The Once-a-Century Grand Feast

Titania rubbed her eyes and looked closely before realizing that James was gone from the cage.

She was immediately horrified. "Iver, did you eat James?"

"Wh-what?"

Grace was also stunned.

Iver simply shook his head. "Of course not, Your Majesty. He had to leave on his own. Thank you for your protection."

Although James didn't tell Iver why he was quietly staying in the birdcage.

But Iver had already gleaned James's motives from those few words—

Cardinal Loki taught James the "Observation Secret Rite," a mysterious art that allowed James to know many things that had happened in the present era, and also exposed many secrets.

Iver was unsure in what form James returned to his "new self" after the world's destruction.

However, considering that he knew some of the true names and secrets of the Pillar God, and also knew the essence of several source rivers, it can at least be confirmed that he did not have a physical body, but returned to the Dream Realm.

According to the fundamental rules of this world, any intelligent, extraordinary being who can exist in the Dream Realm for an extended period can be called a Phantom Demon. Although it is unknown in which realm he exists, or whether he exists in a conscious or dormant state, it is at least certain that he did not die in the Dream Realm or become Phantom Demon Egg.

James, the young boy who studied the Observation Secret Rite under Cardinal Loki, was a steadfast and gentle man in his youth. It was only after he met Anna Kingsford, the founder of the Golden Dawn, that his personality suddenly changed, transforming him into the person he is today.

Therefore, the nameless "Phantom Savior" was likely summoned by Anna and possessed James's body at that time. This is a classic "Spirit Descent, a kind of ritual that Path of Transcendence and is also related to the Path of Love. Its essence is one of the erroneous inheritances of Advanced Divine Arts.

The "James Moriarty" from that time onwards is the Professor Moriarty that people know.

A fusion of a boy gazing at the stars and a fanatical savior.

—From another perspective, the original young James may have already died when the ritual was successful.

Although the two souls could be considered merged, young James's consciousness clearly constituted a small portion. However, it was enough for him to know that Cardinal Loki possessed powerful astrological abilities, allowing him to see the secrets of everything unfolding at that moment through the stars.

That's why James chose to hide in the Fairy Kingdom before the plan even began, to avoid detection; he even went so far as to sneak into the Fairy Queen's cage, making it impossible for the Pillar God to interfere with him.

The Fairy Queen is a great being of the Celestial level, and although her strength is not as great as the Twin Mirrors, her status is basically equivalent to that of the Pillar God.

He was transformed into Gem Bird by the Fairy Queen and imprisoned in a cage. Therefore, he could be considered the Fairy Queen's pet, and also her personal property. Consequently, any interference with or observation of his fate would be reflected back onto the Fairy Queen.

It might be possible to force it, but it's neither easy nor necessary.

For the weak, there is no need to defeat the strong. It is enough for them to protect themselves by making the cost of defeating them unbearable.

Thinking of this, Iver comforted the somewhat disappointed Fairy Queen, "He will definitely come back later."

"He would tell me before."

Upon learning that James had left without saying goodbye, this great being of celestial caliber did not become angry or upset, but rather somewhat saddened. "Would he have told me when he would be back..."

His pitiful look made it seem like the family cat had slipped out the window and run away.

Iver felt as if the Fairy Queen's eyes were about to well up with tears—considering that the Fairy Kingdom was a world with a two-dimensional art style, perhaps that wasn't just his imagination.

James probably does have a good relationship with the Fairy Queen.

Although James chose to become the Inheritors in this timeline, he still retains the memories of the "Elementalist".

Just as Iver's memories as a "Great Sin Scholar" allowed him to create Phantom Demon Card in advance, he also successfully befriended the fairies by relying on the memories of the Elementalist.

"He will definitely come back."

Iver comforted the Fairy Queen once again.

The Fairy Queen looked up, her teary eyes fixed on Iver: "Why don't you... stay and keep me company? What kind of bird do you like to be? A sparrow, a pigeon, or a crow?"

"... I'll pass."

Iver was somewhat helpless, but considering Titania's personality, he had to clearly refuse. "But I will come to keep you company when I have time later."

"Busy, everyone's busy..."

Titania grumbled somewhat angrily.

She shook the birdcage and dumped Iver out.

When Iver was freed from the birdcage, he immediately felt himself begin to grow larger. The sealed power returned to his body, and the silent isolation he had felt instantly vanished.

Titania wiped her eyes and looked at Grace.

Although she was a mature and elegant woman, she wore an innocent and cheerful smile, "You've come, my lovely Little Leaf —did you come to play with me?"

"Your Majesty, I have come to see Anastasia."

Grace, now back in her Maiden Form, made a clear, crisp sound.

She looked at Iver beside her and hesitated before saying, "Then... I'll take Iver with me too?"

"Sigh... Let's go, let's go."

Titania sighed and shook the empty birdcage.

A vortex appeared beside Iver and Grace, sucking them both in.

Titania's face immediately fell after the people left.

"This is so boring... Let's change the topic."

The Fairy Queen pondered what theme to change to for the palace, but found herself growing tired of each of the current themes.

"Damn it, I have no inspiration!"

She complained, raising the birdcage and ordering all the fairies in the kingdom. "Go and bring back Children, bring back a lot! Also, go and find some storytellers, some clowns and poets!"

"Go quickly to the Shadow Land to hunt and bring back some juicy meat; go to the Pure Beauty Garden to pick some sweet fruit, and remember to distinguish between the mirror image and the real thing! Go quickly to the moon to get some golden honey, Miss Constant Self will be willing to give it to you; and go to Mr. Cain to ask for some red blood, mix it with the red wine from Dionysus's place, and make intoxicating sugar!"

"By the way, remember to invite Mr. Zagreus; a banquet always needs a host to make it look grand!"

"Don't take any vegetables the Children dislike, but remember to catch some pretty butterflies in Eternal Burning Valley; they'll be our dance partners—"

"We're going to have a once-in-a-century, wildly chaotic feast! Everyone get moving, and all the lazybones will be roasted into fragrant pig heads!"

Titania's command was given, and all the fairies cheered excitedly.

The entire Fairy Kingdom was in complete chaos... just like the day a long holiday begins, when Children scream so loudly it feels like they could lift the ceiling off.

"... Your Majesty, Your Majesty."

A toy soldier cautiously spoke up, "The last grand banquet was held twenty years ago."

"So verbose!"

The Fairy Queen angrily waved the birdcage. "Since you like to talk so much, then come and chat with me!"

Suddenly, the toy soldier shrank and turned into a colorful parrot, which was then sucked into the birdcage.