The bishop's home was not at all luxurious. The only thing noteworthy was its location in the Red Queen District.
But it was very small, even smaller than the villa Aiwass lived in at school. It had only two floors and three bedrooms. They entered through the front door and proceeded to the living room, and "Mrs. Mina's Fortune Telling Shop" was located at the back door on the first floor, connected to the living room as well.
"Would you like to add anything?"
Mrs. Mina composed herself and had Lily sit beside Aiwass before asking them both.
"Just milk is fine," Aiwass replied.
"I also want milk... and a bit of honey," Lily whispered.
While waiting for the milk tea, Bishop Mathers let out a sigh, "Your father was once my student, but Professor Moriarty has also been kind to me. So, I was actually torn for a while about whether or not to tell you about your lineage, wondering if doing so would be unfair to your adoptive father...
"But since you've been attacked by the Demon Scholar multiple times, I think it's time to make things clear.
"Your parents were cursed to death by the Demon Scholar, related to the case of Jack the Ripper ten years ago. The perpetrator is very likely the mentor of Jack, with the Hook Demon as his contracted demon."
Mathers's voice was a bit hoarse: "At that time, the entire Alexander Family was cursed, and many died from this unknown curse. He came to me for help... and I was not at the Cathedral of Candle Master that particular morning."
As he spoke, he glanced at the deep red key hanging on Aiwass's wheelchair: "You should know by now that a Holy Sword is sealed inside this key. But I have to tell you that the sword is cursed, with a very high curse strength.
"The night before, the curse within it accidentally leaked. In order not to let innocent civilians suffer, I took it to a deserted warehouse, far from the populace, and sought the help of several Arbiters to seal it. By the time I had finished and returned, it was already one o'clock in the afternoon.
"By then, it was already too late. Your parents had been killed by the Hook Demon, but they used their last strength to protect you. From that moment, you had no relatives left in Avalon. I seriously considered adopting you, since I knew your father, and Mina knew your mother. I had the opportunity... but in the end, I sent you to the orphanage. I'm sorry, Aiwass."
"That state of being dedicated yet heartless terrifies me. I realized that even a Transcendent of the fifth energy level cannot do everything, can be calculated by others or fall victim to tragedy by coincidence."
"So since then, I haven't tried to advance any further. If a problem that the fourth energy level couldn't solve, the fifth level probably couldn't solve either... at least that's what I thought at the time."
Mathers sighed, silently recalling the past.
Aiwass slowly drank the warm milk tea, deep in thought.
It was evident that the death of Aiwass's parents had also left a psychological shadow on Mathers.
It was from that time that Bishop Mathers began to lose the desire to advance and chose to slum it up. He later sought the help of Professor Moriarty and became a Clergy Councilor—acting as a representative of the church, not a Knight, able to enter the Round Table Hall and participate in meetings and vote as a councilor without an official position.
To date, there have only been six Clergy Councilors in Avalon. It's a position with a significant amount of prestige. At the same time, it also meant diverting a great deal of Mathers's attention, and he no longer focused on enhancing his extraordinary abilities.
"—Eagle Cape Village?"
At this moment, a voice that was a bit drowsy but filled with a cold tone came from above.
It was Sherlock.
He was dressed in light clothes and slippers, slowly coming down the stairs.
His hair was all tousled from sleep, and you could tell by the color of his face that he was obviously still somewhat groggy.
The not-quite-awake Sherlock said instinctively, "Isn't that Hayna's hometown?"