When the plot-skips players into the game world

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With the Sky Cavalry Brigade stationed on Glass Island, Aiwass could finally breathe a sigh of relief and settle down to study properly.

Since Meg had reincarnated into Ligeia, Avalon no longer needed to be in a hurry to resurrect Lancelot for the protection of the nation. Therefore, the queen also did not need to die for the time being, which indirectly postponed the crisis of the Shadowy Celestial Marshal.

Queen Sofia nowadays undoubtedly hoped more than ever to stay alive.

Before long, there would be a battle between Avalon and Star Antimony. And Queen Sofia's thoughts were similar to those of Aiwass and Ligeia... so long as it was handled well, this war could actually become an opportunity for Avalon.

But there was one prerequisite: ensuring that Avalon did not fall into utter chaos.

Those old men and scoundrels might all be utter wastes of space, but they still wielded power. Isabel, still somewhat green, might not truly be able to suppress them; nor did she have the sufficiently cutting insight to select the talented among the younger generation.

However, it wouldn't be a problem for Queen Sofia herself.

And during this time, she could take the opportunity to teach Isabel something... and have Aiwass mentor Isabel as well.

She had previously refrained from teaching Isabel the art of state governance, but the reason might have been different from Isabel's own belief, "I'm not suited to inherit Avalon." If that were really the case, then she would not have sought out Master Yanis to protect Isabel and to teach her the ways of the Transcendent.

By then, the curse had already begun to spread. Queen Sofia did not ask Yanis to protect herself, nor to investigate the curser, but instead to protect a young girl whose place in the line of succession was far removed and who lacked any adaptability to the Path of Authority?

"—It seems, Queen Sofia has actually been hiding a twig in the forest all these years."

After listening to Aiwass's account, Sherlock reflected for a long time before finally responding in such a manner.

Sherlock, now "dead and not yet resurrected," missed quite a few interesting things. So Aiwass made a special trip back to the bishop's house to bring Sherlock up to speed with the intelligence.

Except for not mentioning his own appointment as the Minister of the Department of Care of Magical Creatures, Aiwass told Sherlock everything else— even about Aleister being transferred under his command. Of course, this was to prevent Sherlock from idle probing that could strip Aiwass bare.

"Keep talking, I'm listening."

Aiwass sat on the sofa, sipping sherry, smiling as he listened to Sherlock start his analysis.

After Old Meg had brought the wine over, Aiwass had unexpectedly found it quite delicious. Now he had bought some to give to the bishop—ostensibly for the bishop, but he himself would also indulge from time to time.

Consider it as storing it away. Only occasionally would there be a bit of storage loss.

That being said, Meg's taste was indeed not bad. The wines she recommended did have something going for them.

As for her fondness for eating fried chicken and fish, it might indeed be because there really wasn't much else tasty in Avalon...

Sherlock had no wine. He merely clutched an unlit cigar in his mouth, his hands employing a rich tapestry of gestures as he spoke non-stop: "Her Majesty must've guessed early on that the sources of the curse were not singular, and that's why the causes of death for the royal family members have been so varied. It's precisely because there wasn't just one party cursing... the Noble Red of the Irisflower People, spies and assassins, and perhaps she didn't know about the Lohar Society, but the first two were quite enough."

"This is also the reason she's never revealed the identity of the curser—with the Eye of Avalon and Master Yanis around, it would have been quite simple to investigate if she truly wished. But that answer is something the Avalonians could not bear. So she could only pretend to be unaware."

"Fighting against one nation might still inspire the fighting spirit of Avalonians. But if they were to face two enemies at the same time, there would be no chance of victory." Read new chapters at empire

"There are only four nations surrounding Avalon. Aside from the Holy Nation to the west and the barbarians of the Northern Wolf Country, there are now only Star Antimony and Irisflower left. And with the barbarians already ill-disposed towards us, combined with the licentious Irisflower People and the shadowy Star Antimony, it could be said we are universally opposed."

There was no doubt that Sherlock was a true loyalist to the queen.

But this time, he was likely correct.

Because looking back now, upon realizing that Avalon could not easily lift the curse and could not avoid being cursed herself, Sofia acted very calmly and made several preparations:

She first began to publicize Isabel's hidden adaptability to the Path of Beauty, keeping her away from royal interactions and the center of power, maintaining her own purity instead of mingling with her siblings. Then she began preparing the Ceremony of Avalon's Shadow, plotting a protector for Avalon. She also found Yanis as a protector and mentor for Isabel, ensuring Isabel's healthy growth.

While Isabel's artistic talent was indeed outstanding, it was not enough to move Yanis's heart— so the only reason Yanis stayed in Avalon for so long was at the queen's request.

From this perspective, arranging for Isabel to go to the Royal Law University to interact with peers of outstanding talent, the future pillars of the nation; giving Sherlock who is loyal to the royal family preferential treatment; even giving Aiwass the position of Minister of Care of Magical Creatures, it was all for Isabel. It was all paving the way for her future rule."

As Isabel said, she and her grandmother always had a good relationship. But Sofia's love for her was not of affection, spoiling, and gifts, but rather in a more rational and far-reaching presence.

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