Chapter 1017
Found Sherlock… yet?
In a certain painting, Eivass and Arsen walked to the front row of a nearly empty concert hall, and then heard the noise from behind them.
Looking back, the seats two rows behind were already filled with various bizarre Phantom Demons.
Eivass was on the verge of breaking down.
If a person had quietly appeared behind them, and they could see them following at any time, that might be considered terrifying. Not to mention that their appearances were inherently filled with freedom and imagination… But if dozens of people had quietly appeared behind them, you’d suspect you were the one who didn’t belong.
Horror movies turned into comedies.
…Fortunately, most of them harbored no ill will towards Eivass and his companions.
Only a small fraction of Phantom Demons, transformed from paintings, would attack people on sight; more would suddenly emerge or transform because they inadvertently violated some taboo.
As for the Phantom Demons who came from outside… they were simply filled with curiosity about Eivass’s presence and purpose. They trailed far behind, “tracking” in a very calm and undisguised manner. Their commotion would attract other Phantom Demons, and thus the crowd grew.
It was perfectly normal for beings on The Path of Beauty to have abundant curiosity. The Fey were all like that—
For example, Queen Titania herself had already possessed Heavenly Envoy strength. Although she didn’t have a Heavenly Envoy Fragment… she was already so strong without one. If she could obtain her own Heavenly Envoy Fragment, she might even become the foremost figure under the Twin.
—Of course, this was limited to within The Path of Beauty. There were too many monsters outside.
Although Eivass didn’t know where these onlookers, these Phantom Demons, had come from, they seemed friendly and polite. Eivass couldn’t bring himself to actively drive them away or injure them.
So, he just let it be for now.
But just as Eivass was začínám feeling somewhat numb, he and Arsen rushed from a painting hanging in the hallway into another library world.
Eivass subconsciously began to observe the surrounding world, searching for “related paintings” more similar to the world described by Arsen. But this time, both Eivass and Arsen found it quite difficult… because they felt they were already very close to their destination.
However, it wasn’t until they passed by Sherlock that they suddenly realized… they had arrived!
This was the world Arsen had described!
Everything was exactly as described—Sherlock was relaxed, holding his forehead and lost in thought. Behind him were giant bookshelves, and in front of him stood two golden candlesticks, each holding a black and a white candle, one on the left and one on the right. And there wasn’t a single person in the entire space.
“Sherlock!”
Arsen called out to him.
He was quite excited and walked forward quickly.
Upon seeing Arsen, Sherlock, who had been listlessly propping up his chin, his eyes immediately lit up.
He opened his mouth to say something, but suddenly, as if he remembered something, he looked towards Eivass.
“You’ve worked hard, both of you…”
Sherlock’s lips moved slightly, his eyes reddened, and he stood up.
Arsen immediately reached out and hugged Sherlock, patting his back.
“All right, great detective. Look who’s here? I brought your friend to save you.”
In front of Sherlock, Arsen’s voice regained its magnetic, deep tone, no longer sounding foolish and naive: “You needn’t fear, not even in front of the Duke. Whatever you’re investigating, I suggest you smash it all and come with us!”
“Good brother…”
Sherlock hesitated, then patted Arsen’s back in return, and said to Arsen with emotion: “Without you, I truly don’t know what I would do… Don’t worry about the Duke, I can handle him.”
But upon hearing this, Eivass suddenly froze for a moment.
Eivass suddenly realized something and turned to look behind him.
The library was incredibly silent, and empty.
Apart from the dense, maze-like giant bookshelves, no “familiar faces” could be seen.
Those followers who had accompanied them for several worlds had suddenly and silently disappeared.
—And Arsen hadn’t realized this yet.
In response to Sherlock’s words, Arsen replied without hesitation: “I’m almost driven mad. I do have some adaptability on The Path of Beauty, but it’s too troublesome to walk in the Mirror Hall… However, I think the Duke isn’t too busy, you should go back quickly. Your Queen is about to get married, that’s something that can’t be delayed.”
“That’s true.”
Sherlock sighed, stood up, and walked towards Eivass, casually instructing Arsen: “Could you help me tidy up the documents under the table?”
“Of course…”
Arsen readily agreed.
“The table you’re referring to, is it this…”
As he spoke, he crouched down and pulled open a drawer.
But before Arsen could finish speaking—even the moment the drawer was pulled open, it suddenly exploded!
Arsen only had time to close his eyes. When the smoke from the explosion cleared, Arsen’s entire face was as black as the bottom of a pot.
Arsen looked utterly bewildered, clearly not yet fully comprehending what had happened.
“Yeeheeheeheehee hahahaha!”
A sharp, clown-like voice rang out: “You fell for it!”
The original “Sherlock” had, at some point, transformed into a slender, fair-skinned figure dressed in red, wearing a dark red wooden “smiling mask,” making it impossible to discern their gender. The only discernible personal characteristic was a wine-red high ponytail and a thin braid at the back of their head.
—Eivass had already anticipated this scene.
“May I ask,” the red-masked clown asked Eivass solicitously, “where did I reveal my flaw?”
“Attitude.”
Eivass smiled: “Sherlock would never address me in that tone. We’ve long passed the stage where we need to be overly courteous to each other. We basically just curse each other out, but if something happens to one of us, the others will absolutely go to help save them.”
“So that’s how it is.”
The red mask was ripped off, revealing yet another mask underneath—the face of an innocent, wry smile: “But, was it… just this reason?”
“You scoundrel…”
Arsen finally came to his senses, stepped forward, and was about to argue: “Who exactly are you? It’s not proper for a master artist to do this to deceive people… Where have you put Sherlock?”
Eivass directly stopped him.
“—If my guess is correct,” Eivass said, “this should be the Heavenly Envoy.”
“…Heavenly Envoy?”
Arsen blinked, somewhat stunned.
“Indeed.”
The Heavenly Envoy praised: “But how did you recognize me?”
“The Art of the Mask… my fiancée can also do it.”
Eivass smiled: “So I know a few of its flaws.”
“…Oh, I remember!”
The Heavenly Envoy was in a daze for a moment, then recalled the truth: “Your fiancée’s name is Isabel, right? I visited her recently when she was studying the Art of the Mask.
“But unfortunately, her affinity for the Art of the Mask wasn’t high enough. In the end, she still couldn’t possess the talent to ‘build a stage’ … but it was sufficient. At least she could put on a few private performances.”
“Speaking of which…”
Eivass asked: “Since you have Sherlock’s mask, does that mean you’ve met Sherlock?”
“Of course… or rather, more than that. He’s on my territory right now.”
Removing the wry smile mask, the Heavenly Envoy changed into an enthusiastic performer’s persona: “But—Gentlemen! If you’re looking for Sherlock, why don’t I take you there directly! Consider it atonement for the prank earlier.”
Upon hearing this, Eivass and Arsen breathed a sigh of relief.
Finally, they could find Sherlock’s soul…
Although there was some torment along the way… at least they had found the right direction!
(End of Chapter)
