Even though she had been mentally prepared, Audrey was still a little surprised. After all, Hibbert had been groomed since childhood as the successor of Earl Hall, receiving a noble's education in every way. His conduct, habits, thinking patterns, and preferences mirrored his father's to a remarkable degree.
For people like them, there was one rule they lived by: "Let others toil for the nobles."
Why risk the danger of losing control from drinking potions, when one could just hire a Beyonder to do the job instead?
If giving an order can solve the problem, why take action yourself?
Hibbert wore a smile on his face, but there was no trace of humour in his eyes.
"What happened two days ago…I don't ever want to go through that again."
"I used to think this world had rules. I believed everyone had to follow them. Now I know…that was just wishful thinking on my part."
"So, I'm not going to foolishly cling to inflexibility anymore. I want to become a Beyonder."
Edward glanced at Audrey and saw her give a small nod.
He then asked, "You do understand the risks involved in becoming a Beyonder, right?"
"I do."
"And you also know that if you don't want to be under the supervision of the Church or the authorities, your only option is to secretly become an illegal Beyonder?"
"Mm."
Hibbert replied without hesitation, "Anyway, our family already has two illegal Beyonders. One more won't make a difference."
He was, of course, referring to Audrey and Edward—his words clearly recognising Edward as a member of the Hall family.
"Alright then," Edward said, "Have you done any research on the various pathways? Do you have any in mind?"
Hibbert hesitated for a few seconds. "Given my past experiences and life, I think the Lawyer pathway would suit me best."
After a pause, he added, "What do you both think?"
Audrey agreed, "I think the Lawyer pathway fits you well too."
Not to mention, Edward already had access to the complete formula for the pathway, thanks to the Black Emperor card.
"So, that's settled?"
"Settled!"
—One hour later—
Earl Hall returned, his entire coat reeking of cigar smoke. When he saw Edward, he didn't say much—no long-winded speeches of gratitude or emotional outbursts. He had already heard the truth about his death and resurrection from his daughter.
He simply looked at Edward, smiled, and said,
"Edward, welcome home."
———
Meanwhile, in the Chorwood Borough.
As soon as Xio walked through the door, she saw Fors sitting on the sofa surrounded by big and small bags—clearly waiting for her.
Her first reaction was: Fors isn't lying down? That's rare.
"What's going on?"
Fors immediately stood up and said seriously, "Xio, this time we really have to leave Backlund! I just found out this afternoon—what happened in the suburbs is far more serious than we imagined."
She took a deep breath and apologised, "I'm sorry. It's my fault for dragging you into this."
Xio blinked in surprise. "But I just got a message that the investigation into the suburban incident has officially concluded."
"…Huh?"
Fors was stunned. "Could it be that they only stopped on the surface but are still doing things in the shadows?"
"Uhhh…"
Xio scratched her messy hair. "I don't think so? The message came from the Church. Apparently, they reached some kind of agreement with the royal family."
Fors frowned in frustration. "But according to what I've learned, that incident isn't just a royal scandal anymore—it might even be…god-related!"
"…God?"
Xio froze. "Where did you hear that from?"
"I…have my sources."
Xio immediately narrowed her eyes and stood on tiptoe, glaring at her. "Come clean! You've been acting all mysterious lately—are you hiding something from me?"
Fors's eyes darted around nervously. "Uhh…I…well…"
"This has to do with Klein, doesn't it?"
"This one actually doesn't!"
"Wait…are you secretly dating someone?"
"???"
Fors looked utterly dumbfounded. "Who the heck would I be dating?!"
"Klein!"
"Aaaaaghhh!!!"
Fors grabbed Xio by the shoulders and began shaking her furiously. "What's gotten into your brain?! I'm going to shake it all out of you!"
"Alright, alright! I was just joking."
Xio looked slightly disappointed. "I thought someone had finally taken an interest in you…"
"… …"
Xio shrugged. "Anyway, it's your call—stay or leave, I'll go with it."
Fors thought for a moment. "I still think it's better to leave Backlund first…and observe the situation for a while."
"Where to?"
"I'll head to Pritz Harbour again. Maybe Mr. Dorian's back by now."
"Alright. By the way, before you disappeared the other day, you said you were going to open that letter?"
"…We'll talk about that later."
———
[Backlund's North Borough, Pinster Street]
Late night, past 10 p.m.
Leonard had gone to bed early—mainly to enter someone else's dream and play the role of a Nightmare.
In the dreamscape, he walked into a room two blocks away and immediately spotted a freshly baked cake on the table. Without hesitation, he helped himself to a slice.
After all, this was a dream—no reason to feel guilty.
He pushed open several bedroom doors in succession, looking for the dream's owner to "chat" with, but strangely enough, she was nowhere to be seen.
"…Huh?"
