HPxLOTM: A Wizard's Path to Divinity

All along, Edward's general stance toward Klein had been: help him if possible, but don't revolve your entire life around him—let alone become his babysitter.

He and the Goddess shared the same desire: they needed a Lord of the Mysteries who could carry his own weight, not a half-baked ornamental puppet cultivated through overprotection.

But this time…it was different.

First, Klein's disappearance didn't exist in the original story.

Second, it likely involved angel-level powers.

Third, the disaster Bernadette had prophesied was just around the corner—if they didn't intervene now, who knew whether it might spiral into something truly irreversible?

You couldn't seriously count on Klein's Evernight Mommy to swoop in at the critical moment, could you?

"Now, who are the big shots that might be able to help…Bernadette, Horamick, Mr. Azik…and maybe Medici?"

Wait a minute.

The reason Klein had gone after Barron in the first place was to investigate the missing maid from Prince Edessak's manor.

And Prince Edessak was deeply tied to the Demoness Sect.

That meant Klein's disappearance might also be related to the witches?

In that case, could they perhaps uncover something through the collaboration between the Aurora Order and the Demoness Sect?

As Edward was thinking this, whoosh!

Phoenix tore through the air and flew in, clutching a letter in its claws.

"Is it from the Captain? Or Akasha?"

Edward took the letter, unfolded it, and saw—it was from Admiral of Ailment Tracy, relayed through The Hanged Man Alger:

To Mr. Sparrow,

Greetings.

Yesterday, I happened to learn that my mother is heading to Backlund, though her purpose there remains unclear.

That said, I've heard rumours that the Demoness Sect is cooperating with certain factions in Backlund.

I hope this intel is useful to you.

Also, I'd like to ask if there's any alternative way—any at all—for me to obtain the method to become male again.

I am willing to pay any price.

---

After reading the letter, Edward was momentarily stunned.

He had just been thinking about the Demoness Sect—and a witch's letter had arrived.

So…the Demoness of White, Katarina, had come to Backlund?

In the original plot, she collaborated with the Loen royal family to obtain one of the Sequence 1 Beyonder characteristics from the Hunter pathway—Conqueror.

But that only happened around the time of George III's apotheosis.

The Great Smog incident, if he remembered correctly, was orchestrated by the Demoness of Despair, Panatiya…

Oh right, she had been gravely injured in an internal power struggle within the Demoness Sect.

Her current state remained unknown.

But the high-ranking demoness who wounded Panatiya was currently in Backlund.

Could it be that Katarina had come to deal with her?

One possible speculation:

Panatiya had recovered and was preparing to cooperate with the royal family in triggering the Great Smog, just like in the original timeline.

Katarina's arrival was to prevent the high-ranking demoness behind Trissy from interfering again.

Misfortune never comes alone, does it?

When it rains, it pours.

Edward quickly scribbled a single sentence on parchment in reply:

"Deal. One Undying Beyonder characteristic in exchange."

He handed the note to Phoenix.

"Please help me deliver it back."

"Got it!"

Phoenix had just flapped into the spirit world when Edward, carrying Lilith, stepped in right after—traveling through the Traveler's Door to the Aurora Order's headquarters.

As he exited the spirit world, he saw Priscilla sitting at the head seat with her chin propped up in boredom, muttering to herself:

"Said they'd help me digest my potion faster…It's been days and I haven't 'acted' even once!"

"What's the rush?"

Medici was sprawled lazily on the couch nearby, one leg crossed over the other.

A glance around told Edward: Mr. A wasn't here.

"Well, well, you were just a Sequence 7 the first time we met. And now you're Sequence 5 already?"

Medici flashed a wide grin.

"You'd better watch your back. You never know when a little raven might jump out of nowhere and gobble you up."

Right…Amon has a taste for Marauder pathway characteristics…but he's interested in the Apprentice pathway too?

Priscilla instantly perked up when she saw Edward.

"Big Brother Edward! They're being mean to me again~ Forcing me to stay here every day. Sooo boring!"

Then she noticed the cat.

"Ah! Lilith! You're here too!"

She ran up and scooped Lilith from Edward's arms.

Medici's eyes widened.

Then he slapped his thigh and burst into laughter.

"Pfft—You've got guts, kid! Even if Lilith's been dead for thousands of years, her vampire descendants are still very much alive.

Giving your cat that name? That's some bold provocation!

Hahahaha! I like you even more now.

Once I ascend to Sequence 0, I'll make you my Pope!"

"…Thank you for the honour, Lord Medici."

Edward offered a polite bow.

He glanced at Priscilla, now cuddling Lilith.

"But…why are you keeping Priscilla here?"

Medici folded his arms and huffed.

"To keep her from attracting that damned demoness from the Cheek's family! What else?"

So Medici knew Katarina had come to Backlund too?

But in the original, he had intimidated her into submission with pure bluffing.

Now he was hiding?

Medici suddenly slapped the table and stood up:

"Hey, what's with that look on your face?!

If it weren't for this brat, I wouldn't need to be holed up here!"

Edward asked, "Has the Demoness Sect reached out to the Aurora Order?"

"Of course."

Medici raised an eyebrow.

"Heh. Same old demands as before—asking the Aurora Order to create some big commotion in Backlund. Including, but not limited to, the descent of 'my Lord.'"

"You refused?"

"Not exactly."

Medici snorted.

"Depends on what they offer."

He let out a scornful laugh, as if recalling something ridiculous.

