No…this wasn't just Priscilla.
It was Priscilla, possessed by dici.
"…"
Edward was completely dumbfounded.
Miss D…was actually Priscilla?
Although he'd had a mont of doubt earlier when he saw her small fra, it never crossed his mind that it could be Priscilla. These two identities belonged to completely separate worlds—how could they possibly overlap?
But now Edward finally understood where Priscilla had "sleepwalked" to the last ti dici took control of her body. This guy really didn't know how to sit still. Even under these circumstances, he managed to stir up a storm in silence.
Priscilla (dici) bead at Edward with a gleeful, amused look—clearly enjoying the show.
Mr. A, anwhile, was even more stunned that Miss D turned out to be a child.
"Ah—"
Edward sighed deeply, then quietly took a few steps and stood behind Priscilla.
Mr. A imdiately clenched his fingers tightly.
Edward said helplessly, "I haven't betrayed you. I don't know Miss D either. This child is my younger sister. She was possessed by one of your Aurora Order's evil spirits. I didn't have a choice."
…Wait, why am I explaining anything?
I was never Mr. A's subordinate to begin with—we just had a bit of cooperation. Where's the betrayal in that?
"…"
But his explanation actually made Mr. A pause in realisation, and the fury in his eyes quickly faded.
A few seconds later, he stood up, lowered his once-proud chin, and looked calmly at Priscilla.
"From today onward, the Aurora Order's activities in Backlund are yours to command."
"Tch. Giving in already? How boring."
dici leaned lazily back against the seat.
"Sigh, you're the kind of poisonous snake that could bite at any mont. Keeping you around is a disaster waiting to happen. I actually ca here today planning to provoke you, make you strike at , and then crush you. Didn't expect you to bring this kid along."
His expression sobered as he said flatly, "Let remind you one last ti: the Aurora Order's goal is the return of the Lord to this world. It's not about your petty little tricks and sches."
He paused.
"Of course, I won't completely dismiss the Descent plan. Obey, and there will still be opportunities."
Mr. A nodded.
"I understand."
"…Man, you really do look like a pretty lady." dici squinted at Mr. A's face. "How about I assign you to cozy up with so noblen who fancy n? I'm sure you'll be quite popular. Hahahahahaha!"
Edward: You're still trying to provoke him just to kill him, aren't you?
Yet Mr. A simply nodded calmly.
"Sure."
"Tsk." dici clicked his tongue and turned to Edward. "Alright, the little rascal's done making a fuss."
As soon as the words left his mouth, Priscilla's expression returned to its usual innocence and delight.
"Big Brother Edward~! What are you doing here?"
Edward glanced at Mr. A, shrugged, and said, "Wasn't planning on it. This was a surprise."
He sat beside Priscilla and tugged gently at her cheek.
"And you? Sothing this big happened, and you didn't even tell ? Silently becoming an Oracle of the Aurora Order? Aren't you the capable one?"
dici's voice echoed again, "Hey, kid, was that a roundabout insult directed at ?"
"? I wouldn't dare, Lord dici."
Priscilla scratched her head with an innocent look.
"I was kinda foggy the whole ti…I still don't know what really happened. Aurora Order? Divine emissary? It's all a blur…"
At this mont, Mr. A finally spoke again, "Miss D, and the esteed one who just spoke—I'll return to Backlund first. See you later."
dici's voice chuckled darkly, "If you really have the guts, feel free to prepare ambushes and traps for . Who knows? Maybe you'll actually kill one day."
"…"
Mr. A gave Edward one last, long look before vanishing into the spirit world.
Tch. Why the hell are you looking at like that?
I already told you—I'm just as confused as you are. Why does it suddenly feel like I'm the mastermind behind everything…
...Although, if I can coax Priscilla into listening to , and she ends up "controlling" the dici tro…then maybe I would be the mastermind.
No, forget it. Better not play mind gas with soone like dici.
Edward took a deep breath and said seriously, "Lord dici, what exactly are you trying to accomplish with this stunt?"
The mark of the Underworld on Priscilla's forehead shimred, and the wraith form of dici—clad in black armour—materialised again. Arms folded, he leaned against the window.
"Didn't I say last ti? I'm simply trying to survive."
"But what does becoming an Oracle of the Aurora Order have to do with your survival?"
"If soone like you could easily see through everything I do, wouldn't that make an utter failure?"
Edward nodded.
"Fair point. But just because I can't see it, doesn't an "He" can't."
"And if "He" does?"
"Aren't you afraid that everything you're doing now is exactly what "He's" allowed you to do?"
dici fell silent.
Then, mouths appeared on both his cheeks once again:
"Hahaha! I told you—even this kid can see it!"
"You'll never beat "Him"."
"Forget the Lord. Once we ascend to Sequence 0, we won't need to fear anyone!"
"Exactly, exactly!"
Priscilla covered her ears with a pout.
"You two are so loud every ti you show up!"
dici sneered.
"If it were so easy to beco a Red Priest, would the three of us be in this ss? And how do you even know I'm not working toward Sequence 0 right now? Do you know where the remaining two Conqueror characteristics are? Do you know where the Red Priest's uniqueness is?"
The mouths opened and closed…but said nothing more.
They had no clue.
Edward thought for a mont, then raised his hand.
"I do."
"???"
dici, for once, looked genuinely surprised.
"Kid, are you serious?"
"But I'm not telling you."
"…"
dici's eyes narrowed.
