Chapter 148
Oswald’s Departure
“…How did you do it?”
After examining Yulia’s condition and confirming that she had indeed recovered and the Phantom Demon within her had vanished, Oswald knelt before her, gasping in awe. “This is simply a miracle.”
“I believe everyone has their own little secrets, don’t they?” Eivass chuckled from his wheelchair behind Oswald.
Oswald had lived in the human world for at least five hundred years, and Eivass found it difficult to deceive him. It was better to be forthright and say, “I don’t want to tell you.” The message conveyed was the same, and it was a more friendly approach.
Unexpectedly, Oswald was quite pleased with Eivass’s answer. The old Elf rose, clasping his hands behind his back. A somewhat stiff but genuine smile appeared on his ancient face, which resembled an old tree. He looked like a wolf baring its teeth.
“Of course, Young Master Eivass. Everyone can have their own secrets.” Oswald nodded slightly, sighing. “You’ve grown up, and that’s wonderful. If the master were still here, he would be very happy.”
“What exactly did father go off to do?” Eivass asked seriously. “He’s been gone for so long. I’ve also heard some…”
“Unpleasant things, haven’t you?” the old Elf finished for him.
Eivass nodded. “I heard Father might be in danger. But he didn’t leave any contact information when he left, and I can’t confirm if it’s true…”
Yulia, hugging her stuffed toy “Mr. Dad,” tilted her head and asked in confusion, “Danger?”
Oswald sighed softly. He evaded the question, instead saying to Eivass, “You can take Miss Yulia to school now. I believe this is something you’ve both been looking forward to.”
“Indeed…” Yulia replied softly. But she asked with a hint of worry, “Did something happen?” The girl was very perceptive and intelligent. Despite lacking relevant life experience, she could sense from her familiarity with her family what the old butler Oswald was worried about at this moment.
“Because I have to go on a long journey, Miss. Avalon might be a bit chaotic during this time, and you’ll be safer staying in the dormitory.” Oswald explained patiently.
“You’re going on a trip too?” Eivass raised an eyebrow, then quickly realized what he was doing. “You’re going to find Father?”
“That’s right.” Oswald answered honestly. “In fact, I received official notification of the master’s death. But I don’t believe it—I firmly believe he is not dead.”
“Do you have a way to contact him?” Eivass asked.
“Something like that,” Oswald nodded. “As the guardian of the Moriarty Family, I can sense the approximate location of any ‘Moriarty’ at any time. If the distance is close enough, I can confirm their status.”
So, he had used this ability when analyzing Yulia’s condition earlier. Eivass understood. Oswald clearly didn’t know much about medicine or the Healing Ability of the Path of Devotion, otherwise, it wouldn’t have been Eivass treating Yulia. Yet, the old butler had only lightly touched Yulia’s forehead and sensed that the Phantom Demon within her had indeed been eradicated. This was likely why Oswald had been able to find Eivass in time when he was lured into an alley and sacrificed.
“I sense the master’s location has been constantly moving. Although it’s slow, he hasn’t stopped for too long.” Oswald said solemnly. “It’s possible his body is being transported… but that could even lead back. So I wonder if the master is being held captive and is being transferred? Or perhaps, the Professor faked his death to expose certain individuals and investigate matters in secret? But regardless, I believe the master is in a dangerous state right now. He may very well need my help.”
At this point, Oswald looked at Yulia. “But at the same time, I must also protect you two; that is also my duty. Young Master Edward no longer needs supervision. The Royal Law University is the territory of that Grand Arbitrator and is home to descendants of two-thirds of the Knight families, with many Arbitrators conducting night patrols. Therefore, you don’t need to worry, Young Master Eivass. However, only Miss Yulia… she was previously a Phantom Demon Egg and had to hide her identity. Therefore, she cannot go to school with you and can only use her poor health as an excuse to stay indoors.”
Oswald looked at Yulia as he spoke. She sat hugging her stuffed toy, her eyes wide open. Her eyes seemed to sparkle with excitement and anticipation. As she wished.
Oswald announced, “If I were to stay at home, I could indeed protect Miss Yulia, as Miss Yulia has nowhere else to go. Only I can protect her. But since Miss Yulia is no longer a Phantom Demon Egg and can go elsewhere, I must now fulfill my other duty—I’m very sorry, Miss.”
“It’s alright, Mr. Oswald.” Yulia said earnestly. “I really want to go to school with Brother!”
Eivass thought of another matter and asked, “Who knew that Yulia was a Phantom Demon Egg?”
