Chapter 467
You Are Not Eiv!
Minister Dross led Eiv to Queen Sophia’s bedchamber. Diomedes did not even enter, standing guard outside to prevent anyone from approaching.
The Queen had only been dead for less than an hour, and the room was still filled with the scent of life. However, the maids and guards had all been withdrawn, leaving it feeling somewhat empty.
Sherlock was, of course, not imprisoned here, as there were windows.
Considering that Dross did not want Sherlock to be found, he was most likely in the underground ritual chamber. To prevent outsiders from interfering with the ritual, the chamber was isolated from the outside.
Therefore, even if rituals or prayers such as divination or precognition were used on Sherlock, it would be difficult to pinpoint his exact location. Furthermore, it was underground, making it difficult to escape even if one wanted to. Setting a trap underground meant there was no worry of accidentally harming one’s own people.
Conversely, if this was the most suitable prison, and given Sherlock’s importance to Dross, he would likely be confined here.
As for leaving him outside, that was absolutely impossible.
As a regicide, Dross had accumulated immense hatred. Not only the ‘Great’ generation of Extraordinary individuals, but even the knights probably wanted him dead. It was not impossible for an Elf butler to suddenly appear and kill him.
Therefore, until everything settled, Dross would only hide within the Silver and Tin Hall. At least here, he had the protection of the Star Antimony people.
However, the Queen’s bedchamber must have had some significance.
Dross was a person of deep thoughts; he would not do anything without reason.
When Eiv saw Dross draw the curtains after entering the room without turning on the lights, he almost burst out laughing.
He could even be sure that Dross’s next action would be to walk to the tea table and turn on the desk lamp.
That was the table Queen Isabel normally used for her snacks and afternoon tea. It was also where Eiv and Yulia played cards and chess.
Isabel usually had her afternoon tea in her study, sometimes in the dollhouse, and occasionally in her bedroom.
Like other girls of this era, Isabel loved playing with dolls. She had her own dollhouse, collecting 1:12 scale miniature palaces and hundreds of dolls. From knights, kings, and princesses, to dragons, gryphons, and pegasi… as well as miniature wine cellars, studies, and a Round Table.
This was originally a dollhouse shared by all the children of the Royal Family, but now it belonged to Isabel alone.
And on this desk lamp was a “True Fire” used for detecting lies. Unlike the silver version used in the Arbitration Hall that exerted psychological pressure, this lamp was specifically designed to be deceptive. From the outside, it looked like a normal oil lamp, just brighter.
It was a trick the Queen used when inviting important ministers for talks, to detect lies.
Later, Eiv felt it was unnecessary… with Sherlock’s brother around, such methods were not needed. So he removed it.
… Clearly, Dross’s knowledge of its existence indicated that Queen Sophia trusted him greatly. Otherwise, the Queen would not have revealed this secret to him.
But this trap was useless to Eiv.
Frankly speaking, Eiv’s familiarity with the Queen’s bedchamber might even surpass that of Queen Isabel herself.
After all, Queen Isabel was quite busy.
Every day after she woke up, she had tasks to attend to. For instance, presiding over Round Table Conferences, discussing state affairs with Privy Council Minister Hermes, giving interviews, attending events, and meeting important people. Or she would practice singing, acting, painting, playing musical instruments, performing, and sculpting, constantly rushing around from morning till night.
When she was in her bedroom, she was either painting, playing music, reading some leisure books, or sleeping. She probably hadn’t even noticed the pattern of the bricks on the walls of the Queen’s bedchamber.
But Eiv was different.
He often snuck in and took naps nestled in Isabel’s blankets.
— Of course, he had his own room. But Isabel’s room had better lighting, and it was more spacious and luxurious.
Or perhaps, the blankets of others simply felt more comfortable. Just like cat food in another cat’s bowl tasted better.
And since Isabel was the Queen, it was akin to sleeping on the royal bed—it sounded very exciting, giving one the aura of a Great Duke. It felt exceptionally comfortable too. They had been together for over a month, and Isabel didn’t mind him.
After Eiv woke up, he would leisurely patrol the room. He’d steal some snacks, or check if any mechanisms or treasures were hidden by craftsmen, or invite Yulia over to play chess and cards. Otherwise, he’d chat with the Queen’s guards, practicing his spoken Elven Language.
He had even specifically studied the routes to approach the bedchamber window from the outside, and had even set up a barrier with the Queen’s guards outside the window… Eiv had even crawled through the ventilation ducts.
So now, when Eiv heard Dross’s words, he felt like laughing.
— Nobody knows the Queen’s bedchamber better than I do.
Eiv had even lied to the Grand Guardian in front of the True Fire. Dross was even less likely to be able to use it effectively.
Thinking of this, Eiv already had a new plan in mind.
As expected, Dross naturally lit the lamp.
“It’s a bit dark,” Eiv said casually, pretending not to know what he was doing.
But Minister Dross just kept a stern face and shook his head gravely, “You wouldn’t want outsiders to know we’re having a private talk in the Queen’s bedchamber, would you?”
“Are you afraid of that?”
Eiv retorted, half-seriously and half-sarcastically.
“You don’t know, Lord Bishop.”
Dross feigned a sigh, “I am now… standing on the edge of a cliff, in a precarious situation.”
“No, I know,”
Eiv said lightly, “I even know that the Star Antimony people plan to kill you after they’ve used you.”
The candlelight did not flicker.
Dross was suddenly startled.
He didn’t resist by saying things like “That’s impossible” or “Show me the evidence,” clearly having similar suspicions already.
So he was silent for a moment, putting on a dark and fierce expression, “Lord Bishop, where did you obtain this information?”
“Don’t try to scare me, Minister Dross.”
