On February 28, the new moon rose.
Sherlock quietly read a grimoire in the corner of Iver's room, while Iver prepared this one-of-a-kind Promotion Ritual.
The reason he was guarding Iver's Promotion Ritual was that Lily's separation had reached its most critical moment.
The full moon would wither and decay as the lunar phases changed. Just as a flower became fruit, nurturing new life with its own existence. And that fruit was the new moon... the Ovum of Lightlessness.
It would eventually feed on light and grow, becoming the next full moon once more with every sunrise and sunset.
The Ovum Moon Grimoire described the changing phases of the moon, self-division, and the art of self-reproduction.
For that very reason, the birth of the "new self" had to be completed on the night of the new moon.
At that moment, Lily was alone on the Second Layer, preparing to divide herself.
That left only Sherlock to help Iver guard the Promotion Ritual.
"Is everything all right?"
Sherlock stared intently at the grimoire and suddenly asked, "Do you need my help?"
"I finished it just now."
Iver sighed. "You should have asked sooner."
"If you had asked sooner, I really would have had to help, my friend."
The corners of Sherlock's mouth lifted slightly as he replied, "Why not let me conserve my strength and protect you properly while you complete the ritual?"
"I knew you wouldn't help, so I simply didn't ask you in the first place..."
Iver pouted. "Anyway, keep an eye on my body. Don't let anyone approach it."
"Don't worry."
Sherlock lowered his head to the book and said casually, "Unless I die, no one will be able to harm you."
He sounded so casual that it seemed as though he was just brushing Iver off. But