Why couldn't he find her in her own dream?
Just as he was muttering to himself, a stifled moaning sound came from the direction of the kitchen.
Leonard's nerves instantly tightened. He pulled out his revolver and crept forward, gently pushing open the kitchen door—
The moaning immediately became clearer and more intense.
"…"
Even though he had seen this kind of scene before, Leonard still turned beet red and backed out in a hurry.
"Damn it! What's with these noble ladies in Backlund? Their dreams are either about cheating…or being cheated on! And now they're doing it right in the kitchen?!"
A mocking voice echoed in his mind:
"Hey, maybe you're just too pure."
Leonard growled, "I—I don't think being pure is a bad thing!"
"Heh, I never said it was. I'm complimenting you."
"…"
Just then, Pallez's tone abruptly turned serious.
"Wake up. Someone's looking for me."
"Who?"
"That same guy from last time."
Leonard closed his eyes. When he opened them again, he had woken up from the dream and returned to his room on Pinster Street.
As soon as he stepped out of the bedroom, he saw that man already seated on the living room sofa.
Leonard frowned. "Sir, isn't entering uninvited a bit rude?"
Edward gave a polite apology.
"Sorry. Two patrol officers were just passing by…Standing at the door this late would've looked even more suspicious."
"The old man wants to know—what do you want from him?"
Edward straightened up.
"Ahem…Mr. Pallez, what I'm about to say—please don't be alarmed."
Pallez was taken aback, then laughed.
"Kid, I may not be in top form these days, but it's going to take more than a few words to scare me."
"…Amon."
The moment Edward uttered that name, Leonard visibly felt a shift in Pallez's emotions.
To put it bluntly: He was scared.
Leonard was stunned.
He was certain by now that the old man was at least at the angel level…
Yet a single name had managed to rattle someone of that tier?
Wait a minute…
Could that terrifying enemy Pallez had once vaguely mentioned actually be…Amon?
After a long silence, Pallez asked in a low voice, "Why are you bringing that one up?"
Edward replied, "To put it simply—I went to the Forsaken Land of the Gods in the past few days and managed, through certain means, to capture a clone of Amon. But I'm not sure if he's really dead or not…So I came to consult you."
"Hold on!"
Even Pallez nearly dropped his metaphorical jaw.
"You went to the Forsaken Land of the Gods? And caught an Amon clone?"
"Eh, let's not talk about the Forsaken Land tonight. If you're interested, I offer premium subscription packages," Edward joked.
"…And the Amon clone?"
"He set his sights on me, tried to trick me, but I turned the tables and got him instead."
Edward then briefly recounted the encounter.
After hearing everything, Pallez fell silent again, his wariness now fully activated.
He was terrified that the guy in front of him might suddenly pull out a monocle—
Because if Amon were really that easy to deal with, he himself wouldn't have ended up so miserable!
"…You're not thinking I am Amon, are you?"
Edward caught on quickly and laughed wryly.
"If I really were him, why would I even be talking to you? I'd have already eaten you alive."
"…Amon's nature has always been twisted. He delights in deception—giving people hope just so he can crush it with his own hands."
Leonard repeated the old man's words, growing increasingly alert.
Edward scratched his head helplessly.
"Well…if I'm not Amon, and I haven't been parasitised…do you think that sealed item could really hold him? And if he's still alive inside—how do I get rid of him?"
"…Why are you so sure that thing can hold him?"
Edward glanced at Leonard and pointed upward.
"Because that seal is related to a certain power that Leonard is not allowed to know about."
Leonard: Confused Pikachu face.
But Pallez got it.
"My advice? Turn it over to the Church."
Oh right!
I can just sacrifice the Box of the Great Old Ones to the Goddess!
"I understand. Thanks, old man."
Edward stood up and said, "I was hoping you'd have a way to deal with it yourself. A demigod-level Amon should be quite the nourishing treat for you, no?"
"…Forget it. I'm not lucky enough to stomach something like that."
"Alright, I'm off then."
Edward opened a Traveler's Door and stepped through.
If he had suddenly pulled out a monocle at that moment, Pallez might've suffered cardiac arrest on the spot.
Fortunately, he had no such roleplaying urges tonight—and spared the Marauder pathway's remaining conscience a heart attack.
The moment the Traveler's Door closed, Leonard exhaled deeply.
"Old man, he's gone."
"…Go to the cathedral."
"Huh?"
"I said: go to the cathedral. Now."
"Got it!"
Leonard immediately threw on his coat and ran out through the back door.
"Old man…that Amon—is he your enemy?"
"…Yes."
"Is he…really that terrifying?"
"To me, Amon is more frightening than any evil god in this world. Even more than the Outer—ahem. Alright. Stop asking."
———
[Note]: Don't forget to VOTE. It keeps me motivated.