Fog Sea, aboard the Golden Dream.
There actually wasn't much Edward could reveal about the Forsaken Land of the Gods. After all, some of the more weighty secrets involving deities…he didn't think were suitable for Edwina to know.
So instead, he focused on the environment, the lifestyle and beliefs of the Moon City residents, and other relatively foundational topics. What he didn't expect was—for his potion to begin showing signs of digestion.
It was faint—very faint—but definitely there.
Thinking about it, that made sense. The common sense of the outside world was unheard of for Moon City residents…and the knowledge about the Forsaken Land was equally novel for outsiders.
However, because this had strayed from the prerequisite condition of "wandering," it only led to a minuscule amount of digestion.
In that case...if I keep travelling and spreading knowledge of the Forsaken Land, the Beyonder world, and potions wherever I go...could a buildup of quantity eventually lead to a qualitative change?
But then again, it's not like he could go around preaching about Beyonder secrets and potion knowledge freely.
Not to mention, Klein's ritual as Miracle Invoker required "returning a forgotten history to the present."
If knowledge of the Forsaken Land spread far and wide, could the City of Silver and Moon City still be considered forgotten history?
Edward didn't dare take that risk.
So the safest way forward…was to teach this knowledge without letting it become too widely known.
A moment later, Edward's eyes lit up.
Hey, I've got it!
As expected of me!
"Miss Edwina, may I ask—do you know how, or where, I could encounter a large number of pirates?"
The question took Edwina aback. She thought for a few seconds before answering,
"The annual Pirate Conference, the former Bayam, and a number of resupply islands along the Fog and Berserk Seas' trade routes—all of them have quite a few pirates."
Edward frowned slightly. "Why the former Bayam?"
Edwina gave him a long, unreadable look, as if debating whether to speak.
"…Ah. Right. Got it."
Only then did Edward realise—the whole "mentally unstable man assaults the governor's mansion" incident…yeah, that had been his doing.
"So if I just travel along the sea routes, I'll run into pirates regularly?"
"That depends on luck," Edwina replied. "Most pirates drift aimlessly at sea, looking for targets. They don't stay docked somewhere waiting for you."
She paused.
"So rather than seeking pirates out, it's better to draw them to you."
"For example, if a ship full of goods and treasure sets sail from the Southern Continent toward Loen, it'll attract all kinds of pirate ships along the way, each one hoping to score big."
Edward's gaze sharpened in thought.
That…gave him an idea.
"I understand. Thank you."
———
Back in Backlund
Edward headed straight for the Hall household and shared his thoughts and plans with Audrey.
Since Earl Hall had more or less tacitly approved of their relationship, the two no longer had to hide in her room.
Instead, taking advantage of the rare sunny day in Backlund, they strolled together through the villa's garden, chatting as they walked.
After hearing him out, Audrey asked, "So you're heading out to sea again? What about the original plan?"
"It'll have to be scrapped," Edward said.
"From what I've experienced so far, digesting the potion efficiently and quickly requires either passing on knowledge to high-sequence individuals, or sharing particularly substantial knowledge."
"Neither of those are all that difficult on their own. But once you factor in the 'wandering' requirement, things get trickier. A Wandering Mentor isn't meant to stay in one place preaching all day—it's about constantly moving, constantly passing things on, leaving footprints behind wherever you go."
"According to the old plan, I'd set sail from Loen, travel through Feynapotter to Intis. There'd be plenty of wandering and plenty of people to share with."
He spread his hands.
"But the issue is—what can I share with them?"
"Magic? I'd love to, but others can't just pick that up."
"Beyonder knowledge or potion theory? The churches would murder me in broad daylight."
"As for modern science or tech—well, that's not something you can teach in a single conversation."
That left him with just one option:
Information about the Forsaken Land, the Mystical world, and potions—pure, arcane, mysterious knowledge that was unfamiliar yet intriguing to the average person.
Easy to understand. Easy to circulate.
And most importantly—attention-grabbing.
Audrey asked, "So when do you plan to leave?"
Casually, she added, "I can ask Father to arrange a ship for you…maybe fill it with tens of thousands of pounds worth of cargo, just so you can cruise around the sea."
"Uh…" Edward scratched his head. "That feels a bit too…deliberate. Doesn't really match the 'wandering' part, does it?"
To him, "wandering" could be summed up as:
No set destination. No fixed path. Going wherever the wind took him.
Occasionally stopping, but never settling.
The people he met, the events he encountered—purely random.
Just like his experience in the Forsaken Land.
"I plan to head out from Pritz Harbour, pick a ship at random, then disembark at some port mid-route. After that, I'll switch to another ship, and just keep going like that…until the potion is fully digested."
Audrey's eyes sparkled.
"That sounds so fun! I really want to go too."
"You can."
She hesitated, then said, "Let me wait a bit longer. After everything that's happened lately, Mother still hasn't calmed down. I should stay and keep her company. Once she's alright again, I'll come find you."
"Deal."