“Even though the master has been consistently purchasing Hypnos Tincture, no one possesses definitive evidence that explicitly states Miss Yulia is a Phantom Demon Egg. So you can claim she merely had a strange illness that required Hypnos Tincture, and she has now recovered under the treatment of Bishop Mathers.” Oswald patiently instructed Eivass on what to say, though Eivass would have known these things without his instruction. “If anyone asks why Miss Yulia hasn’t come to school, you can say she is reclusive and unwilling to meet people. That way, your secret will not be exposed.”
“I’ll pretend to be reclusive!” Yulia raised a hand and said earnestly, “I absolutely will not expose Brother’s secret!”
Eivass stroked his chin. This meant that the fact Yulia was most likely a Phantom Demon Egg was almost common knowledge within the kingdom’s upper social circles. They had simply chosen to remain silent about it due to Professor Moriarty’s standing.
…Strange, did I overlook something? Eivass always felt there was something slightly dissonant here. If his foster father adopted him and Yulia because he had no biological children and needed heirs to inherit the family business… then Yulia, as a Phantom Demon Egg, theoretically wouldn’t live long. Why would Professor Moriarty adopt her?
However, Oswald’s temporary departure… could be seen as both good and bad. The good part was that it would be easier to lure out those from the Lloyd Society. Eivass’s fake death plan would also become more potent. But in that case, Eivass would need to find a stronger protector for Yulia. Edward alone would have difficulty protecting Yulia, let alone taking care of her daily life. Unlike Eivass, Lily could accompany Eivass to school due to Eivass’s special physical condition. This was a special approval from Her Highness the Princess. Yulia, however, clearly couldn’t bring her personal maid with her. Her maid had to remain at Moriarty Manor. When both Eivass and Lily were present, Lily could help take care of Yulia. But when Eivass faked his death, Lily would be faking her death with him—meaning Yulia would be left alone. Even with the school’s sufficient security, Eivass still felt uneasy about her.
At this moment, another figure appeared in Eivass’s mind: Princess Isabel. She should be able to help with this.
“When do you plan to leave?” Eivass asked Oswald.
The old butler replied, “As soon as possible, if we can.”
“Then Yulia will come with us. Since that’s the case, we need to prepare to return to school now.” Eivass nodded and turned to explain to Yulia, “There’s no railway in the White Queen District, so Lily pushed me there before… Fortunately, it’s not too far, about two hours of walking. If we find a place to rest midway, it will take about three hours to arrive…”
“Regarding that,” Oswald added, “it might not be so troublesome. Your current wheelchair was slightly deformed after an attack. Although it has been repaired, it’s still somewhat unsightly. Therefore, using your body measurements, I had a familiar Elf craftsman custom-make a new wheelchair with improved comfort and functionality. It also conceals a miniature pistol inside for self-defense and has a built-in Candlemaster’s Sigil for convenient casting of divine arts. It has been placed at the Inspection Department. You can take a car directly to the Inspection Department, have Lily retrieve the wheelchair, and then take you back to school. You can travel directly home by car afterwards; there is a spare wheelchair at home.”
“…Thank you for your trouble.” Eivass said with some apology. “But my recovery is actually going well. I should be healthy again in about half a month to a month.” Another half a month and it would be the final exams, followed by the second Ascension Ritual of Eivass’s Path of Devotion. Before then, Eivass had to resolve the Lloyd Society issue so Sherlock could emerge from his fake death state. After the ascension, they would go to Haina’s hometown together. Using a wheelchair on country dirt roads and in deep mountains would surely be inconvenient… so Eivass wouldn’t be able to pretend then. Coincidentally, Lily would also be accompanying Eivass then, and the Shadow Demon could be housed in her shadow. Before the end of the winter break, Eivass’s Transcendent Path would advance again—by then, Eivass would truly be free of the wheelchair. In other words… at most, the wheelchair Oswald commissioned would only be usable for less than a month. This was also why Eivass hadn’t requested a new wheelchair before. Although the family was not short on money now, he instinctively wanted to save wherever possible.
“Even if your legs are better, it doesn’t mean you can’t sit. Those elderly people who use wheelchairs may not necessarily be unable to walk.” Oswald said with a smile. “Sitting in a wheelchair makes people underestimate your threat; even if clergy with poor leg health are rumored to be quite charming, people will still see them as ascetics. Humans naturally have animosity towards the strong. But if the strong also have weaker aspects than them, it can instead turn into admiration.”
Hearing this, Eivass felt a surge of guilt. …He felt as if the old butler was hinting at something. And he might be hinting at more than one thing.
