Chapter 1046
Twenty-four hours
Sherlock’s reasoning was simple and clear. The essence of drama lies in unexpected fate, and a large part of human destiny comes from the fickle human heart. Because of this, it is possible to achieve dramatic effect simply by manipulating the human heart.
—That is to say, one simply has to do the opposite, which is to completely exclude the “human heart” part.
By collecting enough objective information, one can calculate the absolute truth. All actions are carried out according to the most rigid and mechanical patterns, allowing for no personal thoughts or distractions, and numerous contingency plans are put in place to eliminate all unexpected interference…
The “Void” constructed based 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 left, Sherlock.” Eivass emphasized, “The clock has already struck midnight—it’s the twentieth now.”
Hearing this, Sherlock was startled and realized something. The Old Duke, Annie, and Arsen, however, were all unaware of it.
Eivass turned to look at his “genuine grandfather” and “blood-related mother” and revealed the information: “Isabel and I are getting married on the twenty-second. Therefore, at the latest—I must return to Avalon on the evening of the twenty-first.”
“…This is a thing?” The Old Duke’s tone rose several octaves. “The day after tomorrow?”
Even though he was meeting Eivass for the first time, their blood connection was undeniable—just a glance, and he felt an overwhelming sense of familiarity and kinship. For an old man, there was probably nothing more important than his junior’s wedding—
Annie, however, seemed somewhat timid. She wanted to say something… but also hesitated and felt timid. In the end, she said nothing.
“—What ‘Child of the Moon,’ what ‘Swan King,’ none of that matters.” The Old Duke said without hesitation, “You go back and get married—this is ridiculous. You’re getting married in two to three days, why are you coming to a foreign country alone for business? If it weren’t for the fact that…”
It just so happened that they were family—but the Old Duke didn’t say it directly, instead vaguely alluding to it, and then angrily looked at Sherlock, “Is bringing this kid back more important than you getting married smoothly?”
“Sherlock is an important friend to Isabel and me.” Eivass said very seriously without any evasion, “It’s also thanks to Sherlock that Isabel and I met.”
“…I see.” The Old Duke fell silent upon hearing this.
After all, he didn’t know the level of danger involved in this “Box of Nothingness” incident, so it was understandable that he wanted to put it aside. But Eivass dared not—getting married wasn’t just about the wedding day. There were still a lot of troublesome things to do afterward… Once he got involved, he didn’t know how long it would take.
If he let Sherlock investigate alone, he might fall into danger. His personal strength was too weak, not matching the wisdom he possessed; but to leave Isabel and come here with Sherlock would be even more inappropriate.
Recalling it now, perhaps Eivass only remembered this incident now, or perhaps those Dream Traveling Monks who passed through the Iris Kingdom didn’t realize the Dream Realm was sealed, and perhaps it was all influenced by the Box of Nothingness.
As long as one didn’t see it clearly, one would ignore it; and if one noticed it, one would be misled by it. This was also a rather advanced form of “concealment,” and more effective than hiding in a specific place—it hid the entire matter in the blind spot of attention and memory.
“—It’s better to resolve this matter completely, so I can go back with peace of mind.” Eivass said.
“Go back with peace of mind…”
Suddenly, the Old Duke glanced at Annie and said, “And then you won’t have to come back, will you?”
Hearing this, Annie, who had been lowering her head, preoccupied with something, suddenly widened her eyes and looked up at Duke Iceheart and then at Eivass with hope, but then lowered her head again.
Eivass was not a blockhead like Sherlock. He had a good grasp of human emotions—from the beginning, Eivass had guessed Annie’s intention. She wanted to attend Eivass’s wedding.
But the current Eivass was Eivass Moriarty. His biological parents were dead, and many people who knew them were gone—at this time, it was inappropriate for Annie to appear. If she were to disguise herself as Eivass’s mother under the pretense of “previously being thought dead,” it would be even more preposterous. After all, she was not the one who had truly given birth to Eivass. She was not even married to Eivass’s father… nor had she raised Eivass.
Unlike the Old Duke—Duke Aragon de Vendome could truly attend Eivass’s wedding as an elder. After all, Annie de Vendome was indeed once named Annie de Vendome. But Annie was very awkward—she had only just met Eivass less than an hour ago. This made it impossible for her to make that request.
Eivass still harbored some resentment about this. Unlike the situations with Haina or Yulia, Annie clearly knew about the “Swamp Dweller” technology. Even the Old Duke, an outsider, knew about it. Considering that the developer of the Swamp Dweller technology was Eivass’s grandfather… she might even have voluntarily participated in that experiment, voluntarily separating another self.
Perhaps it was to challenge the “cold disease curse” in their bloodline, or perhaps she knew that Eivass’s father, Giulio, could not get the Old Duke’s approval, or perhaps Giulio was unwilling to leave Avalon and become a live-in son-in-law in the Iris Kingdom, or perhaps there were other possibilities…
But no matter the motive, this Annie, who had chosen to return to her hometown, had in fact chosen to part ways.
“Of course I will come back, after all, this is also my… home.” As he said this, Eivass’s expression became somewhat stiff. The Duke’s Mansion of Vendome 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 Eivass. Even the Silver and Tin Hall was not as grand and luxurious as the Duke’s Mansion of Vendome.
He also solemnly requested the old man, “I also ask you to return with me then, as… my elder, to attend this wedding.”
Eivass didn’t know if Isabel’s father, Albert, could return on time. But Isabel had sworn that if he didn’t return, she would consider him dead—Eivass wouldn’t doubt Isabel’s resolve. This Queen sometimes meant what she said. If he didn’t return… the Old Duke of Vendome might be the only direct elder for the two of them combined.
—All relatives up to three generations above them were long dead.
It was very trying.
“Although I haven’t left the house for a long time…” The Old Duke smiled with satisfaction, “But if it’s your request, then I’m certainly willing.”
Sherlock then interjected, “Then, Eivass…”
“—Of course, I will also solve the problem of the Box of Nothingness.” Eivass changed the subject and promised, “Give me twenty-four hours, and by tonight at the latest—I will solve all the problems.”
“All right.” The Duke of Vendome said without hesitation, “I will stay with you during these twenty-four hours. No matter what you do, the Vendome Family will fully support you. However, if you can’t solve this matter within twenty-four hours… you should obediently return to Avalon. The problems of the Iris Kingdom can wait a few months. As for the rebellion, it doesn’t require younger generations to worry about.”
—If it really took a few months, it would be too late. Eivass grumbled in his heart.
(End of this chapter)
