Chapter 575: The Key to Breaking the Stalemate
After bidding farewell to Cardinal Cyril, Eivass returned to the Fifth Ring.
On the way back, Eivass fell into deep thought.
—What had flashed through his mind earlier was likely not a delusion.
He stripped away each event individually, analyzing each faction’s stance solely from the perspective of “What if Eivass ascended to the Papacy?”
As a result, Eivass’s mind suddenly became clear.
The tangled, tightly knotted threads of confusion immediately became distinct.
Pure White, having already solidified, would face significant risks if she assumed the Papacy. Scandals or dangers were risks the Holy Nation could not afford. Furthermore, Freyja’s research into solidification was now obligated to focus on civil technology as atonement for her crime of leaking “Tears of Time.”
This would undoubtedly prolong Pure White’s period of solidification… In other words, Pure White no longer intended to heal her solidification before March 3rd.
As a human, Eivass could not command the Elves, who formed the absolute majority of the Holy Nation’s populace. He also had no connections within the Church, rendering him unable to command it either. Therefore, the current situation would not change in any substantive way.
Simultaneously, with no Cardinal being appointed to the highest position, it meant that Cardinals who disagreed with his views and the Pure White Saintess could at least accept this “moderate” outcome. The Fire Under Control had achieved their objective—preventing the Saintess from controlling the Holy Nation for generations, thus weakening her influence. The Church of the Nine Pillar Gods, with its high proportion of short-lived races, would also be exhilarated, as they would have a short-lived Pope.
Concurrently, the Star Antimony people would be satisfied. As Pope, Eivass, in order to maintain the Holy Nation’s neutrality, would quickly halt Avalon’s infinite aerial bombardments on the Star Antimony capital and its key cities, lest the Holy Nation be dragged into the quagmire. The Iris people would also be relatively content, as with Eivass, an Avalon native, as Pope, the Star Antimony would not dare take the opportunity to wage war against them. Furthermore, the Iris people enjoyed watching drama unfold. And as for the people of Avalon themselves, there was no need to even mention their satisfaction.
As for other races… the Goblins would be pleased, having just struck a significant deal with Eivass. Even the Dwarves would be content, as the leader of the Elven Kingdom becoming human was an unprecedented source of amusement for them. The Trolls would also be pleased, as Eivass had relayed the elder Rabih’s goodwill to Isabel, and Avalon was poised to intervene in the Southern Continent’s affairs.
The Cardinals would later learn that Eivass had instantly mastered High-Tier Divine Art and could produce the “Sin Thorns Fruit” to alleviate solidification.
This held special significance for the Elves. The more conservative among them would attach even greater importance to Eivass—because the more entrenched their views, the more likely they and those around them were to solidify. They needed to tie Eivass to the Holy Nation’s chariot, at the very least ensuring he left behind a profession or a legacy.
Eivass meticulously calculated it all.
The result was that the position of “Human Pope,” a “precedent” that seemed to severely disrupt tradition, would ultimately face no opposition from any faction.
Even Eivass himself, thanks to the experience “gifted” by Cardinal Loki, had acquired High-Tier Divine Art, learned his true identity, and clarified his path and his impending crisis. Lily, inspired by Cardinal Loki, had grasped the future of the Spider Silk Grimoire. Freyja, owing to Cardinal Loki’s death, had also realized that further research into the Wine of Eternity and Tears of Time would inevitably lead to fatal consequences.
If Eivass could obtain the Papal Crown—even for a brief period—he would have the confidence of a Fifth Tier to contend with the Bear Heavenly Envoy or the Fallen Heavenly Envoy!
Currently, the internal conflicts within Star Antimony were far more severe than in the “game version,” making it highly likely that the Fallen Heavenly Envoy would descend prematurely.
Freyja would require at most three months to complete her atonement, after which she could research Eivass’s “Sin Thorns Fruit.”
With this sample, Eivass estimated it would only take a few months to achieve a breakthrough… and Eivass himself would also produce new fruits during this time. At the most optimistic estimate, it would take three months.
In other words… in at most six months, the Pure White Saintess would heal her solidification and could reclaim the Supreme Holy Crown, freeing Eivass from that position. At the very least, they could solve the solidification problem by ousting the Amber Heavenly Envoy.
At that time, Eivass would not have to spend his entire life on this gilded seat… but could return to Avalon.
With a bit of luck, he might even witness Isabel’s coronation—if possible, Eivass would not want to miss it.
—The outcome was that this entire event perfectly aligned with everyone’s interests!
This was precisely the Professor Moriarty-style ending where “everyone is satisfied”!
…Except for Bram Stoker.
That vampire author was probably the only unlucky victim in this entire affair.
The sacrifice of a single villain brought joy to the entire world.
—Wasn’t this the “Necessary Evil” philosophy that Professor Moriarty upheld?
This was also a form of “Moriarty Style.”
And the trigger for all these changes… stemmed from Cardinal Loki’s attack on Eivass!
It stemmed from the Death of Cardinal Loki!
“…As expected of my foster father’s mentor.”
Eivass marveled, realizing his initial underestimation of the man.
