Although many days had passed in the world of Harry Potter, it had only been a brief mont here. Still, Edward habitually cast a cleaning spell to clean up the house.
Lilith was not happy about it. She muttered a few complaints, then scampered around the room in small, hurried steps, trying to mark her scent all over the place again.
Audrey had returned to her ho the mont she stepped out of the Vanishing Cabinet. Although she always said she disliked the overly formal life of noble families, after being away for so long, she had already begun to miss her parents dearly.
Edward stood and walked toward the door.
"Lilith, stay here for a bit. I have sothing to take care of."
She poked her head out from the bedroom doorway.
"Okay~"
———
[Saint Samuel Cathedral]
Edward was already a 'regular' here. Although most of the priests and clergy within the church still didn't know the true identity of the young man, anyone who saw him chatting and laughing with the esteed Saint knew he couldn't be ordinary. Everyone greeted him with a warm smile.
Today, Saint Anthony Stevenson was away on business. Edward headed straight to the side library, skillfully lit the candles, sprinkled essential oils, and arranged the Night Incense and Moon Flowers favored by the goddess. Then he opened a suitcase—aside from a few unaffordable luxury items, it contained nearly everything on the procurent list.
"I pray for the power of the night;
I pray for the power of secrecy;
…"
As soon as he finished the prayer, the suitcase vanished in a gust of wind.
He thought for a mont, then placed the Beyonder characteristic from the Psychiatrist on the ground.
"I pray that the goddess may help shatter this Beyonder characteristic. Praise be to the goddess."
Monts later, the crystalline heart let out a soft crack, shattering into countless specks of light before quickly reforming. Within a few minutes, it had transford into a crimson gem.
"Thank you, goddess."
Edward waved his wand and tidied up the room. Just as he turned around, he saw a figure suddenly appear at the doorway.
The newcor wore a simple linen robe patched in places, with a belt fashioned from twisted bark. Her long black hair hung loose and wild, and her bare feet were covered in dust and scars.
It was a woman. Her features were incredibly plain, and her deep black eyes looked no different from a normal person's. At a glance, she seed like a gentle and honest woman. But Edward's spiritual intuition flared up instantly.
There was not a ripple of emotion in her pupils. She gazed calmly at Edward and gave a small nod.
"Greetings, Lord Edward."
Edward bit the tip of his tongue to force his spirituality to settle down. Given her attire and aura, he instantly guessed her identity.
Arianna—Matron of the Evernight cloister, Head of the Thirteen Archbishops, future Pope… and most importantly, a Sequence 2 angel.
Still, he maintained a puzzled expression and asked, "You are...?"
"Arianna, Servant of Concealnt," she said after a slight pause, her words hinting at sothing deeper. "You've probably heard of ."
Edward quickly placed a hand over his chest and bowed slightly.
"Good afternoon, Lady Arianna. I…heard about you during my Nighthawks training in Tingen. Have you co to see ?"
She nodded and traced a crimson moon over her chest, reverently saying, "Just call Ms. Arianna. I co by the will of my Lord, to deliver a ssage specifically for you."
"Uh…please, go ahead."
Arianna's eyes turned slightly, becoming profound and shadowy. Her voice grew distant and indifferent, "The Lord of Storms has turned "His" gaze upon you. Your little tricks end here."
The mont she spoke, Edward felt a strange illusion—as though the words didn't co from Arianna, the archbishop, but directly from the Evernight Goddess in the distant starry sky.
It didn't take long for him to realise what "little tricks" referred to. He imdiately grumbled inwardly: I spent so much effort researching that ultimate move, and now it's banned? I even got a whole new batch of Walkmans! What a waste!
Despite cursing in his heart, his face was the picture of devotion. He drew a crimson moon and said, "I understand. Thank you for the goddess's protection. Praise be to the goddess."
Arianna's expression quickly returned to the gentle and calm deanour from before.
"The Lord has sent a gift for you. I believe you will receive it soon."
"Really? What is it?"
Edward perked up imdiately—A gift from a deity? That has to be at least a Grade 1 Sealed Artifact, right?
She shook her head.
