"The ritual of 'Shadow of Avalon' is a counterattack ritual in itself, and it can only solve part of the problem."

After explaining the mechanics of the ritual, Shafiya pointed out the shortcomings of the ritual: "Objectively speaking, the damage caused to Avalon by the Star Antimonys manipulating Drost's assassination of His Majesty Sophia is actually far less than the damage they caused by letting the knights kill each other.

"As you said, knights loyal to the royal family are probably killed in the first place. Even if Lancelot I was resurrected, he would not be able to bury all the remaining knights with him.

"Even though Lancelot I is the founding monarch of Avalon, we are still in the moment. That Majesty is not a celestial priest or an apostle...... Even if he succeeds in resurrection, he is just a mortal, and it is impossible for a mortal to control an entire country with great detail by himself. He still has to rely on the knights and officials of today to rule Avalon. ”

Avalon is, after all, a very large and complex organization.

If the entire round table was to be killed, the whole country would be paralyzed. Even if a new group of leaders is replaced, it will have to be replaced slowly one by one, and it is impossible to replace everyone at the same time.

Merely defeating an invading enemy, thwarting the enemy's plots, or gaining the decisive power of an eternal pope, can only achieve "stability" and protection from foreign enemies, and still cannot solve Avalon's internal problems—Lancelot I can punish the corrupt and greedy minister, but he cannot conjure a better minister out of thin air.

"Her Majesty Sophia once said that 'Lancelot' is only a talisman to preserve the integrity of Avalon's sovereignty, and the last chance to restore the royal power that has been corrupted by Prince Lloyd. With that majesty's character, there is a high probability that he will not be directly involved in the rule.

"And being too close to mortals will only make the mysterious aura on this 'Monarch of the Dead and Resurrected' fade gradually...... And the rule of people from the past will also bring Avalon closer to dusk. So the future monarch of Avalon is still little Isha, which is unshakable. ”

Shafiya replied dryly: "Even if all the knights loyal to the royal family die, the remaining knights must find a part that can be won over." ”

They could not force a "more loyal to the crown" from this clearly betrayed contingent as a transition to the interim regime.

Because everyone has blood on their hands, it is impossible to tell from this.

And after hearing the professor's sentence that "the Moriarty family is the only family of founders who are completely unaffected by Lloyd's", a new idea suddenly popped into Shafia's mind, and it is still expanding, becoming clearer and clearer-

INTERVIEWER Can we redraw these ministers along the line of "whether they are willing to obey the Moriarty family?"

Professor Moriarty himself was a senior member of Lloyd's, and he could undoubtedly represent the will of Lloyd's.

It is only necessary to cut Professor Moriarty from the Lloyd's and the part of the leadership that obeys the Star Antimony people at the level of Lloyd's to divide Lloyd's into "Lloyd's loyal to the royal family" and "Lloyd's loyal to the royal family". Woo a group, warn a group, and then punish a group...... Wait for Avalon to stabilize and then slowly liquidate them.

"I remember that Lloyd's original vision was to manipulate the royal family through marriage, like Prince Lloyd's, so as to establish a system of government that was conducive to merchants."

Shafiya thought clearly: "Rather than being a dog to the Star Antimony, the merchant must be more willing to support Aihuas, who is also a merchant and will inevitably become a prince." So the main body of Lloyd's will inevitably fall back to your side.

"In that case, just remove the influence of the noble red on Lloyd's, and let the 'financiers' support Isabel again. The knights would have to be forced to side with Isabel. The knights who were manipulated by the Star Antimony will be exposed.

"Even if all these people are hanged, there will be no resistance or fear in all of Avalon...... Cohesion can even be further strengthened. Because they are essentially using other people's lives as bargaining chips for their own benefit. ”

And Iwass and Isabel are a couple who can trust each other, so as long as Iwass becomes the prince, it also means that the power is returned to Isabel's side in disguise......

The more Shafiya thought about it, the brighter her eyes became. The more she looked at Ewas, the more she rejoiced.

Ivas only sighed silently, and glanced at Isabelle.

…… No doubt.

Before Shafia knew it, she was already under the control of Professor Moriarty.

York lawyers have described Professor Moriarty as having "a spider-silk intellect", and for the first time, Ivas was there to witness how he did it.