These deep-minded old foxes, each with their long-held plans and preemptive moves. It was like a game that had been running for a long time and possessed immense depth; the advantages of veteran players were far too great compared to newcomers.
Fortunately, he had now contacted the Lord of Scales and Feathers—
The goal was to directly change the world situation by creating the “Warrior” profession!
And to achieve this, the Bear Heavenly Envoy had to be eliminated!
Eivass’s resolve hardened once more.
The Lord of Scales and Feathers had granted Eivass the privilege of a solo ritual. Eivass did not need to rely on Hengwo’s power to enter the dream, nor did he need to specifically wait for the new moon or full moon.
This meant Eivass could begin the ritual tonight.
However, Eivass did not forget that the true purpose of this plan was to lure the Bear Heavenly Envoy into attacking him.
If he were to start the ritual immediately upon returning, the Bear Heavenly Envoy would undoubtedly sense something was wrong—as this was not a normal ritual day. And to perform the Eclipse Ritual, the protection of the Pillar Gods was required. While this would simplify Eivass’s Ascension Ritual, it would also delay the birth of the “Warrior” profession.
To avoid arousing the Bear Heavenly Envoy’s suspicion, Eivass chose to lie low.
Like an “assassin,” a “hunter”—quietly waiting for the moment the Bear Heavenly Envoy let down his guard.
The specific time would be the last day of this month.
The day of the New Moon Ritual.
Less than ten days remained.
—In ten days, a heavy blow would be struck against the Bear Heavenly Envoy!
When Eivass returned home, Lily immediately greeted him.
“Sherlock replied.”
Lily said softly, handing a letter to Eivass.
As Eivass took the letter, he looked at Lily with a trace of surprise.
…Doesn’t she usually call Sherlock “Mr. Hermes”?
“How is your study of the ‘Egg Moon Grimoire’ going?”
Eivass asked casually as he opened the letter.
The corners of Lily’s mouth curved upwards slightly.
She lazily leaned on the table, narrowing her eyes, and gave Eivass a charming smile: “Very smoothly… my Master.”
“—Who are you calling Master? You rude little cur!”
An ethereal voice, tinged with anger, rang out.
Accompanying a gust of black wind, the Night Demon flew out of Eivass’s room and landed—almost crashing—onto Eivass’s shoulder.
Eivass had not brought it with him on this outing. The Night Demon was already somewhat displeased, and upon hearing Lily’s address, it erupted in fury.
“…Are you, Selene?”
Eivass also reacted, recalling the name.
“Yes. If all goes well, we will be separated by the end of the month.”
“Lily” completely ignored the Night Demon, her earnest gaze fixed on Eivass: “On that day… I wish to request my Master’s blood as a celebration.”
“I don’t have Shepherd’s Method right now.”
Eivass reminded her.
Although if he ascended, he might regain Shepherd’s Method. But for now, he would refuse.
After all, Lily was not a Phantom Demon, and even if she split, she would not be one. There was no need to waste his blood.
However, “Lily’s” reaction exceeded Eivass’s imagination: “I do not require your shepherding… I only desire my Master’s flesh and blood.”
Her cheeks flushed, and her pupils widened as if she were drunk.
She caressed her abdomen and looked at Eivass earnestly: “With just a little of your flesh and blood… I can hatch my own… our own ‘monster.’ This is a legacy from the ‘Moon Witch,’ the art of creation. Since inheriting this name, this power also belongs to me.”
“You… this…”
“—Viness.”
As the Night Demon was about to unleash more venomous curses, Eivass gently interrupted it.
The “Egg Moon Grimoire” was not about creating a new personality… but about manifesting and gradually separating an existing one.
This meant… did Lily originally have such a side to her?
Had she simply suppressed it all along, never revealing a shred of it…
As Eivass pondered, Lily’s expression suddenly changed.
Her body trembled slightly, and in an instant, she broke out in a cold sweat, lowering her head in panic: “I apologize, Young Master… I cannot fully control my body right now…”
“Lily?”
Eivass confirmed her identity.
“It’s me…”
“Are you there, Selene? You should be listening.”
Eivass gazed at Lily and said, “Your request, I accept.”
Upon hearing this, Lily’s expression faltered: “But…”
“The arts from when Hengwo was still a mortal… I am also curious about them. And the monsters created using my flesh and blood, I am also curious about.”
Eivass chuckled.
—More importantly, this was an “unforeseen development” that no one could have predicted.
Lily’s split, Selene’s rebirth, a moon monster constructed with the blood of a “Sacred Entity” as material… each represented something outside of any existing plan.
This was precisely because Lily was too weak.
Because she was too weak, too inconspicuous, she had not appeared in anyone’s machinations.
She might just be the key for Eivass to break the stalemate!
With this thought, Eivass unfolded the letter from Sherlock and read it carefully.
He could tell at a glance that it was Sherlock’s handwriting.
The content of the letter was also simple, though somewhat vague—
He stated that if Eivass’s affairs here were mostly resolved, he should head over tomorrow.
“—The gentleman we both know (the client in this incident) may be facing problems more troublesome than we initially anticipated. But do not worry, it cannot be called dangerous. At most, it can only be described as ‘unbelievable.'”
Sherlock wrote on the letter.
(End of this chapter)