Eiv chuckled without fear, “You know very well where I got it.
“The economic situation of Star Antimony is worse than you think. They simply cannot afford the reward you are asking for… nor do they want to grant you a title or an estate.
“The internal forces of the Star Antimony Kingdom are severely divided, and no single faction can afford this price. If they were to offer it, they would be overthrown by the other two factions using public opinion. They want to control Avalon but do not wish to destroy it… therefore, Minister, you will be cleaned up by them after the matter is settled.
“I suspect you will be discarded as a scapegoat to appease the people of Avalon.”
The Cardinal said slowly.
Dross’s sweat dripped from his temples.
His eyes quickly glanced at the candle, and he found that the True Fire had not flickered.
“… Where did you get all this from?”
He could only repeat his previous question, but his tone was no longer as hard, but had softened considerably.
Eiv was not flustered.
He merely intertwined his fingers, smiling at Dross. His face was filled with teasing and amusement.
Seeing Dross involuntarily become nervous, Eiv interrupted him casually before he could erupt, “Do you know Emma?”
“…Which Emma?”
Dross’s heart skipped a beat, and he could only pretend to be calm and reply evenly.
“The ‘daughter’ of Red Phase, his personal secretary. The person behind Noble Red, and the liaison between Noble Red and the Rose Cross…”
Eiv said, seeming to smile yet not smile, “The avatar of a succubus, the world-famous superstar… do you want me to list more of her titles?”
Minister Dross’s pupils widened.
Some of these titles were secrets he had only recently had the opportunity to learn; some were titles he didn’t even know.
And Eiv not only knew these, but also knew the attitude of Star Antimony towards him.
This made Minister Dross blurt out, “Are you someone from Countess Emma?”
— So Bishop Moriarty is an ally?!
Eiv merely smiled and shook his head.
“It’s not that ‘I am her person’,” Eiv said word for word, “‘but rather… she is my possession.’
“Every day she lies quietly in my arms, her magic flows between my fingers, her fragrance entwines around me. As long as I wish, I can summon her anytime, anywhere. It’s just… hehe, it’s not very convenient to show you.”
Looking at Eiv, whose attitude was almost arrogant and whose lips curved upwards with pleasure.
Dross was silent for a moment after hearing this.
He looked at the candlelight.
The candlelight remained still.
— Is the True Fire broken?
This thought crossed his mind.
So, Dross, with the intention of testing, spoke in a deep voice, “Never mind that, Bishop Moriarty. You’re here for Sherlock, aren’t you? Unfortunately… that great detective has already been killed by me.”
As soon as he finished speaking, the candlelight flickered violently for a moment.
… It wasn’t broken?
Realizing something, Dross looked at Eiv with some alarm.
If Eiv was telling the truth…
Then Eiv was not just his ally.
— He was his leader, his superior, his supervisor!
Thinking of this, he broke out in a cold sweat.
It turned out that the Star Antimony people had long ago planted an even more secretive spy in Avalon… and now that he had successfully assassinated Queen Sophia and could no longer turn back, the other party had finally revealed his identity.
Looking at Eiv’s teasing smile, Dross immediately understood—his test had been seen through by Eiv long ago.
The True Fire was an absolute secret of Avalon, and Eiv definitely would not know about it. Therefore, he could only have seen through his lie.
“… No, please forgive me for lying just now. Sherlock is not dead, I just locked him up in the ritual chamber… Please, Lord Bishop, save me!”
Dross immediately knelt on one knee, bowing to Eiv like a knight paying homage to Queen Sophia.
There was no trace of the ease and pride he had shown when he saw Eiv from outside.
He didn’t care about his dignity at all, but earnestly pleaded, “I had already sensed it before… because the Prince’s gaze towards me was not right, which made me uneasy.”
It was as if he was looking at a dead man. This unsettled him.
And now, he finally got the reason for his unease from Eiv’s words.
— The Star Antimony people wanted to wriggle out of their deal! Play both sides!
This made Dross grit his teeth in hatred.
The Monarch of Star Antimony had personally guaranteed him. They said that the Star Antimony people would not be like the Iris people, who would discard someone like trash after using them…
They didn’t discard him!
They even wanted to make use of his trash status—
How hateful!
More hateful than the Iris people!
“His Highness Lucien… really can’t hide his intentions.”
Eiv narrowed his eyes, leaning forward slightly, tapping the armrest of the chair with his right index finger, and said calmly, “Your guess is correct. But how to resolve it depends on your sincerity.”
“I have one hundred and fifty thousand gold coins here…”
“Do you think I’m short of money?”
Eiv interrupted Dross.
Before Dross could speak, he continued on his own, “Of course, I am not short of women. Similarly, I am not short of power.”
“… Then what do you want?”
Dross gritted his teeth, realizing that this seemingly young man was not so easily fooled.
… Wait.
Seemingly young?
He froze for a moment, realizing something.
Countess Emma would certainly not obey Eiv Moriarty. When she last came to Avalon, Eiv was not even born yet.
As someone who had never left Avalon, it was unlikely Eiv would know these secrets known only to the top brass of Star Antimony.
At the same time, Eiv’s tone did not sound like that of a gentle and forgiving priest…
… But what if he wasn’t Eiv Moriarty?
Dross looked at Eiv’s meaningful and dangerous smile, and a chill ran down his spine.
The Amber Artisans could place a person’s soul into another body.
The Black Phase of this generation of Star Antimony were master Amber Artisans whose skills had reached the Peak!
— And one of the two top Extraordinary individuals who arrived in Avalon this time was a direct disciple of the Black Phase!
Realizing this, Minister Dross was profoundly shaken.
He wasn’t Eiv!
Then all of this made sense!
Seven thousand five hundred words, update complete!
