the essence of Iver ...

Iver walked over, somewhat displeased, and reached out from behind to hug Isabel's face. He pinched her soft cheeks amidst her "whimpering" sounds and gave her a smile, "What are you laughing at?"

"His Majesty was imitating you just now; I didn't recognize him at first."

Sherlock succinctly summarized. "Because those were the two sentences she said when we met."

Iver grunted twice, vigorously rubbed Isabel's face, then retreated behind Sherlock, who was sitting in a chair, pressing his elbow against her shoulder and leaning his upper body weight on her. "Lu Lu, you're getting more and more cheerful."

"Don't you like it?" Isabel countered.

"Of course I like it."

Iver replied seriously, "You look better when you're smiling."

Some people enjoy seeing girls cry, but they prefer to see them laugh.

Isabel smiled and held up two index fingers, drawing a faint smile on her face, "Then I'll smile more."

Sherlock, expressionless, nudged Iver's elbow, indicating that it was a bit too hard.

Iver switched sides and used his forearm to press down on his other shoulder.

This will make the shoulder pain more symmetrical.

What is its ranking?

Iver looked down at Sherlock and asked.

Despite the seemingly random and incoherent words, Sherlock understood what Iver meant.

He smiled reservedly and said calmly and melodiously, "Then naturally it is the first... golden characteristic."

"Not bad, as expected of you."

Iver praised, "It's a good thing we weren't in the same race, otherwise it would have been very difficult for you to get first place."

"Tsk..."

That wretched Fox.

Sherlock clicked his tongue, but did not refute Iver's words.

"Oh, I only took the purple one."

Isabel complained, "But thankfully, it's the most crucial [Cunning Spell]."

"The [Cunning Spell] is more useful to you than many gold spells. It's worth it."

Iver comforted him, "In terms of expected value, the Cunning Spell can increase the effect of a spell by almost half. Most gold traits rarely have this kind of increase."

"Compared to that, what specialization did you choose?"

There is only one advanced career path for a "All-rounder": "Artist." It is also the initial and most core profession on the Path of Beauty.

Other Extraordinary Profession on the path of beauty are generally specialized from the very beginning. But the Path of Beauty is different... The initial profession of the Path of Beauty was "artist," but considering that individual energy and inspiration are limited, it differentiated into other professions.

Each time an artist advances in their skill, they can specialize in another field that is "adjacent to the field they have already mastered".

"I chose 'actor'."

Isabel answered decisively, "Now when I imitate others, I can even imitate the power of the Dao. For example..."

As she spoke, she transformed into Iver's appearance.

"Iver" revealed a cunning smile and slowly crossed his legs, "If Cardinal Bishop of the Fifth Level were to look at me now, he would only think that I have the Dedication Path of the Fourth Level. If I become stronger, I can even imitate your Extraordinary Ability."

As he spoke, he stretched out his hand. A flame ignited at the tip of his right middle finger.

But Iver knew that Isabel did not have Fire Attribute mana pool.

Therefore, this flame is also an illusion.

Iver walked over and slapped "Iver" on the forehead. There was only a crisp "smack," and "Iver" cried out in pain, clutching his head, but didn't transform back into Isabel.

He was somewhat surprised. "Now that it's under attack, the illusion won't shatter?"

"Resilient Illusion! My newly discovered ability—as long as I can hold on, the illusion can continue to last."

Isabel changed back to her original form and said with some dissatisfaction, "However, it still hurts..."

So "Resilient Illusion" can have this effect...

Iver then truly realized that these entries were not entirely consistent with the version in the game. The "Path Trait" themselves had the potential to be explored further, and were not limited to what was expressed in the text.

"For my last area of study, I plan to choose either 'screenwriting' or 'singer.' Both of these are adjacent to 'actor,'" Isabel asked earnestly. "Do you have any opinions?"

"Random."

Iver smiled and said, "You can choose whichever you want."

"I'm asking you seriously!"

"I'm answering seriously."

Iver's smile vanished, and he said with utmost seriousness, "Now I can tell you too—"

"It might be a few months soon, or at most a year. The upper limit of this world's energy level will be raised."

"At that time, the world's upper limit will no longer be the Sixth Level of the Eternal Pope, but the Seventh Level. The original Fifth Level will gradually advance to the Sixth Level, and the Eternal Pope of the Sixth Level will reach the Seventh Level."

"Soon, there will be changes in the Theocracy. Immediately afterwards, everyone's leveling speed will increase dramatically, and then the eighth energy level, and even the ninth energy level, will appear..."

