[Empress Borough—Edward's Small Villa]
Lilith looked up and said, "Edward, you're back."
Nowadays, every time Edward attended the Tarot Club, Lilith would take the initiative to act as his 'security', guarding him during the meeting.
"Mm."
Edward patted her head, then summoned Mr. Azik's messenger to inform him about the situation with Priscilla—how she had absorbed the three-in-one Medici evil spirit.
"Lilith, I'm heading out for a bit."
"Eh?"
She pouted. "You've been sooo busy lately~"
"Sorry about that. Once we're back at Hogwarts in a few days, things will quiet down."
Lilith's eyes lit up. "We're going back? Miss Lilith's starting to Miss Meowgonagall~!"After a second's thought, she asked, "Can we bring Susie back with us this time?"
"Hm…I'll have to check with Audrey and Susie about that."
She beamed. "Susie wants to go! I'll bring her to play with Meowgonagall!"
"Alright, alright."
Lilith raised a little paw and waved. "Come back soon~"
When Edward arrived at Mr. Azik and Priscilla's residence, Mr. Azik—having received the letter in advance—was already waiting outside. A trace of puzzlement marked his face."I just checked on Priscilla again. Her body does indeed contain an additional spirit in her Underworld. It should be the evil spirit you mentioned."
"Do you think it poses a threat to her?"
Mr. Azik shook his head, tone firm: "No."
Edward was taken aback. Putting aside the power disparity between Mr. Azik and the Medici trio, just the fact that those three were all from the pathway of schemers meant they were inherently untrustworthy. So why was Mr. Azik so certain?
His brows furrowed tightly. "Because the relationship between that evil spirit and Priscilla is… one of subordination. Forget harming her—he can barely even disobey her commands."
"..."
Edward was stunned. He knew something had to be off—strangeness always meant something—but this "three-in-one Medici" stunt had him completely baffled.
"Can such a subordinate relationship really restrain the evil spirit? I mean, Priscilla is only Sequence 5, while that spirit was once a Sequence 1 angel."
Mr. Azik thought for a moment before answering, "But that angel has lost all the Beyonder characteristics he once had. Right now, he's merely an evil spirit with a high level of authority." After a pause, he added, "If you want, you can ask him directly."
"Alright."
The two entered the house side by side. Priscilla was putting on her shoes, looking ready to head out with her burial shroud in hand."Huh? Big Brother Edward!"
She gave a delighted smile. "What brings you here?"
Mr. Azik explained, "Edward heard that you've acquired a powerful spirit and came to see for himself."
Priscilla eyed them suspiciously. "Did Mr. Azik tell you? Or did you just…"
Edward winked at her.
The little one instantly pouted. "Ugh, I knew I'd give it away! I wanted to surprise you! It's all their fault!"
Well, I am surprised enough already.
Though her words made little sense, Mr. Azik grew curious—but didn't pry.
At that moment, Priscilla crossed her arms, and the sigil of the Gate of Underworld surfaced on her forehead. With a blast of wind, a translucent man in blood-stained black armour stormed out from the realm of the dead. His expression fierce, he barked, "Who do you want me to kill?"
Priscilla shook her head. "No one. I just wanted to let you guys out for some fresh air."
"You little brat, you really think we're your prisoners?"
Then he noticed Edward a few meters away and froze slightly. "You dare show your face again?"
"Lord Medici…That's not fair. You broke our agreement and double-crossed me—what do I have to be afraid of?"
Two mouths appeared on either of Medici's cheeks:
"Quit wasting time, Medici. Kill him!"
"Yes! Kill him! If it weren't for him, how would we be enslaved by this little brat?"
"Kill him!"
"Come on, do it! If you won't, give me control of the body!"
No matter how much the two mouths ranted, Medici remained unmoved. He stared at Edward darkly.
"Did you come just to laugh at me?"
Edward looked confused. "Actually, I was worried you might harm Priscilla."
Medici's expression turned puzzled. "You…really don't know?"
"Don't know what?"
He scoffed coldly. "That Adam set me up, of course!"
Edward was stunned. "You mean your current state…is his doing?"
"Wasn't it he who sent you to break my seal?"
"I was just fulfilling a mission to get the Card of Blasphemy. I didn't know anything else."
Medici stared at Edward in silence.
After a moment, he gave a cold, bitter laugh. "No one walks away unscathed from dealing with him."
With that, his figure slowly faded and returned to the Underworld Gate.
Priscilla, acting like a miniature adult, clenched her fists. "Hmph! How dare they talk back? I'll teach them a lesson later!"
"….."
Edward was speechless. If the Medici Trio had truly been set up by Adam to this extent, then…yes, it was tragically pitiful.
But this raised another question—what exactly was Adam's purpose in binding the Medici Trio as a spirit under Priscilla's control?
