When the plot-skips players into the game world

Sherlock's train of thought can be described as simple and clear.

The essence of drama lies in unexpected fate, and much of human fate comes from the unpredictable human mind. Therefore, by manipulating the human mind, drama can be achieved.

— Actually, it's just as easy as doing the reverse: excluding the "human mind" element completely.

By gathering enough objective information, one can calculate the absolute "Truth." All actions are carried out in the most rigid and mechanical manner, allowing no personal emotions or distractions, and numerous contingencies are set up to eliminate all unexpected interferences...

The "Void" constructed on "Beauty" and "Transcendence" can be deciphered through the fusion of the Paths of "Wisdom" and "Authority."

But the problem is…

"We don't have much time, Sherlock."

Aiwass emphasized: "The clock has already passed midnight—it's the twentieth now."

Hearing this, Sherlock shuddered in realization.

But the Old Duke, Annie, and Arsene were baffled.

Aiwass turned to look at his "genuine grandfather" and "biological mother," and revealed the information: "My wedding with Isabel is scheduled for the twenty-second.

"Therefore, at the latest—I must return to Avalon by the evening of the twenty-first."

"...Is that so?"

The Old Duke's tone rose a few pitches: "The day after tomorrow?"

Even though it was the first time he met Aiwass, the blood connection couldn't be denied—just one look, and he felt an intense familiarity and affinity.

For an elderly person, nothing might be more important than the wedding of a younger member—

But Annie seemed a bit timid.

She wanted to say something… but lacked the courage, seemed hesitant. In the end, she said nothing.

"—What Son of the Moon, what Swan King, none of that matters."

The Old Duke said without hesitation, "You should hurry back and get married first—it's ridiculous, only two or three days left until the wedding, and you're here taking care of business abroad alone? If it weren't, just the fact that..."

Everyone is family—although the Old Duke didn't explicitly say it, he instead looked rather angrily at Sherlock: "Is bringing this kid back more important than ensuring your smooth wedding?"

"Sherlock is an important friend of both Isabel and me."

And Aiwass didn't avoid the question at all, speaking earnestly: "It's largely thanks to Sherlock that Isabel and I met."

"...Is that so."

The Old Duke fell into silence at these words.

After all, he couldn't comprehend the level of threat involved in this "Box of Emptiness" incident, so wanting to put it aside was understandable.

But Aiwass couldn't—weddings aren't just about being busy on the day of the ceremony. There's a mountain of troublesome follow-ups to handle... Once involved, who knows how long before he could come again.

Leaving Sherlock to investigate alone might cause him to fall into a crisis. His personal strength is really too weak, not matching the wisdom he possesses; but if he were to leave Isabel behind and run off with Sherlock, that would be even more outrageous.

Now thinking back carefully, perhaps it was only until now that Aiwass realized this incident, or those Dream Traversing Monk passing by the Iris Kingdom didn't realize the Dream Realm had been sealed, possibly all due to the influence of the Box of Emptiness.

If one doesn't see it clearly, they will overlook it; if noticed, it will mislead them. This is a rather advanced form of "concealment," more effective than hiding something in a specific place—it hides the entire matter in the blind spots of attention and memory.

"—Why not resolve this matter entirely, so I can return at ease."

Aiwass said this.

"Return at ease…"

Suddenly, the Old Duke glanced at Annie and spoke, "Then there's no need to return, is there?"

Hearing this, Annie, who had been grappling with something and had her head lowered, suddenly opened her eyes wide, looking expectantly at the Ice Heart Duke, then at Aiwass, but still lowered her head afterward.

Aiwass is clearly not the wooden-headed type like Sherlock.

He has a strong grasp of human emotions—since the beginning, Aiwass had guessed Annie's intention.

She wanted to attend Aiwass's wedding.

But now Aiwass bears the name Aiwass Moriarty. Both of his biological parents are deceased, and there are indeed many people who knew them—even at such times, it's inappropriate for Annie to show up. If she were to disguise herself as Aiwass's mother with a "previously fake death" identity, that would be even more absurd.

After all, she wasn't the one who truly gave birth to Aiwass. She didn't marry Aiwass's father… Nor did she raise Aiwass.

Unlike the Old Duke—Duke Argon de Vandome really could attend Aiwass's wedding as a senior member. After all, Annie Alexander was indeed once called Annie de Vandom. But Annie was rather awkward—they had only known each other for less than an hour.

This made it impossible for her to bring up such a request no matter what.

Aiwass still had reservations about this.

Unlike in cases with Hayna or Yulia, Annie clearly knew about the "Swamp Man" technology. Perhaps even the Old Duke, an outsider, knew about this.

Considering that the developer of Swamp Man technology was Aiwass's grandfather… she might have willingly participated in that experiment, voluntarily splitting off into another self.

Perhaps it was to challenge that "cold disease curse" in their bloodline, or perhaps she knew that Aiwass's father Julio couldn't earn the Old Duke's approval, or maybe Julio was unwilling to leave Avalon to be a son-in-law in the Iris Kingdom; there might be other reasons as well…

But whatever her motivation, Annie, by choosing to return to her homeland, had effectively chosen estrangement.

"Of course, I'll be back eventually, this is also my… home."

At this point, Aiwass's expression became somewhat rigid.

The Duke of Vandome Mansion was too unfamiliar to him. Even though the Old Duke recognized his identity at a glance and accepted him… this place was still too unfamiliar to Aiwass.

Even the Hall of Silver and Tin wasn't as grand and luxurious as the Duke of Vandome Mansion.

He also solemnly made a request to the elder: "I invite you to come with me, as my… relative, to attend this wedding."

Aiwass wasn't sure if Isabel's father, Albert, could return on time. But Isabel had sworn fiercely, if he couldn't return, consider him dead—Aiwass didn't doubt Isabel's determination, Her Majesty the Queen could be extremely decisive.

If he couldn't return… the Old Duke of Vandome could be the only direct relative they two could rely on to show up.

—Other relatives three generations up were completely wiped out.

This was very tension-inducing.

"Though I haven't left the house for a long time…"

The Old Duke showed a satisfied smile: "But if it's your request, of course, I'm willing."

And Sherlock made an untimely comment: "So, Aiwass…"

"—Of course, the matter with the Box of Emptiness, I will also resolve."

Aiwass shifted his tone and promised: "Give me twenty-four hours, by tonight at the latest—I will resolve all issues."

"Alright."

The Duke of Vandome said without hesitation: "During these twenty-four hours, I will be with you all the way. Whatever you need to do, the Vandom Family will provide full support.

"However, if in these twenty-four hours the matter can't be resolved... you will obediently return to Avalon. The issues with the Iris Flower can wait a bit longer, dealing with it a few months later will be the same. As for the rebellion, there's no need for you younger ones to worry."

—If it really turned into a few months, it would absolutely be too late by then.

Aiwass complained in his mind.