When the plot-skips players into the game world

"... This kid, revived so quickly?"

On Friday morning, Sherlock narrowed his eyes at the sight of a man who had once again appeared on the front page headline of the newspaper.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

He was well aware that many of the news stories in the "Glass Staircase Daily" were the "version that ordinary people could know."

For example, when Aiwass first raided the Pelican Bar, it was merely reported as the base of a cult. Their behavior, philosophy, actions, as well as their combat effectiveness and characteristics were not mentioned. But generally speaking, this wouldn't be too far off from the truth.

The newspaper said that Aiwass himself stated, "The kidnapper treated me well and did not harm me," and he even wondered "if she truly was the kidnapper."

"Because she was a very polite, graceful, and beautiful young lady," Aiwass reminisced in a wheelchair at the Guardian's house, "I was suddenly attacked in the middle of the night and almost killed due to being caught off guard. But with the help of another friend of mine, I managed to safely resolve everything.

"Just when I was relieved and about to send her away and go to sleep after treatment, that young lady suddenly appeared, enveloped us in a powerful shadow strength, and took Miss Lily and me away... She was much stronger than them, and we had no ability to resist the entire time.

"During this period, she just didn't allow us to go out, yet she hardly asked me anything, didn't harm us, and even cooked for us. Two days passed like that, and suddenly she let us go.

"I don't know if her name is 'Miss Aleister', and I am not sure if the Aleister you speak of is her."

Aiwass emphasized at the end, "All I know is that she had chestnut curly hair and indeed didn't harm me."

In the Demonic Painting on the newspaper, one could vaguely see white Gryphons taking off behind Aiwass, indicating at least he was within the control scope of the Avalon upper echelons, which could prove his safety. The Demonic Painting also showed that he indeed looked very well, even in high spirits. There were definitely no problems.

Anyone who saw the newspaper would surely be put at ease.

And below the interview with Aiwass, there was also a mention about "Miss Aleister." At the scene of Aiwass's disappearance, there had been traces of a Transcendent from Path who left marks, specifically a Shadow Demon.

According to the Supervisory Bureau's investigation, the Noble Red Society had a member, whose code name or real name might be "Aleister," possessed by a Shadow Demon. So for a while, it was believed that Aiwass had been taken by Aleister.

It still can't be confirmed for now whether Aleister is a young lady, or if the person who took Aiwass away wasn't "Aleister" at all, the real Aleister still being a mystery... But either way, the name "Aleister" would become well-known on Glass Island.

Readers would also be curious about the story between Aiwass and this "Miss Aleister"—did nothing really happen between them?

If even Aiwass said she was graceful and beautiful, she must be a true noble lady, right?

The people of Avalon are quite curious about "nobility."

—Heh, vixen.

Even playing dead, you have to add sensational news for yourself? You really aren't afraid of ruining your own reputation.

Sherlock sneered softly before starting to think seriously.

He found some inconsistencies in this testimony.

If it was as previously speculated in the newspaper, that Aleister was a member of Noble Red, then this piece of news would be like grilling the other party over an open fire. Given Aiwass's character, he should not have exposed his lifesaver so directly.

So it wasn't a script he wrote himself.

Because that fox wouldn't make such an obvious mistake.

It must be a version provided to him by someone... That could only be the Supervisory Bureau.

"And, Miss Irisflower, huh..."

Sherlock murmured softly.

He did know of an Irisflower girl who was connected with Aiwass.

—It was that girl who distributed "Dracula" at the White Ballet Shoes Club, whose hair color was close to chestnut. Considering the club's lighting differed from the outside world, it was reasonable that the hair color appeared slightly different.

It didn't matter what name the young lady went by in Avalon, they were all aliases anyway. Perhaps her real surname was Aleister, or maybe "Aleister" was also another one of her aliases.

But Sherlock could see that her demeanor and language were specially trained, she always dressed well when going out, and subconsciously, she had a very high opinion of herself. She indeed resembled a noble young lady.

She was the assassin who attempted to kill Minister Drost's secretary and was also indirectly responsible for exposing the issue of the Minister of Commerce being involved in a smuggling case.

Edward had mentioned this to him.

According to the follow-up investigation, it was largely confirmed that she was an Irisflower Person.

The Supervisory Court's investigation report speculated that she was most likely a spy sent by the Irisflower People, aiming to frame the Minister of Commerce in order to disrupt Avalon's stable political environment and steal trade intelligence—of course, Edward and he both doubted the final part of the conclusion.

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It was most probably a report fabricated by that fat old man through his own connections to plead his case.

For, according to Sherlock's deduction, there was a ninety percent chance that the Minister was not framed—he had real issues.

—Why would a spy act so forthrightly in helping Avalon get rid of a traitor?

