Since becoming a Miracle Invoker, Zaratul Jr. had spent all these years scheming toward a Sequence 1 advancement. Everything he did revolved around that goal.
But this matter clearly had nothing to do with his promotion to Attendant of Mysteries. To rashly intervene would only invite endless trouble while yielding no benefit whatsoever. So what was he plotting?
After a moment's silence, the woman in the black dress said, "I understand. I'll seek him out and speak with him face to face."
('Lil' Zaratul sneezed, a sudden foreboding that something unpleasant was about to happen.)
"What news of that Tarik lately?"
Marcia shook her head. "He hasn't contacted me in over a week."
"Find a way to learn his current situation as soon as possible."
"Yes, my Lady."
"Be careful."
"Thank you for your concern, my Lady."
The woman in the black dress faded from the mirror, the faint glow along its surface dimming away.
——
At the same time, at No. 20 Emerald Street—just a short distance from where Edward was renting his place.
The woman in the black dress stood serenely before her vanity mirror, but her tone carried a trace of doubt, "Even if it really was Zaratul, he would have countless means to prevent others from seeing or remembering his appearance, or simply turn Marcia into a marionette. Now she remembers nothing else, except for Zaratul's face. That's far too deliberate."
"Heehee~ That's exactly the point. Someone wants people to chase after Zaratul. Once they question him about who he's recently quarrelled with, perhaps they can deduce who the true culprit is!"
The woman in the black robe nodded in sudden understanding.
"I see."
She hesitated briefly, then asked, "Now that one of Intis' Brass Pillars has gone missing without a trace…should we still carry out the plan as originally arranged?"
"Mm, let me think~"
And with that, her voice disappeared.
Twenty minutes later, the woman in the black robe cleared her throat softly.
"Ahem."
"Ah, sorry. I dozed off just now—you know my condition these days. If I don't pay attention, I fall asleep. What were we talking about again?"
"About whether to proceed with the plan as arranged."
"Oh, right…I don't know either! How about…we wait until we find Lil Zaratul and question him, then decide?"
"Alright."
"Then I'm going back to sleep. Thank you for your hard work, Little Krismona~"
The woman in the black dress broke into a bright smile.
"You're welcome, Mama~"
———
The next morning.
Over breakfast, Edward said to Dubois, "Dubois, I need you to purchase a batch of gemstones as quickly as possible—before the next full moon."
"The next full moon?" Dubois thought for a moment. "That's just in a few days, boss. May I ask what kinds of gemstones you need?"
"Uh…"
Edward only remembered that when contacting Mr. Door, he had needed quite a few gemstones. But the exact kinds? How could he possibly recall?
"Bring a mix of whatever gemstones are available on the market. Oh, quality doesn't matter—as long as they're gemstones."
"That might still cost a fortune…The money I have on hand probably won't be enough."
"Yes, I know."
Edward felt a twinge of frustration. His pockets were stuffed with pound notes, but in this era they were nothing more than worthless scraps of paper. The Felkins from before had all been exchanged for gold coins and jewels.
Of course, he also still had a pile of Beyonder characteristics he had exchanged back in Monn City. The problem was—how was he supposed to convert them into money?
A Beyonder gathering?
There had to be such gatherings in Trier, but Edward had never paid attention before. So he asked, "Do you know where I can ask about Beyonder gatherings in Trier?"
Past or future, Beyonder gatherings always prized secrecy and safety. Participation typically relied on invitations from trusted acquaintances.
Here, Edward couldn't help but criticise Mr. F of the Aurora Order. He had been in Trier for years, yet unlike the future Mr. A, he had never thought to establish a Beyonder gathering of his own.
Dubois thought for a moment.
"I'll try."
"Be careful."
"Understood."
Once Dubois left, Edward muttered to himself, "If it really doesn't work, I can just use Transfiguration. With my current strength, forging some banknotes should last me at least a few years, maybe more than a decade. As long as the magic isn't dispelled, it's no different from real money, right?"
But then he remembered something he had once read on a forum in his past life—apparently, the currency of the world of mysteries was tied to the gods. Otherwise, in a world where extraordinary powers existed, why had no one ever tampered with banknotes?
