When the plot-skips players into the game world

Hayna's words startled Aiwass.

With her somber tone, Aiwass had originally thought that Sherlock had bit the dust early because of the butterfly effect... But after asking again, he found out that Sherlock had only been injured.

However, Hayna herself wasn't clear about the specifics—Sherlock had proactively called her because he had investigated the Sweater Brothers Association earlier, and she had already brought up the matter of Alchemical Bombs to Sherlock after reading the newspaper at that time.

But Sherlock didn't resolve her confusion, merely indicating that he was still alive, but she must keep it a secret, then he hung up the phone.

Aiwass didn't quite understand her explanation. So, his first reaction was to confirm with Edward by making a phone call.

"—Yes, I'm aware of the incident. It was precisely yesterday afternoon."

In the office of the Supervisory Court, not far from the Royal Law University, Chief Inspector Edward Moriarty held the phone in one hand while signing his name on a piece of paper with the other: "It was basically simultaneous with the attack on our side, probably also the people from the Noble Red Society."

"...Mr. Sherlock was attacked by an Upper-Level Demon too?" Aiwass was somewhat startled.

How did Sherlock survive then?

"No, that's not it—take this over to Vice Chief Asaad for me, let him do as I instructed."

Edward half-covered the mouthpiece and handed the signed piece of paper to the person in front of him.

When the sound of a door closing was heard, Edward continued speaking to Aiwass:

"...Hermes was attacked by a bomb. His rented apartment was blown up from the outside."

"A bomb? Is Mr. Sherlock alright?"

Aiwass was worried: "How extensive was the bomb?"

"The amount was substantial, basically encircling his apartment. But the person who installed the bomb was clearly an amateur. He knew nothing about demolition techniques, and most of the explosives' power was wasted, even conflicting with one another. Although the house eventually collapsed, thanks to the help of Bishop Mathers, Hermes is still alive."

Edward spoke leisurely, suddenly covering the mouthpiece to shout out, then quickly lowering his voice to say a few more words before switching back: "Yes, I'm here, come in—Though he's not seriously injured, he's still recuperating—Hello, Lady Oja. Minister Mil already brought up the matter of your husband to me this morning, and we are currently discussing the next steps for his sentencing and punishment..."

"...Are you busy right now?"

Aiwass realized that his call might not have come at the right time: "Shall we talk when you get home?"

"No need, only two more sentences to go. This is very important."

Edward lowered his voice: "Anyway, remember not to go to his house."

"Why?"

"Because the message publicly announced outside his house is that he's already dead—Yes, I appreciate your understanding, madam—Anyway, if you need to find him, go to the bishop's house. Butler Oswald knows the exact address."

With that, Edward promptly hung up the phone.

It seemed like he was indeed very busy on his end. It sounded as though he was handling the incident of a Knight's house being raided by the Supervisory Court.

Perhaps because there was an outsider present, Edward's words became vague. Fortunately, Aiwass understood him... the important message had been delivered.

Edward's "bishop" must be Bishop Mathers. Butler Oswald would know his home address.

Hermes's house was probably cooperating with Sherlock's plan to fish for information, and if Aiwass were to go there, it might even give the game away.

—Then I'll refrain from causing any trouble for now. Respect Sherlock's plan.

Aiwass thought to himself.

He confirmed with Hayna one more time: "Who else have you told that Sherlock is still alive?"

"Only you and Director Kent."

Hayna realized the seriousness of the issue: "Is there a problem?"

"No, just don't tell anyone else from now on."

Aiwass said gravely: "Mr. Sherlock is preparing to fake his death. The identity of the assailant is highly suspect—it's likely one of his relatives."

Hayna nodded repeatedly, indicating that she understood.

As it happened, Aiwass had originally planned to visit "Mrs. Mina's Fortune Telling Shop" the next day. Now it seemed Sherlock was hiding there, so he would directly inquire about the details tomorrow.

Hayna was somewhat uneasy, and in the end, she couldn't concentrate on reading for more than a few pages.

When Aiwass finished his classes in the afternoon, she did as she had previously mentioned, sending Lily and Aiwass back home, then took Lily to the Supervisory Bureau.

After Hayna left at noon, Lily secretly asked Aiwass what Codex Book she should choose when the time came.

Aiwass had said, "If possible, I hope you can choose a Codex Book from the Path of Adaptation. I have already prepared a gift for you. But it is still best to choose the one that resonates most strongly with you."

"In that case, I think the most suitable one for me would be from the Path of Adaptation," Lily answered without hesitation.

Lily obviously valued the opportunity Aiwass had fought for her to obtain.

