"???"
Edward felt a chill down his spine. In the world of the Lord of the Mysteries, coincidences like this often meant someone was pulling the strings. Could it be Amon's older brother?
He quickly glanced around, fearing that a white-robed priest might suddenly materialize out of thin air.
"Wait, there's another possibility."
A thought struck Edward—this could also be the so-called Law of Beyonder Characteristic Convergence.
"Just like when I was staying at the inn, minding my own business, and then Xio suddenly showed up, which in turn led me to Miss 'Lazy Ass' Fors. This time, Emlyn, who happened to have the Master Key, inexplicably wandered into my house."
"But…isn't this supposed to happen when higher sequences attract lower sequences? Klein had the Grey Fog, and I also belong to the Three Pathways of Mysteries. Could it be that I also have a Grey Fog of my own?"
If Audrey weren't here, he would have seriously considered taking four steps backwards just to test if he could ascend above the Grey Fog.
"You thought of something?"
Audrey's voice pulled him back to reality. Edward pondered for a moment before saying, "One possibility is that someone really is orchestrating things from behind the scenes. As far as I know, high-sequence Spectators have such abilities."
"The other possibility has to do with the Three Laws of Beyonder Characteristics."
"The Three Laws of Beyonder Characteristics?"
Audrey's interest was immediately piqued. She took out her little notebook, ready to take notes.
"The first one: The Law of Beyonder Characteristics Indestructibility. This means that Beyonder Characteristics cannot be destroyed or diminished; they only transfer from one vessel to another. For example, when a Beyonder dies, their Sequence Characteristics separate from their body. These can then be used as ingredients for potion brewing or turned into mystical artefacts. If a Beyonder loses control and dies, their characteristics may even form Sealed Artefacts."
Audrey nodded thoughtfully. "So, if someone can't find the right ingredients for a potion, they could just hunt down another Beyonder of the same pathway and extract their characteristics?"
Edward was taken aback.
"Miss Audrey, that's a dangerous thought."
"Hmph, I'm not some naive little bunny who knows nothing."
"The second one: The Law of Similar Sequence Beyonder Characteristics Conservation. This means that within the same pathway, the total amount of Beyonder Characteristics remains constant. When high-sequence Beyonders increase in number, low-sequence Beyonders decrease, and vice versa. As you just mentioned, Beyonders of the same pathway tend to hunt each other, and this becomes more common the higher the sequence."
"The last one: The Law of Beyonder Characteristics Convergence. High-sequence items of the same pathway will intermittently and unconsciously attract mid- and low-sequence Beyonders toward them, and there is a tendency for them to gather in one place."
Audrey nodded in understanding.
"So, you think these coincidences might be due to the third law? But you also said it only applies to high-sequence Beyonders, and you're just Sequence 9."
"That's what I'm curious about." He rubbed his chin, contemplating for a moment but coming up empty. Instead, he changed the topic. "Remember when I told you a few days ago that I was attacked? The attackers were actually your friends, Xio and Fors. Fors is also a Sequence 9 Apprentice, which seems to align with the Law of Convergence."
Audrey's eyes widened in shock. "Why would Miss Xio and Miss Fors attack you?"
"Xio said she took on a bounty, but I have no idea who placed it."
"Could it be my father? No, that doesn't make sense. Even though we never explicitly talked about it, I already reached an understanding with him…Ugh, I wasn't planning to let him know about me becoming a Beyonder this early."
In the original story, Count Hall actually knew quite early on. As a noble of Loen, a major banker, and a true political mastermind, how could he possibly remain clueless about his beloved daughter becoming a Beyonder?
"I'll ask my father about it later," she decided. "If it really was him placing a bounty behind my back…I won't talk to him anymore!"
The treasured daughter of the Hall family was gradually turning into a sly little imp.
