HPxLOTM: A Wizard's Path to Divinity

At that moment, Edward asked, "By the way, Miss Daly, what has the Captain been busy with lately?"

Daly let out a sigh. "Oh, him? He keeps saying he's tired and doesn't want to be a formal Beyonder anymore, but he just can't help meddling in things." She paused, then added, "These past few days, he's set his sights on that Trissy again."

Edward was surprised. "Trissy? Didn't she already leave Backlund?" He had personally seen her board the ship heading for the Southern Continent.

Besides, hadn't the Demoness Sect already completely abandoned her and replaced her with another witch at the Third Prince's side?

"But recently Dunn tracked her down again. This time, she's been a lot quieter, more low-key—and clearly taking orders from someone else."

Taking orders?

Could it be that witch more powerful than the Witch of Despair?

The thought made Edward's expression turn serious. "There's a high chance that someone behind Trissy is a powerful witch of Sequence 3 or even 2. Miss Daly, please pass a message to the Captain—he must immediately stop all investigations into Trissy and report it directly to the Church."

Daly's expression changed slightly. "Understood. I'll let him know."

Audrey suddenly asked, "What exactly did Trissy do to draw Mr. Dunn's attention again?"

"In fact, Dunn wasn't the first to discover her. It was Klein. She approached him under a false identity and asked him to investigate that Prince Edessak—especially the woman who recently appeared by his side."

"Klein initially had no idea Edessak was a prince, so he accepted the commission. But later, through another assignment, he learned Edsak's true identity. So he returned the deposit and declined the job."

"And that very day, Dunn happened to visit Klein to ask for a divination. He instantly recognised Trissy and started getting suspicious, worried she'd returned to Backlund to stir up trouble again."

Edward was stunned. "Trissy asked Klein to investigate Prince Edessak? What does that even mean?"

Could it be the intention of the witch supporting her?

Surely…it couldn't just be that she cared about Prince Edsak?

Is this what people call love?

"Alright, I'll go tell Dunn right away."

Daly stood up. "Audrey, I'll probably come to see you the day after tomorrow…for treatment."

"Okay~"

Once Daly left, Audrey finally let out a breath of relief. "Alright, you should get some rest too. I need to go find my mother—she's probably very worried."

"Mm, good night."

"Good night~"

———

[Backlund—Saint Hierländ Cathedral]

The next day.

Ever since that deal with Archbishop Horamick, Edward no longer felt the same resistance about coming here. Especially now that he'd provided the Church of the God of Steam and Machinery with several revolutionary technologies in one go.

Speaking of which, was the God of Steam and Machinery male or female? Edward genuinely didn't know. He'd always assumed it was a 'Him' and just followed what the internet in his past life called 'Him'—Stiano. Beyond that, he had no idea. Maybe he should ask the Goddess next time?

Walking into the steampunk-styled cathedral, Edward faced the sacred brilliance representing the God of Steam and Machinery without a shred of guilt. Instead, he tapped a triangle over his chest and greeted the deity—

Others were invested in by gods and powerful figures.

But me? I am your investor now, got it?

Once again, the Heart of Machinery member from before came to receive him and smoothly led Edward to a backroom behind the cathedral.

The moment Horamick saw him, he walked over quickly. "Do you still have those suitcases?"

"Uh, the ones I gave you last time…"

"They're all broken!"

Horamick coughed. "But I didn't come out of it empty-handed. I've finally realised what's been holding back my research progress."

"What is it?"

"A Beyonder characteristic from an Apprentice Pathway Beyonder!"

Edward subconsciously patted the pocket near his coat, but Horamick didn't notice and continued, "I'm currently applying to the Church headquarters—I believe I'll get approval soon."

"Ah. Best of luck."

Edward pulled out three suitcases and handed them over.

As Horamick accepted them, his brow furrowed. "No, this won't do."

"What's wrong?"

"At this rate, I'm racking up more and more favours I owe you. I still haven't fulfilled that promise to make you a mystical item. You haven't even used that yet."

Edward shrugged. "Well, you know how hard it is to get a demigod-level characteristic. And I'm not willing to settle for anything below that."

Horamick frowned in thought, then said, "What kind of mystical item are you looking for? I've saved up quite a bit of merit over the years. I can try to exchange for a suitable characteristic on your behalf."

Oh?

So generous?

Well then, I won't hold back.

Edward thought for a moment and finally said what he'd always wanted: "Hmm…either something with powerful defence, or something with powerful offensive abilities."

"Alright. I'll give it some serious thought."

Horamick nodded. "Right—what brings you here today?"

"Oh, I'm here to see Deacon Ikanser. I'd like to borrow a Sealed Artifact—that mirror for a bit."

"Arrodes? No problem. But Deacon Ikanser led a team early this morning to go find the Nighthawks…You must've heard about what happened last night, right?"

