When the plot-skips players into the game world-Chapter 993 - 347: Return to Avalon

Chapter 993: Chapter 347: Return to Avalon

Aleister is not one to procrastinate. In this regard, she is much sharper than “Aiwass.”

Once she sets her mind on a goal, she acts without hesitation, with lightning speed—

She flew back to Leipzig with Leviathan, transformed back into Beyard, donned the black robe only worn by professors from the Spirit Summoning Tower, and boarded the ship.

Though she brought a fearsome and terrifying monster onto the ship, for Necromancers, having monstrous servants by their side seems not out of the ordinary.

Even facing more horrific monsters would seem reasonable; the only real issue would probably be whether Avalon’s customs would permit it to enter the country… But that was no concern of the captain’s. So the captain, happy to take the money, didn’t bother to give any warning.

The voyage from Star Antimony to Avalon takes roughly half the time it does from Holy Nation to Star Antimony, and Leipzig has a port with direct service to Glass Island. By paying extra for a faster new type of alchemy-powered motor vessel, one could arrive in less than three hours—Aleister would reach Glass Island before nightfall.

These private speedboats are built by nobles who maintain alchemist workshops. Not only are they extremely fast, but the artillery built into the ships is also more advanced. They are useful for transporting urgent travelers at a high price, convenient for smuggling the goods they need, and ultimately profitable.

In wartime, they can be converted into warships for transporting private troops… or, should the battle turn against them, allow one to make a quick and safe escape overseas, without being controlled or kidnapped on someone else’s ship.

Of course, the first-class cabins of these speedboats are not as luxurious as those Aleister rode before, and much smaller in space. But at least they are clean.

Aleister lay on the bed, which wasn’t exactly soft but at least dry, eyes closed. She gently stroked Leviathan’s sharp and hard scales, feeling the wash of the waves… Her soul gradually became serene, and the noisy chaos of emotions was slowly soothed by the peaceful journey.

At this moment, a thought suddenly surfaced: she wanted to chat with Aiwass.

They were originally one and had agreed to keep in touch. But with the pressing matters in Star Antimony, there were no urgent issues that necessitated contacting Aiwass… This made Aleister feel ever so busy, as if there was no real need to notify Aiwass.

Yet now, progressively leaving the territory of Star Antimony, she inexplicably felt some leisure— even if doing nothing, chatting with Aiwass seemed quite nice.

So Aleister, full of enthusiasm, got in touch with Aiwass, planning to share her experiences from the past few days.

But as soon as they reestablished contact, Aiwass responded with warm care and concern. It was like basking in the sun on a cold winter day, making one feel relaxed and languid.

“… Are you okay over there, Aleister?”

Aiwass asked with worry: “We’ve been out of contact for quite a while.”

“Now that you mention it, it seems so…”

Only then did Aleister realize that was indeed the case. She couldn’t pinpoint when, but she had begun instinctively resisting contacting Aiwass… as if various random thoughts sprouted in her mind.

But then she replied, almost defiantly, “But you could also seek me out, couldn’t you? Our communication isn’t one-sided.”

“Because I wasn’t sure if you were busy. If you were in a battle, or conducting a ritual, I would have disturbed you, wouldn’t I?”

“… Your words sound like those of a whipped dog afraid to send a message, my dear.”

“Did I lick it?”

“Of course.”

Aleister responded without hesitation: “But there’s no need for that—my entire being is already yours.”

“We belong to each other, Alai.”

Aiwass replied gently.

That warm and bright radiance, spreading through the connection at the bottom of their hearts, gradually reached Aleister’s withered soul, nourishing it.

“…Huh?”

At that moment, Aiwass suddenly let out a surprised sound: “Did you sense that, Aleister? There is something in the depths of your soul… something that shouldn’t exist.”

“What?”

Aleister instantly became vigilant.

Although she had helped someone complete the revival ritual… in truth, neither the Great Sin Scholar nor the Son of the Moon had profound research on souls. At least, they were definitely no match for Aiwass, who was currently in a soul state, and also possessed advanced divine arts.

“It seems to be a Mark of Sin. Let me take a look…”

Aiwass’s voice became serious.

He actively dived into a deeper place, and in Aleister’s perception, it was like the sun becoming increasingly hotter and brighter… just like the winter sun gradually turning into the summer sun, causing an unstoppable sweat to break out.

Soon enough, Aiwass completed the inspection, and his tone immediately grew stern: “Indeed, it is a Mark of Sin—Pride, Envy, Lust, Wrath, Greed, Sloth. Apart from Gluttony, you’ve nearly collected a full set. Apart from the Pride Mark as a side effect of the class change to Great Sin Scholar, I’ve never seen the other brands… What exactly has happened to you these past few days?”

——What the heck? Branded without a reason?

Hearing Aiwass’s words, even Aleister herself was startled.

Although the Mark of Sin is indeed a power of the Path of Transcendence and also represents the attention and importance of the Fallen Celestial Marshal… she didn’t want to be targeted by the Fallen Celestial Marshal like that!

Aleister hurriedly reported to Aiwass in complete detail all the events she had encountered over the past few days. She also shared all sorts of wicked thoughts that had flashed through her mind with Aiwass.

Aiwass of the Path of Devotion was, without a doubt, a doctor on both the spiritual and psychological level. Although Aleister was considered a completely new individual, she also had Aiwass’s memories… She could understand that at least when facing a doctor, it was best not to withhold details and make the doctor play a guessing game.

It would be too foolish to turn a diagnostic session into playing turtle soup with the doctor.

——Although it included wicked thoughts about Aiwass, this made Aleister quite ashamed.

