When the plot-skips players into the game world

——"You're saying this is Fairyland?"

How could there be a Fairyland where so many humans live!

Lily subconsciously looked towards Aiwass, whispering, "Is this... that worse possibility?"

"...It's hard to say."

Aiwass shook his head, feeling that strange sensation in his heart becoming clearer.

While walking on the forest path just now, he had an odd experience——despite being fully alert and even on guard, there was a sense of contentment and ease.

To describe it, it was somewhat similar to the feeling of receiving aromatherapy treatment. Or like taking a solitary stroll through the forest in the quiet early hours, with no work or other obligations. His mood was incredibly peaceful, and time seemed to stand still at that moment.

Sherlock had clearly felt that odd experience too. That's why he understood what Aiwass meant.

——If this was Fairyland, then such an anomaly would be reasonable. They would only need to deal with fairies.

But if this was not Fairyland…

"...Then there are only two possibilities. Either this place has been enveloped by a large, constantly active protection ward cast by a very powerful Transcendent, to protect this village; or this place itself possesses an anomaly, and the intensity of this anomaly is strong enough to twist the sharp vision of a Level 4 White Griffon."

Aiwass spoke seriously, "Whichever it is... we must be prepared to encounter Level 5 Strength."

And just then, they saw Hayna in the distance, waving her hand.

"You've arrived——"

She ran towards them excitedly.

But halfway through her run, upon seeing Sherlock by Aiwass's side, the smile on her face gradually faded, and her steps slowed down a bit.

When she jogged up to Aiwass, her pace had nearly ground to a halt. She tilted her head in confusion, gazing at little Sherlock.
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"...Is this Mr. Sherlock's brother?"

"You disappoint me, Hayna. You stared for so long, even a dog would have shed all its fur, and then you ask, 'Is this a rabbit?'"

Little Sherlock spoke indifferently, "I hope you'll think before you speak from now on. Brains can go to waste if not used for too long."

It's Mr. Sherlock!

Hayna immediately confirmed Sherlock's identity.

She was somewhat astonished, "How did you..."

...how did you get smaller?

But such an outrageous statement was hard to say out loud in the spur of the moment.

How could someone possibly become younger again?

"Exactly. What's going on?"

Sherlock said expressionlessly, staring at Aiwass.

Aiwass displayed a pleasant smile, waving his hand, "Don't mind the details——you should cherish the moment. Many things once missed, are missed forever. This is a limited edition."

"Well said."

An elderly man's voice of admiration came from the side, "Cherish the moment... Hayna, you should learn well from your friend here."

The elderly man had skin as dark as coal, and the pupil of his right eye was nearly transparent sky blue. The slightly murky pupil was reminiscent of melting oil paint colors.

A deep scar ran across his face, splitting his left eye in half. As a result, his left eye appeared shriveled, smaller than the right, and the pupil was faded in color.

At his waist hung an Elf Short Sword that, despite showing signs of wear from time, was still in good condition. However, he was not clad in armor but dressed in a convenient, warm black stand-collar long coat.

"Grandpa William!"

Hayna obviously recognized the old Inspector——If not mistaken, this should be the same "only Inspector who fishes every day in the village" that Hayna had mentioned to Aiwass earlier.

Aiwass looked the man over carefully and then exchanged glances with Sherlock.

Sherlock slightly shook his head, signaling not to act rashly.

They both confirmed at the same time... that there was indeed something wrong with this village.

——Because both Aiwass and Sherlock knew him.

Although he looked a bit older and had acquired a few more scars... he was without a doubt the old Inspector from the promotion ceremony Aiwass had just experienced!

At that time, Aiwass's grandfather was still a man in his twenties or thirties. And this man looked to be at least in his sixties——with short hair that was whitening at the roots, becoming fine and soft, and a dark, square face marred with deep, clearly visible wrinkles, the kind that comes from often keeping a stern expression.

Even if not an Inspector... with black-framed glasses, he would at least pass for a head teacher.

And now, his features appeared much softer. The wrinkles on his face were clearer and more pronounced, yet his gaze was not so cloudy as to not recognize people.