They could have easily made contact with Minister Drost and then reached an agreement to cooperate. Even if they wanted to kill him, that would be a decision made after an unsuccessful contact to silence him—but if that was the case, Drost would surely have disclosed the matter. That would be the most advantageous evidence to prove his innocence.

Furthermore, a spy would not possibly be so conspicuous every day, going out dressed so elegantly.

She wished everyone's focus to be on her, even to the point of wearing perfume and makeup—this is Glass Island, where aside from Lohar District, one could always see Gryphon soaring in the sky every hour. What kind of self-obsessed spy would act like this... If she were such a narcissistic spy, she wouldn't be assigned to a critical mission like assassinating a minister's secretary.

From this perspective, the evidence chain suggesting that Miss Assassin was a spy completely fell apart.

But now, Aiwass provided him with new evidence.

—If one considered it from another angle, everything made sense.

That was, Miss Assassin harbored a personal grudge against Minister Drost. From the very beginning, she aimed to expose him, which could explain her strange behavior.

"Then things become logical,"

Sherlock murmured.

Moreover, if she were an Iris Flower spy, she wouldn't need to run away at all.

Because every year, Avalon and Iris Flower exchanged spies. A genuine spy would readily surrender after having their identity compromised... A living spy is a very valuable resource, and they wouldn't be further harmed upon surrendering.

Although she assassinated the minister's secretary, she hadn't done anything else and would soon be traded back. Conversely, running away would likely result in being killed on the spot by the Gryphon.

Without a doubt, Minister Drost had connections with the Noble Red Society.

Add the fact that shortly after Aiwass "disappeared", Vice Chairman Boka and President Lohar were both arrested. According to what Aiwass had said before, the Lohar Society had a close relationship with the Noble Red Society... Thus, Aiwass's disappearance was aimed at toppling the Lohar Society—and that targeted the Noble Red Society.

Although Aiwass's disappearance was a feint, the "scene" of his disappearance did indeed bear the trace of shadows. Otherwise, it wouldn't have deceived the Supervisory Bureau.

So, without the ability of shadows, how did Aiwass leave a trace of shadow?

—When all impossibilities are eliminated, whatever remains must be possible.

That was, Aiwass and the Demon "Aleister," who was possessed by the Shadow Demon, were in a cooperative relationship from the start.

The reason he could see through the shadows and find the Miss hiding in the shadows at that time was because she had already told him. Sherlock had never heard of the power of Shadow Stealth, but if it was said to be Shadow Demon's ability, it would make sense.

Sherlock had thought long and hard at that time but couldn't understand how Aiwass had seen through the true nature of the incident. But if it was known that Aiwass was aware from the start that she would appear there, then everything lined up.

This was a two-person drama, and Aiwass was playing the role of the Detective.

He was there to cooperate with her and expose the crimes of Minister Drost!

Perhaps from the beginning, when Aiwass cleaned out the Pelican Bar, or even earlier—when Aiwass was initially sacrificed, they had already met.

And through the collaboration in the club, they officially struck a partnership.

At that time, all of Avalon was searching for that Miss Assassin, publicly labeled as an Iris Flower spy intent on assassinating Her Highness. No one would dare to meddle in this affair.

But in the end, she successfully escaped—despite being surrounded and blocked by countless people, she vanished. Until Aiwass also "disappeared", there was no news of her.

Looking back now, she might have been hidden in his dorm by Aiwass. It was a residence granted by Princess Isabel, and no one dared to search there. And she stayed with Aiwass, targeting the Noble Red together.

Not until the Noble Red covertly attacked and attempted to assassinate at night, did they call Aiwass up in the middle of the night.

Otherwise, there would be no way that Aiwass could defeat so many, such strong enemies.

He may be clever, but if he can't win, he can't win. Sherlock could relate to this sentiment very well.

After defeating those enemies, Aiwass let her leave traces to help fabricate evidence of his fake death and her kidnapping him!

With this, all logic was linked.

Using this version, one could simultaneously explain all the big questions: "How did Aiwass escape after being sacrificed?", "If Aiwass didn't know that the tutor was already dead, why did he dare retaliate against the Pelican Bar, well-known as a Noble Red stronghold?", "How did Aiwass, who is not from Lohar District, know about the connection between the Sweater Brothers Association and the Lohar Society with the Noble Red?", "How did Aiwass detect the powerful Transcendent lurking in the shadows?", "Why did the assassin just disappear for no reason?", and "How exactly were the shadow traces left behind at the scene of Aiwass's fake death?"... All the questions could be clarified in one breath!

"—'The beauty in the golden house', Mr. Fox,"

Sherlock clicked his tongue in admiration.

Indeed, the flirtatious Fox!

"What 'beauty in the golden house'?"

Bishop Mathers, entering the room, momentarily stunned, asked with keen interest.