Edward had initially assumed that Adam released Medici in preparation for the coming war. After all, once a person advanced to Sequence 1, they would become a symbol of something greater. Just like what the Evernight Goddess later told Klein:
"When "He" arrives, war shall engulf the land."
The arrival of the "Red Angel," the embodiment of war, in Loen meant the conflict was inevitable. It signified that the tide set in motion by Adam could no longer be reversed...
Wait a minute!
In the original timeline, the Medici Trio was released by Ince Zangwill and wandered the world with him for a time. Only after Ince's death did it return to Backlund with the Aurora Order—thus truly becoming the symbol of war.
But now? Medici had been sealed inside Priscilla's underworld domain from the very start. He wouldn't be wandering the world. He wouldn't need to return to Loen—because he had never left.
Did that mean Adam's war would erupt earlier than in the original timeline?
But why?
Since arriving in the world of the Fool, Edward had done a number of things and influenced quite a few people…but had he really triggered such a major shift in Adam's grand plans?
Just then, Priscilla walked over and gently tugged on his finger. In a small voice, she asked, "Brother Edward, what's wrong? Did they make you mad? Should I call them out to apologise to you?"
"Uh, no need for that. Really."
Edward quickly waved his hand. Priscilla was young and could afford not to understand the consequences, but he had to keep his wits about him. If he offended the Medici Trio too badly, and it ever broke free in the future, wouldn't he just be adding a powerful enemy to his list?
With that thought in mind, Edward said, "Priscilla, since that evil spirit is now your summon, you two are partners now. And partners should always treat each other with respect."
"Got it!"
She nodded obediently, a picture of docility.
Azik, who had remained silent until now, finally spoke. "I believe I…know that spirit. But it feels like a memory from a very, very long time ago."
Back in the War of the Four Emperors, Medici had supported Black Emperor Solomon under the True Creator, while Azik had stood by his own father—the Underworld Emperor Salinger. The two likely had met, though they probably hadn't known each other well.
Edward thought for a moment and said, "Mr. Azik, from what I've learned, you and Medici existed in the same era before your memory loss. So…maybe communicating with him could help recover some of those lost memories."
"But…I feel an inexplicable repulsion toward him. Something deep inside me just doesn't want to recover those memories."
Edward was momentarily stunned—then, he understood.
Azik, the Death Consul of the Fourth Epoch, had essentially been born devoid of emotion and humanity. He had existed as a backup plan for Salinger's resurrection, nothing more.
In the original story, he had lived alone, single-mindedly chasing after his lost memories. But now, with Priscilla—his descendant—by his side, that desperate desire to regain his past no longer burned as strongly.
Maybe that wasn't such a bad thing.
Because in the later parts of the original novel, as Azik recovered more memories, his humanity seemed to fade.
"Well, that's ultimately up to you," Edward said softly.
Azik nodded, his expression complicated. "Mm."
Priscilla glanced back and forth between the two men, her eyes full of confusion.
——
[City of Silver]
Derrick had been back from the grey fog for a while now, sitting on his bed, still turning over in his mind how he could report all this to the Chief.
Just then, a knock came at his door, along with a cheerful voice, "Derrick, it's me—Duck."
Derrick blinked. "Duck?"
They were both members of the same patrol team and had recently explored that ruined city-state with the True Creator statue together. But that was the extent of their relationship—why would Duck come looking for him?
Opening the door, Derrick saw the medium-built, slightly chubby boy smiling warmly. "Derrick, Elder Lovia asked us to gather at the plaza."
"What for?"
Duck scratched his head. "Seems like we're going to explore the underground section of that half-destroyed temple from last time."
"When are we heading out?"
"Mm…probably within the next two days."
Derrick stepped outside. "Let's go, then."
Maybe…after this exploration, when he reported back to the Chief, he could use it as a convenient excuse to explain some of the strange things he knew—as if it were something he encountered during the mission?
Derrick thought it over carefully and felt that this plan was rock-solid.
Soon, the two arrived at the plaza. Including Lovia, the exploration team consisted of eight people. After everyone gathered, she didn't say much—just briefed them on the departure time and what supplies to prepare, then dismissed the group.
Just as Derrick was about to leave with the others, Lovia suddenly called out, "Derrick, did that Brain of Asmann you took last time prove useful?"
"Yes, it did."
"Good. If you ever need anything else, just let me know."
Derrick scratched his head. "For now…I don't think I need anything."
Lovia's lips curved into a beautiful smile. "Alright then, you're free to go."
Feeling the weight of her gaze on his back, Derrick felt a chill run down his spine. He couldn't help but start to doubt—could Elder Lovia, who had now pledged herself to an evil god, truly be acting in City of Silver's best interest?
The kindness she showed me…
Was it real?
Or was it just a test?
And this upcoming trip to the temple ruins—would she…do something to me?
Derrick, who was never particularly good at thinking things through, found his thoughts spinning into chaos.
———
[Note]: Don't forget to VOTE. It keeps me motivated.