Fate's Arrangement

Ancient One's expression did not change at Sherlock's accusation. She still looked like an enlightened master, smiling as she poured him another cup of tea before continuing.

"No, Sherlock. I didn't arrange anything. I merely made a fated meeting happen sooner."

Hearing Ancient One's explanation, Sherlock finally could not hold it together anymore. What she said was practically the same as openly admitting that she had set him up.

"So you already knew everything? Including what happened to my parents, and what would happen after you gave me the Spear of Longinus?"

Sherlock's tone was on the verge of breaking, and his face had darkened as well. After being set up, then having the other person rub it in his face, most people would not be able to accept it.

Yet Ancient One merely shook her head slightly. Still maintaining her air of mystery, she said to Sherlock,

"No, Sherlock. I've already told you that the future has always been in your hands. I cannot see your future, nor do I need to. Giving you the Spear of Longinus was merely delivering something that already belonged to you into your hands ahead of time."

Hearing Ancient One's riddle-like explanation, Sherlock felt his blood pressure rising. These big shots on the magic side always loved speaking in riddles. Sherlock had seriously had enough of it.

Damn it, Dumbledore was like this, and now Ancient One was too. Even some of the knowledge recorded by the big shots in his alchemy book was written this way.

Couldn't they just explain things clearly?

Sherlock held it in for a long time with a dark expression, but in the end, he could not hold back. His eyes were filled with disdain as he complained irritably to Ancient One.

"Sometimes, I really want to refine the hell out of you riddlers! Wait! No, damn it, Truth is a riddler too! Fxxk!!! You riddlers should go fight that riddler Truth!"

Sherlock was practically breaking down. For a moment, he even wondered whether he had fallen into some kind of riddler's nest.

Seeing Sherlock's collapse, Ancient One's smile grew even brighter as she consoled him.

"Fate can be this wondrous sometimes, Sherlock. Follow your heart, protect the people you love, and leave everything to fate."

As she said this, Ancient One's expression finally shifted slightly. At the very least, she was no longer maintaining that enlightened-master demeanor. With a faint trace of humanity in her expression, she continued.

"Sherlock, if you truly want to glimpse the path of fate, would you consider becoming the Sorcerer Supreme? As long as you become the Sorcerer Supreme, I swear that so-called fate will be nothing more than a toy in your hands."

With a teasing expression, Ancient One spoke to Sherlock while pointing at the Eye of Agamotto glowing green on her chest.

Seeing this, Sherlock raised an eyebrow. He looked speechlessly at Ancient One, who was even gazing at him with a hint of expectation. After rolling his eyes irritably, he finally replied.

"I refuse! This is the 5,237th time you've asked me!"

Hearing Sherlock's answer, Ancient One pursed her lips in disappointment before saying,

"Is that so? Then forget it."

Watching Ancient One act so shamelessly, Sherlock felt utterly exhausted. Who could have imagined that Ancient One, so imposing and dignified in the movies, would be this outrageous in person?

But then again, back in the movies, Ancient One could wear sunglasses, drink milk tea, and lie on the roof of the New York Sanctum, treating the sight of the Avengers and aliens fighting to the death nearby like a movie. Thinking of that, Sherlock somehow found it perfectly reasonable again.

After sighing helplessly, Sherlock gathered his thoughts and began explaining why he had come to find Ancient One this time.

"Obadiah is getting crazier and crazier. Tony's place isn't safe anymore. I want to leave Doro with you for a few days. Once I deal with Obadiah, I'll come pick up Doro. Is that alright?"

Hearing Sherlock's words, Ancient One, who seemed to have long known why he had come, naturally did not refuse. She immediately nodded in agreement.

"Of course."

But after saying that, Ancient One held out her hand toward Sherlock, as though waiting for him to give her something.

Seeing Ancient One's gesture, Sherlock's mind was left with nothing but speechlessness.

"You've got such a huge operation here. Don't tell me you're asking me for Doro's living expenses?"

"Of course I am! Why wouldn't I? Besides, I already told you that over the course of a long life, I very much enjoy finding amusements I haven't seen before."

As Ancient One spoke, she pointed toward Sherlock's pocket. Inside that pocket was Sherlock's wallet!

Would Ancient One be short on money?

If anyone said that, Sherlock would absolutely throw it right back in their face!

But Ancient One was pointing at his wallet. Could there be something in it that interested her? Other than money, there were only cards in his wallet.

Wait. Cards?

Sherlock hesitantly took out his wallet and removed the Continental Hotel VIP metal card that the Adjudicator had given him not long ago.

The moment Sherlock took it out, Ancient One snatched the card directly from his hand without the slightest hesitation.

Watching this, Sherlock was utterly speechless at Ancient One's behavior and complained irritably.

"Seriously? You like going to an assassin den for thrills too?"

In response to Sherlock's complaint, Ancient One blinked playfully before replying,

"No. It's simply been a long time since I enjoyed high-end hotel service. Oh, right, let me tell you a secret: the hot springs and massage services at the Continental Hotel in Osaka are unparalleled anywhere in the world!"

Ancient One smiled as she played with Sherlock's VIP card, but what she said left Sherlock especially speechless.

Clearly, Ancient One intended to take Doro on vacation using his VIP card.

Sherlock rubbed his head in irritation, then sighed helplessly. In the end, he decided to see the good deed through. With Ancient One watching over Doro, he could be absolutely assured of Doro's safety.

He pressed his palms together as red lightning flickered between them. A flash of red light passed through his left eye, and in the next second, a huge suitcase appeared in Sherlock's hands. He opened it and pushed it toward Ancient One. Inside were neatly arranged gold coins.

"Spend it sparingly. And don't feed Doro too much. Doro has put on a little weight lately."

In response to Sherlock's reminder, Ancient One waved her hand impatiently, as though Sherlock were some annoying fly.

Seeing this, Sherlock felt his blood pressure rise another level. He rolled his eyes irritably, then stood up, ready to leave through the Anywhere Door once more.

But at that moment, Ancient One's voice sounded behind him.

"Sherlock, when you have time, go take a look at the library in Kamar-Taj. I'll speak with Wong. The library and artifact vault of Kamar-Taj will always be open to you."

After hearing Ancient One's words, Sherlock turned back in confusion and glanced at Ancient One, who was playing with Doro. He neither agreed nor refused. Without saying a word, he opened a pink door and left.