Chapter 253: Sherlock’s Conundrum
The Silver and Tin Hall was quite a distance from the port. If Eivass and the others decided to go see the excitement, they would probably need to borrow Gryphons to get there in time. However, it was very close to the Inspection Bureau.
So, Eivass wasn’t in a hurry.
The free time even allowed Eivass to take a bath and groom his hair.
Although the room Eivass was temporarily staying in was a guest room, it had been used by the deceased Royal Family before. There were quite a few such empty rooms in the Silver and Tin Hall. The room had a corner for bathing, and all it took was pulling over a screen.
After changing into a bathrobe, Eivass sat in front of the mirror. Lily, meanwhile, was behind him, tidying his hair.
Isabel sat on the sofa, watching them from afar.
Eivass looked at his reflection in the mirror and couldn’t help but frown slightly. “Should I just cut it off?”
It wasn’t a matter of whether it looked bad.
Eivass actually cared a great deal about his image.
It wasn’t simply about “looking good” or “looking bad”—to put it bluntly, Eivass’s looks were definitely top-tier. After all, he inherited his looks from his father, that commoner priest whose charm led the Noble lady from the Iris Flower to elope and pursue him. Eivass’s mature and cold demeanor also incorporated the gentle features of his mother.
Eivass’s emphasis on his image primarily stemmed from “purpose.” That is, what kind of feeling his appearance could convey.
His inherent aura was warm, like the sun or a fireplace. Although warm, it wasn’t explosive or harsh. Instead, it was static—akin to a very patient teacher. This was inherently a neutral feeling.
Eivass had also deliberately managed his image before.
To avoid appearing too sharp or aggressive, he had kept his hair fluffy and slightly curly. Now that his hair had grown longer, it had straightened on its own.
At this length, it was still shoulder-length and already appeared somewhat effeminate. Eivass clasped his hands, lowered his head, and closed his eyes in a posture of prayer—but it no longer gave off the dazzling impression it once did. It was like a blazing sun gradually shifting towards the moon.
For now, it was fine. But if it grew any longer, reaching his back or even his waist… Eivass might then give off a sinister impression. An overly gentle demeanor could create a sense of incongruity, making others wary of him.
Hearing this, Lily calmly continued to comb Eivass’s hair.
She casually picked up two strands of hair and, with exceptionally skilled hands, braided one of them. It hung down along Eivass’s temple.
“Does it not look good, Young Master?”
Lily asked, “I know what you’re worried about… but I feel it’s okay for now.”
“It’s fine for now.”
Eivass pondered for a moment, feeling alright. “Perhaps try a different hairstyle?”
Isabel also came over, leaning in to examine him closely. “I think it looks quite good. Why not keep it this way, Eivass? I want to see your hair longer… just to change things up?”
Her warm breath softly fanned Eivass’s temple as she exhaled, causing his hair to sway slightly.
“Then let’s leave it like this.”
Eivass replied helplessly.
It was rare for Princess Isabel to actively express what she wanted. For her reclusive personality, this must have taken considerable courage.
If he refused, he might shatter the confidence she had painstakingly cultivated.
Besides, he was already the Minister of Affairs, with virtually no further promotions possible. He didn’t need to care too much about what others thought of him.
Eivass explained to himself in his heart.
He was quite happy that Isabel could now clearly express her thoughts. Honestly, he felt the joy of raising a child.
This meant she was gradually emerging from her past depression and returning to normalcy… a normalcy he had fostered.
This Ascension Ritual had been highly effective in boosting her confidence. Although it was a trial, it was also a lesson. Perhaps only Sherlock hadn’t gained much from it.
But that was understandable, as his own desire for ascension wasn’t strong enough. Naturally, he wouldn’t engage with the true trials within the ritual.
However, he had ultimately succeeded in his ascension, which was a good thing.
—In Eivass’s opinion, this actually indicated that Sherlock also had a hidden affliction.
Although he had embarked on the Path of Wisdom, he had always hesitated deep down about his choice. He was probably thinking, “Even if I fail this time, I can use the Path of Authority to ascend,” and thus gave up easily.
