When the plot-skips players into the game world

Aiwass led Sherlock to St. Genvieve Chapel.

—Yes, the place he intended to take Sherlock to perform the ritual was beneath the Candle Master Liturgy Chapel.

Although it seemed a bit inappropriate and somewhat irreverent... according to Aiwass's understanding of prayer studies, the Candle Master probably didn't care about that.

Because the Mithra God didn't truly exist, and the process of completing the ritual belonged to the Domain of Devotion.

Rounding up, this was also a form of worshipping the Candle Master.

"...Do we really have to come here?"

But Sherlock was evidently uneasy.

Or rather, Sherlock, who had grown up in Avalon, didn't truly understand what "fabricating gods" meant. In his mind, he still regarded Mithra as a real deity or a heretic god.

"Because we are in the city."

Explaining, Aiwass guided Sherlock through the dimly lit stairwell down into the depths of the cellar: "Normally, this ritual requires a natural cave. Moreover, the direction of the cave must be carefully chosen, needing to 'face Aries from Taurus,' and it is known as the 'Place of Coronation'."

"Seems troublesome," Sherlock commented.

"It is indeed troublesome. That's why I needed to create a usable 'Place of Coronation' with this ritual space... which requires a sufficiently sacred place, here we need to isolate as much as possible the influence of the Path of Love, but at the same time it must be out of sight of Light, underground, and with enough space."

Aiwass turned around and spread his hands: "Then tell me, where else could I go?"

This was the church cellar used for storing ritual wines.

Aiwass had already reported to Bishop Mathers the night before... and Bishop Mathers had an odd reaction.

The bishop said, as long as you have the key, go wherever you want.

...Strange, when did I have such influence?

Though Aiwass was puzzled, he decided to complete Sherlock's ritual first.

"I know you're right."

Sherlock lightly pushed Aiwass, who was blocking the way: "But don't suddenly stop in the middle of the stairs. I almost bumped into you."

"Your slight frame couldn't budge me,"

Aiwass scoffed.

Hey, if you're going to say that, then I will have to try —

Sherlock raised an eyebrow, but chose Silence. After all, Aiwass was busily preoccupied with his affairs, so it wouldn't be polite to argue with him at this time.

Although he wasn't sure if the ritual could succeed, simply Aiwass's attitude was enough to move him.

And as they continued downward, Aiwass began explaining to Sherlock the esoteric principles of the ritual.

"Do you know about the precession of the equinoxes?"

"I have some recollection."

"Simply put, every year, when the Sun returns to its position from a year ago, there is a small gap. Thus, the winter solstice point moves westward every year... Although the extent is minimal, it does exist.

"It takes the Sun about twenty-six thousand years to return to its exact original position, hence twenty-six thousand years are known in astrology as a Great Year. Accordingly, one-twelfth of this... roughly two thousand one hundred sixty years, a new constellation appears at the spring equinox point.

"Human history has only recorded one Great Year. Before this Great Year began was the age of the Elves.

"We are currently in the Age of Pisces, which started about two thousand years ago. Preceding the Age of Pisces was the Age of Aries, and before that was the Age of Taurus. Some Astrologers believe human history began with 'Leo,' while others think it started with 'Libra.' I'm inclined to agree with the latter—because this era's Sun was incubated by Libra, and Libra is a metaphor for the Hourglass."

As Aiwass spoke, they reached the bottom of the cellar.

He snapped his fingers, and the cellar suddenly lit up—

Twelve differently colored astrological symbols lit up one after another on the cellar walls, mildly illuminating the dim "cave."

These were the symbols Aiwass had previously drawn on the wall using twelve kinds of metals and gemstones representing The Twelve Houses, dipped in twelve kinds of plant oils representing The Twelve Zodiacal Constellations. He infused his Mana into them, causing them to undergo Demonization.

To get these oils, he had specially woken up the King, who probably hadn't slept yet, and took from him the freshest and best goods.

And what also lit up was a black bull.

Golden radiance shone upon its body—that was also the runic light activated by Aiwass's Mana. The black bull's body was inscribed with praises to The Sun in seven different languages. Sherlock recognized six of them, the remaining one seemed to be the Ancient Horus Language.

"...You understand Horus language?" Sherlock was somewhat surprised.

"I asked Tutor Bard to help me translate it."

Aiwass honestly replied, "I can still copy it down."

...Well, that's one way to do it.

But...

"Does it really have to be this urgent?"

As the moment approached, Sherlock hesitated again, "Haven't we troubled too many people?"

"The person you've troubled the most is me," Aiwass turned and glared at him.

"I know."

"If you know, then shut up and stop being so gloomy,"

Aiwass said irritably.

A moment later, Aiwass sighed and explained, "There's an invisible requirement in this ritual, which is 'I must do it immediately.' When you hear about this ritual, you should act immediately. Aries represents the pioneer, the warrior, the youth, the fearless, and the survivor... So the success rate is much higher this way because 'the fearless pioneer is the most likely to survive.' Astrology that takes Aries as the dominant sign has this demand, the more impulsive you are, the luckier you get."

"How could someone who hesitates and doubts become The Sun, become Mithra?"

...I am not, I am not.

Sherlock was muttering to himself in his heart.

But he watched the scene before him intently, awed by this mysterious ritual.

Although Sherlock had no clue about rituals, sacrifices, and astrology, he could still intuitively feel the sanctity in it.

"Go strip and kneel inside that frame. There is a small space below, specially cleared for you. You can curl up inside it like a baby... Remember to curl into a ball, but don't hold your head with your hands. Don't be guarded against what's behind you,"

Aiwass commanded, "I'll bring the cow over in a moment, and let it stop above you. Then I will kill the cow, and you pray underneath. Once the blood flows over you, and when the cow dies, the ritual is successful."

"...Won't I be trampled to death by the cow? Or what if I get knocked unconscious when it falls?"

"Indeed, that's possible,"

Aiwass said coldly, "That would mean the ritual has failed. But if you are fearless enough, the ritual should succeed."

"What should I pray for?" After a moment of silence, Sherlock pursued the question.

"Anything," Aiwass answered, "Because the key prayer is with me, so you're free to do as you wish. You can recite whatever you want, or talk to any Pillar God, it doesn't matter. Even praying for a wife is fine."

Absurd.

Sherlock shook his head repeatedly.

But he decided to trust Aiwass.

So he did as Aiwass had instructed, and knelt in the small opening.

Just as Aiwass had said, this was a "womb" specially created for him. It was just right for him to curl up tightly inside, without feeling squeezed or having too much space.

The boards above and below were just right against his head and toes, while his arms had to be curled up and held in front of his chest on both sides. Everything was just right.

...Perhaps Aiwass really was professional.

That thought crossed Sherlock's mind.

And soon, he felt darkness before his eyes.

Not from fainting, but because the bull had been led over, blocking the light from the glowing symbols on the wall.

"What's your birthday, Sherlock?"

"January 6th—why are you asking me my birthday now?"

"That makes you a Capricorn. No problem, asking now isn't too late, just a minor matter."

Aiwass said, smilingly, "Prepare to receive the ritual, young man."