Chapter 368
Alistair Crowley is Born
He knew the Star Antimony had a Crowley Family and that Chloe was an Eagle Eye assassin carrying out the “Blood Stopping Operation.” He also knew that the Iris Prime Minister was the leader of the Eagle Eye organization—
“We didn’t capture Chloe back then. And it was after Chloe went missing that Alistair began to be active… So we have to consider the possibility that the incident where ‘you were captured and rescued by Alistair’ was actually staged.”
After Edward finished explaining the intelligence to Eivass, he looked at him sternly. “Do you understand the significance of this intelligence now?
Her Majesty the Queen specifically pointed out that this matter must be kept secret for now. Because you are about to be appointed Minister of Affairs, and the fact that you were rescued by Alistair has already been reported in the newspapers. If the news that ‘Alistair is a Star Antimony spy’ is also revealed, people will begin to doubt your stance—the incident where you were rescued will take on a special meaning.
—And now the problem is, this letter is lost.”
Hearing this, Eivass finally grasped the whole picture.
But because he had provoked a bit too many people, Eivass couldn’t immediately determine who was behind the scheme.
However, from the source of the letter, Eivass could basically confirm that this matter originated from a Star Antimony plot. Because everything else could be explained, but being able to get the Crowley Family to stand up for it, and even getting a general to commit perjury, was most likely the doing of Count Leipzig.
It also fits Count Leipzig’s stance as a Child of the Moon to incidentally strike a blow against the Iris’s Eagle Eye organization. After all, the Eagle Eye organization is a pure and extreme anti-Child of the Moon organization, and their primary action is to assassinate Children of the Moon.
The only thing Eivass couldn’t figure out was why they would particularly preserve Chloe’s reputation…
“How did it get lost?”
Eivass pressed further, “Why is there this letter? And why is it in Captain Camus’s possession?”
“Not many people know about this intelligence. When we investigated this matter before, we knew the initial intelligence but did not receive the original copy. The original copy, sent from Star Antimony by the Iris spy, took a long time to reach Glass Island through naval channels. And Captain Camus only received this letter yesterday afternoon. As a result, the letter was gone by yesterday evening.”
Edward sighed, clearly feeling that this matter was very tricky. “Yesterday, he wanted to find Sherlock and asked him to help recover the letter. But he couldn’t find him after searching all day. Only today did he learn from me that Sherlock had left with you.”
But he still comforted Eivass, “There’s no need to dwell on whether Alistair is a spy. Because once this letter is made public, we won’t be able to prove that Alistair isn’t a spy. And as long as there’s such suspicion, it will become a means for people to attack you—it could even become a weapon for the Round Table Hall to attack you. After all, Mr. Oswald is not here, and there are even rumors that Mr. Oswald has also passed away.
If the guardian spirit is missing, and you haven’t been officially appointed by your father, even the Moriarty Family itself could be attacked.”
Edward patted Eivass on the shoulder. “But don’t worry, I will protect you. The letter couldn’t have been lost out of thin air; it must have been stolen. We just need to follow the intelligence and investigate.
In fact, Captain Camus originally came to find Sherlock, hoping that Sherlock could help him recover the letter. But since Sherlock wasn’t here… he had no choice today, so he came to me to confess this matter.”
Eivass narrowed his eyes slightly and fell into thought.
He understood now.
Since this intelligence had been verified by the Inspection Department, it meant that many people knew about this matter, but they just couldn’t obtain concrete, public evidence.
Within Avalon, there was considerable resistance to Eivass’s appointment as Minister of Affairs.
No one was foolish.
Eivass was clearly a fallback plan arranged by Her Majesty the Queen for Isabel, as the Queen’s lifespan was nearing its end.
Under the suppression of Authority, these knights had been unable to lie to the royal family, resist royal executions, or rebel against the royal family for centuries. They had finally waited for a new king without the talent for Authority—even if they didn’t intend to do anything, such freedom was exhilarating.
Who wouldn’t want to be a noble?
