When the plot-skips players into the game world

It was perhaps only Aiwass who wanted to find Isabel at first, but the group just kept growing.

First came Lily and David, then Yulia and Master Nobel—later they even encountered Master Yanis.

Aiwass was even somewhat worried that Isabel might have a relapse of her social anxiety upon meeting so many people at once.

It was only when he saw Isabel with his own eyes that he realized he had been overthinking.

Or rather, he had underestimated the severity of the problem.

Isabel was as if reverted to her original state—that was even an autistic form Aiwass had never witnessed in person, only heard about from other students' conversations.

She would respond when someone knocked, and she did invite people in. But once inside, they found Isabel huddled in a corner of the room, not greeting anyone, nor was there a smile on her face.

She seemed engrossed in painting, as if she was so focused on it that she had no attention to spare.

But Aiwass could tell at a glance that Isabel was not actually painting—she was just doodling meaninglessly. She was drawing something indecipherable only to cover it with other paints.

It wasn't sadness but confusion and fear.

Aiwass could see right away that Isabel's mind was in turmoil. Her brain had even stopped working.

Clearly, the princess wasn't as optimistic or strong as she usually appeared to be. She was just trying hard to forget the nightmare… and now, with Prince Andrew being cursed to death, the nightmare had come back once more.

It was like having been harassed and attacked a long time ago with the intent to kidnap or murder...and then moving to a faraway place. After many years, when you even thought you had forgotten and let go, you suddenly ran into that person again at a street corner—and also realized that they had seen you.

And what Isabel had experienced was far more painful than that.

She had witnessed and even personally undergone this random death ceremony.

Queen Sofia had just said that the Ceremony of Avalon's Shadow was only one person away from being completed, which meant that, including this prince, exactly twenty people were involved. Aiwass did not know if any of the murdered royal blood had been infused before this, but at the very least, there must have been a dozen or more relatives—perhaps even more.

Because someone like Isabel's mother, who wasn't of royal blood yet still died from the curse, wasn't included in the "twenty people." Including these completely innocent victims who were caught up in it, the number had grown alarmingly high.

No curse incidents had occurred in recent years, and the starting event was over a decade ago. That is to say, on average, about three deaths occurred each year, and it seemed to be completely random...

Under the prolonged oppression and fear brought about by this random naming of death, it's a wonder that no one in the royalty went mad and started a killing spree; Aiwass could only attribute it to Queen Sofia's commendable guidance and the Du Lac Family's relatively high moral standards.

"May I have a private conversation with Isabel?"
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Aiwass spoke softly, but he was looking at Yanis.

Since Isabel's father was often absent, Master Yanis was her de facto guardian.

As a matter of courtesy and respect, Yanis had also donned a black gauze dress—even though she knew Prince Andrew was not innocent, but as the queen's close friend and guest, and also an elf master from the Eternal Theocracy, her attitude toward the royal family directly affected other knights and ministers' attitudes toward the royalty.

And upon hearing Aiwass's words, Yanis was somewhat surprised.

Based on her understanding of Aiwass, she thought he would envelop Isabel in a crowd, forcing her to engage in social interaction to switch her mind up.

Because that was the most reliable and efficient method. It couldn't go wrong.

It was impossible to say the wrong thing—because there was no need to say anything at all to directly resolve the issue, while also allowing others to witness her close relationship with Isabel.

Based on her covert observations of Aiwass during this period, he seemed to relish the tactic of "solving problems from the outside." The more Aiwass was pressed for a definitive answer, the more he would equivocate and speak vaguely.

Contrary to his appearance of mildness, obedience, and steadiness, Aiwass disliked being dragged into other people's rhythms and playing by their rules. He preferred not to react defensively using customary tactics. Instead, he would take a step forward and pre-emptively strike his opponent before the fight began. Only after creating enough of an advantage would he engage in a "fair fight" with his adversary.

A very cunning little fox, but she did not dislike it.

But now, it seemed that even Aiwass had begun to change... a change that was visible to the naked eye.

The most obvious was that he dared to join the game now.

In areas unknown and foreign to himself, he had previously dared not approach... as cautious as a stray cat that he himself had raised. But now, for the sake of Isabel, he was willing to venture into them.

He was actively trying to change.

"Humans are truly wonderful."

Yanis whispered in contentment, "Especially the young ones—they are even better."

To be dissatisfied with one's current self and attempt to change...perhaps this was the heart of Aiwass's pursuit of Transcendence?

She tried to analyze it with her own experience.

The biggest difference between humans and elves was that humans' psychological changes happened swiftly. Decline could occur in an instant, as could enlightenment. A mere few years could completely transform a person, something that would never happen to an elf.

Life within the Eternal Theocracy was peaceful and serene, like a utopia at a standstill.

People woke up at standard times, worked at standard times, left work at standard times, and went to sleep at standard times.

The rituals were fixed, policies rarely changed, holidays remained the same. Working for decades without any change, any hobby could be maintained for decades or even centuries.

Living day by day on an almost fixed but certainly sufficient income, marrying, having children. They led lives of happiness free from natural disasters, human calamities, and unexpected events. Since the day Yanis was born, there had been no change in the Holy Nation. If judged by the standards of life for many in Avalon, it might also be considered heaven.