Edward's expression turned serious. "I heard. Someone attempted to assassinate Duke Negan." He paused. "In fact, I'm looking for Arrodes because of that killer."

"Oh?"

Edward briefly explained what had happened—Audrey being attacked by a devil dog.

"I see."

Horamick didn't probe any further. "As it happens, Ikanser didn't take Arrodes with him. I'll have someone take you there. By the way, you're aware of Arrodes's side effects, right?"

"Yes."

"Then it's fine."

Once again, the one guiding Edward was the same Machinery Hivemind member from before.

"Apologies, sir. We've met several times now, but it's always been so rushed I never got the chance to ask your name."

The man smiled slightly. "Bornova Gustav, Mr. Sparrow."

Edward suddenly halted in his tracks, turning to stare in shock. "What did you just say your name was?"

"What's wrong?"

The man looked puzzled. "My name is Dirac Odom."

"No, that's not what you just said."

Edward stared intensely into his eyes, hesitating whether to use Legilimency.

Bornova Gustav…that was the name of Emperor Roselle's youngest son, a Sequence 2 Knowledge Magister, a favoured one of the God of Steam and Machinery—someone with authority above even archbishops.

There was no way Edward could've misheard that name.

"But…" the man still looked confused. "My name really is Dirac Odom."

Legilimens.

A few seconds later, Edward withdrew his gaze and said apologetically, "Sorry, I must've misheard."

Dirac chuckled. "No worries, I do that all the time too."

Of course, Edward didn't believe he had misheard.

The result of Legilimency was clear—this "Dirac" truly knew nothing. There was only one possible explanation: Bonova had used some kind of avatar or divine descent to temporarily speak through Dirac.

But…he came all the way here just to say his name? What was that about?

Could it have been a gesture from the Stiano—sending 'His' favoured one to greet me?

But was that really necessary?

Also, he had addressed him as "Mr. Sparrow" rather than "Mr. Edward." It didn't seem like a big deal—both identities were Edward's, and Bonova knowing he was Sparrow wasn't surprising.

Yet, the deliberate use of that title felt…off. But what exactly was off, Edward couldn't say.

Could this just be a diversion—a smokescreen to lure me to Intis and ask in person?

Edward couldn't figure it out no matter how much he thought.

Soon, they reached a door. Dirac said, "Arrodes is resting in this room."

"Huh? Resting?"

Edward was surprised. He knew Arrodes was a living Sealed Artifact—the number one bootlicker of the future Lord of the Mysteries—but a Sealed Artifact with its own resting quarters?

"That's right. Last night, while pursuing the Desire Apostle, Arrodes exhausted itself and requested to rest in the Church."

Edward's eyes narrowed. Just a Sequence 5 Desire Apostle could wear down Arrodes? That was suspicious.

"I see. I'll go in now."

Dirac hesitated. "Mr. Edward, once you ask Arrodes a question, you must also answer one of its questions publicly—or you'll be punished."

Edward smiled and pulled Lilith out from inside his coat. "I know. I came prepared."

Lilith cooperated with a "Meow~"

"A cat?"

"That still counts as 'in public,' doesn't it?"

Edward grinned and pushed the door open: Arrodes only bullied the weak and feared the strong.

"In public," huh? Later on it even let Klein ask questions one-on-one—its lapdog personality was fully exposed!

He entered the room. It was less than twenty square meters, simply furnished. In the centre stood a table, and upon it lay an ornate silver mirror, its surface carved with mysterious patterns.

Edward stepped forward and looked at his reflection. "Esteemed Mr. Arrodes, I have a few questions I'd like you to answer."

A long silence followed.

Then, the darkness in the room thickened slightly. Ripples shimmered across the mirror's surface, and a single word appeared: "Granted."

Lilith's eyes widened. She leapt from Edward's arms and landed on the table, staring curiously at Arrodes.

Edward froze for a second. "That shouldn't count as a question, right?"

The moment he spoke, he wanted to slap himself. If that counted as a wasted question, then so would this one.

Fortunately, Arrodes replied: "It doesn't."

And added: "This one doesn't either."

"Thank you. Then, my question is: the Desire Apostle…the one you were chasing last night—where is he now?"

The silver surface rippled again. A scholarly man wearing glasses appeared, riding a train. The view outside the window was an open field—it was hard to pinpoint his exact location.

"He's left Backlund? Do you know where he's going?"

The image faded. In its place appeared a line of ancient Feysac glyphs:

"By the law of equivalence, it is now my turn to ask a question."

"If you lie or answer incorrectly, you will be punished."

The word "punished" was blood-red, as if still dripping liquid.

Edward nodded. "Alright."

The silver surface rippled again, and a new line of text appeared:

"You know my future great master, don't you?"

———

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