"I do not know. The Lord said you will understand when the ti cos."
"…"
I HATE riddlers!
"Well, I've delivered the ssage. Farewell, Lord Edward."
"Wait—Ms. Arianna, one question. Is Ince Zangwill dead?"
"Perhaps he is. Perhaps he isn't. But he has lost Sealed Artifact 0-08."
Her figure faded as if erased by an invisible hand. Even though this scene had been described many tis in the original novel, witnessing it firsthand still felt like a miracle.
———
Leaving St. Samuel Cathedral, Edward was greeted by a sky of crimson dusk. September in Backlund was already turning cold, and his heart felt even colder.
The Walkman stratagem is banned. If I run into a powerful enemy again, I'll only be able to run for it…
He took a step forward—his figure twisted and disappeared, returning to 88 Minsk Street.
Almost the mont he landed, Lilith darted out from the shadows and leapt onto his shoulder, whispering, "Edward, there are a lot of people outside!"
Again?
Just then, soone knocked on the door with a thump, thump—
"This is Ikanser Bernard from the Machinery Hivemind. Is Mr. Edward at ho?"
Edward was stunned.
Machinery Hivemind? Isn't that the official Beyonder organisation under the Church of the God of Steam and Machinery? Why would they co here? Wait—how do they even know who I am?
He quickly ran through his past interactions but was certain he'd never had any dealings with the Church of Steam.
He pulled out a divination crystal, entered a state of spiritual calm, and began pendulum divination, silently repeating in his heart:
"Opening the door will be dangerous."
"Opening the door will be dangerous."
——
"Opening the door will be dangerous."
After seven silent repetitions, the still green crystal pendant suddenly spun counterclockwise without hesitation.
"Not even a hint of danger?"
Knock, knock, knock.
Ikanser stood at the door and gently knocked again.
"Mr. Edward, we've co on orders to return sothing that belongs to you."
Creak—the door opened.
Edward stood a few ters away, cradling Lilith in his arms, a puzzled look on his face.
"Apologies, but I haven't known or t anyone from the Machinery Hivemind before. How do you…"
Ikanser took out an old-fashioned key.
The Master Key?
Wasn't that lost by Klein during his battle with Lanevus?
Ikanser caught the confusion in Edward's expression and explained patiently, "This was recovered by the Machinery Hivemind team in Tingen, from the ruins of Blackthorn Security Company. After verification, we confird that it rightfully belongs to you."
But the more he explained, the more bewildered Edward beca.
What have I ever done to deserve this? You're telling the Machinery Hivemind personally transported the Master Key all the way from Tingen to Backlund, and even sent a team just to deliver it?
Wait—could this be the 'gift' the Goddess of Night ntioned?
This? Seriously? Isn't that a bit too...ironic?
Edward remained silent for a few monts. He used Accio to retrieve the Master Key and slowly said, "Thank you…for going through all this trouble."
"You're very welco."
Ikanser placed a hand over his chest and bowed politely.
"Now that the item has been delivered, I shall take my leave."
"Huh?"
Edward blinked. That's it? Just like that?
"Oh, right."
As if suddenly rembering sothing, Ikanser added seriously, "If you have the ti, Mr. Edward, you're welco to visit the Saint Hierländ Cathedral anyti. And if you could grace the headquarters of the Intis Republic's Church…that would be even better."
He removed his hat and said his goodbyes, "Farewell."
Then he turned briskly and left.
A few seconds later, Lilith whispered, "He's gone."
"Tsk."
Edward stared at the long-lost Master Key in his hand, a head full of question marks.
They really just ca all the way here to return the key?
Or maybe…returning the key was just a pretense, and the real purpose was to invite for a 'visit'?
But why?
A sudden thought struck him. He pulled a Walkman out of his pocket.
Could it be because of this? Don't tell Stiano really intends to aim for the position of the God of Technology?
Did I just get handed the script for an Emperor?!
This is the gift from the Goddess of Night?
Gift, my ass!
This feels more like I've been sold off to ensure Stiano doesn't backstab her again later!
The Great Emperor's body had barely gone cold, and his youngest son, Bornova, was still an inhuman angel serving him.