"...really."

Sherlock murmured softly.

When he took up the position of "Mitra Worshiper," he sensed that Iver had left something unsaid. The Sixth Level was far from the end of the Mitra Worshiper's path of advancement... By the time he reached the Sixth Level, he would only be a middle-aged man. He was still a long way from becoming an old man or even rejuvenating.

Sure enough, Iver knew this knowledge from the very beginning.

But these things should not be known to anyone. Iver is not a prophet, and even prophets cannot see that far into the future—moreover, if a higher being were involved, the future seen by a prophet would be disturbed and become unclear.

Iver knew it so clearly, it was as if...

... He had experienced the same thing before.

Upon hearing this, Sherlock suddenly thought of what Isabel had mentioned earlier about the "Angel of Reincarnation".

He made a bold assumption.

Is it possible that Iver was reborn from another timeline of the future?

That's why he inexplicably knows so many secrets, and why his actions are so urgent and effective. That's why he shows no joy upon reaching the Fourth Level, and no pride or arrogance upon becoming Minister of Everything. Despite having reached the pinnacle of the world at such a young age, it's as if something is still chasing after him...

Sherlock looked up at Iver's chin, throat, and tightly pursed lips.

Is that strange, inexplicable pressure from Iver coming from here?

What exactly happened in the future? A feverish curiosity gripped Sherlock's heart.

After leaving the Silver and Tin Palace, he locked himself in his study, consulting numerous documents and analyzing Iver's various actions to deduce the logic behind them and what might have happened in the future.

—Although asking directly might yield the answer...no, it's certain. Since Iver has already put it this way, there's no need to hide the rest.

But Sherlock disdained to do so.

Anyway, even if Iver doesn't say it, he can guess it himself.

More captivating to him than solving cases was the "deciphering of the future," a charm he found irresistible. Simply asking for the answers would be too boring.

After Sherlock left, Iver went straight to Isabel's seat and let her sit on his lap.

The two whispered among themselves, and Isabel told Iver everything she had heard. Iver, in turn, told Isabel about his experiences.

Not just what you hear or do.

She even shared her previous thoughts—explaining how she had observed them and how he had believed them.

But neither of them mentioned their previous agreement... the agreement about the night of February 16th.

—Because we didn't even get to nightfall.

Having just emerged from the Promotion Ritual, the exhilaration, and the sense of belonging, trust, and emotion born from their "tacit understanding," seemed to possess Magic Power power, transforming into a strong adhesive. They whispered words of trust in each other, their embrace growing tighter and tighter. From back to back, they straddled each other; from initial cuddling to a full embrace, and finally to a deep, passionate kiss.

As their lips parted, Isabel blushed from the brief moment of breathlessness.

She was still easily embarrassed. Her whole body turned red, all the way down to her neck and collarbone.

"I have a gift for you tonight."

Iver's voice, now somewhat hoarse and low, rang in Isabel's ears. "That is the wine brewed by my soul..."

As he spoke, he lowered his head again and kissed Isabel lightly.

"So, before that..."

Iver asked in a low voice.

Isabel didn't respond, but simply hugged Iver tighter, gently rubbing her neck against Iver's neck with her earlobe.

And so, Iver understood.

He scooped Isabel up in his arms and, amidst the surprised, delighted, and knowing glances of the maids and the Queen Guard, carried the feverish Isabel back to Her Majesty the Queen's bedroom.

It wasn't until Iver put her on his bed that Isabel seemed to come to her senses.

"Wait, it was supposed to be tonight..."

She covered her face shyly, then hugged the pillow tightly to shield her face, muttering, "It's still daytime..."

"Because I want to see you more."

As he spoke, Iver moved his knees and knelt before the Queen: "My esteemed Queen..."

He leaned forward and firmly but gently removed the pillow that was covering Isabel's face.

As an artist who has attained the "Actor" realm at the Fourth Level, Isabel's body is no longer as frail as it once was. Yet her resistance is so weak, as if she were drunk, her fingers becoming powerless as a result.

"Moriarty, Knight... you..."

Isabel's soft voice murmured like a dream, "We haven't had lunch yet... I've prepared some good wine..."

The midday sun shone on Isabel, making her look as if she were glowing.

Iver took off his coat and put it aside. Then, slowly and deliberately, he began to undress Isabel.

He said calmly and gently, "We can save it for later to drink together."

"We can play until night."