HPxLOTM: A Wizard's Path to Divinity

"Your Highness, have you not returned to the sea lately?"

Bernadette nodded. "Mm, I've been waiting for the opportunity to advance to Sequence 2. That prophecy I made for you last time showed me a possibility—right here in Backlund."

The ritual for advancing from Sequence 3 to Sequence 2 in the Mystery Pryer pathway required one to prevent a disaster involving high-level forces. If the Great Smog was still destined to happen, it would definitely qualify as such a disaster.

"Were you able to see when that disaster happens, and exactly what happens?"

"No."

Bernadette's deep blue eyes became distant and profound. "All I could see was a disaster full of variables and unknowns."

She smiled faintly. "That's precisely what makes the advancement to Sequence 2 so difficult. I can predict most things, but once it involves my advancement ritual, the future becomes murky and uncertain. I believe that's due to the interference of high-level powers involved."

"I see…"

Just then, Bernadette set down her fork and asked casually, "Has Bornova come to see you yet?"

"???"

Edward blinked, then suddenly understood. "So…you were the one who sent him to greet me?"

And here I was, racking my brain trying to figure out what our interaction from earlier was supposed to mean…

"That's right," she propped her chin on one hand, "You know Bornova's current condition, right?"

"Mm, I've heard a bit about it."

"That's why I asked him to find you—see if he could awaken some sliver of humanity in himself."

Edward was stunned. What kind of logic was that?

Bornova had lost his humanity and was left only with divinity back when the Emperor was still alive. Even Roselle had been completely helpless, and even suspected that the God of Steam had deliberately taken his youngest son hostage to threaten him—leading to their eventual falling out.

Even if I am Roselle's resurrected form, I'm not capable of changing that! Let alone when Bornova is just using someone else's body to drop by and say hi.

Edward suddenly froze and asked, "Wait, when you say he's coming to find me, do you mean…"

Bernadette raised a hand, tapped the table with a finger, then drew a line diagonally down and to the right before tapping again. "I mean he's travelling from Intis to Backlund to meet you in person."

That...

Edward immediately blurted out, "Your Highness, have you somehow gotten the idea that I can counteract the influence of a god on your brother?"

Bernadette's smile widened. "So you really do know?"

"..."

Edward instantly wanted to slap himself. This is why people say loose lips sink ships!

Bornova's condition might not be a secret among the higher-ups, but it certainly wasn't something someone at his level should be aware of.

No, this can't go on—I'm going to get myself killed at this rate.

"Your Highness, I—"

Suddenly, Bernadette turned to look down the street. "Tell me another story."

Seriously?! Are you sensing what I'm about to say and avoiding the truth?

"Um…Alice in Wonderland, maybe?"

No way! That story doesn't even exist in this world. If I tell it, it'll basically confirm my identity as the Emperor!

Bernadette waited for a long time, but Edward remained silent. She frowned slightly and asked, "You don't know that one? Then how about…Little Red Riding Hood?"

Now that story at least exists in this world.

Sighing, Edward began, "Once upon a time, there was a sweet little girl. Because she often wore a red hood her grandmother had given her, everyone called her 'Little Red Riding Hood'. One day…"

...

"…Little Red Riding Hood looked at the wolf disguised as her grandmother and asked, 'Grandma, what big eyes you have!'

'The better to see you with, my dear,' said the wolf.

'And what big hands you have!'

'The better to hug you with.'

'And what a big mouth you have—it's scary!'

'The better to eat you with!'"

"The wolf could no longer contain itself and sprang up, swallowing Little Red Riding Hood in one gulp. After a big belch, it said: 'Now that hit the spot.' Later, a hunter passed by, cut open the wolf's belly with a knife, and rescued both Little Red Riding Hood and her grandmother."

Edward shrugged. "That's the end of the story."

Bernadette rested her chin in her hand, thinking. "Would you say the wolf was a big bad guy?"

"From a human perspective, of course."

"Oh," she nodded thoughtfully. "I guess that's true. But from the wolf's perspective, it was just trying to fill its belly."

You're a Sequence 3 powerhouse and you're over here trying to glean deep philosophy from a children's fairytale. Really?

"Well, thank you for the story. What do you want in return this time?"

"Hmm, I want to record a few abilities from you."

Bernadette narrowed her eyes. "You're planning to deal with someone again?"

"A demigod of the Rose School of Thought. Not really deal with—more like distract or draw him away."

She nodded and didn't probe further. "Alright. I'll find you tonight."

Bernadette stood up after placing her soft hat back on. "Bornova should arrive in Backlund within the next few days. He'll come find you."

"Could you…tell him not to come?"

Edward put his hands together in a pitiful, helpless gesture. "I'm scared."

"Hmm. Then I'll come along too."

"…."

As she finished speaking, vines dropped down from the sky. Bernadette reached up, grabbed one, and disappeared. And as miraculous and mysterious as that scene was, none of the passersby seemed to notice a thing.