From vigilance, to trust, to hostility, to relaxation, to peacemaking, to coexistence...... Professor Moriarty said almost nothing, nor did he use any supernatural abilities. With just a few words, he brought Shafiya to his side.

Shafiya, who was originally anxious and nervous, was unconsciously injected with confidence and calmed her restless. She had wanted to flee with Isabel to the church...... Now he doesn't think about that kind of thing at all, and even starts to think about "what will happen after the success of Avalon's Shadow".

Ivus could understand why she was the way she was.

Professor Moriarty induces her to develop a logic of "no matter what" and creates a sense of security with a lethal attraction.

- Shafiya went to snatch the queen's body this time, if the Shadow of Avalon ceremony was successfully activated, then Avalon would be directly reborn in blood; Even if she fails and is killed, Isabel still has a chance to recover with the support of the Moriarty family; Even if she was dragged and protected by old Moriarty, Isabelle's side would not be chased and caught.

In short, it is to be able to make her "feel at ease".

After realizing this, even if Shafia hadn't recovered the body at all, the whole person had already relaxed and completely sided with Professor Moriarty.

"I have an idea here, Lady Shafiya."

Ivus spoke suddenly.

Even if you know that if you speak at this time, it is equivalent to sending information to your adoptive father...... Ivas could only meddle head-on.

After all, he couldn't really watch Shafiya run back to her death.

Hearing this, Shafia and Moriarty Sr. both looked at Ehuas.

And Ivas spoke: "There is a high probability that there is a trap on the Queen's body...... But it's not for this reason that I want to stop you, it's because I know that if you go back like this, you won't get the Queen's blood 100 percent.

"The reason is simple, according to your statement...... There was at least one fifth-level necromancer on the other side of the Silver and Tin Temple watching the Queen's remains. Once you reveal your intentions, he will desecrate and contaminate the body faster than you can collect blood. ”

“…… That is true. ”

Shafiya nodded a little unwillingly.

In fact, she also knew in her heart that the chances of this matter were slim, and even rationally speaking, she even thought that the queen's body had been contaminated...... But she couldn't help it.

- Without resurrecting Lancelot I, how will they win back these Founders and expel these transcendents?

Even if they were lucky enough to win and barely defeat these people...... But the number of fifth-level transcendents left in Star Antimony is still several times that of Avalon.

After all, after Meg's death, Avalon lost the ability to fight back.

- Moreover, if this ritual is not completed, won't the royal family who were cursed to death die in vain?

Now it's just one last step!

"But, Ms. Shafiya. Don't forget to ......"

"Because they want to replace 'Isabel', the Queen's funeral will inevitably take place in seven days. So if they don't realize that your target is the body, they won't destroy the queen's body right away. In other words, they will always leave the body there as a trap and bait. ”

“…… But as long as I try to fight for the remains, there are bound to be traces. ”

Shafiya shook her head.

"So," replied Ivus calmly, "our real target is not the Queen's body. Just make them think that we want to fight for the remains. That way their attention will be focused there.

"And we can complete the Shadow of Avalon ritual in other ways."

Hearing this, Shafiya was slightly stunned.

Soon, her pupils tightened slightly in surprise.

She realized what Ivus meant.

- How can I activate the Shadow of Avalon ritual without taking blood from the Queen?

Then there's only one way.

That is...... Assassination of John Du Lac.

Aside from Isabel, the last member of Avalon's royal family. Aunt Isabel's widow was a two-year-old baby who was breastfed by a nursing mother in a side hall.

Shafiya subconsciously glanced at Isabelle, and then looked at Ivus with some trepidation.

What scares her the most is ...... For a moment, she thought that Ehuas's plan was the most correct and effective.

"As a courtier who has sworn allegiance, you cannot do anything to the royal family. Therefore, all the crimes will be borne by me - I will be the one who did it, and you will be responsible for diverting them and helping me to delay time.

"I don't need to sneak in, I can accept Minister Drost's invitation and walk in in the open.

"If you can, I'd like you to rescue Sherlock, who was trapped somewhere in order to report to the Queen. If I can't get out, he can contact you in my place. ”

Ivas said word for word: "Let's act at once, while Diomedes is not far away." I can still catch up. ”

Shafiya's expression was a little complicated: "This matter has nothing to do with you......"

Ivas shook his head: "For the sake of Isabel, I will do whatever it takes.

