What Morgan's Funhouse?

Iver had also wondered if his unexpected feelings for Isabel were due to Morgan's influence...

But he repeatedly confirmed that his will was clear and independent.

For now, we can rule out this factor.

Since that's the case... Morgan's words, "You'll find out soon enough," made Iver somewhat uneasy.

—It can't be a child, can it?

From Isabel's perspective, she would probably like, or even look forward to, this gift. After all, Iver had considered security issues yesterday, but Isabel insisted on implementing the less secure plan.

From Iver's perspective, he didn't actually want to have a child so soon— the Fallen Angel could descend upon the Material Realm at any time, and Iver would inevitably have to take the risk.

Isabel is one of Iver's most trusted teammates, a reliable support. But if she were pregnant or even carrying a child, Iver would certainly not dare send her to the front lines. Moreover... even Iver's own actions might be restricted as a result.

Even now, Iver feels as if there is a lock on the depths of his heart—a shackle called "love".

Prior to this, Iver was able to use risky tactics with impunity, not hesitating to use himself as a pawn and bait, and even readily using his own life as a deterrent.

But now Iver is less willing to do that. One kind of "dedication" has replaced another, diluting that unbridled, carefree madness.

It was only at this point that Iver finally realized that he was not as brave as he thought.

True courage is not about never being afraid.

Instead, it is about moving forward even when you are afraid; it is about daring to face difficulties even when you know the price and that you absolutely cannot afford it.

But now, Iver finds himself a little scared.

Iver then realized... that he simply didn't care about anything.

Because he didn't care so much about his own life, nor about "living," he dared to sacrifice himself. Iver had many friends, but none could truly bind him—until now, that binding rope was Yulia.

Iver remained worried until Yulia's problems were resolved.

But after the Paradox Flame Butterfly separated from her, Iver felt relieved.

... To use a somewhat inappropriate analogy, it's like parents suffering from terminal illness or preparing for divorce, patiently waiting for their child to finish the college entrance examination.

Yulia has overcome the greatest tribulation and trial of her life, and since then she has been reborn with freedom and a future.

Iver then relaxed.

He had already done what he truly wanted to do from that point on.

From then on, Iver lived a life of constant detachment, like a balloon that would fly away if released.

He had no clear purpose or desire, and nothing he particularly cared about.

He knows many things about the future, but none of them concern him... He will step in to resolve the crisis in Avalon and the crisis caused by the Fallen Angel simply because "these people cannot solve the problem on their own without him." He decides to become a hero and resolve these crises in order to improve his living environment.

It wasn't that he craved the title of hero, but rather that he was indispensable—the original storyline had already proven that without the player, the final world would have been destroyed countless times over.

In this world without players, all the crises and responsibilities fall on Iver's shoulders.

Iver, of course, felt the pressure. He had been relaxed before because he didn't care much about his life—at worst, he'd just die, and if he lost, no one else could take his place. The whole world would be buried with him, which would be a grand funeral.

Now, Iver feels like he's been brought back to life.

Because he has found another person he "has to take care of".

Those pressures materialized again, and he truly had a need to resolve the crisis of the Fallen Angel —he couldn't let them harm Isabel or the children they might have in the future.

For love.

It's also for the future of those we love.

... However, this feeling isn't bad.

As Iver prepared to sleep, he quietly gazed at Isabel lying beside him. A dark red flame burned in his eyes, as warm as the fire in a fireplace. Isabel looked into his pupils and gently stroked his face.

With the priest's rank surpassing that of the Demon Scholar, Iver's resonance with the Dedication Path once again overwhelmed that of the Path of Transcendence.

This feeling of living for others, this feeling of living clearly for something... it's really nice.

Iver thought to himself.

Only after Iver had truly fallen asleep did he finally learn... what gift Morgan had given him.

He woke up clearly from his dream, as if attending Promotion Ritual.

But the space he was in was not a pitch-black space, a pure white space, or a space bathed in Blood Moon...

He was lying on a huge, soft, red heart-shaped bed. All around him was a sea of flowers in all colors.