But Yanis did not like that feeling. She could not stand the pervasive sense of calm in the air... It gave her an unsettling feeling. A desire to destroy everything... She felt an instinctive revulsion and caution towards the force known as "The Dusk."

However, traveling through the world of humans was different.

She had seen countries undergo twelve coups in a month, witnessed generations of avengers in endless cycles of vengeance, and observed the chaotic blood relations between families that led to dramatic life stories full of tension. Human life was incredibly short, and thus, changes were visibly rapid.

Just like herself. Even though she had only left for a few decades, when she returned to Avalon, she found it completely different from her first time there.

The lifespan of elves was only about five times that of humans, yet the pace of change in the human world far outstripped the Holy Nation by more than tenfold, didn't it?

And the essence of these changes came from these young people. Each person's transformation could potentially change the world at some future point.

Yanis focused on observing this sort of "change." The world changing at a visibly drastic pace provided her with an intense sense of satisfaction. That was the beauty she sought.

—Aiwass was her chosen "protagonist."

Thus, Yanis nodded slightly and compliantly led the people out of the room.

However, she did not go far, nor did she respond to the curious, puzzled, wary, or contemplative gazes she received.

She simply stretched out her finger and silently made a "shush" gesture, then tiptoed to place her ear against the door, giving Yulia a demonstration.

Yulia's eyes immediately lit up.

She promptly followed suit, pressing her ear against the door. Lily joined in as well.

Yanis stepped aside, gesturing to David to come and listen as well, but David hesitated when he saw the two girls almost completely blocking the door. He chose not to move closer because doing so would definitely result in touching their bodies.

——Taking advantage of girls did not conform to the code of a Knight.

David firmly thought to himself.

Mr. Aiwass certainly wouldn't do that either.

Yanis nodded at Master Nobel, and her pupils suddenly turned the color of blue skies dotted with white clouds—or rather, it was the color of a painting she had made with a backdrop of blue sky and white clouds, which currently hung in Isabel's bedroom. Despite the windows being closed, the painting seemed to bring in fresh air, much like an open window.

Her gaze had just entered the room when her eyes brightened instantly.

She saw Aiwass standing behind Isabel, having left his wheelchair.

He extended his hands, placing them on Isabel's shoulders.

Realizing that this was clearly an action someone in a wheelchair couldn't perform, Isabel's meaningless doodling halted for a moment. Her brain subconsciously began pondering over this.

Isabel even instinctively wanted to question Aiwass—but the heaviness and fear in her heart extinguished her curiosity and eagerness, leaving her to open her mouth without being able to say a word.

"I know," Aiwass said softly, "you've been listening all along..."

His voice was low and gentle.

It felt like the sun on a lazy afternoon in autumn, spreading a relaxed, fluffy warmth.

"But don't worry. The Curse is over now."

Aiwass said softly, "I swear to you..."

Queen Sofia had sent him to look after Isabel, wanting him to relay this information to her.

Feeling the slight trembling of the shoulders under his fingertips, Aiwass paused for a moment, then continued:

"——You're safe now."

"Was it you who dealt with it, Mr. Fox?"

Isabel's voice trembled slightly.

If Aiwass agreed, he was sure that the Queen and the Guardian wouldn't expose his lie.

But he rejected the thought.

"I think, probably not," Aiwass murmured, eyes downcast.

Because such means were too despicable——taking credit for others' deeds and fabricating accomplishments were actions of the incompetent.

In fact, Aiwass did not know why Prince Andrew had suddenly died... According to the game, he was supposed to live for over a year more.

But it didn't matter.

No matter who the curse caster was—it wasn't Sherlock's concern.

Furthermore, with Miss Aleister's help, there was no need for so much evidence.

He would just beat them all up.

Whether it was Noble Red or Hawkeye's assassin, those corrupt Knights and officials, or the traitorous merchants of Lohar Society...

After all, everyone knew that Miss Aleister didn't blink an eye when killing.

If all elements of instability were to be resolved, Isabel would naturally be safe as well.

Rather than comforting her, soothing her, encouraging her, or distracting her... it was better to solve the problem at its root.

Of course, Aiwass actually had a better way...

"So, Miss Lulu," Aiwass said calmly and with a sense of security, "if you've had enough sleep, it's time to wake up from this nightmare.

"As morning exercise... how about I accompany you on a killing spree?"

Aiwass invited with a gleeful smile.

Taking Isabel with him to kill those attempting to harm her would help her growth and soothe her mind. The only issue was that the one suggesting this might not fit well with the image of "Mr. Fox."

But fortunately, Isabel didn't take it seriously.

And Aiwass knew she probably wouldn't take it seriously.

Isabel just thought Aiwass was joking, unable to hold back a smile, "That won't be necessary...

"Forget it... I'll show you, Aiwass. It's hard to explain with words..."

"What?" Aiwass asked curiously.

"A diary."

Isabel replied, "Or rather, a will."

"...Yours?"

"No! It's of my... relatives who left it behind."

Isabel first defended loudly, then sighed, "You'll understand why I'm so sad, so afraid once you read it..."