"I will finally witness the Shadow of Avalon ritual as a sinner and murderer. Accept His Majesty Lancelot's judgment on me. And I'm ready to die for it. As for that traitor...... I hope you will leave it to me to be executed personally.

"I want to kill him no matter what."

- It's all true.

Ivas was indeed ready to die, otherwise he would not have been able to fool Shafiya.

It's just that it wasn't "Lancelot's trial", but was killed by the impact of Shadow Heaven's arrival.

Shafia finally realized the extremes of Ivus, and couldn't help but gasp.

No wonder...... At a young age, Eivus was able to reach the third energy level.

As long as the purpose is purely altruistic, even if the cost is not "self-harm", it is also a criterion for the path of dedication.

Add to that the willingness and sacrifice of your sins......

This is the believer in the "God of Sin."

It's crazy......

Shafiya was speechless for a moment.

When Ivas finished speaking, there was silence in the living room.

"Ivas ......"

Suddenly, Isabel grabbed Ivus's arm tightly.

She was so hard that she could even say she was choking Ivus's flesh. Then, she grabbed Ivus's face again.

Isabel was extremely determined, but lowered her voice and said word by word: "No matter what you do, I want to believe that you are for me."

"Whatever you do, I will be with you.

"Whatever your great sins may be, I will bear them with you......"

She stared into Ivus's eyes: "So ......"

Ivus was stunned for a moment.

Because from the bottom of Isabel's pupils, he only saw pure seriousness and sincerity.

He wasn't sure what Isabel was playing...... Or take the opportunity to say the truth that I am usually shy and afraid to say.

"—So, don't worry."

The girl replied earnestly.

She took off the silver necklace that hung around her neck and put her feet on Ivus.

Shafiya looked at all this with a complicated expression.

She knew it was a sacred necklace known as "Isolde's Tears" with a teardrop-shaped emerald pendant.

It has the power to bring the wearer back to life, and is a transcendent item for Isabel to save her life. It is not an exaggeration to say that it is priceless.

Since Isabel gave it to Ivus, it means that she has acquiesced to Ivus's plan.

"—I don't think it's a sin, but at best it's a necessary evil."

Old Moriarty on the side suddenly spoke at this moment.

He asked seriously and solemnly, "After all, isn't this the original sin of the Star Antimony people?"

If their plan succeeds, Prince John will eventually die. Therefore, we use Little John to resist the protection of the Star Antimony people, which can only be regarded as predating his death. Wasn't it the Star Antimony Man who put his life on the precipice first? ”

With that, he took a deep look at Ivas and ended the conversation with a wave of his hand: "Oswald, come with Lady Shafia......

"There's nothing on my side," Shafiya put aside her worries for the time being, worried about Ivus's safety, "I'm more worried about Ivus's side." You might as well have Mr. Oswald follow Ivus......"

"I believe in my son."

Old Moriarty said without hesitation: "He is by no means a reckless man. Since he didn't say he needed it, he didn't need it.

"Go ahead, Aihuath. It's still too late to catch up. ”

Hearing this, Ivas nodded without changing his face: "I'll clean up, and I'll go."

Ivus's heart moved slightly.

It's good, it's finally come out.

The adoptive father tricked Shafiya into sending him to death, precisely to test what Evas's mission was, and also to observe Isabel's attitude towards him through Ivus.

And the same......

Ivas chose this utilitarian and ruthless plan that bordered on cruelty, but it was extremely efficient and executable, and it was also to test his adoptive father's attitude towards "sacrifice" and "pawn".

After all, in front of Shafiya, it is inconvenient for them to lie.

Therefore, as long as you open your mouth, it is at least a one-sided truth.

Now, with the promotion ceremony as the stage and Shafiya as the mirror, the real Ivas and the illusory old Moriarty look at each other.

Like a man standing in the middle of a lake, looking down at his own reflection.

Ivus finally got a glimpse of the truth beneath his adoptive father's mask.

He wanted Ivus to be like him, and that's why he said that.

This suggests that he at least did not see Ivas as a mere tool.

This is good.

It's just that......

"Premature death" is just a necessary evil-

This is the basic idea that the elder Moriarty could not hide. In the same way, it is mostly his attitude towards Ivas and others.

Got you.

Ivus thought to himself.

Seven thousand five, update complete!

(End of chapter)