The essence of this thought was that he wished someone would negate his Path of Wisdom. Or, conversely, he wished his chosen path could receive affirmation and support from others.
This might be because Eivass had become the Minister of Affairs.
Sherlock was an exceptionally proud and confident person. But he was still too young, possessing the characteristic anxiety of youth.
He had always admired his brother, Mycroft. Now, his close friend Eivass had also become a Minister of Affairs, at the same level as his brother… Isabel was also almost certainly destined to become the next Queen of Avalon. And then there was Edward, the Chief Inspector…
All of Sherlock’s friends and close acquaintances had become tangible “great figures.”
Yet, he himself remained just a “consultant for the Inspection Bureau.”
This could make him feel somewhat lost.
Eivass could understand him quite well.
Because Eivass once knew such a friend.
It was like an outstanding university graduate from a top-tier school who resolutely chose a profession that he loved but was completely unrelated to his major and had little future prospects—such as an idol, a streamer, or perhaps a scriptwriter for a game company.
Then, relying on his excellent talent and full enthusiasm, he became quite accomplished and famous in that field.
But one day, he suddenly heard that his former classmates, roommates, and good brothers had either become Yangtze Scholars, National People’s Congress representatives, associate professors, or chairmen and general managers… At that point, he would inevitably feel lost about his own chosen path.
This was only human nature.
—Was it himself that was wrong? Were the things he abandoned the correct ones?
Sherlock was currently at this stage.
Because his talent for the Path of Authority was quite good, even warranting an offer from Head Minister Meg to take him as a student—if he had progressed steadily, he would have reached the Fifth Tier without incident. At that point, as Meg’s disciple, he would have become the new Grand Arbitrator and Vice Director of the Arbitration.
But he had voluntarily refused that future.
Because Sherlock genuinely had no interest in the Path of Authority.
—If Eivass understood it from this perspective, Sherlock’s psychology became clear.
He was proud, standing tall. He didn’t want to give up, yet felt lost. So, he wanted to abandon himself, choosing to relinquish the initiative in his ascension to pave the way for Eivass and company—fundamentally, he was craving an actual failure.
At this point, a timely failure could “wake him up.” allowing him to pick up the Path of Authority that he had put aside. In that case, his Path of Wisdom would probably become a “part-time job” or a “personal hobby” that wouldn’t significantly impact his ascension on the Path of Authority.
But Eivass would never allow that.
Because that wouldn’t be “waking up.”
—Rather than seeking a reason to give up, he was seeking a motive to persevere. Like riding alone in a storm… even if his body was drenched by the rain, even if he couldn’t see the road ahead, he didn’t want to stop.
A person who truly wanted to give up wouldn’t be so proud and stubborn. They would find reasons for failure in advance to protect themselves.
Eivass had helped him ascend this time, but it hadn’t solved the problem. Sherlock still harbored doubts in his heart.
Hopefully, this journey would resolve his inner conflict. Eivass sighed inwardly.
Princess Isabel was starting to grow; it wouldn’t do for you, her senior, to regress…
Eivass came back to his senses, touched the strand of hair Lily had braided into a small pigtail by his left ear, and smiled wryly—this is worse than just giving me a side ponytail. He thought.
After his bath, Eivass put on his formal attire as the Minister of Affairs for the first time. Wearing his hat, he followed Isabel out.
—This time, Eivass wasn’t using a wheelchair.
Just like Isabel and Sherlock—he, too, had to gradually let go of things that made him feel convenient.
Perhaps his over-reliance on the wheelchair and his current hairstyle indicated some deficiency.
What was he lacking… was it confidence?
Walking slowly behind Isabel, who was bouncing excitedly, Eivass lowered his gaze slightly, lost in thought.
All along, he had believed himself to be a fully realized individual whose growth was complete.
But now, looking back… was that really the case?
Before this matter, Sherlock also believed himself to be complete.
Or perhaps, it was simply not yet time for change and awakening…
Following behind Eivass, Lily looked at him and also showed a faintly relieved smile.