That was the year 1839. And now, it was 1898.

Nearly sixty years had passed.

Aiwass was nearly catching up to the age his grandfather had been back in the day.

The once nearly sixty-year-old man, sixty years later, had become... less than seventy?

And the old man was also scrutinizing Aiwass for a while.

He gradually showed a friendly smile, extending his hand to Aiwass, "Young man... a promising youth indeed."

Aiwass reached out his hand and gave it a firm shake. He felt the palm's warmth like a furnace and the sense of strength that did not seem to belong to an old man.

"May I ask, how should I address you?" the Inspector inquired.

"Aiwass Moriarty."

Aiwass smiled modestly and calmly said, "The soon-to-be appointed Minister of the Department of Care of Magical Creatures from Avalon."

"...Minister Moriarty!"

The old Inspector was obviously taken aback, and then a smile spread across his face, "What an honour!

"In our little village, no minister has ever come. Even the Swan Minister simply walked around Flute Town and left... May I speak of your identity to others?"

But he never doubted Aiwass's identity—impersonating a minister was a capital crime in Avalon. And he had heard of the surname Moriarty... That was a surname belonging to the Founding Families.

As a descendant of the Founding Families and having acquired a ministerial position at a young age, it was not an impossibility.

"Of course, you may, sir."

Aiwass nodded with restrained pride, his expression gentle yet haughty, aligning with the general stereotypical image of a well-raised young person educated by a Founding Family, "It's no secret—my identity will be published in the Glass Staircase Daily in less than a month.

"I only came to greet my friend Hayna. There's nothing secretive about that, not to mention that she is now the apprentice of 'Meg.'"

"—Meg!"

The man's eyes suddenly widened in amazement, "That..."

"The Grand Arbitrator, Grandpa William."

Hayna reminded him from the side.

She wore a self-satisfied smile, clearly enjoying Aiwass's flattery.

Although she didn't know why Aiwass suddenly decided to reveal this information upon meeting, she had been keeping it to herself for a long time and was just waiting for an opportunity to show off!

"Hayna, your Gryphon has arrived."

Aiwass glanced at Hayna and changed the subject, patting the young Gryphon affectionately nuzzling against him, "Her name is Liz, a fifteen-year-old child. Take good care of her."

"...Liz!"

Hayna was so thrilled she nearly screamed!

My Gryphon, my Gryphon!

—She finally arrived! She had finally come!

And she was the noble White-Feathered Griffon!

Hayna was so moved that she was almost in tears.

She approached cautiously, knelt on the ground, and gently stroked Liz's feathers, while Liz sniffed Hayna and, after a sneeze of approval, rubbed her neck against Hayna's.

"Hello, Liz, hello... my dear child..."

Hayna said tenderly and with emotion, embracing the Gryphon, "My name is Hayna. Hayna Dane, your forever trustworthy partner."

She never knew she could produce such a gentle voice, "Are you hungry? Did you eat on your way here? I'll prepare some fresh meat for you. Beef might be hard to find, but there should be fresh wild boar in the village now..."

With his hands clasped behind his back, Aiwass gave a slight cough but still did not interrupt Hayna's rapture and excitement.

Meanwhile, the old Inspector also approached, whispering to Aiwass, "I actually mistook you for someone else just now... Minister, you bear a striking resemblance to an old friend of mine. About the child..."

"—My name is Arthur."

Sherlock spoke up, unhesitatingly borrowing his father's name as an alias.

And at the side, Aiwass heard and smiled slightly, adding mischievously, "His name is Arthur Conan Doyle... the apprentice and assistant of the famed detective Mr. Sherlock.

"Mr. Sherlock is rather busy, so he has entrusted his assistant to help us with the investigation."

"...Investigation?"

The old Inspector appeared puzzled, "Has something happened?"

"It's an old affair from over a decade ago."

Aiwass bowed slightly, seriously responding, "I think you haven't mistaken me... because I am actually an orphan adopted by the Moriarty Family.

"And my real surname is Alexander. Aiwass Alexander—and my grandfather was Jacob Alexander. He spent the last few years of his life right here.

"I have come because of his death."