When the plot-skips players into the game world

"It's actually a Celestial Marshal Shard... can the Box of Emptiness be considered a Celestial Marshal?"

Alai also recognized the essence of the book, leaned over for a closer look.

She rested her head on Aiwass's shoulder, staring carefully at the book held in Aiwass's right hand: "Is there any system reaction?"

"System?"

Sherlock repeated curiously.

Aiwass nodded, gesturing for Sherlock not to worry about it. Then he casually ruffled Alai's head and replied offhandedly, "It's the fragment of dream and illusion."

"Illusion... is it of the water attribute?"

Alai was somewhat eager.

She knew how Vinesse had elevated herself using the Fallen Celestial Marshal's fragment — now both Alai and Liya could be considered top-tier combat at the Sixth Power Level during their outbursts. But Vinesse had already officially entered the regular Sixth Power Level realm, and even held divine authority.

What could be achieved under the Fallen Celestial Marshal's Ring of Ouroboros ceremony, she could basically achieve as well. One could say she had become a god on earth.

And all these changes were merely because of obtaining the Celestial Marshal Shard.

Presently, Alai was already a Holy Blood Angel; she couldn't help but anticipate... what she would evolve into next.

"Unfortunately," Aiwass answered, absentmindedly looking at the book, "It's of the light and wind attributes."

"...Really?"

Alai felt a bit disappointed.

Illusion is a false and fluid power, connected to both wind and water. However, water holds the concept of mirrors, thus relatively more compatible with the Path of Beauty and considered the most common attribute in the Path of Beauty.

"But I remember, the 'screenwriter' with the most illusion ability in the Path of Beauty should be of the darkness attribute. Those known for wind attribute should excel in musical instruments or poetry... while the light attribute should correspond to sacrificial songs and dances."

Alai was puzzled: "Then why is the Swan King's attribute wind and light?"

"Because he sees himself as a Knight... and burns himself to shine brightly."

"A Knight..."

Alai raised her eyebrows: "So you're planning to leave it for the light-affinity Phantom Demon?"

Although the Wild Hunt King is wind attribute, it leans towards the 'thunder, wild wind' part of the concept within wind attribute, whereas this Celestial Marshal Shard is closer to the 'formless, colorless, intangible' aspect. It clearly doesn't match King Helkin of the Wild Hunt's style.

Helkin, whether armed with the Dragon Spear or Azure Dragon Crescent Blade, felt stylistically fitting. But giving him this thing was like letting a beefy muscular man use two thin needles as weapons.

— Rather than believing Helkin's straightforward nature could learn illusion techniques, it was more expected he'd knock the enemy out with a punch.

There is a light attribute Phantom Demon in the Holy Sword. It only needs Aiwass to complete the Red-Handled Sword for it to revive; it's a "knight who doesn't exist in history," "self-considered round table knight" Paladin-type Phantom Demon.

Although its combat style also wasn't closely tied to illusions, at least the belief in being a knight somehow lined up with the Swan King.

"Of course not."

Aiwass shook his head: "You know... that Paladin is a tank Knight, and also a Healer Knight. Not related to this at all."

"Indeed."

Alai nodded approvingly. Probably only Alai understood Aiwass's words.

Feeling Alai's chin resting on his shoulder, reluctantly eyeing the Celestial Marshal shard, Aiwass, not in a good mood, picked up the book and gently tapped Alai's head: "Just wait patiently for the Blood Celestial Marshal's shard."

"I'm greedy."

"You are not the Great Sin Beast of Greed. No need to be so greedy."

"Then what do you plan to do with it?"

Alai curiously asked: "Exchange it for rewards with the Pillar God? If you pay some price, you could find someone to forge it into a divine artifact. Or do you plan to use it to support a Celestial Marshal's ascension? The value of this thing could easily buy an entire kingdom of the Material Realm."

"—Indeed."

Unexpectedly, Aiwass agreed: "I plan to use it to buy a kingdom."

"...Are you serious?"

