When the plot-skips players into the game world

"...All right, I understand."

The middle-aged man with dazzling golden hair raised his eyebrows but calmly replied, "I'll be right there."

His face was as profound and rugged as a statue, with a pair of gem-like emerald eyes. Perhaps because of his elf lineage, he stood over one meter ninety, yet showed no sign of frailty. His spine was straight as a pine, his shoulders broad and solid. Merely sitting still, he was like a mountain, offering a strong sense of security.

Of course, if roles were reversed... it could also be a sense of oppression.

"What is it, George?"

His black-haired, black-eyed wife Nadia, who was beside him polishing their medals, looked up as her husband hung up the phone and casually asked, "Does our Grand Guardian have official duties again?"

"There's a clue regarding the Moriarty incident."

George Barton replied, "Do you remember Bran Boka?"

"The one from White Queen District or Lohar District? Sorry, dear, there are quite a few Brans; I might have gotten the wrong person," said Nadia.

"You're not mistaken; he's the same person. The judge from White Queen District, Vice Chairman of Lohar Society..."

The Grand Guardian narrowed his eyes and stood up to put on his coat, "He just turned himself in to me. He said that those who attacked Moriarty were sent by Lohar, and now Lohar wants to silence him."

His coat was a Pure White double-breasted trench coat with a stand collar, emblazoned with the mark of Avalon on the back—within a silver triangle, there was a green gem. Once he put on his coat, the silver triangle began to shimmer with brilliance.

He slid two slender Elven Curved Blades into his jacket, one on each side, and then turned the necklace he wore around his neck outward. It also bore the mark of Avalon, only the center wasn't just a green gem, but an eyeball carved from an emerald.

He gently tapped the gemstone eye, and silver light flashed from the pupil. Discover hidden stories at empire

His vision suddenly shifted—into a view overlooking the entire territory of Avalon from high above.

As his focus concentrated, the image zoomed in at a rapid pace.

Avalon, Glass Island, White Queen District, 113 Green Vine Avenue...

Finally, the Grand Guardian clearly saw Vice Chairman Boka who had just hung up the phone.

There was evident anxiety on his face; he seemed to be fearing something. He also looked sinister, despairingly speaking to himself.

By reading his lips, the Grand Guardian managed to understand what he wanted to say, "Being caught is better than being killed. If I can save Aiwass this time, my previous plan won't be a complete failure..."

And the Grand Guardian tapped the eye again.

His viewpoint zoomed back to the highest point.

Then, he refocused the image on the Lohar Society's headquarters.

In passing, he suddenly noticed something and abruptly adjusted the image to focus on Grand Arbitrator Meg, who was sitting on the sidewalk outside a pub, eating fried chicken and drinking beer.

The old lady, who looked ordinary, dressed in everyday clothes, and was so short that her heels didn't even touch the ground while seated, suddenly seemed to sense something.

She looked up and locked eyes with the Grand Guardian across time and space.

Immediately, Meg smiled brightly, raised her beer in George Barton's direction in a toast, then took big bites out of her freshly fried chicken.

She mouthed words silently, and George understood her message, "This place has good fried chicken. Next time you come, it's on me."

The corners of the Grand Guardian's mouth twitched upwards slightly, but he quickly smoothed them out.

He touched the gemstone eye once more, and this time the image smoothly descended to the highest floor of the Lohar Society headquarters, into the Chairman's office.

The Half-blood Giant was red with rage, the redness spreading from his head down to his shoulders.

His intense anger had him breathing heavily, and puffs of steam billowed from his mouth and nose. Large spiderweb-like veins stood out on his forehead and neck, pulsating visibly with his heartbeat. His pupils turned blood-red from burst blood vessels.

The surface of the desk under his left hand had slightly caved in. There he was, hunching over, head bowed, taking deep breaths, trying to cool his head and calm the endless fury—but to little avail.

The Grand Guardian of Avalon took a deep breath, and the silver light in his pupils faded away.

"How is it?" Nadia inquired.

"Pretty much the same."n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

George Barton replied, "That Half-blood Giant seems truly angry."

"Giants are always angry," she responded with a chuckle, "That's normal."

"Today is exceptionally angry—I think it might have something to do with Miss Meg."

George continued, looking down as his wife placed his pocket watch into his pocket.

Then he said, "She's also in Lohar District."

"Drinking?"

"Yes. Beer and fried chicken."

"You should also persuade Miss Meg that this isn't good for her health."

"Who can persuade her..."

George also chuckled bitterly, "Probably only Her Majesty the Queen could convince her."

"But Her Majesty the Queen will drink with her."

"That would be nice."

Nadia envied her, "I really wish I could be that carefree when I grow old."

"Then you'll have to see if David will let you."

As George spoke, he stepped through the door. His wife followed behind him.

When they got to the yard, they saw their son playing ball with his gryphon, Emily.

Seeing George coming over, the gryphon Emily flew over, making a sound like a kitten's purr.

George smiled and stroked her chin, then waved his hand for her to leave.

"Dad, where are you going?"

The young man with pupils green as olivine and soft golden short hair hanging down to his shoulders asked curiously, "Didn't you just get back?"

"I have official duties."

George answered succinctly, "To protect a witness."

"Have they found the person who attacked Mr. Aiwass?"

David Barton ran over with the ball and asked eagerly.

"They've been found," George nodded, "named Aleister, a demon possessed by a Shadow Demon... Avalon is quite dangerous right now, so try not to go out. If you do, take Emily with you, understand?"

"What?!"

Unexpectedly, David's reaction was extremely intense.

His eyes widened, "The one who attacked Mr. Aiwass is... Aleister?"

Seeing this, George and Nadia exchanged a glance. They said nothing and didn't directly ask questions.

Instead, George revealed more, "Yes, this time I'm going to protect a witness. To make sure he isn't killed by Aleister."

"...Then, Dad."

David hesitated, "Can I come with you?"

"Nonsense!"

Nadia's brows instantly furrowed, scaring David into a shiver: "That's a fight among Transcendents starting from the fourth energy level; what are you meddling with!

"Go train; swing the sword a hundred times, thrust the spear a hundred times, then go conduct lightning. Finish that, then you can have lunch!

"If you don't want to go to school, you can stay home to study and train, but slacking off is out of the question."

"I'm already at the second energy level, Mom!"

David said, somewhat discontent, "And I can already conduct lightning skillfully!"

As he spoke, a spark of electricity crackled along his arm.

Knowing that it was his father who had the final say, he looked at his father with yearning eyes, "I want to see... Can I, Dad?"

"It's not impossible."

George stroked his chin, then surprisingly agreed.

Nadia's brow furrowed deeper, "George..."

"It's okay, I'll be there."

The Guardian spoke calmly, "If you're worried, let Angelica follow him."

Angelica was the name of the gryphon Nadia was raising.

"I don't mind that."

The white gryphon answered from the side.

Her voice was gentle, "I'll follow David."

"That's great! Thank you, Aunt Angelica!"

David said excitedly.