Chapter XII

**Chapter XII** is the twelfth and the final chapter of *The Case of the Golden Idol*. The date of the occurrence for this chapter is November 24, 1788, when the freeze-frame happens. The preceding chapter is Chapter XI.

## Main Plot

• At an undisclosed hideout near water, Edmund Cloudsley/Lazarus Keene knows how to make himself younger, and Walter Keene and David Gorran swear loyalty to him.

## Extras

• A war veteran is seen dead somewhere nearby the hideout. Assuming that this world is somewhat grounded in reality, and based on the facts that the events take place in England, the only wars in the 1700s that he could have been a part in that fit the timeframe, and that he defended his homeland… Preliminary research could mean the War of Austrian Succession, the Seven Years War against France, or the War of American independence.

• It’s possible that John Breage’s ship is seen outside the hideout’s window. This could suggest that they’re somewhere nearby the Little Mermaid Inn since John’s ship was also seen in Chapter XI, and is seemingly a regular there.

• In his diary, Edmund Cloudsley/Lazarus Keene, wrote some of his takes on how a society should work and some history:

• “Society must be built on the Principles of Virtue. Only thus can it become truly great.

Look at the Lemurians. Thousands of years ago, they had an empire on the banks of the Seven Seas. Their ancient technology continues to baffle modern science. But they became inert and decadent and forgot how to build and operate their machines.

Their empire crumbled because it was built on pleasure-seeking, not Virtue.

It is by Divine Providence that I got my hands on a Lemurian artefact, the Golden Idol. I will use its powers to set humanity on the Right Path by building the Ideal state.”

• On the Brotherhood of Masks:

“The Brotherhood of Masks

Only one thing is worse than imbeciles: imbeciles with power.

The rich and noble have a social club with mystical rituals and other hogwash and are so stupid that they did not realise when they had some truly miraculous technology in their hands.

However, they are influential and persistent and have already caused a great deal of harm to me and my goals.

Walter Keene has told me more about their organisation and practices. If he tells the truth and they are truly devoted to their religious entity of Gryphon Reborn, I could gain some powerful allies for my next move.”

• On the Order Party:

“ORDER PARTY manifesto

1. All citizens are equal.

2. All citizens must serve society to the full extent of their abilities.

3. Citizens must be evaluated according to how virtuous they are.

4. A society with internal contradictions is unsustainable. Therefore it must be led by the most virtuous citizen. (The King should step down. The aristocracy must be abolished.)

5. The more virtuous citizens are better able to serve society. Therefore virtuous citizens deserve to gain more time on this earth, and bad citizens deserve to lose time.”

• His diary entry on Mary Battley:

“This is unbelievable! My pure Mary is joined in matrimony with that clown Peter Battley.

She must have done it out of grief for my death.

Such a hasty decision goes against every Principle of Virtue. Therefore I consider the marriage null and void.

She will come to me once she learns I still live.

But for now my duties in the service of humanity take precedence.”

• Brotherhood of Masks – Lundenburh chapter. James Turner = Darkhand Master, Walter Keene = Darkhand Steward, Chester Davy = Darkhand Initiate. Angus McBain = Watersnake Master, Jeffrey Sinclair = Watersnake Steward, Nicolas Maker = Watersnake Initiate. Alistair Koch = Proudbeast Master, Sebastian Cloudsley (deceased) = Proudbeast Steward, Willard Wright (deceased) = Proudbeast Initiate.

• Message from Edmund to David:

“David,

I thank you for dealing with all the challenges relating to my “death” and for keeping an eye on our new ally. I do feel I have impressed him not only with the Golden Idol, but also with my vision of the ideal society.

Come to our hideout on November 24. We are ready for the next step.

E. C.”