When the plot-skips players into the game world

Mrs. Mina had prepared an "invigorating medicinal wine" that was clearly very effective, or rather, too effective.

After drinking the hot brandy, Sherlock visibly perked up, truly exhibiting the "excessive energy" he always talked about but seldom seemed to display.

Ordinarily, the Supervisory Bureau's Counselor restrained his behavior with his powerful rationality, and his occasional bouts of low blood sugar made him seem quite lazy and listless.

It was a paradoxical trait that made Sherlock's release of his surplus energy look rather awkward—like some sort of sudden fit of neurosis.

On Glass Island, Sherlock was somewhat of a celebrity, and many were familiar with his habits. He enjoyed intense intellectual labor such as brain-burning cases, and wouldn't shy away from intricate or dangerous investigations either.

But he had an aversion to physical exercise, as Sherlock believed that wasting energy meaninglessly was pointless.

Exercise required sugar for sustenance, while his low blood sugar would leave him weak and his brainpower diminished.

Still, his spirits would remain unabashedly high, which gave Sherlock—physiologically speaking—a headache.

But now, after drinking... as Sherlock said himself, his intellect was indeed muddled by the alcohol, and his strong excitement, pride, and curiosity overflowed. Sherlock visibly became more talkative.

After discussing his grandfather with Aiwass, he then began to regale endlessly about his past brilliant cases.

These were private cases he had solved, never before shared with anyone. Now they served as perfect stories for tea time conversations.

Normally, Sherlock wouldn't deign to share the details of these cases or explain the work he had done, but now his words proved that he had never forgotten them—he just couldn't be bothered to talk about them with others.

In less than twenty minutes, Sherlock gradually came to his senses. Aiwass could distinctly feel that Sherlock's rate of speech was starting to slow down, and the periods of silence and reflection were getting longer—he knew Sherlock was sobering up.

Sherlock finally realized that he might have drunk a bit too much. He immediately straightened out his clothes and politely excused himself, returning upstairs to wash his face and sober up.

"Although Mr. Sherlock gets drunk quickly, he sobers up pretty fast too,"

observed Bishop Mathers with a hearty laugh.

In his mind, Sherlock had always been a gloomy person—"like a clear stream flowing through darkness," that was Bishop Mathers' impression of him.

"Now it seems that our usually stern young gentleman is indeed still a young man. It's just that he usually suppresses his true nature too much,"

Mrs. Mina softly remarked, "If he hadn't been born in Avalon but in a country where the Path of Wisdom was legally recognized... in a place where he could freely express his strong and pure curiosity, perhaps he would have been happier."

"Let's not talk about that, Mina,"

Mathers waved his hand, indicating that the topic should be dropped.

He looked towards Aiwass and asked, "What do you think, Aiwass?"

"About what?"

Aiwass raised his eyebrows: "Mr. Sherlock's alcohol tolerance?"

"That's not worth discussing," Bishop Mathers couldn't help but laugh, "I mean about Eagle Cape Village in Shepherd Bay County... are you going there?"

"We do intend to go,"

Aiwass nodded: "But I probably won't take Yulia."

By then, Aiwass figured he would have extracted and sealed the Phantom Demon from Yulia.

Even if Aiwass left her with some power, she would just be an ordinary girl with some fire talent, not yet a Transcendent—unable to unleash the Phantom Demon's power to protect herself if real danger arose.

Taking her along would restrict their actions. With their skillset, it'd be a waste not to engage in some dangerous investigations.

By that time, Sherlock would become a Level 3 in both Mage and Legal Mage professions. The ample Mana Pool from the dual casting professions would significantly enhance his flexibility and strength, far surpassing an ordinary Level 3 Mage or Legal Mage.

Then there was Hayna, whose level should be around 26 to 27, not far from Level 4. This formed a very standard fighter-mage-healer golden triangle, with each member highly skilled.

And finally, adding the True Eye type Lily, who lacked battle experience but had a wide perception range, capable of doubling as a scout and rogue—forming a perfect four-person agile team.

"You're right, Aiwass. Not taking a young girl on an adventure is a sign of a responsible big brother,"

Bishop Mathers agreed: "But if you decide to go, I suggest you go after the middle of the month."

"Of course," Aiwass laughed, "I definitely plan to go after advancing."

"It seems you're confident about the advancement ritual,"

Mathers inferred from Aiwass's implication.

He merely corrected, "To be precise, go a few days after the ritual ends. By then, the Holy Sword Skills stored in the Chapel Key should have their uses replenished."

Aiwass was somewhat surprised: "Archbishop Your Excellency, didn't you say it needed to be returned by January first?"

He had brought the key with him this time intending to return it to Bishop Mathers because by the time it would cool down again, it would be around December 20th... which meant that the likelihood of using the stored Holy Sword Skills again was slim.

"Yes, January first is the Candle Master's festival. The royal family will worship the ancestors then, and I'll need this key to unlock the Guardian's binding of St. Genvieve Chapel."