Although it was purely speculation with no confirmation from the 'Creator Cuttlefish,' it still seemed safer to avoid it. If things came to that, it would be better to rob pirates or crime syndicates directly.
Yes, next time he went to sea, he would start right away.
As he was still mulling over money-making plans, Dubois unexpectedly returned after being gone for barely two minutes. Following behind him was a blond-haired man—Henry, the one they had met yesterday who wanted to rent the house at 7 Rose Street.
Judging by his expression now, he had clearly made up his mind to go through with it.
Edward didn't mind in the slightest. If Henry really had someone backing him or some secret agenda, then letting him rent the place was a perfect chance to lure the snake out of its hole. If, on the other hand, he simply wanted to reclaim his ancestral home, then Edward would gladly let him.
"Mr. Sparrow, sorry to trouble you again."
Henry came alone today. With an apologetic look, he stepped into the room, removed his hat, and gave Edward a slight bow.
"Mr. Onstine, I take it you've made your decision?"
"That's right." Henry nodded seriously. "I thought it over all night and discussed it with my wife and children. We agreed that we should seize this opportunity to reclaim the family estate."
"Very well." Edward stepped forward and extended his hand. "Then allow me to congratulate you in advance on your new home."
The two shook hands. Edward then turned to Dubois.
"Dubois, I'll leave the rental contract in your hands. Take care of all the formalities."
"Understood, boss."
Dubois gestured politely toward Henry, and the two of them left together.
Edward watched their backs disappear down the street, his mind full of curiosity. Could there really be another secret hidden in 7 Rose Street?
But the divination he had done from the Sefirah Castle had shown absolutely nothing.
Strange. Very strange indeed.
———
Future, Year 1349.
December was drawing to an end. In just a few days, the new year 1350 would arrive, and with it, Audrey's eighteenth birthday.
Turning eighteen meant coming of age, and when that day came, the Earl Hall would surely host a grand birthday ball for her.
Yet Edward still had not sent a single word.
Sitting in her room, Audrey stared blankly into the withering garden. Her green eyes were distant and unfocused, her chin resting in one hand.
Two days had passed since she had gone to Tingen to see Melissa. Recently, she had advanced to Sequence 6—Hypnotist—but strangely, she didn't need to use her new powers right after promotion. Melissa had been completely forthcoming with her answers.
Klein was indeed her and Benson's biological brother.
He truly was born and raised in Loen.
Before his "feigned death," he had never even left Tingen.
And Tingen had never shown any trace of the so-called "Edward's world."
So how could Mr. World have judged that girl to be his "fellow countryman" just by her clothing?
Had he simply made up an excuse to find someone?
Or…could it be that Mr. World truly had some connection to "another world"?
With that thought, Audrey recalled something else: Edward's attitude toward Mr. World had always seemed…different. Was it only because he had "foreseen the future" and therefore already knew Klein well?
But the trust and affection between her and Edward had been forged through travelling between worlds together and spending long stretches of time side by side. So where had Edward's "special regard" for Klein come from? They had barely worked together for a week.
Family members, who can understand this?
What had begun as idle curiosity had somehow twisted into the suspicion that her husband had someone else outside—worse, that "someone else" was a man.
Flustered, Audrey slapped her cheeks lightly.
"What nonsense are you thinking, Audrey?!"
Should I just ask Mr. World directly?
But no—right now it was nothing but conjecture. If she guessed wrong, she would only be exposing Edward's secrets to someone else. How stupid would that be?
She frowned.
Hmm…what if I pretend that I'm the 'transmigrator' and question Mr. World myself?
That term, of course, was one she had learned from Edward.
Her reasoning was simple: whether or not Mr. World was a transmigrator, the girl he had been searching for definitely had a problem.
And not long after Edward disappeared, that girl had appeared. Could there be a connection?
It wasn't that Audrey wanted to be suspicious—but she truly had no other clues left.
Yes. She didn't want to just sit and wait anymore.
———
[Note]: 210 Powerstones for an Extra Chapter tomorrow~ Go, VOTE!
And if you are like me and want to read 40 Chapters in advance of the current story right now, you can support me on my Patreon. Thank me later~
Link - (P)atre(o)n.c(o)m/ Iseeblack [Remove the brackets]