"Hahaha! Try and catch me if you can!"
Just then, a bright, bell-like laugh rang out.
It was Lilith, sprinting on her two little legs with pure joy, giggling as she ran.
Susie followed closely beside her, while behind them several maids—including Annie—chased after her in panic.
Their faces were full of worry.
After all, rumour had it that this little girl was actually Lady Hall's secret child from an affair outside the household.
Just a few days ago, the Earl and his wife had been furious about it. Even the young master had shut himself in his room, sulking for two straight days.
But in the end…what could they do?
The child was already running around the house—what else could the Earl and his wife do but pinch their noses and accept reality?
Just look—today, the wild man their daughter had picked up outside had strutted confidently into the Hall estate.
Ah, how pitiful those noble young men of Backlund were, the ones still chasing after the young lady of the Hall family…
"Edward!"
Lilith barreled into Edward's arms, grinning proudly.
"Miss Lilith has learned to walk and run just like a human now! And none of them can catch me!"
"Impressive, very impressive."
She held out her two pale little hands.
"When are you going to teach me how to make rat steak and braised rat meat?"
"Hmm…"
Edward thought for a moment and said, "I think Lilith should start with steak and braised lamb first. Once you've mastered making those deliciously, then we can try the rat dishes. Otherwise, all the rats you worked so hard to catch might go to waste, right?"
Her eyes blinked slowly. "Really?"
"Of course," Edward said immediately. "That way, Lilith won't just be the smartest cat."
"Huh?" She tilted her head curiously.
"You'll also be the smartest human!"
Lilith's eyes lit up like a blooming flower.
"That's right! Miss Lilith is the smartest human! The smartest cat-girl!"
Audrey turned sharply to Edward. "Cat-girl?"
"…Just a nickname."
She leaned in closer and whispered, "Don't think I don't understand. I've heard about how some nobles like their women to wear fake cat ears and tails…and roleplay as cat-girls!"
"Where have you been hearing these things? Tsk tsk, young lady, your thoughts aren't very pure~"
Edward leaned toward her and whispered in her ear, "Actually, compared to a cat-girl…a dragon-girl is much better."
"???"
Audrey froze. Her ears flushed bright red in an instant, though she kept her expression composed and huffed, "Mr. Edward, I believe you're in dire need of therapy."
She motioned with her hands.
"Preferably the electric kind."
"Pfft—hahaha!"
Edward burst into laughter.
Just then, Phoenix swooped down once more.
"Hm? Someone's looking for me again?"
Edward caught the letter and opened it, then turned to Audrey.
"Klein invited me to dinner."
Audrey blinked. "Alright…so?"
"In Tingen."
———
Tingen City, 2 Daffodil Street.
It was just past 7 p.m.
The homes along this street were illuminated with dim, yellow gas lamps.
The aroma of dinner drifted lazily from kitchen windows, teasing the appetites of late-night passersby.
Edward carried a small bundle of fruit and gifts.
Holding Lilith's hand and with Audrey beside him, he knocked on the door of the Moretti household.
A moment later, the door opened, and Melissa appeared, her expression wary.
Her eyes were slightly red—it looked like she'd recently cried.
She was clearly caught off guard upon seeing Edward. It took her several seconds to recognise him.
"Mr. Edward?"
"Good evening, Melissa."
"Ah, good evening…"
Melissa stepped aside. "Please, come in."
"You don't mind that I brought family, do you?" Edward asked with a polite smile.
"Ah? Of course not!"
Only then did she notice Audrey and Lilith.
Her heart skipped a beat.
Wow…she's so beautiful.
Is this Mr. Edward's partner? He's really lucky…
Unlike Klein or Benson, who are both still single!
Inside the house, Klein and Benson were seated at the dining table in awkward silence.
Benson had returned home nearly an hour earlier.
The moment he walked through the door, he saw his "deceased" younger brother sitting on the couch, chatting with their sister Melissa.
His first reaction?
He thought his exhaustion—juggling work and night classes—had finally made him hallucinate.
He even joked about it to Melissa.
But then…he noticed Melissa and "the hallucination" both staring at him with the same strange look.
Before he could finish processing, Klein walked up and hugged him.
Only then did it hit him:
This isn't a dream.
Klein was really back.
But how could that be?
Someone who had been dead for two months—how could they just…come back?
So…he wasn't hallucinating.
He was dreaming!
Then Benson gave himself two hard slaps across the face.
Klein and Melissa had rushed to pull him down onto the couch, and Klein had given him a short, simplified version of the "truth."
And yet, even now—an hour later—Benson was still struggling to process it.
Klein didn't blame him.
Compared to their young, vibrant sister, Benson—the reliable "workhorse"—had a worldview far more set in stone.
His acceptance of the unknown was…understandably limited.
So when Edward arrived, Klein looked like he had found salvation.
"Edward's here! He can help me—"
"???"
His voice trailed off as he stared at Lilith in astonishment.
What the hell?!
It's only been a few days, and…your kid's already that big?!
———
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