HPxLOTM: A Wizard's Path to Divinity

"Old man, when did you switch to the Spectator Pathway?"

Pallez snorted, "This is called experience and insight! You think I've lived this long for nothing?"

With a smile, Daly explained, "By chance, I met Audrey. When she showed curiosity about Beyonders, I sold her a potion. I was worried that if I left her to her own devices, she might get herself into some unknown danger."

She paused for a moment before continuing, "Of course, I know my actions go against church regulations. I'll report everything to my superiors later."

Soest quickly interjected, "That...really won't be necessary."

It wasn't uncommon for nobles to avoid registering with the Church or royal institutions when becoming Beyonders, since doing so would place them under strict control. Many either chose not to walk the path of the Beyonder or found their own ways.

Cases like Daly's weren't rare. And for a devout family like the Halls—who donated a massive sum of gold pounds each year—the Church didn't need to rigidly enforce every rule.

Audrey, on the other hand, felt a bit guilty: Actually, I got involved with the "unknown" a long time ago. If not for Mr. Fool being a benevolent existence, I'd either have turned into a monster by now or already be dead.

Leonard suddenly realised, "No wonder, when we said we were heading to Earl Hall's manor, you insisted on tagging along."

Soest smiled at that. "Since everyone here knows each other, I'll ask a bit more directly."

"Miss Hall, would you say the attack you experienced tonight was entirely coincidental?"

"Yes!"

"You had no prior knowledge of that creature? And you've never had contact with anyone suspicious?"

Audrey hesitated for a moment. "I…I had heard of it before—from a detective. He said it was the culprit behind a previous serial murder case."

"Oh? Anything else?"

"That's all."

"Alright, I understand."

He nodded. "The creature that attacked Miss Hall tonight was an extraordinary beast from the Criminal Pathway. We refer to it as a devil dog. Fortunately, it was killed by Leonard—this guy here with the less-than-polite tone."

Leonard: "..."

"But this devil dog has a far more powerful and cunning master who has yet to be caught. Based on what we know of him, he's a cold-blooded, cruel man with a strong desire for revenge. If he finds out that Miss Hall came into contact with his pet—and even indirectly caused its death—he may retaliate. So please, be very cautious in the coming days!"

Indirectly caused its death? You mean the part where I didn't just stand there and let it kill me, but instead used magic to hold it off until official Beyonders arrived and finished it off?

Well, my bad, I guess!

Audrey muttered inwardly, then nodded solemnly. "I understand. Thank you for the warning."

Sost stood up. "Alright, we'll take our leave."

Leonard was surprised. "Captain, that's it? Even if she's Madam Daly's friend, isn't this a bit rushed?"

He wasn't being unreasonable. Tonight, the two major Churches had joined forces and even brought out Sealed Artifact 1-42. The plan should have gone perfectly, yet Leonard—who had been in charge of controlling the armour—somehow locked onto the wrong target. He felt guilty, frustrated, and angry at himself.

Especially now that Duke Negan had been assassinated by that man, the same sense of helplessness he'd felt back in Tingen surged again.

Suddenly, Daly reached out and pinched his ear. "What's this? Are you implying we're abusing our power for personal gain? You've grown bold, haven't you?"

"No, no, I was just…I'm just frustrated, that's all."

"Apologies for the disturbance, Miss Hall. Please convey my apologies to the Earl and Madam as well."

Audrey replied with an impeccably polite smile, "It's fine. I heard Duke Negan was assassinated—was that true?"

"It was."

He didn't elaborate. "Let's go."

At that moment, Daly said, "You go on ahead."

Sost gave her a look. "Alright."

Once the captain stepped outside, Leonard had no choice but to follow. As the two exited the villa, Soest made a subtle gesture, prompting the other Red Glove members nearby to silently retreat.

Walking side by side, Soest looked at Leonard and said, "I know you're upset about tonight's failure, but no matter how anxious you get, you can't be reckless. Otherwise, you'll easily be used by others."

"Why?"

"Do you know who Earl Hall is?"

"A famous banker in Loen?"

Coming from a humble background, Leonard instinctively disliked the rich.

Sost said, "Besides that, he's also a representative of the New Party in Loen. Politically, he's a rival of Duke Negan—the one who was assassinated tonight. If someone with ulterior motives seizes this moment and frames his daughter, and you foolishly believe it, do you know what might happen?"

Leonard furrowed his brows, then said, "But that doesn't mean she has no suspicion at all, does it?"

"Then tell me—why do you think we personally came to question her tonight, instead of having a Nightmare Beyonder question her through a dream?"

"Yeah…I was wondering that too."

Sost smiled. "So our visit tonight, officially to 'question' her, was actually to warn Miss Hall—and by extension, Earl Hall—to beware of retaliation from the Desire Apostle."

"Huh?"

Leonard was stunned. So this is the kind of special treatment rich believers get?

"Old man, is the world really this unfair?"

Pallez let out a mocking laugh. "I don't see what's so unfair. You're just judging things from your limited perspective—with the shallow understanding you currently have. Deep down, you know that girl wasn't a suspect, don't you?"

