When the plot-skips players into the game world

June 12th.

Iris Flower, Laisser, Vandom Manor.

Aiwass was leisurely lying on the bed in his room, sipping tea and reading a novel.

Isabel was also curled up under the covers, snuggling next to Aiwass. She rested her head on Aiwass's shoulder, reading the book together.

It was rare to have a few days without any responsibilities, no pressure—although saying this might seem inconsiderate to Yulia, who had just ascended the throne and was still working overtime at home. After all, the New Heras Empire had just been established and was still in a period of transition.

Balancing the power among nations, as well as dealing with regional divisions, laws, culture, military authority, education, social welfare... all these were causes for disputes.

Isabel hurriedly followed Aiwass in part because she was somewhat intimidated by this.

Although she already possessed the demeanor of a queen and could handle state affairs, it didn't mean that she wouldn't find such troublesome matters headache-inducing. If it was just about competing for privileges for Avalon, Isabel could show some of her "Iron-Blooded Queen" fortitude... But the New Heras Empire wasn't conquered by Avalon; they willingly came over with their families to pledge allegiance.

In such circumstances, not offering some privileges wouldn't be right. After all, there were so many people and talents—everyone was essentially part of the same family, and even the language differences weren't significant. Moreover, the Iris Flower still remained isolated, so a good example needed to be set to entice them back to help rebuild New Heras.

If those who willingly pledged allegiance and actively sought integration were met with suppression, showing no openness to others, then what was the point of pledging allegiance?

—It was precisely because of the need to consider the value of political unity that things became complicated. Moreover, New Heras couldn't be simply divided into one district for Avalon, one for Narcissus, and one for Star Antimony... The administrative divisions needed to be rearranged. How to reasonably divide them became a new problem.

Coincidentally, Aiwass, Sherlock, and Isabel were all in Iris Flower—yet the ones responsible for handling these matters were Aiwass's sister and Sherlock's brother.

Thinking of this made the rare short vacation all the more enjoyable due to a guilty conscience.

Sherlock was quite energetic—having nothing to do the past few days, he went to the Laisser police department to help with a few cases. His soul was much stronger than his body, and if he didn't do something to occupy his mind, it actually caused him discomfort.

While Aiwass and Isabel were both very busy individuals.

Now that the Blood Celestial Marshal had fallen and the Path of Love had reached its extreme conclusion, the Ring of Ouroboros rite would no longer be a secret. There were only so few remaining moments for rest in the absence of calamities and wars. Their stay here could be seen as a not-so-belated honeymoon.

It must be said, the entertainment in the Iris Flower Kingdom was quite abundant.

This week, Aiwass took Isabel to see several operas—especially the one she's been fondly remembering, "Lulu's Magic Flute." This opera, which led Isabel down the Path of Beauty, held a very high status in her heart.

"It holds a special meaning."

Looking at Aiwass, Isabel said, "This was the first topic of our conversation when we first met."

As the birthplace of popular opera, Iris Flower's talent in this field was undoubtedly world-leading. There were even elves from the Holy Nation coming for tourism... On one occasion, Aiwass even saw masters from the Parthian Ancient Country visiting Iris Flower.

These masters were all extremely wealthy. Essentially, each one was like a king of a small nation, and no amount of wealth they accumulated was considered too much—after all, for those people, leaving their master meant death. In such circumstances, each master commanded over 60% of the financial resources of a small country.

They were escorted by over twenty bodyguards, even including some experts of the Fifth Power Level. On the contrary, the Iris Flower, currently chaotic internally, was unable to properly accommodate them—the bureaucrat sent for reception was merely a Third Level Transcendent.

Upon confirming this was not the master who had previously invited him, Aiwass didn't bother to greet them. After watching the opera, he simply remembered their appearance and returned with Isabel.

Besides operas, they also attended several miming performances. Those performers were likely Transcendents of the Path of Dusk, and their artful dances, reminiscent of Withered Leaf Butterflies, were unforgettable. Later, led by Isabel, they visited several art museums, sculpture galleries, and the renowned Westside University Art Academy.

If Isabel didn't need to inherit the throne and if Aiwass's mom Anna hadn't been sent to Avalon due to an arranged marriage... they both should have studied and trained here.

—That is, if they weren't entangled in any conspiracies or bound by fate in "another world line."

Aiwass was also very curious about this place, so he accompanied Isabel on her visits.

It truly was a vast institution—those massive white buildings were collectively constructed by Fifth Power Level Transcendents of the Path of Beauty. Even before reaching West City Island, the soaring towers could be seen from afar. The roads were all paved with marble... even by Aiwass's "modern" aesthetic from a previous life, it was remarkably "futuristic."

It was as if these students weren't there to learn art, but rather to learn how to pilot mobile suits.

