When the plot-skips players into the game world

Chapter 746: Chapter 131: The Key to Breaking the Game Chapter 746: Chapter 131: The Key to Breaking the Game Aiwass bid farewell to Cardinal Cyril and then returned to the Fifth Ring first.

On the way, Aiwass fell into deep thought.

—The thoughts that had flashed through his mind earlier were probably not merely fanciful.

He isolated each event individually and extrapolated the power dynamics solely from the premise “if Aiwass were to ascend as Pope.”

As a result, Aiwass’s mind suddenly became clear.

The entangled, dense web of chaotic clues immediately became intelligible.

After all, the Pure White had amberficated, making her a risky candidate for Pope due to potential scandals or dangers—risks the Holy Nation could not afford.

Moreover, Freya’s research on amberfication, due to her sin of leaking the “Tears of Time,” obliged her to advance civil technology as atonement.

This would undoubtedly extend the time to reverse the Pure White’s amberfication…

In other words, the Pure White actually had no intention of curing her amberfication before March 3rd.

As a human, Aiwass simply couldn’t command the Holy Nation, where elves were the absolute majority race; he also had no connections within the Church and couldn’t command it either…

thus, nothing substantial would change at present.

At the same time, no cardinal archbishop ascending to the position meant that cardinals and the Pure White Saintess, whose ideas clashed with his, could at least accept this “moderate” outcome; the Controlled Flame had achieved their purpose—stopping the tradition of the Holy Maiden from controlling the Holy Nation and weakening the Holy Maiden’s influence; the Nine Pillars Divine Church, with a high proportion of Short-Lived Species, would be elated, for they would have a Short-Lived Species Pope.

The Star Antimony people would be satisfied.

As Pope, Aiwass would quickly stop the endless air strikes on the Star Antimony capital and other major cities to maintain the Holy Nation’s neutrality, or risk dragging the Holy Nation into the quagmire; the Irisflower People would be relatively satisfied since with an Avalonian Pope like Aiwass watching, Star Antimony wouldn’t dare wage war against them, and the Irisflower People enjoyed watching the spectacle; Avalonians themselves need not be mentioned.

And for other races…

Goblins would be content, having just negotiated a big deal with Aiwass; even Dwarves would be amused, as the leader of the elven nation had become a human, providing them a delight of a heavenly scale; Trolls would be satisfied, for Aiwass had relayed Old Rabih’s goodwill back to Isabel, with Avalon poised to intervene in the southern continent’s affairs.

Cardinal Archbishop will later learn that Aiwass had instantly mastered Advanced Divine Art and could produce the “Fruit of Sin Thorn,” alleviating amberfication.

This had special significance for the elves.

The more traditional they were, the more they needed to value Aiwass—because the more traditional, the more likely they and those around them were to amberfy.

They needed to tie Aiwass to the chariot of the Holy Nation, or at least ensure he left his profession or legacy behind.

Aiwass carefully calculated.

The result was that “Human Pope,” a seemingly tradition-breaking “exception,” would ultimately meet with no opposition from any forces.

Even Aiwass himself, thanks to the experience “bestowed” by Cardinal Loki, had gained the Advanced Divine Art and learned of his true identity, clarifying his path and the crisis he faced; Lily, inspired by Cardinal Loki, had grasped the future of Spider’s Silk Sensing; Freya, due to Cardinal Loki’s death, also learned that further research into the Elixir of Immortality and Tears of Time would inevitably lead to a deadly fate.

If Aiwass could obtain the Pope’s crown—even if only briefly—he would have the confidence to oppose the Bear Celestial Marshal or the Fallen Celestial Marshal with the Fifth Power Level!

Now, the internal conflicts within Star Antimony were stronger than in the “game version,” and it was very likely that the Fallen Celestial Marshal would arrive ahead of time.

And within a maximum of three months, Freya would be able to complete her atonement and then could research Aiwass’s “Fruit of Sin Thorn.”

With this sample, Aiwass estimated that it would take just a few months for a breakthrough…

and during this time, Aiwass himself would also produce new fruits.

At most, it would be three months.

That is to say…

within at most half a year, the Pure White Saintess could cure her amberfication and reclaim The Holy Crown, freeing Aiwass from that position.

At the very least, by taking down the Spirit Amber Celestial Marshal, the problem of amberfication could be solved.

Afterward, Aiwass wouldn’t have to sit on this golden throne for life…

but could return to Avalon.

If he was lucky, he might not even miss Isabel’s ascension—if possible, Aiwass didn’t want to miss that.

—Thus, this event, astonishingly, perfectly aligned with everyone’s interests!

This is precisely the kind of ending that fits the “satisfactory for everyone” style of Moriarty!

…Except for Bram Stoker.

That vampire author is probably the only unfortunate victim in this entire affair.

With the sacrifice of just one villain, joy is brought to the whole world.

—Is this not the concept of the “necessary evil” that Professor Moriarty upholds?

This too is a “Moriarty style.”

And the trigger for all these changes…

came from Cardinal Loki’s attack on Aiwass!

It came from [The Death of Loki]!

“…He truly is worthy of being my foster father’s mentor,”

Aiwass expressed, realizing his initial underestimation of him.

These old things with their deep thoughts had long set up their pieces and taken the lead in various ways.