Bishop Mathers nodded solemnly, "But I get the impression from what Sherlock said, that there might also be some shadows lurking in Eagle Cape Village. That's why I'm lending it to you for a bit longer... Just return it to me at the end of the year when you come back."

"And what if I have the misfortune of dying in the village?"

Aiwass countered, "What about the Candle Master ritual?"

"So, if you haven't come back by the 25th or 26th... I will have to go look for you."

Bishop Mathers asserted gravely, "Leaving Glass Island temporarily to retrieve the Chapel Key from St. Genvieve Chapel before the Candle Master ritual is reasonable."

"Nevertheless, but the follow-up procedures will still be a bit of a hassle afterward. If possible, it would still be best if you come back early."

...Was giving the key to Aiwass a way for him to have a reason to save the day?

Aiwass was suddenly at a loss for words.

If one could count the previous feeling as an illusion, or say that Bishop Mathers is inherently kind... Now, it was clear that he took Aiwass very seriously.

From the earlier conversation, Aiwass easily discerned the source of the bishop's impulsivity—it was guilt and remorse, along with an urgent desire to make amends for his mistakes.

Although Aiwass's father was just one of the many students Bishop Mathers had taught. Their connection had ended when Julio graduated, before his death.

But precisely because Mathers happened to be away that day, a blockage had always persisted in his heart that he couldn't get past. Mathers always believed that the death of the Alexander couple was inextricably linked to him.

Yet at that time, he was indeed too afraid of the stranger maneuvering the demon to hunt down the Alexander family to take Aiwass in. Nor did he dare to leave Aiwass with his parents or other acquaintances.

People are naturally afraid when facing an unknown enemy lurking in the shadows. Not all on the Path of Devotion are saints who sacrifice themselves for others, let alone the Mathers who had become discontent with that path.

True, the bishop had sent Aiwass to an orphanage funded by Professor Moriarty whom he trusted. But Mathers hadn't even visited Aiwass after he entered the orphanage and before he was adopted by Professor Moriarty.

Clearly, he had hoped to forget this half-day incident in his life and maintain a clear boundary with an unknown formidable adversary. He was also afraid of being bothered by Aiwass, whose personality he did not know, which would disturb his quiet and happy life with Mrs. Mina.

Yet his overly developed sense of morality prevented Bishop Mathers from truly forgetting Aiwass's existence.

He couldn't convince himself to completely forget, and the mild guilt he carried tormented him day and night, growing more intense. That's why Bishop Mathers blurted out this incident from years ago during a conversation with Professor Moriarty.

It was not until Aiwass was adopted by Professor Moriarty that he finally relaxed and momentarily forgot about the matter.

Aiwass had always thought that he was just a gift for Yulia, adopted as a tool to appease her. But now it seemed that what Professor Moriarty had inquired about with the matron was probably his name. It was only when his foster father realized that he was "Aiwass Alexander" that he decided to step in and take him away as well.

Perhaps Bishop Mathers had played a part in this matter.

So later, when he received a commission from Professor Moriarty to teach Julio's child the Sacred Arts, Bishop Mathers opened the chapel for Aiwass alone for a day.

It wasn't what he claimed, a repayment of debts to Professor Moriarty—

In a sense, it was actually for atonement. An atonement only Bishop Mathers knew about, and only he cared about.

That's why the bishop repeated his words of comfort to Aiwass, who was sitting in a wheelchair, fearful of demoralizing him. And when Aiwass couldn't protect himself, he chose to lend the key to the chapel he was guarding to him.

It was his responsibility. As the Guardian of the Holy Tomb, the key to the holy tomb he protected was a very precious thing.

—Because fourteen years ago, Bishop Mathers had already experienced regret once.

It wasn't regret for sealing the curse which led to the death of Aiwass's biological parents. It was regret for not having the courage to adopt Aiwass due to fear and the reluctance to take on the trouble.

He wanted to live for himself. But Mathers was fundamentally a kind person, he couldn't let go. That's why he's regretting it now.

To avoid further regrets, he was now striving to make amends. However, it was clearly an overcorrection.

After discerning the bishop's entire thought process, Aiwass simply sighed silently.

Aiwass didn't attempt to advise the bishop to change his way of thinking. Nor did he choose to forcibly return the key... that would only make Mathers feel sad and anxious.

He decided to respect the guilt and remorse that burdened Mathers day and night. Openly accepting this concern, he would then take good care of himself.

—What Aiwass could do, was to let this elder who truly cared about him... finally escape from his originally destined painful and miserable fate.

"Thank you for your concern, Archbishop Your Excellency." Explore more at empire

Aiwass placed the milk tea cup down, bowed his head, and sincerely expressed his gratitude: "I will definitely take good care of myself and return soon. I won't cause you any trouble."

Bishop Mathers just watched Aiwass with a hearty laugh, his eyes slightly moist.

He seemed to have guessed why Aiwass had suddenly said such things.

Such a sensible and intelligent child...

"...At this point, I truly do have some regrets," Bishop Mathers lamented in his heart.