Leonard muttered, "It's not about suspicion anymore—it's about procedure and regulations."

"That's why I said your understanding is shallow." Pallez's tone shifted. "Do you realise that girl might actually be a higher Sequence than you?"

Leonard was stunned.

"In any case, your one and only goal right now should be to increase your strength as fast as possible. Once you reach a certain Sequence, you'll naturally see more than you can now."

Soest gave Leonard a firm pat on the shoulder. "Alright, don't overthink it. Go back and get some rest tonight. Tomorrow morning, you'll regroup with the Machinery Hiveminds. The matter of the Desire Apostle is far from over."

"Yes, sir!"

——

Meanwhile, at Earl Hall's villa—

Once Leonard and the others left, Audrey turned to Daly and said sincerely, "Thank you for earlier, Ms. Daly."

Daly gave her a playful wink. "Why so formal with me? We're more than just friends, aren't we?"

"That's true!"

Audrey nodded and smiled. Then, curiosity getting the better of her, she asked, "So...how are things between you and Mr. Dunn lately?"

"Between us? What do you mean?" Daly feigned confusion.

"Oh, you know...your relationship! Last time, didn't you two spend a couple of days together on Damir Island for a honey—cough, a little getaway? Surely something must've happened?"

Daly narrowed her eyes mischievously. "Young lady, you sure know a lot."

Audrey stuck out her tongue. "It was…it was Edward who told me!"

Daly glanced around and called out, "Mr. Edward, you can come out now."

A few seconds later, Edward appeared from a corner, taking off his invisibility cloak and walking over with Susie. "Miss Daly, you could sense me?"

"I just saw your cat and guessed." She pointed at Lilith, who was lying innocently nearby.

Lilith tilted her head, confused. "Meow?"

"Uh, fair enough."

Edward took a seat beside Audrey. "So...you and the Captain…"

Daly gave a slight cough. "Actually, the reason I stayed behind was to ask you two lovebirds for some advice."

Lovebirds?!

The two of them made eye contact—Audrey shot him a glare that clearly said, Who's a lovebird with you?!

Daly continued, "To be honest, my relationship with Dunn is both simple and complicated. Simple, because we both know how we feel about each other. Complicated, because our experiences and personalities make it hard to take that final step."

"In truth, I know the problem lies mostly with me."

Her eyes dimmed slightly. "After he survived that close call recently, he almost confessed his feelings. But I...instinctively avoided it—shied away from the courage he had finally mustered."

"He misunderstood, of course, and since then, our relationship has stalled. I regret avoiding him in that moment, but I also know...if I had the chance to do it again, I'd probably still make the same choice. Because...I once..."

But she couldn't bring herself to finish the sentence.

Edward, however, understood clearly what Daly feared, what she felt inferior about.

When Daly was nineteen, she lost her family in a tragic accident and accidentally consumed a Corpse Collector potion. The combination of trauma and potion effects made her drawn to cold, lifeless things—she sought out corpses, wandered cemeteries, and even slept near graves.

Her soul and spirit grew increasingly cold. Terrified, she began using her beauty and body to feel alive—she entered relationships with men one after another, relying on the warmth of physical touch to fight the chill in her soul.

Later, she met Dunn and developed feelings for him. She immediately began changing herself, but the shadows of her past—its madness and recklessness—remained a thorn lodged deep in her heart.

In the original novel, had Dunn not died, she might have hidden her feelings forever.

Edward thought for a moment and said gently, "You know, if you'd just be brave and express your feelings to the Captain, he'd definitely be thrilled."

At that moment, Daly looked completely lost—like a helpless little girl. "I understand...but every time I face him, I can't stop myself from feeling afraid and inferior."

Edward thought a bit more and said, "Then what you need is professional psychological help. I think Audrey might be able to help you."

Caught off guard by the sudden mention, Audrey quickly responded, "I can give it a try!"

Daly blinked, looking at her in surprise.

"I'm a Sequence 7 Psychiatrist of the Spectator Pathway," Audrey explained. "I specialise in psychological issues. How about this—whenever you're free, you can come to me. I'm sure I'll be able to help in some way."

There was a faint ripple in Daly's eyes. "Alright. Thank you, Audrey."

Audrey grew serious. "Tonight was rushed and late. How about we have a proper session next time?"

"Sounds good."

"But personally, I think you should take the first step today." Audrey looked her in the eye and said firmly, "Wipe off that heavy eyeshadow and blush. And from now on, don't wear them anymore."

Daly responded instinctively, "But...I'm used to it."

"I'm your doctor now~ You need to follow your doctor's advice."

Daly hesitated, then nodded. "Alright. I understand."

She took a deep breath and suddenly turned to Edward, a smile reappearing on her face. "Tonight's conversation...must stay between us, okay?"

"Uh, don't worry. I'm not a blabbermouth."

Women...really are fickle.

One moment, deeply sentimental and lovesick—

The next, smiling sweetly while threatening you.

———

[Note]: Don't forget to VOTE. It keeps me motivated.