When the plot-skips players into the game world

Even so, having Aiwass with him was almost like carrying an Eternal Pope at his side.

With the Night Fiend in hand, Aiwass immediately felt assured.

—Now, even if Star Antimony were to truly wage war against Avalon, he was no longer afraid at all! Read latest stories on My Virtual Library Empire

Now that Ligeia was still alive, and with the Night Fiend... the Armed Gargoyles and the Rune Colossus that Aiwass had once feared were no longer insurmountable enemies.

"Brother."

Just as Aiwass was playing with the Night Raven, Yulia suddenly spoke up from the side.

Her gaze, for some reason, had become sharp.

Yulia looked at Aiwass and said earnestly, "Can the ceremony that gave Lily strength... be used on me?"

Aiwass looked at Yulia with some surprise.

In his memory, Yulia had never cared for Transcendent powers. Her interest in those things was even less than in mountains and rivers, equations and theorems, gears and joints, reagents and bottles.

He thought for a while and slowly nodded, "Yes, but we have to wait for Isabel to return. I'll prepare the ceremony for you then."

The main reason Aiwass had not done so was his reluctance.

After all, the Defiant Flame Butterfly had just been removed from Yulia's body, and she had suffered from it for far too long. Just seeing it might remind her of her painful past, so Aiwass didn't dare to bring it up too much.

But now, since Yulia had taken the initiative to ask, she must have moved on from the past.

Fortunately, Aiwass wasn't in need of the Defiant Flame Butterfly's power for the time being.

And Yulia herself had a close connection with the Defiant Flame Butterfly, so she'd likely be able to quickly master this power that "originally belonged to her."

And coincidently, Aiwass also wanted Isabel to witness the "Shepherd's Nurturing Essence" ceremony.

Perhaps she would want to receive Aiwass's nurturing too!

Although Aiwass currently had no power suitable to give her... if Isabel had such a wish, Aiwass could consider "suitability for conferring power to Isabel" as one of the criteria when he captured a new Great Sin Beast.

This could also be considered a gift.

Aiwass still remembered "Ysolda's Teardrops" that Isabel had given to him.

He had originally intended to return it to her upon his return, but Isabel firmly refused to accept it.

So Aiwass couldn't insist on returning it... that would have been too hurtful.

...And besides, Aiwass didn't really want to return it.

It wasn't because he valued the special effects of the equipment itself, but because it was the first piece of jewelry Isabel had given him... and it was even one that Isabel always wore.

When Aiwass first put on this necklace, he felt his heartbeat become somewhat irregular. Something indescribable in the bottom of his heart was stirring, like taking a deep breath in a storm—making him restless.

He had always been on the giving end of kindness.

Very rarely... had he experienced this feeling of being cared for, being looked after.

Let alone, this feeling was coming from Isabel, whom Aiwass had always thought of as "someone who needed his protection and care."

—It's funny when you think about it.

When Yulia handed him the necklace, still warm from Isabel's touch, it fleetingly reminded him of his first advancement ceremony.

And a gift that was of similar value, or even greater, to this "second life of his own"...

After much consideration...

Aiwass believed only "a Phantom Demon Heart" would suffice as a reciprocal gift.