Alai was stunned, lifting her head from Aiwass's shoulder, and warned: "Don't forget, being able to see its attribute means the Serpent Celestial Marshal once possessed it."

"Don't forget too," Aiwass gently spoke, "Isabel's attributes are water and light. She even has the light affinity characteristic."

"...Ah."

Alai widened her eyes, her slightly opened mouth emitted meaningless sounds.

"Just right, the gift I prepared earlier doesn't seem appropriate enough. It's perfect with this...

"With this Celestial Marshal Shard, Isabel has the capacity to ascend into a Celestial Marshal. As long as her level is sufficient, she can ascend into the Dream Realm.

"— I think there's no better gift than this."

Aiwass softly said.

At this moment, he remembered the conversation with Isabel from before.

At that time, Aiwass had already planned to take the honorific title upon becoming a Celestial Marshal — he wanted to become the [Yao Tian Company]. It wasn't a wild fantasy — for he was bound to reach the Celestial Marshal position.

However, Isabel said at that time...

"You became a Celestial Marshal… what about me? Are you going to leave me alone on earth?"

Her bright, watery eyes made Aiwass think of a young deer or an abandoned kitten.

Aiwass had raised cats and dogs in previous lives. But later he stopped.

Not for any specific reason... but because these small animals have too short a lifespan.

What kind of soul-piercing memory is parting?

Just like when a lover passes away and everyone else seems like their shadow. After the pets he'd raised initially died, he couldn't raise new ones. Looking at them, he'd think of the laughter and chaos when raising those brats initially... and it just didn't feel right.

He still remembered the parting look... how it turned from tearful reluctance to hollow emptiness. Visit My Virtual Library Empire (M_VLEMPYR) for more.

Clearly, raising a pet was meant to fill the family gap, hoped to have new family. But it was destined only for separation again. Unable to bear a third goodbye, he stopped raising pets and loving others.

Wouldn't Isabel be hurt?

Aiwass had no doubt; if he ascended into the Dream Realm, she would undoubtedly follow him.

— Not even death could part us.

"...Then at that time, I thought," Aiwass gently said, "She must be very uneasy.

"She knew I would eventually ascend into the Dream Realm, achieving immortality... but she lacked the talent to become a Celestial Marshal. It's like dating an upperclassman in college, knowing he'd graduate and work in a strange big city, while she would struggle to find an equally good job in the same city. If separation is destined, the more love there is, the closer it is to the day of separation, the more painful the heart becomes.

"I believe, in such a world, Isabel would unhesitatingly give up her studies to accompany me. This world made her insecure; she couldn't bear such a long separation alone. I too wouldn't trust leaving her alone in the Material Realm... Someone as simple and gentle as her could easily be deceived. It's better she's only deceived by me.

"Therefore, I hoped to establish such a relationship: just like the Fog Sky Department was once a disciple of the Banquet Celestial Marshal — intend to grant her immortality first, then slowly help her find the possibility of ascension. Specifically, seeking Celestial Marshal Shards for her.

"...Now, there's no need to worry, a perfect and rapid solution. With a Celestial Marshal Shard matching Isabel's abilities, even if Isabel accidentally dies, she could achieve immortality in the Dream Realm. I wouldn't have any worries."

"That's wonderful..."

Alai whispered.

Her gaze also turned serene and gentle, clearly thinking along the same lines as Aiwass.

"But," Alai asked softly, "It's too late now to make gifts, isn't it? Are you going to give this book directly to Isabel?"

"No, there's time."

Aiwass said, handing the book to Alai: "Then I'll trouble you for a journey."

"...Where do you want me to go?"

Alai's mouth twitched slightly and said without patience, "Fine, just say it directly. We were once the same person after all... Suppose I also contributed a share to the gift."

"You fly fast and most clearly understand what I want; go to the Holy Nation and give it to Hebashia. Tell her that her daughter is currently with me—"

"...Sounds like a kidnapper."

Sherlock remarked from the side.