"I'll be going to see that unlucky fellow who stumbled into my house tomorrow. Do you want to come with me? Oh, I forgot to mention—he's a naturally-born Extraordinary creature, a Vampire of the Apothecary pathway, at Sequence 7."
Audrey was astonished. "There are really vampires in this world? I thought they were just myths! And they're actually a pathway?"
"There's also a pathway for 'Demons,' and it's incredibly dangerous. Their method of digesting potions is usually through brutal slaughter."
"But…tomorrow during the day, I have to attend a royal ball with my father."
She sounded a little disappointed.
"What about at night? If everything goes well, I plan to investigate the location where an Abraham family descendant lost control. There's a good chance we'll encounter some supernatural events there."
"Then I definitely want to go!"
———
By the time Edward left Hall Manor, the sky was already dark. He wandered around West Borough, treating himself to various snacks along the way. He even tried out the subway system of this world.
To be honest, he wasn't a fan—it was cramped, stuffy, and shaky, basically just a train moved underground.
On his way back, he passed through King's Avenue and happened to walk by the Royal Museum of Backlund. The museum was already closed, but through a few illuminated windows, he caught glimpses of its grandeur.
"Huh? The Black Emperor card from Emperor Roselle's tarot deck is inside, tucked away in some book. I wonder if I could get my hands on it ahead of time?"
In the original story, Klein had obtained it by summoning himself and offering it to himself as a sacrifice. But how was he supposed to do it? The simplest and most direct method would be to use the Disillusionment Charm and Apparate in, grab the card, and get out.
"No…the manuscript containing the Black Emperor card was only taken out for the Roselle Memorial Exhibition. Who knows where it's being stored right now?"
Also, the Kingdom Museum was guarded by at least a demi-god Beyonder. Since Spirit World Traversal could be interrupted, did that mean Apparition could be disrupted as well?
Sigh, I just don't have enough cheat codes yet…
The crimson moonlight bathed the streets in a reddish mist. Edward buried his hands in his pockets, stepping into the shadows. With a faint crack, he vanished.
———
[The Next Day—South Bridge District, 48 Riverbay Avenue]
Using the strand of hair he had pulled from Emlyn's head yesterday, Edward effortlessly tracked down his residence. He had also attempted to use the Master Key to locate the place where the Abraham descendant lost control, but unfortunately, it failed—pointing him back to Emlyn's home instead.
This was also the clinic run by Emlyn's parents, the White couple, who were well-known in several nearby districts for their expertise in various potions and bloodletting treatments.
"Good day, sir. Are you feeling unwell in any way?"
The one greeting Edward was a woman who appeared to be around thirty years old. She had black hair and red eyes, a facial structure similar to Emlyn's, and was dressed in an elegant robe. She looked remarkably youthful and beautiful—this was likely Emlyn's mother, Mrs. White.
Edward couldn't help but envy vampires. They were naturally immortal.
Removing his hat, he politely greeted her.
"Good afternoon, Mrs. White. I'm Edward, a friend of Emlyn's. I came to see him about something."
"A friend of Emlyn's?"
Mrs. White was visibly surprised. Emlyn had never mentioned having a human friend—or rather, aside from his dolls, he didn't seem to interact with anyone at all.
"Dear, please entertain our guest for a moment. I'll go fetch Emlyn."
Glancing at her husband, Mrs. White swayed gracefully as she ascended the stairs.
Mr. White, on the other hand, looked like a model gentleman. He wore silver-framed glasses and a well-fitted white coat, appearing no older than his early thirties. Strangely, he seemed even more handsome and manly than Emlyn.
"Please, have a seat. Try the coffee beans I've just roasted."
Pouring two cups of coffee, he smiled and asked, "Mr. Edward, how did you come to know Emlyn?"
"Oh, we share similar interests."
"…"
Mr. White's hand trembled slightly as he held his coffee cup.
"Oh…I see…"
He suddenly found himself at a loss for words. Was he supposed to discuss newly released dolls? Or perhaps the best clothing combinations for them?