No wonder, back then, Old Meg suspected Mrs. Mina was a spy just because she went to Avalon to study art. At that time, Aiwass thought, "You're underestimating Avalon's educational level"... Now he realized it was his own lack of insight.

Compared to Iris Flower, the Avalon Royal College of Law was shockingly meager, akin to a rural-urban junction.

Along the way, out of interest, Isabel borrowed a student's sketching board to draw Aiwass a picture.

Despite not being a professional painter, Isabel, being a bona fide prodigy, still drew a Demonic Painting that attracted the students' awe and admiration.

Neither Aiwass nor Isabel took the painting with them; instead, they gifted it to that student. He was overjoyed and earnestly promised to cherish the painting.

—Hope he truly preserves it well.

If so, he would have no regrets.

Because those students had no idea about their identities. They didn't know that if they later discovered that both of them were Fifth Power Level individuals, that the painter was Avalon's Iron-Blooded Queen and the model was the former pope of the Holy Nation, and that the painting was a memento from their honeymoon... they wouldn't fathom its future value.

If they became pillars and angels of the realm, this painting might be considered a national treasure in some country in the future.

After several days of outings, Aiwass and Isabel contentedly withdrew to rest at Vandom Manor.

The literary quality in Iris Flower was also quite impressive—this time, they bought many novels that hadn't been exported overseas during their shopping excursions. Most of them were of a decent standard, far superior to those formulaic knight novels from Avalon. Whether it was a detriment or benefit wasn't clear, but there were... rather a lot of scandalous scenes.

One might even say overwhelmingly so.

If they were in Avalon, they definitely wouldn't pass censorship, only circulating underground. If someone got caught selling these books, they would have to spend three years spinning the hamster wheel in prison.

But for a newlywed couple, this level is just right.

While Aiwass and Isabel were avidly watching "The Last Romance of Arsene Lupin and Countess Cariostro" and commenting excitedly, there was a knock at the door.

"——Your Majesty?"

Sherlock's voice came from the doorway.

"Come in."

Aiwass responded on behalf of Isabel.

Sherlock walked into the room, and without bothering with pleasantries, handed a briefcase directly to Aiwass: "Fox, take a look at this."

"What is this?"

Aiwass opened it with interest, finding a document bound into a thin booklet, along with two appendices.

"——An investigation report on the Fog Demons."

Sherlock said, "An investigation into whether Fog Demons are harmful. You can report it to Yulia… Yulia, Your Majesty, when you return."

"Did you do it?"

"Of course."

Sherlock replied sarcastically, "You can't expect the Irisflower People to do it, can you? They're now wishing they could bury every Transcendent on the Path of Love alive… Look, if there's not much of an issue, we can go talk to little Cain. See if she can unite the Fog Demons as a race leader. Otherwise, letting them act freely… I'm still a bit uneasy. After all, they were once Sons of the Moon."

"Makes sense."

Aiwass nodded: "I'll research it."

"Should I go with you?"

Isabel asked.

"Do you want to?" Aiwass countered.

Isabel thought for a moment, then shook her head vigorously, shrinking back into the blankets coquettishly: "I want—to rest—"

Aiwass gently patted her head, smiling: "Then you rest."

"Then I'll head back to the police station first."

Sherlock crossed his arms, speaking coldly: "There are still a few cases not yet dealt with. This stuff has been ready for two days. When I heard you hadn't gone out today, I came to give it to you."

"Alright, you get busy." Aiwass laughed.

Meanwhile, outside the window.

Thomas lay quietly in stealth within the shadows.

He had been lurking like this for two days, unmoving, waiting for the right moment.

After all, Aiwass is human, not yet twenty years old, his energy level wouldn't be too high.

As the former Pope, even estimating the highest… it's just the Fifth Power Level in Path of Devotion.

Though this assumption is quite exaggerated, Thomas thought it might be possible. Otherwise, there'd be no reason for him to become Pope.

And even considering Advanced Divine Arts… an isolated Contributor is surely easier to handle than with companions. Thus, even if Isabel, the Queen, lacking combat experience is with him, Thomas dared not make a move.

Not concerned about international impact, rather he feared Isabel transforming into someone else.

According to intelligence, Aiwass possesses a certain ability to summon a Superior Phantom. But that ability requires pulling out a Grimoire or crushing a card to activate… meaning, if caught off guard, he'd lack time to summon assistance.

The true chance comes only once.

When Aiwass is alone, unguarded—kill him in an instant.

——He can certainly do it.

For a master assassin, such a requirement is not difficult.

To some extent, Transcendents of even the same or higher energy level are easier to deal with than ordinary people with lower energy levels.

Because the former often arrogantly act alone, abandoning guards and alertness… while the assassins can lurk in the shadows.

Undoubtedly, the advantage is mine.

Thus, Thomas patiently waited for the opportunity.

Now, the moment was finally approaching.