HPxLOTM: A Wizard's Path to Divinity

Although Audrey maintained a gentle smile the entire time, Hazel still felt an invisible pressure and instinctively said, "Y-yes, of course."

"Let's go."

As she watched the two walk away, Hazel couldn't help but feel uncertain—Did I really get it wrong?

Audrey led Edward into the dance floor, smiling as she looked at him.

"Come on, it's time to see how your lessons these past few days have paid off."

Edward hesitated, mumbling, "Uh, but…aren't I supposed to begin by formally inviting you? Stand half a meter away, left hand behind my back, extend right hand…"

"Should I go sit down and wait for you to come invite me then?"

Edward's eyes lit up. "Really? I can?"

"….."

She narrowed her eyes. "What do you think?"

Just then, the music changed—the tune shifting from soft and elegant to upbeat and lively.

Edward didn't think further. He placed a hand gently on her soft waist, held her slightly sweaty hand, and began dancing to the cheerful rhythm.

She's sweating? So when you linked your arm with mine in front of everyone earlier…you weren't as calm as you looked, huh?

Edward couldn't help but curve his lips into a smile.

"What are you grinning about? I asked you to dance, and you went off chatting with another girl instead?"

"...I was the one being chatted up, thank you."

"Hmm?" Audrey gave Edward a careful once-over, realising that he was saying the truth. Also, he looked handsome.

"It wasn't that kind of 'chat up,'" Edward explained while holding her hand, spinning her away lightly before pulling her back into his arms again. "She was the girl I ran into last night."

Audrey looked surprised. "But you changed your appearance—how did she recognise you?"

"She recognised Lilith. She said she felt it was her…honestly, sometimes a girl's intuition is sharper than spiritual perception."

"What did she want from you?"

"I'm not sure. I didn't admit anything, but odds are it has to do with that demigod."

She tilted her head in thought. "So…when are you planning to take revenge?"

Edward looked taken aback. "When did I say I was out for revenge?"

Audrey puffed her cheeks, grumbling, "Hmph. If it were you who almost got into trouble last night, maybe you'd let it slide. But that person laid hands on your precious 'daughter,' and yet you're still attending tonight's banquet—that's already giving me way more consideration than I'd have asked."

"Th-that's not…that serious…"

"You know exactly how serious it is."

"...Ahem."

Edward cleared his throat and then said earnestly, "By the way, Audrey, you look stunning tonight. You're the brightest star of the whole event."

"Do you think I need you to tell me that?"

Audrey was, of course, more than confident in her own appearance.

Not far away, Lilith—who was being cute in front of some noble ladies for free snacks—suddenly sneezed. She looked over in confusion.

"What are Edward and Audrey talking about?"

After finishing the first dance, Earl Hall stood to one side with a group of nobles. Watching his daughter twirling in the dance floor with Edward, his brow twitched repeatedly.

Just then, Member of Parliament Macht—Hazel's father—walked over with a smile.

"Earl Hall, which family is that young man from?"

"Yes, we're curious too. So the most Dazzling Gem of Backlund already has a suitor, huh?"

"Hahaha, congratulations, congratulations!"

"What a shame. My son's going to be heartbroken this time."

"Look over there—all those lads are heartbroken. Say, do you think someone will lose their temper and throw down a glove for a duel?"

"Bwahahaha!"

Earl Hall forced a smile. "Let the children sort out their own matters. We best not interfere."

He gestured with a hand.

"Gentlemen, shall we? It's time to talk business."

The men immediately straightened their expressions and followed Earl Hall toward the second floor.

Just then, Prince Edessak suddenly walked over and asked, "Gentlemen, may I join you for this meeting?"

——

Another bystander munching on the drama was none other than Viscount Glaint. To his surprise, after a brief absence, Audrey had already switched partners? And this time, she even boldly marched up and snatched him right in front of another girl?

Tsk! Ever since becoming a Beyonder, her courage has been growing by the day!

But what about that mysterious fellow from before? Dumped? Figures. Even someone like Audrey wasn't immune to the fleeting affections so common in social circles—just another girl with a short attention span.

A faint sense of schadenfreude rose in Glaint's heart. While he had never considered pursuing Audrey, Backlund's most dazzling gem, he certainly didn't enjoy watching someone else claim her.

Just as he was thinking that, Edward spun Audrey around and caught sight of Glaint. He instinctively gave a slight nod in greeting.

The smile instantly vanished from Grelint's face. Shit—it's still that guy!

Damn it!

The cheerful song ended, and the orchestra transitioned to a soft, romantic tune. The dancers on the floor began to slow their steps, moving more intimately with the music. Some couples, including husbands and wives, wrapped their arms around each other—

Of course, there were also a few bold individuals embracing someone else's spouse.