Fortunately, Emlyn soon came downstairs, looking rather displeased.
"They must have made a mistake. I don't have any human friends. I was in the middle of dressing my beloved Emily."
"I'd rather you dress a real lady," Mrs. White sighed helplessly. She had changed into a different style of dress, making her look even younger.
"Hello, Emlyn."
Emlyn's pupils contracted. "How did you find me?"
He vividly remembered Edward. While he was passionate about dolls, he sometimes took on bounty missions to earn money for new models. However, he had never suffered such a humiliating defeat before—being completely overpowered without a chance to resist.
Emlyn's reaction immediately put the White couple on high alert, ready to act at any moment.
"Don't misunderstand," Edward said, taking out the Master Key. "I just want to know where you got this from—or rather, where it originally came from."
"And why should I tell you?" Emlyn glanced at his parents, gaining a sense of security. "Do you really think you can take on all three of us?"
Edward smiled and pointed toward the second floor.
"I'm not sure if I can take you all on, but if a fight breaks out, your precious collection upstairs won't be spared."
"!!!"
"Are you sure you are willing to sacrifice your...dear Emily?"
Emlyn looked horrified.
He took a few steps back, as if preparing to abandon his parents and rush upstairs to protect his dolls.
After a long moment, he gritted his teeth and compromised. First, he exchanged a look with his parents, then he said,
"A few days ago, I sneaked into the hospital in the South Borough to steal blood for drinking. That's when I ran into a thief."
"He was originally trying to get into the hospital's financial office but got lost and ended up in my hands instead."
"He was using that 'Master Key.' He told me he had found it while sneaking into a certain house during a burglary. At first, he thought it only opened a specific room or safe, so he tested it on various doors—only to discover that it could open anything…After that, he continued using it for multiple successful thefts, until I caught him and confiscated the key."
"I just didn't expect that using the key would make me lose my way, which is why I ended up at your place yesterday…"
Edward nodded and asked, "Did the thief mention where he stole it from?"
"South Bridge District, 32 Verdi Street. I haven't had the chance to check it out myself yet."
"Thank you, Mr. Emlyn. This information is very important to me. That makes us friends now."
Emlyn huffed in displeasure. "I don't want to be friends with you."
Edward didn't mind. He thought for a moment before adding, "By the way, about the Apothecary potion formula I mentioned yesterday—do you have it? I can trade gold pounds or something else for it."
"Why would I have that?"
"But you're from the Apothecary pathway…Oh, sorry, I mean, a Sanguine, right?"
Emlyn spread his arms wide and said proudly, "We are NOBLE Sanguine. We don't need to take potions like you humans to advance from Sequence 9."
"Alright then. I was going to offer a more exquisite, more beautiful doll in exchange."
"A more exquisite…more beautiful—?" Emlyn's voice rose in pitch before he quickly corrected himself, "Impossible! No doll could be more perfect than Emily!"
"Then I won't bother you any further."
Edward set his coffee cup down and turned to Mr. White. "Mr. White, thank you for the coffee. It's the best I've ever had."
Mr. White's eyes lit up, and he smiled proudly. "Of course! These coffee beans were harvested from a deep canyon in Southern Verwood and personally roasted by me. If you like them, I still have more—"
"Ahem!" Mrs. White coughed loudly, interrupting her husband, who was clearly about to go on a long-winded coffee lecture.
Edward felt a little amused. Did all vampires have peculiar hobbies? Emlyn loved dolls, Mr. White was obsessed with coffee…and Mrs. White—did she enjoy changing outfits?
"Then I'll be on my way."
Tipping his hat slightly, Edward turned and headed for the door.
"Wait."
Emlyn's hesitant voice called out. He tilted his chin slightly, trying to appear nonchalant as he asked,
"Do you really have…a better doll?"
———
[Note]: Don't forget to VOTE. It keeps me motivated.