Stiano's way of being 'good' to people…was not sothing a normal person could endure.
"…Maybe I'm just overthinking it. Besides, this probably…isn't necessarily a bad thing."
Yes, yes!
At least the Roselle flourished under Stiano's favour—his life was a total success.
Let's not dwell on this now. Better to focus on what I should do next.
Edward wiped the sweat from his brow and cleared the chaotic thoughts from his mind. He pulled out a notebook with a list of tasks he had jotted down before his return.
First and foremost, the most important task was to digest the potion and advance to a higher Sequence.
After his performance at the Ministry of Magic caused such a stir, the role of a 'madman' had received positive feedback. For now, he decided to follow Audrey's previous thod: switch back and forth between 'genius' and 'lunatic'.
His first thought was of Gehrman Sparrow, the identity Klein used while at sea—a wildly successful, unhinged pirate hunter.
So…going out to sea might be a viable option. After all, if he tried pulling such stunts in Backlund, the Church would teach him a very painful lesson in no ti.
However, heading out to sea was a long and tedious process. He might not even get a chance to act out the persona properly before half the ti was wasted on the voyage. That would need to be resolved first (since Apparition could only teleport to places he'd already visited, and within a limited range)—which ant…asking Mr. Azik for help.
Next, he needed the advancent formula. Although his pathway and Sequence had changed, the fact that the Sequence 6 potion was still for a Scribe ant that the Apprentice pathway's later formulas might still be indispensable.
This task would rely on Christine. If she didn't co to him soon, he'd have to go look for her himself—hmm, maybe that mirror the Machinery Hivemind had could help?
No, no, better stay far away from them for now!
And lastly, if possible, he wanted to prevent the Great Smog from occurring.
Tens of thousands of lives were at stake. If he could stop it without endangering himself, it would bring so peace of mind.
Actually, isn't trying to stop a divine-level event as a Sequence 7 kind of…exactly what a madman would do?
So, for now, those were his three long-term goals.
As for short-term plans, they were—
1. Go see Mr. Steven Green.
2. Visit Klein and the Captain to at least get a sense of their current status.
3. Borrow the Nightmare Candle from the Harvest Church.
Everything else would be handled as it ca.
When Edward turned his head, he saw Lilith mimicking his posture—lying beside him and "pinching her chin" in thought. Except her soft, pudgy paws couldn't quite replicate human fingers, so she looked more silly than serious—absolutely adorable.
"Lilith, what are you doing?"
"Miss Lilith is thinking~ You always do this when you're thinking."
"And what are you thinking about?"
"Hmm…"
She tilted her head slightly and tried to pinch her chin again.
"I'm thinking about what to have for dinner."
"…Perfect. That's the most common philosophical dilemma of modern mankind. You're one step closer to becoming human!"
"Miss Lilith doesn't want to beco human. Then I wouldn't be able to eat rats anymore."
Despite her words, the sway of her tail clearly gave away her happiness and pride.
———
Elsewhere, at the Hall family estate—
As soon as Audrey got ho, she found Susie, her eyes bright with excitent and mystery.
"Susie! Co here, I want to introduce you to a new friend."
"…"
Susie didn't move. In fact, she quietly took a step back.
"Your expression doesn't say 'introducing to a new friend.' It says, 'you want to see humiliate myself.'"
She's too sharp!
Audrey puffed her cheeks in frustration.
"Really! I honestly want you to et soone! Co on, please~"
She placed the suitcase holding the fire dragon Anna on the ground and dove into it herself.
Susie hesitated, sitting still for a while. Then, little by little, she cautiously crept closer and leaned her head toward the suitcase's opening—
Whoosh!
She was instantly sucked inside.
The mont Susie landed on her paws, she scanned her surroundings warily. When she spotted Audrey, she let out a tiny sigh of relief.
"Susie, look! This is your new friend—Anna!"
Susie blinked and slowly turned around—only to be t by a towering, colossal shadow.
"ROAR—"
The fire dragon let out a low (and gentle) growl—a greeting.
Susie, however, had already collapsed to the ground in terror, her voice trembling, "Audrey… that was not funny!"
———
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