On the quiet, shadowed street, Edward walked alone in silence. The three-in-one Medici had initially tried to control Edward into using a Beyonder ability, only to discover that the kid was merely a Sequence 7: Astrologer.
This discovery made them even more intrigued, for the strength and skill Edward had displayed thus far were far beyond what a mere Astrologer should possess.
"Lord Medici, I wonder where you've hidden the Card of Blasphemy?"
No sooner had Edward asked than his right hand automatically lifted. His index and middle fingers twitched lightly, and the vanished Card of Blasphemy reappeared once more.
"It was in your hand all along! Hahahaha!"
"….."
Watching his own fingers deftly spin the slate and play various tricks with it, Edward was momentarily speechless.
"May I ask where you intend to find a suitable body?"
He posed another question.
Medici's voice chuckled, "The ideal hosts for us evil spirits are the Gatekeepers of the Death pathway. Of course, if a suitable Gatekeeper can't be found, a Spirit Warlock from the Darkness pathway will do in a pinch."
(Note: This isn't directly stated in the original novel, but is inferred from certain plot points and expanded for storytelling purposes.)
"But since this is the Church of Evernight's territory…let's forget the Spirit Mediums."
"Most mid- to high-level Beyonders of the Death pathway seem to be in East and West Balam on the Southern Continent. Are you heading there?"
"It's not 'you'—it's we."
Edward thought for a moment. "Actually, I know a friend from the Death pathway. Perhaps you could try him?"
"Hahahaha, no thanks. Coming from you, I know you're up to no good."
"…"
Edward didn't give up. "Well, I also have a messenger—also from the Death pathway. Want to give it a shot?"
The three-in-one Medici fell silent for a few seconds, then suddenly chuckled in surprise. "I can't tell if you're plotting something, or just casually selling out your teammates."
"Frankly, I don't see a difference. Look—it's here."
The air ahead suddenly bloomed like a flower. A messenger bird flew out from the spirit world, its ever-brightening crimson tail feathers trailing in the air. It circled Edward once before hovering in front of him, its pitch-black eyes staring directly at him—more accurately, at the Medici within him.
His steps halted instantly.
"This bird…it does seem like a decent fit for us."
"Idiot! Do you really think this brat is being generous?"
"Heh, have you forgotten that we're Sequence 1 Angels? Even if he's got some trick up his sleeve, what's the worst that could happen? Are you afraid we can't tame a mere Sequence 5 Gatekeeper?"
"I just don't trust anyone tied to Adam!"
"Hahahaha, so the great King of Angel Medici…is afraid of Adam?"
"At least I'm not a pair of dickless hags like you two!"
The three evil spirits began bickering in turn, all using Edward's voice. Soon, Edward found that he couldn't keep up with the words coming out of his own mouth.
He couldn't help wondering how Ince Zangwill had ever endured these three in the original storyline.
After a long moment, the quarrel finally died down.
Edward seized the opening and said, "Seems they're not interested in you. Off you go."
"Understood."
The messenger bird ripped through the air and returned to the spirit world.
Medici immediately cackled, "Heh, trying to summon help, are you?"
Edward didn't deny it. "That's right."
"Hahahaha! Did you forget who we are? Who do you think could save you? The Lord?"
"Not exactly. I could probably only bring in one angel from the Death pathway, one from the Darkness pathway, one from the Fate pathway, one from the Fool pathway (not really), and a few Sequence 3 or 4 demigods."
"???"
The three-in-one Medici simultaneously conjured question marks in the air.
"You serious?"
"I'm not much good at anything else—but I am good with people. You'll find out soon enough."
The three evil spirits fell silent for a beat, then suddenly controlled Edward's body to bolt into a full sprint.
"You'd better pray those people don't come. If they do, we might flee in panic, but you'll be the one who dies!"
Edward chuckled. "Honestly, I don't think it has to come to that. You give me back the Card of Blasphemy, and temporarily possess my messenger. It can carry you through the spirit world to the Southern Continent, where you can carefully pick out a host. Isn't that a win-win?"
"Lord Medici, you are the Lord's most trusted confidant, and I am one of the Lord's Blessed. We're practically family. There's no need for all this."
"And the two of you, Lord Sauron and Lord Einhorn, could you please talk some sense into Lord Medici? My proposal would surely benefit all of you. We can't just let him have his way, can we?"
"Shut up! From now on, don't let that brat talk again. You two—don't believe a word he says!"
One of the evil spirits suddenly spoke, "Wait."
"Wait for what? Don't tell me you're falling for his words?"
"No!"
He controlled Edward's body to raise a hand and point in a specific direction. "I sense… someone over there—someone very suitable for us to possess."
"I sense it too!"
Medici scowled, "What are you talking abou—hm? I think I sense it as well."
Edward's footsteps halted instantly, then turned toward a narrow path.
The surrounding buildings grew sparse, while the trees on either side thickened. Soon, a quiet cemetery came into view.