"When Father and the others finish their meeting upstairs, I'll take you to meet him."

Audrey suddenly said.

Edward's steps faltered. "Y-yeah…okay."

"Nervous?"

"Well…a little."

Edward looked away.

"Liar."

"Ahem, I'm a bit thirsty. I'll grab something to drink."

"Alright."

The two walked to the edge of the dance floor, arms linked. Mimicking the gentlemen around him, Edward held Audrey's hand and gave a light air-kiss to mark the end of their dance.

After politely declining a few noble youths who tried to ask her to dance, the pair made their way to the refreshment table and each picked up a glass of juice.

Audrey leaned in and spoke quietly, "By the way, Glaint told me just now that at the scene of last night's Beyonder incident at the docks, a lot of Tarot cards were left behind."

She narrowed her eyes slightly. "Was that you?"

Edward blinked, then shook his head. "No, I think it was left by one of Mr. Fool's Blessed."

Audrey's eyes lit up. "Is Mr. Fool trying to spread awareness of the Tarot Club?"

That…

Edward figured it was more likely just the residue from Klein's card-based fighting techniques—or perhaps part of his Magician persona.

"Then, should we start leaving Tarot cards at the scenes of our actions too?"

Edward shrugged. "We should probably ask Mr. Fool about that."

"Mhm! I'll ask at tomorrow's Tarot meeting!"

Audrey clearly looked thrilled by the idea: whenever a Tarot Club member resolved a Beyonder incident, they could leave behind a symbolic card…what a striking image that would be!

She couldn't help but wonder: Where might the "Justice" and "Tower" cards have landed among the ones scattered by the Blessed this time?

"Alright, daydreamer, stop fantasising~ Maybe it wasn't even Mr. Fool's intention."

Edward lightly tapped her forehead. Audrey covered her head, muttering, "You never know."

She took a delicate sip of juice, then suddenly glanced outside and said:

"Huh? Isn't that Fors and Xio? What are they doing here?"

Edward blinked. "I thought you invited them to help out at your place?"

"That kind of thing is usually arranged by the butler. Come on, let's go check."

Setting down her empty cup, she picked up two more drinks and took the lead.

"Good evening, Fors, Xio."

The two women had been chatting by the door. Hearing the voice, they turned to look.

"Oh, good evening, Audrey. And you're...Edward?"

Edward scratched his head, a little sheepish. "Well…I've made quite a few enemies in Backlund, so…"

The two nodded in understanding—they had also moved house countless times for similar reasons.

Audrey handed them the drinks. "Thank you for your help tonight. Have something to drink."

"Thanks," they said in unison. Xio added earnestly, "It's no big deal. We're getting paid anyway."

Just as she was about to take a sip, she paused and asked, "Drinking this won't dock our pay, right?"

Audrey blinked. "Huh?"

Fors coughed twice and smacked her on the back. "Xio!"

Xio chuckled, "Just kidding~"

She raised her cup toward Edward and Audrey. "Cheers, and congrats."

Fors also smiled. "I'm sure your names will be all over the gossip pages tomorrow."

Audrey glanced at Edward. "I'm also sure the reporters will dig through every record and still have no idea who he is."

"So they'll make something up! The king's secret son, a mysterious noble from the Southern Continent, a forbidden romance between a noble lady and a penniless young man…"

"Fors, you really are a novelist."

"Hahaha!"

The group laughed.

"AHHHHHHHH!"

Suddenly, a sharp scream tore through the air.

They immediately rushed toward the banquet hall, only to realise the sound came from the second floor. The guards stationed by the stairway charged up, while the guests all froze, exchanging glances filled with curiosity or concern.

Hibbert quickly stepped forward to calm the crowd.

"Everyone, please remain calm. It was likely just a clumsy maid knocking something over. I'll go take a look."

He gave a subtle glance to Edward and Audrey before heading upstairs.

Edward flicked a coin into the air.

"Earl Hall's in danger."

But before the coin could even land, he was already certain—something had definitely gone wrong.

One of the rooms on the vast second floor had a terrified maid collapsed by its door. The guards who had rushed up were all staring into the room in horror.

"Edward."

Audrey clutched his arm in fright.

Without hesitation, Edward activated [Madman to the Right] and said firmly,

"It's going to be okay!"

Just then, two figures dashed into the room—Beyonder bodyguards hired by the Hall family. But soon, they reappeared, supporting Earl Hall between them.

"Careful! There's poison in there!"

Edward darted forward, immediately assaulted by a dense scent of perfume and cigar smoke, along with an unsettling feeling that made his stomach churn.

A quick scan of the room showed that over a dozen people lay sprawled on the floor, faces flushed and drenched in sweat—whether dead or alive, it was impossible to tell.

"This is…carbon monoxide poisoning?!"

———

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