Originally, she was a personal maid without a surname. Simply because she was a child born out of wedlock, she wasn't even allowed to study. But with Aiwass's efforts, she even had the chance to attend the University of Law without having to pay a penny, and she was able to enjoy good food and accommodation.

Moreover, Aiwass never scolded her. Even when they were alone, he was always kind and gentle to her. It was as if she was not a maid but a friend of his own.

—Lily also knew that Aiwass's legs were in fact not injured at all.

Because on the night when Secretary Raff was poisoned, Aiwass wanted to take a bath, and Lily offered to help him wash as usual— yet Aiwass merely smiled and declined her offer.

Lily initially thought Aiwass was just being stubborn, and so, concerned, she stood by and watched him closely without blinking an eye until he finished bathing.

To her discovery, Aiwass could actually stand up!

She had heard from Mr. James that there was something in Aiwass's shadow. That day was the first time she actually saw for herself what kind of monster was sealed in Aiwass's shadow...

So when Aiwass pulled an assassin out of his own shadow, she was not the least bit surprised. She remained calm throughout the entire event.

She only felt disheartened about another matter— Aiwass didn't actually need her to take care of him. His life wasn't as inconvenient as others imagined. She was merely present to play a role in Aiwass's act… Or rather, because Aiwass wanted her to attend university, he used the excuse that he needed someone to take care of him.

Lily was very astute in discerning Aiwass's true intentions.

—Since her purpose was to play a role, then she must focus on playing it well.

At that time, Lily stayed up all night, meticulously pondering the role she was playing. She thought about how she might be questioned under what circumstances, and how she should respond to appear most convincing. It was because she had thought up many lies in advance that she didn't panic when she needed to use them.

Although Lily felt that she had no talent for either the Path of Devotion or the Path of Authority, she was still trying her best to learn, hoping to one day return Aiwass's kindness.

Aiwass probably noticed her lack of talent and interest in these two paths, so he didn't hesitate to waste an important reward to help her choose the most suitable Codex Book, to carve out her own path.

A legal Transcendent of the Path of Adaptation in the Kingdom of Avalon—Lily, who read a lot, of course understood what this meant.

That is why she was even more reluctant to disappoint Aiwass.

—Since Aiwass hoped that she could embark on the Path of Adaptation, then surely the Codex Book that resonated the most with her must also be from the Path of Adaptation. Even if she had to change her nature and personality, she would definitely be able to choose the book Aiwass wanted. The gentle and quiet exterior she presented to the world was just the result of crafting an image that people would like.

With such thoughts in mind… the book that Lily ultimately chose was indeed from the Path of Adaptation.

It was a grey Codex Book.

It was about two fingers thick, nearly the thickest among these generally thin Codex Books. Yet, its weight was almost nonexistent, holding the book felt like holding a thin spider web. It seemed like it would fly away at any moment, and then disappear the next.

"The lighter it becomes in the hands of one it recognizes, the lighter it becomes. When not looking at it, remember to press it down with something heavy. A lead plate is best, and steel will suffice," Director Kent, with his tanned skin, black eyepatch, and a scar crossing his entire face like a one-eyed pirate, advised, "Otherwise, it might disappear on a rainy day, like a moth that appears and disappears unexpectedly at home."

On the way back, even with Hayna's escort, Lily was still cautious and held the book carefully throughout the journey.

It was not until she returned to Moriarty Manor that Lily finally breathed a sigh of relief and eased her mind.

She knocked on Aiwass's room door holding the book. There was no response, nor was there any light inside—Aiwass was not in his room, probably gone to play with Yulia.

So Lily went back to her own room with the book and climbed into her bed. It was only under her covers that she felt the greatest sense of security.

At this time, she solemnly opened the book.

The cover read "The Spider's Silk Continuations". It matched the book's first impression quite well.

Upon opening the book.

A soft, light, dust-laden, rustling whisper spread from her eyes, her skin, her mouth and nose, her ears, gradually penetrating Lily's brain.

The voice called itself "we". It didn't use any language, but rather an ephemeral illusion. Just like a fragile thought that arises spontaneously while staring at a blank wall, a thought that could disappear at any moment.

"—We are the hair of snakes, the footsteps of cats, the prison of moths, the noose of centipedes."

The phantom voice had a secret name called "Spider's Silk", born from the creation of the Grey Celestial Marshal, and its real name was kept secret. This book recounted sixty-seven secrets about Spider's Silk.

As Lily read more intently, strands of grey silk began to coalesce around her.

It was like a silkworm spinning its cocoon, as the Spider's Silk wrapped around the girl engrossed in reading and huddled up into a ball. Finally, a large, silent grey cocoon formed quietly on the bed.