Silken Grimoire

Hai Na's words startled Iver.

Hearing her somber tone, Iver thought Sherlock had died prematurely due to the butterfly effect... but after pressing her for details, he learned that Sherlock was only injured.

But Hai Na didn't know the specifics—it was Sherlock who told her this on his own initiative when he called her. Because Sherlock had previously investigated the Sweater Brotherhood, she had already mentioned the Alchemy Bomb to Sherlock after reading the newspaper.

However, Sherlock did not answer her questions, but only stated that he was still alive but that she had to keep it a secret, and then hung up the phone.

Iver didn't quite understand her explanation. So his first reaction was to call Edward to confirm.

"—Yes, I know about it. To be precise, it was yesterday afternoon."

In the Inspectorate office not far from the Royal Law University, Inspector General Edward Moriarty held the phone in one hand and signed his name on a piece of paper with the other. "The attack on our side was basically at the same time, so it should also be the Noble Red Society."

"... Mr. Sherlock was also attacked by Greater Demon?" Iver was somewhat surprised.

How did Sherlock survive?

"No, that's not it—go and give it to Vice Captain Assad and tell him to do as I say."

Edward covered the microphone slightly halfway through his speech and handed the signed note to the person in front of him.

After the door closed, Edward continued speaking to Iver:

"... Hermes was attacked by a bomb. His rented apartment was blown up from the outside."

"A bomb? Is Mr. Sherlock alright?"

Iver with some concern, "How many bombs are there?"

"There was a lot of bombs, basically covering the entire perimeter of his apartment. But the person who planted them was clearly an amateur. He knew nothing about demolition techniques, and most of the bombs were wasted or even conflicted with each other. Although the house eventually collapsed, Hermes is still alive thanks to the help of Bishop Mathers."

Edward spoke slowly, then suddenly covered the microphone and raised his voice, before quickly lowering his voice to say a few more words, and then switching back. "Yes, I'm here, please come in—he's not seriously injured and is still recovering—hello, Ms. Ouga. Minister Mir already mentioned your husband to me this morning, and we are currently discussing the next steps regarding his sentencing and punishment..."

"Are you very busy right now?"

Iver realized the timing of his call was inappropriate, "Why don't we talk about it when we get home?"

"No need, there are still two sentences left. This is very important."

Edward lowered his voice. "Anyway, just remember not to go to his house."

"Why?"

"Because his family has announced that he is dead—well, thank you for your understanding, madam—anyway, if you want to find him, go to the bishop's house. Oswald knows the exact address."

After saying that, Edward hung up the phone.

He does seem very busy. It sounds like he's dealing with the case of a knight whose home was raided by the Inspectorate.

Perhaps because there were outsiders present, Edward's words became vague. But fortunately, Iver could understand him... all the important information had been given.

The "bishop" Edward mentioned must be Bishop Mathers. Butler Oswald knew his address.

The Hermes family is probably cooperating with Sherlock's plan to fish for them; if Iver goes there, he might expose a flaw in their scheme.

—Then I'll refrain from causing trouble for now. I'll respect Sherlock's plan.

Iver thought to himself.

He asked Hai Na again to confirm, "Who did you tell that Sherlock is still alive?"

"I've only told you about it, and the other one Director Kent."

Hai Na realized the problem was serious. "What's wrong?"

"It's okay, just don't tell anyone else after this."

Iver said in a deep voice, "Mr. Sherlock is faking his death. The murderer's identity is most likely questionable—it might be one of his relatives."

Hai Na nodded repeatedly, indicating that she understood.

Perfect timing! Iver was planning to visit "Mrs. Mina's Fortune Teller Shop" tomorrow anyway. Now it seems Sherlock is hiding there. He'll just go ask her for details tomorrow.

Hai Na was somewhat restless and ultimately couldn't read more than a few pages of the book.

After Iver finished his class in the afternoon, she took Lily and Iver home as previously agreed, and then took Lily to the Bureau of Supervision.

After Hai Na left at noon, Lily secretly asked Iver which Grimoire she should choose.

Iver said at the time, "If possible, I hope you can choose the Grimoire that Path of Adaptation. Because I have prepared a gift for you. But you should choose the one that resonates with you the most."

"In that case, I think the most suitable book for me should be the secret tantra that Path of Adaptation," Lily replied without hesitation.

Lily clearly valued the opportunity that Iver had secured for her.