"I rember saying you had great potential to beco a Hunter. Now I'm more convinced than ever. Need any help with that?"
Edward grinned with a fake-innocent look.
"Heh, I only act tough at ho. I'm a total coward around strangers."
"'At ho'?"
dici curled his lips slightly.
"So, don't you want your 'own kind'—soone like —to grow stronger and protect you better?"
"You're absolutely right!"
Edward nodded vigorously. "But…Lord dici, don't you already know where one of the Conqueror's characteristics is?"
"And why do you think that?"
"It's sothing you just said…when you reminded us, 'How do you know what I'm doing isn't for advancing to Sequence 0?' That phrasing—it got thinking."
dici chuckled.
"Looks like you really do know sothing."
He lowered his crossed arms and murmured, "Never expected this. What a pleasant surprise."
The two mouths on his cheeks imdiately started yelling:
"Hey! What are you two whispering about?"
"Kid! If you know where it is, just say it!"
"Stop playing riddles!"
"dici! dici!"
With an exasperated swipe across his face, dici silenced the mouths.
"So? Do you think I have a chance at getting this Conqueror characteristic?"
"No idea."
Edward grinned. "But if you do get it, I'll tell you where I believe the other one is."
"Hahahaha…"
dici suddenly burst out laughing.
"So after all this circling around, you're just trying to protect that brat, huh?"
Priscilla blinked in confusion.
"Eh? What? Protect from what?"
…Wow. She's already accepted being called "brat" this casually?
"Hmm…to be honest, I prefer working with people like you."
dici said calmly.
"Your weaknesses are far too obvious—unlike certain others who only care about themselves."
"Alright then, it's a deal. We'll take it step by step, one move at a ti."
dici's figure dissolved into a lingering shadow and returned to the mark on Priscilla's forehead.
Edward suddenly rembered sothing.
"By the way—Mr. A said you people killed the Shepherd, Miss D?"
"That's right. What about it?"
"Did you retrieve her Beyonder characteristic?"
dici's voice sounded surprised.
"What do you want that for?"
"I want to use it to create a mystical item."
At that mont, Priscilla pulled a tin box from her pocket and handed it over.
"Is this the one you're looking for, Big Brother Edward?"
dici snapped, "Hey! That's my spoils of war!"
"I can pay for it."
Priscilla giggled, "No need for money~"
"You little brat!!! That's my spoils!!!"
Edward opened the box and saw a pitch-black crystal shimring with iridescent hues. The mont his spirituality resonated with it, a sense of certainty filled his heart.
This is it.
At long last…I can advance to Sequence 5!
———
Pritz Harbour.
Fors arrived early in the morning via steam train at the kingdom's largest and most important seaport. She had already booked a ticket for the inland waterway ferry back—it was far more affordable that way.
But the mont she got off the train, she sensed that sothing was…off. The air felt tense. She could clearly see several Beyonders moving around the area, so openly.
And the only reason so many Beyonders would show up at once could only an one thing: they were official Beyonders.
What happened here?
Should I cancel my eting with Mr. Dorian today?
Should I just take the earliest train back to Backlund?
Ahhh!!
I should've spent a little more to hire soone from the Tarot Club to accompany ! Is it too late to pray to Mr. Fool now?
While Fors was hesitating over what to do next, a familiar figure walked past up ahead—that posture, that expression, that unruly hair…and most importantly, that height!
No doubt about it—Xio!
"Fors?!"
Xio noticed her too and quickly walked over.
"You said you were heading out early for so field inspiration. What are you doing here?"
"What about you? Weren't you commissioned for a job?"
Xio nodded, "Yeah, I'm in the middle of it right now—assisting in locating suspicious individuals around Pritz Harbour."
Fors shrank her head back a bit.
"What kind of suspicious individuals?"
Xio looked her over from head to toe.
"Honestly, you're already looking pretty suspicious like this."
"…"
"Pfft."
Xio chuckled. "Alright, fine, no more teasing. I heard a group of people from the Southern Continent and Bayam snuck into Loen illegally via the port near Pritz Harbour. Supposedly, a lot of them are pirates and thieves with criminal records. The authorities are taking it very seriously and sent people to track them down."
"Huh? This kind of operation needs Beyonders?"
Xio lowered her voice, "You didn't read this morning's paper? The ship that brought these stowaways here…everyone on board was dead!"
"What?!"
Fors was shocked.
"I had no idea."
"Well, things in Pritz Harbour won't be peaceful for a while. If you've got nothing urgent, you'd better head back to Backlund. After all…"
…After all, you're a wild Beyonder.
"I—I get it."
Fors hesitated, then whispered, "Actually, I didn't co here for inspiration. I…"
She quickly explained Mr. Lawrence's matter and his will.
"So, I'm here to return his belongings to a Mr. Dorian Gray. Would you co with ?"
Xio imdiately frowned.
"Why didn't you tell earlier?"
"Didn't want you to worry~"
"Hmph! Wait here—I'll go ask for leave."
"Love you!"
Not long after, Xio ca back, having successfully taken leave.
The two of them followed the main coastal road toward White Oak Street, eventually arriving at a weathered old building—the local Fishern's Association.
After asking around, they were directed to the office where Dorian Gray worked.
Knock, knock, knock.
Fors gently tapped on the wooden door.
"Excuse , is Mr. Dorian Gray here?"
No reply ca from inside.
———
[Note]: Don't forget to VOTE. It keeps motivated.
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