After all, the emotion of “shame” also belongs to the Path of Transcendence. The saying “to know shame is to be brave” suggests that intense shame can indeed stimulate someone to change. Regardless of whether that change is for better or worse, at least it can trigger a more susceptible transformation.

But luckily, Aiwass had no reaction to Aleister’s frantic and taboo desires whatsoever.

He neither coveted nor mocked, neither distanced himself nor showed disgust.

He simply, like a truly experienced doctor, calmly reminded Aleister: “There’s something not quite right with the territory of Star Antimony, you should be more careful.”

“…Yeah, I’ve felt it. Ever since I left that ship and stepped onto land, I’ve distinctly sensed the restlessness…”

Aleister fell into deep thought: “Is it some sort of curse or a ritual magic circle? Like an alchemy array that covers the entire country…”

“It’s likely not targeted at you. I tend to believe it’s the power of the Path of Love being activated… Considering the large-scale faith in the Banquet Master throughout Star Antimony, this undoubtedly forms a kind of potential ritual magic circle, which could assimilate other Sons of the Moon into followers of the Banquet Master. Perhaps the Mark of Sin that has surfaced on you might actually be, as you previously thought — a counterbalance for the impulse of being on a path like ‘Amberficate’.”

Aiwass reminded him from his end: “After all, the impulse of the ‘Path of Love’ on you is at the Sixth Power Level. To overshadow such power… if you say it wasn’t done by the Fallen Celestial Marshal, I’m somewhat inclined not to believe it.”

“What?”

Aleister was momentarily stunned.

How did it become the Sixth Power Level? Am I not a Son of the Moon at the Fourth Level?

Sensing Aleister’s confusion, Aiwass then opened up his own self on his end, unreservedly sharing all his intelligence and thoughts with Aleister.

“The Tenth Source River…”

After briefly digesting the information, Aleister thought of the secret that Fenrir had shared, and unconsciously furrowed her brow.

Even now as she lay in bed with her eyes closed, her small face seemed to take on a serious expression: “So it really does exist.”

They did not know the real name of that Source River, that Path.

Aiwass called it the Void because he himself nearly fell into a state of hollow nothingness, hence he temporarily named it so.

“Be careful, Aiwass.”

Aleister voiced her concern: “I will try hard to overcome the instincts of the Son of the Moon on my end. You be careful not to become voidified.”

Compared to her increasingly intense situation, Aiwass’s side seemed to be growing more and more serene — if Aleister’s side was headache-inducing noise, then Aiwass was almost falling asleep. But he couldn’t really fall asleep because that might instantly lead to an imbalance in the path.

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The Power of Transcendence on Aleister’s side, in order to suppress the instincts of the Son of the Moon, had become quite activated.

She even felt that she had completely mastered the power at the Fourth Level and was steadfastly heading towards the Fifth Power Level.

If she continues to grow stronger at this rate, she would be able to hold the ascension ceremony by the middle of next month at the latest!

“—My pace is quite a bit faster than yours.”

Aiwass’s expression was serene, his voice gentle with a touch of divinity: “I am now genuinely at the Fifth Power Level.”

“…The Holy Crown?”

Aleister immediately caught on — that was clearly the “Level +1” effect of The Holy Crown.

At Level 49, The Holy Crown could directly elevate someone to the threshold of the Sixth Power Level at Level 50… Similarly, at Level 39, one could step into the Fifth Power Level through The Holy Crown. In other words, Aiwass was already eligible for the ascension ceremony.

—How long had it been!

This is the experience threshold between Levels Four and Five, where countless people are stuck for a lifetime!

“Shall we do it together?”

Suddenly, Aleister became excited: “The New Moon Ritual is in a week, and I feel like there’s a chance if I push a bit harder! At that time, we brothers can double up and start the instance—”

“No need. Don’t rush, remember to lay a solid foundation. Your first priority is to resolve the issues on your end… The chaos in Star Antimony is intensifying, and according to the worst-case scenario… the Ring of Ouroboros Ritual on May 5th might even be brought forward. At least prepare for that possibility, be ready to flee at any moment.”

Aiwass simply calmly refused Aleister: “Even without considering this, you still need to resolve the issue with Lily first. Since the Headmaster is willing to help… I plan to send Lily to find you, so she can join up with the Lamb first.”

“…No, that’s not the right attitude.”

Aleister suddenly became suspicious.

Having transformed into this form, it seemed she had also gained a bit of “women’s intuition”: “That’s not the whole reason. You don’t want to ascend so quickly… Why?”

—If Aiwass just wanted Aleister to delay her ascension, that wouldn’t prevent him from completing his own ascension ceremony at the end of this month. In doing so, he could at least enter the Fifth Power Level and slowly accumulate experience.

The Holy Crown is like an auto-experience generator. Even without confronting the Tenth Path, Aiwass’s Path of Devotion would make him quickly grow stronger. Now that experience was overflowing… This made Aleister feel quite distressed.

Yet Aiwass seemed to have not at all considered the option of “ascending separately” — Aleister particularly wanted to ascend together simply because she wanted to see Aiwass again. But Aleister knew all too well that Aiwass did not have such desires towards her… He now appeared to be entering a state of “emptiness and form are one,” and was on the verge of reaching enlightenment.

So, following Aleister’s words, what was he really saying?

But it was clear that Aiwass was not much of a liar. With only a bit of pressing from Aleister, Aiwass openly admitted: “Because of your promise with Isabel.”

“…Promise?”

Aleister was stunned for a moment.

After recalling for a while, she finally thought of the likely promise-related statement:

—If I and Aiwass have a child, the firstborn, regardless of gender, I will name it Aleister.