When the plot-skips players into the game world

——What if I am both?

Aiwass raised an eyebrow, questioning in his heart.

After recognizing Aiwass, Sherlock's wariness and aversion towards "Mr. Fox" immediately vanished. He didn't feel embarrassed about not recognizing Aiwass; instead, he admired Aiwass's disguise.

Sherlock exclaimed, "If I think about it carefully, you actually left many clues. Your understanding of poetry and songs, and that playboy charm... plus the Princess's obvious fondness for you, I should have recognized you earlier. It's my arrogance that I didn't—I clung too firmly to my initial deductions and dismissed other possibilities. My thinking was influenced by the Path of Transcendence, too."

After drinking, Sherlock's demeanor became even more expressive, contrasting sharply with his usual aloof reserve. He was cheerful and enthusiastic as he extended an invitation, "I have an idea, Aiwass! You're going to love this adventure... When you and Hayna are on holiday, it will be almost New Year's, and she'll surely want to go home. Why don't we join her and investigate the true cause of your grandfather's death?"

"Haven't you already figured that out?" Aiwass countered.

"That was, after all, secondhand information, Mr. Fox. You're still not rigorous enough, overlooking some details."

Sherlock, brimming with excitement and a childlike curiosity, along with a boastful pride in his own skills, said, "Only the Hook Demon, not the real Demon Scholar, could teleport there. I think your grandfather must have left other clues, not completely destroyed by the demons... After all, he knew those Demon Scholars and should understand their methods."

"——So, you're not interested?"

"I am interested... it's just that there's one issue, Sherlock."

Aiwass shook his head, "What about Yulia?"

"Then bring her along, you're a second Energy Level priest. And your holidays start mid-month, you might even be promoted again—the investigation of this complex case has made the advancement on my Path of Wisdom very smooth. I feel certain that by next month's mid I'll be able to reach the threshold of the third Energy Level. You, so talented, completed your advancement in a single day... You can't possibly be slower than me, right?"

Sherlock, his face completely flushed with excitement, urged Aiwass on, "A third Energy Level priest, what do you have to fear? Aren't you interested in your grandfather's secret?"

——You haven't had too much to drink, have you?

Aiwass finally realized something was off.

This twenty-six-year-old young man now seemed like a teen just discovering a fun new game, pure and happy.

If he had never embarked on the Path of Authority, perhaps Sherlock would naturally be like this right now.

Aiwass finally understood why he said he doesn't drink—he really shouldn't touch alcohol.

Although the brandy might have been around forty percent, at least two-thirds of that warm apple brandy in his glass were apple juice, and it was only a slightly larger than usual teacup's worth.

Sherlock had drunk only half a glass... could there have been even a hundred milliliters in it?

His tolerance for alcohol must be equivalent to toppling over after half a bottle of beer, right?

How could an adult possibly have such an outrageous tolerance for alcohol? Aren't you a Transcendent?

"...You should avoid alcohol next time, Sherlock."

Aiwass sincerely advised, "As for going to Eagle Cape Village... I think we should ask Senior Hayna, don't you think?"