"You know what those idiots offered Mr. A as 'payment' last time? Dropping the wanted status on the Aurora Order and writing up articles in the newspaper praising our 'great contributions.'"

"Fucking morons."

He couldn't help swearing under his breath.

Edward asked, "Then what do you want?"

"Whatever Cheek wants," Medici replied smoothly. "I want that."

"They agree?"

"Not a chance."

Medici's tone suddenly cooled.

"But those dimwits can't get anything done without the Aurora Order's help.

It's the bargaining phase now. Negotiation, after all, is always about give and take."

Edward took the opportunity to ask, "I've always been curious…You've only recently escaped your seal, right? How do you know so much about what's happening in the outside world?

Did your Lord tell you?"

"The Lord? "He's" gone even more mad than "He" was before I escaped," Medici replied casually. "As for me, I have my own channels and connections—you don't need to worry about that, kid."

He paused.

Suddenly, his eyes narrowed sharply.

"But you, on the other hand—you knowing so much is far more suspicious, isn't it?"

Edward gave it a moment of serious thought, then replied frankly, "Me? I also have my own channels and connections. You don't need to worry about it either."

"…"

Medici burst out laughing again.

"Good, good! Absolutely delightful! Someday, I must introduce you to Lil Raven!"

"I'll pass, thank you."

Medici waved a hand.

"Enough chatter. Out with it—what did you come here for?"

"I have a friend who's gone missing," Edward explained. "He's a detective who got caught up in an investigation. I suspect the case is tied to the royal family and the Demoness Sect."

"Heh. Then he's as good as dead."

Edward shook his head.

"He's not dead. He's just trapped in a place that can't be divined, located, or even sensed using high-grade sealed items. I came here to ask—who do you think has the power to pull something like that off?"

Medici scoffed.

"Isn't it just creating a space outside of reality, and tossing in some anti-divination? That's nothing special. Besides, with how the Loen royal family operates, people disappearing is practically routine."

He added lazily, "And this is Evernight's territory. If "She" wants to hide something, you think "She'd" send you a memo?"

Edward froze.

Could it be…Klein was preemptively taken to that church by the Goddess?

That didn't make sense.

All he was doing was chasing after Barron, wasn't he?

Wait…unless Klein really did discover the tomb George III was digging to ascend…and the Goddess, in an act of protection, threw him into hiding?

If that were the case…it wouldn't be a bad outcome.

But…from what he recalled, there shouldn't be snow there.

Sigh.

No use hoping for more intel from Medici.

Edward rubbed his temples.

"Lord Medici…if the Demoness Sect agrees to your terms, do you really plan to bring the Lord down? I mean—whatever's left of the Lord today—"He's" already gone mad because "He" lost "His" Anchor in the War of the Four Emperors. If the Aurora Order keeps pushing this…"He'll" only deteriorate faster."

Medici shot him a glance.

"What a noble-sounding speech. But let's be real—you just don't want 'innocents' to die, do you?"

"…Yes."

Medici gave a light scoff.

"And if I say no, you planning to fight me over it?"

Edward chuckled.

"Now how could I dare? We're all one big family, aren't we? Whatever issue comes up, surely we can talk it out peacefully."

"Tch."

Medici snorted.

"Pathetic human morality."

He stretched.

"Besides, the Aurora Order's target this time is the Church's Beyonders. Frankly, I'd rather not see ordinary folks die meaninglessly either…"

He smiled maliciously.

"They're much more useful alive, don't you think? Makes for good cannon fodder in future wars. Efficient recycling, I'd say."

Then, with a twisted grin, he added, "Heh. If you really care that much, why don't you go babysit the witches under Cheek's command instead? They're the ones really planning a bloodbath."

"You care about civilian lives? Let's see you stop them."

Edward answered seriously.

"I'll do what I can. That's all one can do. Now then—I'll be going. Come on, Lilith."

"Coming~"

"Pfft—"

Medici burst into laughter again.

"Once all this is over, let's take your cat for a visit to the vampires. That'll be fun."

"…"

Oh, my relationship with the vampires is great right now…

Priscilla pouted.

"Leaving so soon?"

Edward hesitated, stepped forward to ruffle her hair, then took a step back, entering the spirit world and vanishing.

Medici turned his gaze toward a crucifix hanging upside down on the wall and chuckled quietly:

"Heh…human nature."

———

Back in the City of Backlund, in the rented flat shared by Xio and Fors…

Xio sat anxiously on the sofa, glancing out the window again and again.

But with each passing look, the unease in her chest only grew heavier.

Fors had been missing for nearly a full day!

The day before, Fors had experienced a burst of inspiration late at night and pulled an all-nighter, making huge progress on her novel.

The price? Her cigarettes barely had a chance to cool.

Early the next morning, she'd told Xio she was heading out to buy more smokes.

They were supposed to discuss a letter afterwards.

But Fors had never returned.

At the time, Xio assumed it was just Fors being Fors—finding some excuse to delay their discussion.

So she didn't think much of it and left as usual.

But when she came home at 8 PM that evening, the apartment was pitch black.

Fors hadn't come back since leaving that morning.

For most adults, disappearing overnight might not be that alarming.

But Fors was different.

She was the kind of person who would rather lie down than sit, sit than stand, and stay indoors than set foot outside.

Ever since they'd met, Fors had never vanished without a word.

By the time midnight came and went, Xio finally gave up on denial.

Ignoring her own exhaustion from the day's work, she plunged into the shadows, seeking help from the agents of MI9.

"Fors…Where the hell did you go?"

———

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