This was Green Cemetery.
Bathed in the crimson moonlight, a short black-haired girl in full black attire was energetically swinging a shovel, expertly digging a fresh grave. Next to the hole lay a body wrapped in a burial shroud.
"Heave-ho!"
Priscilla wiped the sweat from her brow and leapt out of the grave with ease, then gently placed the body wrapped in a shroud into the freshly dug pit.
She picked up her shovel again, just about to fill in the dirt, when she suddenly looked toward the entrance of the cemetery—a figure was approaching quickly.
"Huh? Is that...Big Brother Edward?!"
As Priscilla recognised Edward, he too saw her clearly.
The three evil spirits exclaimed in unison, "A Gatekeeper that small? Did she inherit her Beyonder characteristic from her parents at birth?"
"Or is she a naturally born Beyonder?"
"Hey, not bad—I like her."
"Quick! Hurry!"
Edward immediately spoke up, "Yes, she's the friend I just mentioned. I knew she'd be a good match for you."
The three evil spirits paused for a beat. Then Medici chuckled.
"Kid, did you think that just because we're possessing you, we can only control your body?"
"What do you mean?"
"That emotional spike you had when you saw her—I caught it loud and clear…You know her, but you definitely don't want us to possess her, right?"
Edward was taken aback. "I literally just told you to possess her."
"No way—don't tell me you really think I'm so stupid I'd just go along with whatever you suggest?"
"..."
Edward fell silent for a few seconds, then suddenly commanded, "Magnify! Distort! Possession Is Forbidden Here!"
In an instant, the three-in-one evil spirit of Medici was forcibly expelled from Edward's body. His form twisted and reappeared beside Priscilla.
"Big Brother Edward?"
"Run!"
Edward grabbed her small hand and Apparated. They reappeared in the apartment she shared with Mr. Azik.
"What happened?" Azik stepped out, frowning faintly. "You two...what did you just encounter?"
"Evil spirits," Edward replied bluntly, then briefly recounted the incident with Medici.
"Medici...that name rings a bell...but I can't quite place it."
He turned to Priscilla. "Do you feel any different than usual, Priscilla?"
"Nope!"
Azik thought for a moment, then reached out and tore open the air, pulling a black spirit body from the spirit world. He had it circle Priscilla a few times before returning it to his hand.
"No problems."
Edward flipped a coin from his hand and asked, "Is Priscilla in danger?"
The coin showed the number side up—no.
Although the smoothness of Medici's expulsion made him a little suspicious, Edward still breathed a sigh of relief. "Should be fine now."
Azik nodded. "Don't worry. I'll keep an eye on Priscilla. She'll be safe. You should be more careful—disrupting their plans might earn their enmity."
"I understand. I'll head back now."
After Edward left, Azik once again confirmed that Priscilla was fine, then allowed her to wash up and rest.
———
Half an hour later.
Dressed in pyjamas, Priscilla lay in bed. A whispering voice barely audible rose in the stillness:
"Ha! I was suspicious of that brat from the start. He didn't panic at all after we possessed him—clearly hiding something."
"Too bad he's the prey and we're the hunters. His every move was exactly what I anticipated."
"Now, finally, no one can interfere."
Suddenly, Priscilla opened her eyes, revealing Medici's signature grin.
"Never thought I'd get to meet Salinger's son...though he seems a bit off. Otherwise, how could he have failed to notice us?"
"What do you mean, off?"
A crisp girl's voice rang out.
The three evil spirits froze.
The next second, the Gate of the Underworld symbol on Priscilla's forehead flickered briefly.
She touched her forehead in surprise. "Huh? Did I hear something just now?"
She sat up curiously and looked around, then lowered her head again.
"Hmm...why are there three extra spirits inside my 'Underworld'?" She scratched her head. "Mr. Azik said he'd take me to capture appropriate spirits after I digested my previous potion...but they delivered themselves right in!"
"Guess I'll say hi."
The mark of the Underworld flared again on her forehead. Almost at the same moment, Medici's trio of spirits frantically tried to flee.
"Run! Get out!!"
"Hurry!!"
"This girl is not normal!"
"Quick—now!"
"No way...this can't be happening!"
Priscilla waved cheerfully. "Hi there!"
"You damn—!"
"..."
She puffed her cheeks. So rude!
The next second, the gate of the Underworld slammed shut again. Medici, who had barely managed to stick his head out, was instantly sucked back in. His face was filled with disbelief and shock.
"Impossible! How could this be?! How could a little Gatekeeper..."
Suddenly, a flash of realisation crossed his expression.
"I see...So it was you all along...From beginning to end…we were the prey…"
"Time to sleep!"
Priscilla lay back down, her breathing gradually slowing as she drifted off. The crimson moonlight outside the window cast a glow on her delicate cheeks, where a faint, mischievous smile slowly bloomed.
———
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