"Well then…if the soldiers come, I'll meet them with a wall. If the flood comes, I'll raise the earth."

Edward stabbed a large piece of lamb and stuffed it into his mouth.

Lilith nudged him with a tiny foot. "Edward, what kind of wolf can swallow a person whole? How big must that be? Do such wolves really exist?"

"Oh yes. Not only are they big—they've got eight legs…"

Cough, cough, cough, cough!

Edward burst into a violent coughing fit, nearly hacking up his stomach.

It took him six or seven minutes to finally calm down. Face pale, he muttered, I didn't specifically mean you. Annihilation Demonic Wolf…There's also Antigonus the Half-Fool on Hornacis mountain, isn't there?

"Eight legs?"

Lilith looked down at her own paws, mumbling, "I already struggle with four legs sometimes… Wouldn't eight just be a hassle?"

Edward pinched her cheeks. "Topic over."

But she shook her head free. "Still, if I had four more legs, wouldn't I run even faster?"

"...I'll ask for you if I get the chance," he muttered.

"From Antigonus," he added quickly.

———

In West Borough, inside a scarlet bar run by vampires.

Emlyn stepped into the dimly lit bar, greeted immediately by the intoxicating scent of fresh blood. Without hesitation, he strode toward the bar counter.

"One glass—half and half."

In some bars, "half and half" referred to a mix of malt beer and fortified wine. But here, it meant a blend of fresh blood and red wine in equal parts.

"Hey, Emlyn! Didn't you spend all your money on those precious collectables of yours? What brings you here today?" the bartender asked, sliding over a glass of crystal-clear, deep-red liquid.

Emlyn picked up the glass, gave it a light sniff, and replied, "Even I need a little indulgence once in a while."

He took a small sip, a satisfied smile spreading across his face.

For most vampires, the best blood was fresh and drunk straight from the source—rich in spirituality and vitality, absolutely delicious. But to maintain peace with humans, vampires had long since stopped drinking directly from them, instead resorting to "stored blood."

However, a few noble houses had mastered techniques to preserve the freshness and spirituality of blood for long periods. They leveraged this secret to open exclusive bars and made a killing off the business.

Gulp, gulp.

Emlyn tilted his head back and drained the glass. The crimson gleam in his eyes seemed to brighten. He looked to the bartender and asked, "Has Viscount Ernes come in today?"

"He has. He's at the far end, playing billiards."

"Thanks."

Emlyn paid, then walked straight over.

"Oh, Emlyn! First time I've seen you here," said the man with an unusually prominent nose, cradling a cue stick while watching someone else line up a shot.

"Your Lordship," Emlyn greeted politely, then got straight to the point. "I'm looking to purchase some Trapped Ghost Residue Powder. Might you have any on hand?"

Ernes raised an eyebrow. "I'll have to check my stores to be sure."

He picked up a cue cloth and wiped down his stick as he casually asked, "What do you need that for?"

Emlyn shrugged. "To make a bit of hard-earned profit as a middleman, of course. You know how quickly I burn through money."

"Hahaha!"

Ernes chuckled. "Honestly, I kind of envy you. To have such a devoted hobby—it's rare among vampires. Our long lives can get unbearable if there's nothing to distract us."

Not wanting to get drawn into idle chatter, Emlyn pressed again, "So, when will you know for sure?"

"Tomorrow."

Ernes thought for a moment. "Same place, alright?"

"Fine."

Emlyn backed away with a polite nod. "Then I won't intrude on your leisure any longer, Viscount."

After clearing the table with one smooth stroke, Ernes finally stepped out, boarding a luxurious carriage.

"To the Odora Family estate," he ordered.

Last time, Cosmi had made it clear—Lord Nibbs wanted to be informed of any new moves Emlyn made, immediately.

"Tsk, I can't tell if this Emlyn is lucky…or cursed."

———

Back at the Empress Borough villa, Edward had just returned when Audrey arrived.

She was dressed in an unusually elaborate ball gown. The last time he'd seen her in such attire was at the Duke Negan's ball.

Edward had to exert effort just to pull her through the door. "Why show up wearing that?"

"To teach you how to dance."

Audrey let out a breath. "You need to get used to dancing in formalwear. It's better to adjust in advance."

Looking at the extravagant layers of her skirt, Edward blinked. "I'm definitely going to step all over your hem…"

"Then you'll be making a complete fool of yourself!"

She pulled out a portable cassette player, then waved her wand to push the sofa and chairs to the edge of the room, clearing a large open space.

"Come on."

With a click, the cassette began playing slightly muffled waltz music—clearly a home recording.

"The first step is learning how to invite a lady to dance like a gentleman."

"Oh, I know this part!"

Edward placed his left hand behind his back, bowed slightly, and extended his right hand.

"May I have this dance, Miss Hall?"

———

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