She was originally a maid without a surname. Because she was an illegitimate child, she wasn't even allowed to go to school. But thanks to Iver's efforts, she even had the opportunity to study at the Royal Law University... without spending a penny, and with good food and accommodation.

Moreover, Iver never hit or scolded her. Even when they weren't in public, he was always kind and gentle to her, as if she weren't a maid but his friend.

Lily also knew that Iver's legs were actually perfectly fine.

On the very night that Secretary Raff was poisoned, Iver went home wanting to take a shower. Lily offered to help him, just like at home—but Iver simply smiled and refused.

Lily initially thought that Iver was just being stubborn, so she stood by him the whole time, watching him finish washing without blinking.

It turned out that Iver could actually stand up!

She had heard Mr. James mention before that there was something in Iver's shadow. But that day, she saw for the first time with her own eyes what kind of monster was sealed within Iver's shadow...

So when Iver pulled the assassin out of her shadow, she wasn't surprised at all. She remained completely calm throughout.

She was disappointed about something else entirely— Iver didn't actually need her to take care of him at all; his life wasn't as inconvenient as people imagined. She was just there to play along with Iver' act...or rather, because Iver wanted her to go to college, she was using the excuse of needing someone to take care of her.

Lily astutely grasped Iver's true intentions.

Since her purpose is acting, she should focus on acting well.

Lily stayed up all night, meticulously refining her role. She considered the circumstances under which she might be asked questions, and how she should react to make it seem believable. Because she had prepared many lies beforehand, she didn't panic when she had to use them.

Although Lily felt she had no talent for either the Dedication Path or the Path of Authority, she was working hard to learn, hoping that one day she could repay Iver's kindness.

Iver probably saw that she lacked talent and interest in these two paths, so he was willing to waste an important reward to help her choose the most suitable Grimoire and forge her own path.

As a legitimate Path of Adaptation Transcendent Being in the Avalon Kingdom — Lily, who was well-read, certainly understood what this meant.

That's why she didn't want to disappoint Iver even more.

—Since Iver desires to embark on the Path of Adaptation, then the Grimoire most suited to her must also be on the Path of Adaptation. Even if she changes her essence and personality, she will surely be able to choose the book Iver desires. Her outward appearance of gentleness and quietness is actually a fluid, elusive personality... that intellectual and soft exterior is merely a fabrication created to be likable.

With this in mind... the book that Lily ultimately chose was indeed the Grimoire for Path of Adaptation.

It was a gray, Grimoire.

It is about two fingers thick, making it one of the thickest among these generally thin Grimoire. Yet, it is almost weightless, holding the book is like holding a thin spider web. It seems as if it will fly away at any moment, and disappear the next.

"The more trusted the person is, the lighter it becomes. When you're not looking at it, remember to weigh it down with a heavy object. A lead plate is best, but a steel plate will also work."

With his bronze skin, black Eye Mask, and scars running across his entire face, Director Kent, who looked like a one-eyed Pirate, cautioned, "Otherwise, it might disappear on a rainy day, like a moth that suddenly appears and disappears in your home."

On the way back, even with Hai Na's escort, Lily still carefully carried the book the whole way.

Only after bringing the baby back to the Moriarty Manor did Lily finally breathe a sigh of relief and feel at ease.

Holding her book, she knocked on Iver's door. There was no response and no light— Iver wasn't in his room; he must have gone to play with Yulia.

So Lily took the book back to her room and crawled into bed. Only under the covers could she feel truly safe.

At this moment, she solemnly opened the book.

The book's cover reads "The Silken Grimoire," perfectly matching the first impression the book gives.

After opening this book.

A series of soft, light, dusty whispers, grayish-white in color, gradually seeped into Lily's brain from her eyes, her skin, her mouth and nose, and her ears.

The voice identified itself as "we." It didn't use any language, but rather a fleeting illusion. Like a fragile thought that arises spontaneously in the mind while staring at a blank wall, ready to vanish at any moment.

"We are the snake's hair, the cat's footsteps, the moth's cage, and the centipede's noose."

That ethereal voice has a secret name. "Spider Silk," born from the creation of "Gray Angel," but its true name is kept secret. This book tells the story of sixty-seven secrets about spider silk.

As Lily became increasingly focused on reading, gray spiderwebs gathered around her eyes.

Just like a silkworm spinning its cocoon, the spider silk gradually enveloped the girl who was focused on reading and curled up in a ball, eventually forming a huge, quiet gray cocoon on the bed without anyone noticing.