It’s like a game that has been played for a long time and has great depth; the advantage the old players have over the beginners is just too substantial.

Fortunately, he had now made contact with the Lord of Scalefeather—

It was about changing the world’s situation directly by creating the “warrior” profession!

And to accomplish this, Bear Celestial Marshal had to be eliminated!

Aiwass reaffirmed his resolve.

The Lord of Scalefeather granted Aiwass the privilege of a solo ritual, meaning Aiwass needed not borrow the power of Eternal Self to dream, nor wait for the New Moon or Full Moon.

In other words, Aiwass could initiate the ritual tonight.

But Aiwass didn’t forget that the real purpose of this plan was to lure the Bear Celestial Marshal into attacking him.

If he were to go back and start the ritual immediately, the Bear Celestial Marshal would surely sense something was amiss—because it wouldn’t be a normal ritual day, and initiating the Lunar Eclipse Ceremony would require the protection of a Pillar God.

Although this would make Aiwass’s ascension ceremony a bit simpler, it would also delay the birth of the “warrior” profession.

In order not to arouse the Bear Celestial Marshal’s suspicion, Aiwass chose to lie low.

Like an “assassin,” like a “hunter”—quietly waiting for the moment when the Bear Celestial Marshal would lower his guard.

The specific time would be the last day of this month.

The day of the New Moon Ritual.

Less than ten days away.

—After ten days, a decisive strike must be launched against the Bear Celestial Marshal!

When Aiwass returned home afterwards, Lily greeted him at once.

“Sherlock has replied.”

Lily said softly, handing a letter to Aiwass.

Aiwass took the letter with some surprise, looking at Lily.

…Didn’t she usually refer to Sherlock as “Mr.

Hermes”?

“How is your study of the ‘Egg Moon Manual’ coming along?”

Aiwass asked casually as he opened the letter.

Lily’s lips curved up slightly.

She lazily propped her arm on the table, narrowed her eyes, and gave Aiwass a charming smile, “Very smoothly…

my master.”

“—Who are you calling master?@@novelbin@@

You disrespectful whelp!”

An ethereal voice tinged with anger sounded.

Accompanied by a gust of black wind, a raven flew out from Aiwass’s room and landed—or rather, nearly crashed—onto Aiwass’s shoulder.

Aiwass had not taken it with him when he left, and the Night Fiend was already a bit angry.

Hearing Lily’s address, it flew into a rage.

“…You are, Selene?”

Aiwass also realized it and remembered that name.

“Yes.

If it goes well, we can separate by the end of the month.”

“Lily” ignored the Night Fiend completely and continued looking intently at Aiwass, “On that day…

I would like to request the blood of my master to celebrate.”

“I don’t have the Shepherd’s Nurturing Skill right now.”

Aiwass reminded her.

Although if he were to be promoted, he might regain the Nurturing Skill.

But for now, he rejected her outright.

After all, Lily was not a Phantom Demon, nor would she be after the split.

It was not worth wasting his blood on her.

However, “Lily’s” reaction exceeded Aiwass’s expectations: “I do not need your nurturing…

I only want the flesh and blood of my master.”

Her cheeks were slightly flushed, and her pupils dilated as if drunk.

She gently stroked her belly, looking earnestly at Aiwass: “With just a bit of your flesh and blood…

I can hatch for you a ‘Magical Beast’ that belongs to me…

belongs to us.

This is a power inherited from the ‘Witch of the Moon,’ the art of creation.

After I take up this name, this power also belongs to me.”

“You this…”

“—Vinesse.”

As the Night Fiend was about to spew more venomous curses, Aiwass softly interrupted.

The ‘Egg Moon Manual’ wasn’t about creating a new personality…

but rather about manifesting and gradually separating an existing one.

Which meant…

did Lily always have this side to her?

She had always repressed herself, not showing a hint of it…

As Aiwass pondered, Lily’s expression suddenly changed.

Her body shook slightly, and in a flash, she was drenched in sweat, looking down fearfully, “I’m sorry, young master…

I can’t fully control my body right now…”

“Lily?”

Aiwass confirmed her identity.

“It’s me…”

“Are you there, Selene?

You should be listening.”

Aiwass looked at Lily and said, “I accept your request.”

Upon hearing his words, Lily’s expression shifted subtly: “But…”

“The art from when Eternal Self was still mortal…

I’m curious about that too.

And about the Magical Beast created from my flesh and blood, I’m also curious.”

Aiwass said with a light laugh.

—More importantly, it was an “entirely new development” that no one could have anticipated.

The split of Lily, the rebirth of Selene, the Magical Beast created using the “blood of a Holy Entity”…

each one represented “beyond the plan.”

It was precisely because Lily was so weak.

Because she was so feeble and unremarkable that she did not appear in anyone’s calculations.

Maybe she was the key for Aiwass to break the game!

With that thought, Aiwass unfolded the letter from Sherlock and read carefully.

At a glance, he could tell it was Sherlock’s handwriting.

The content of the letter was simple, though somewhat vague—

He indicated that if the matters on Aiwass’s end were mostly resolved, it would be best to go over tomorrow.

“—The gentleman we both know (the client of this incident), he has encountered problems that might be more troublesome than we anticipated.

But not to worry, it’s not dangerous.

At most, it could be described as ‘unbelievable’.”

That is what Sherlock wrote in the letter.