A full moon hung high in the sky, and above the night sky were countless Stellaris, dazzling and clear.

In stark contrast to this beautiful atmosphere are the piles of brand-new Miaomiao tools standing around the bed.

I've seen most of Iver online in my Previous Life, but I haven't met him in this life.

... Is this Morgan's Funhouse? He stared blankly at the night sky, somewhat bewildered, and saw Isabel, dressed in a nightgown, appear beside him with a flash of light, lying on another pillow of the heart-shaped bed.

When she opened her eyes, she clearly thought it was all a dream. She chuckled foolishly, greeted Iver, snuggled affectionately into his arms, and nuzzled her head against Iver's motionless stomach.

Then, like an innocent little girl, she looked at the sea of flowers and exclaimed in amazement. She skipped off the bed and knelt down among the soft blossoms, carefully touching them.

" —Lu Lu."

At that moment, Iver suddenly called out from behind her.

Isabel's back visibly tensed up.

She turned around in surprise, realizing what had happened.

Iver, somewhat helplessly, reached up and rubbed his forehead, then recounted to Isabel his encounter with Morgan by the lake that morning.

"... So this is the gift she gave me."

"A... elaborately decorated dream?" Iver exclaimed.

Life in the Material Realm can only enter the Dream Realm through dreams, but in most cases, those who enter the dream world cannot remain awake. Only those who have embarked on the path of transcendence can maintain their sense of self within the Dream Realm.

Even so, entering the Dream Realm is extremely difficult. Only those professions possessing the "Dream Walker" trait can freely roam the Dream Realm...

Moreover, falling into the Dream Realm while dreaming is very dangerous, because although the Dream Realm Dream Realm is vast and boundless, there are simply too many illusions and demons in it.

When one enters a dream, the projection of a mortal's soul appears in the Dream Realm. Whether it is a curse, parasitism, or being harmed and devoured, it will affect the self in the Material Realm.

In this context, a Safe House connected to the Dream Realm but not deep within the Dream Realm becomes a sought-after exploration base for many extraordinary individuals. However, even if Dream Wandering Monk successfully establishes such a base, they certainly cannot control it—because they cannot hold onto it.

Even the most powerful Dream Wandering Monk is like an adventurer venturing into Tropical Rainforest empty-handed in the Dream Realm... the most likely outcome is becoming food.

However, some predators prefer to eat raw food, while others are more adept at surviving.

Only renowned apostles or sufficiently powerful Dream Realm beings can leave their mark. They use their reputation to vouch for others, saying, "This place is occupied; come and face the consequences."

Judging from the various ingenious tools next to the bed, this seems to be a former stronghold used by Morgan.

It's hard to say whether she directly gave this dream to Iver or treated him as a tenant. The fact that Isabel, who had never met Morgan, was included suggests that Isabel was on at least one of her lists.

In that case, if Iver and Isabel fall asleep at the same time and use the same key, they will most likely have the same dream and meet here... Although they are still too weak right now, Iver doesn't dare to take Isabel to explore the Dream Realm.

But at least they can exchange information in their dreams, even if one of them is in Avalon and the other Theocracy.

"But what is the key to entering this dream..."

Iver was somewhat puzzled.

Isabel thought for a moment and replied, "It should be... a bar. At least that's what my gut feeling tells me—I fell into this dream because I was drinking."

"I see..."

Iver nodded, completely trusting Isabel's irrational intuition.

Just a little wine before bed and I can meet with Isabel...

A convenient and quick way to communicate! It's far better than the still unreliable telephone of this era. And if you need to pass important messages through a church, where intimate conversations aren't appropriate... it's just right.

"What a generous gift."

Iver clasped his hands together and said sincerely, "Thank you, Lady Morgan."

Isabel climbed up to him and, mimicking him, shook her head and clasped her hands together, saying, "Praise be to Lady Morgan."

Looking at Isabel, a strange thought suddenly popped into Iver's mind—Morgan was Mordred's adoptive mother, and could be considered Iver's ancestor; while Lancelot was Isabel's ancestor.

... Is Morgan treating them so kindly because he thinks they're some kind of weird meal replacement?