Across the border, Star Antimony and Iris had titles like Baron, Viscount, and Count… They also had their own land, their own knights, their own private soldiers, and industries. But in Avalon, they could only be called “Your Excellency.” Even the number of servants was restricted, and they didn’t even have an acre of their own land. The number of properties they could own couldn’t exceed that of direct family members.
Even accepting gifts from merchants could lead to investigation and interrogation by the Inspection Department. Before, there was the well-connected Lloyd Society, but now that the Lloyd Society had fallen, who would provide them with money?
With such a large family, they couldn’t possibly live on air.
Although there were still a few hereditary families with “knight’s spirit,” most knight families had changed their original intentions due to hundreds of years of economic hardship. The most significant change was the rapid expansion of merchant capital in the last century.
If before, knight families could still be considered wealthy, then after the arrival of the industrial era, their assets were pathetic compared to those of the merchants.
Now that the Star Antimony’s influence in Avalon had been eliminated, and the rebel Noble Red had been destroyed, Star Antimony’s attitude towards Avalon’s foreign affairs had significantly improved, and the merchants of the Lloyd Society had become docile. The Iris people, having taken the blame for assassinating the royal family, had relinquished a large amount of tantalizing benefits.
Avalon seemed poised for a resurgence in every aspect!
Especially since Meg’s reincarnation was still a secret.
The young Lixia, even with Meg’s Word Spirit, was clearly less intimidating than the “notorious” Old Meg.
In such a situation, they would take advantage of Eivass’s nascent power to curb his influence.
This was entirely a plausible decision for those in the Round Table Hall.
It wasn’t necessarily that many of them fully believed Alistair was a spy. After all, the intelligence was too detailed… far more detailed than what could usually be gathered.
But they could pretend to believe it.
Alistair, as a royal agent, was under the purview of the Ministry of Affairs. And if this letter were made public, even if it couldn’t prevent Eivass’s appointment, it could at least remove Alistair.
And Eivass didn’t have the Adaptability to the Path of Authority; at best, he would become a Bishop. And he wasn’t an Elf, so he couldn’t learn High-Tier Divine Art, making it impossible for him to become a Cardinal.
So, if Alistair, the enforcer, was removed, they could at least engage in a back-and-forth with Eivass.
Besides these wary old knight families, the new knight families who were jealous of the rival nations and the newly born merchant class might also make a move against what appeared to be the weakest, the Moriarty Family.
It was a battle against everyone.
In Eivass’s eyes, a crimson glow flickered ceaselessly.
I was just worrying about not having an entry point to influence the Round Table Hall.
—You’re causing me trouble?
The Star Antimony people would have to pay a price.
You yourselves have given me a claim to a family—Alistair Crowley, this is an identity you fabricated. It has already been substantiated… so you’d better accept it, don’t go back on your word later.
As for the Iris… forget it, they’re not my priority for now.
Also, the Round Table Hall of Avalon—
—If you weren’t so anxious, I would never have known how powerful the Minister of Affairs truly is.
Eivass narrowed his eyes slightly.
He said gently, “Since Sherlock isn’t here, why don’t you let me try? I’ve handled many cases with Sherlock, and he quite acknowledges my wisdom.”
He’s called me a “cunning, despicable fox” several times.
If they’re anxious, it means it’s genuine praise.
Eivass volunteered, “I won’t get involved in this incident; I’ll just help you find the letter—how about it?”
Edward fell into thought, and Captain Camus looked at Edward with pleading eyes.
Clearly, the captain wanted Edward to agree—because he really couldn’t bear the consequences of losing the letter while it was in his possession. Even if he was just taking the fall.
“So be it.”
Edward sighed. “I originally wanted to protect you. But perhaps it was wishful thinking on my part… you have indeed grown up, and I may not be able to protect you completely in an event of this scale.
But if you need me for anything, don’t try to be strong. Come to me immediately.”
The reliable adult instructed him thus.
I feel my body weakening again… typing takes longer and longer now. I want to ask for a day off tomorrow!
Please approve, my stewards—
This is the second leave I’m asking for this month. Coincidentally, I have to go out tomorrow to get a passport… I don’t know if getting a passport is troublesome…
