"That's strange. The Psychology Alchemists are supposed to have very strict vetting standards. Plus…the upper ranks of Loen wouldn't normally allow them to reach this far."
Edward voiced the doubts in his heart, then added, "Oh, and from now on, whenever you attend a gathering hosted by the Psychology Alchemists, or meet with any of their members, you can pray to Mr. Fool in advance. Ask "Him" to grant you protection."
Audrey's eyes lit up. "Has Mr. Fool's power recovered further?"
"Yes," Edward nodded. "It has."
"I understand~" she said happily, feeling a sense of pride.
"By the way, Lilith mentioned you were going to help me with something. What is it?"
"Have you heard of the Sea of Collective Subconscious?"
Audrey blinked, momentarily confused. "I think I read about it once…oh, yes, it was in a book recommended by the Psychology Alchemists."
Only then did Edward recall—Audrey was only introduced to the concept after she joined the Alchemists.
That's a bit of a problem. He was familiar with the term "Sea of Collective Subconscious," but had no idea how to actually enter it. He vaguely remembered it involved inducing a lucid dream through psychological suggestion…and then what?
Still, he did his best to share what he remembered.
"The so-called Sea of Collective Subconscious is the mental world of all living beings. It has a subtle and wondrous connection with the spirit world…"
Audrey's eyes lit up with understanding. "So, you want to enter this 'world' to set a final special coordinate?"
"Exactly. But…I'm not entirely sure if it even qualifies as a world." Edward frowned. "Reality and the spirit world are already counted as one…and the mental world? I don't have much confidence in it."
"And if it doesn't work…what then?"
Edward was silent for a long moment. "The Abyss."
That was a backup plan he had only recently considered.
"The Abyss?!" Audrey's voice jumped an octave, drawing glances from Lilith and Susie.
In the world of the Lord of the Mysteries, the Abyss was known as the origin of all evil, the land of corruption, the home of demons—utterly chaotic, utterly polluted. Even angels and gods risked losing control there. But it was independent of the real world.
The original novel had identified two known entrances—one in the Fog Sea, and the other in Amon's tomb. That said, the latter may have already been destroyed by the Church of the God of Steam and Machinery (in the original, by Horamick with the Machinery Hivemind).
But the Abyss was full of unknowns and danger. The Great Emperor had once attempted to explore its edge and fled in defeat. Though his transformation later was attributed to the Primordial Moon, who's to say 'the Abyss' didn't have a hand in it as well?
"Don't worry," Edward said. "It's only a last resort. I don't think my luck is that bad."
And the moment the words left his mouth, he wanted to slap himself.
Why the hell would you say something like that!?
Audrey frowned deeply. "I'll try to figure out how to enter the Sea of Collective Subconscious as soon as possible!"
"Mm—thank you. Oh, by the way!"
Edward's eyes lit up as he remembered something. "Since you came back…have you contacted that fire dragon—Anna?"
Anna was still in Hartlarkh Village, where the mind dragon named Ariehogg slumbered. In the original, it was right there that Audrey entered the subconscious sea via psychological cues.
Could it be possible to reach the sea through that dragon instead?
Too risky.
Erivhog remained a mystery. All that was known was that it was an enemy of the Russian Priest, and someone had speculated that based on its last words, it might be a contingency for the resurrection of Dragon of Imagination Ankewelt—much like Azik was for Salinger.
"I forgot," Audrey said, startled. "After we got back, it's just been one thing after another—I completely forgot about Anna! Ahhh! I've been so irresponsible!"
"Susie, Lilith, you two forgot too?"
Both little ones shook their heads.
"No way, I have to go tomorrow!"
"Don't worry," Edward said. "It's only been about a week and a bit for her. It just feels long because we spent nearly a month at Hogwarts."
Audrey looked a little calmer. "Still…a week is still long."
"Fine, I'll go with you tomorrow."
Lilith immediately raised her little paw. "Miss Lilith is going too!"
"Yes, yes~" Edward ruffled her hair, then asked, "How are things with your father? Any progress with the aftermath of the poisoning?"
Audrey frowned slightly. "Not going well. On the surface, everything looks resolved, but the wedge is still there."
"Why? Anyone can see that someone was clearly stirring the pot. Your father was a victim too."
"It's the Conservatives," Audrey said. "The New Party is made up of people from different social classes, joined by mutual interest. It looks solid, but it's actually fragile. If the Conservatives really collapse one day, the New Party will be the first to break apart internally."
She added with a sigh, "Anyway, my father's been under a lot of stress lately. Thankfully, it's still within manageable bounds."
"Situations like this…we can only see the surface. Even if we wanted to help, we wouldn't know where to start."
"Exactly."
Still…I wonder what that Russian priest is thinking.
———
The Sonia Sea.
The night ocean was far more terrifying than the sky. Under the crimson moonlight, massive waves reflected a blood-like gleam. Two gigantic pirate ships tossed like leaves in the tide.
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
Cannonballs erupted from portholes, mixed with the flashes of steam rifles and the extraordinary radiance of Beyonders in battle.
Woooo!!
Suddenly, a deep horn echoed across the waters.
One of the pirate ships abruptly turned and fled into the distance, while the other gave chase for several nautical miles before jubilant cries rang out across the deck:
"We won! We won! Vice Admiral Dusk ran away!"
"Victory!!"
"Ooooooh!"
Edwina's figure flashed and returned to the Golden Dream. Facing the crew's thunderous cheers, she allowed herself a faint smile.
At that moment, First Mate Bru Walls was directing the sailors to slowly turn the winch of a salvage rope, pulling up the wreckage of a shattered ship from the sea.
"There's someone inside!"
A sailor suddenly shouted in alarm.
Everyone hurried to haul the wreckage closer. Inside the half-sunken cabin lay a woman—her face completely devoid of colour, yet the gentle rise and fall of her chest showed that she was still alive.
In her arms, she clutched a massive iron-black key—roughly the size of a seven-string harp. Its form was ancient, its sheen dull.
"Cough! Cough! Cough!"
The woman began to cough violently, spitting out large mouthfuls of seawater.
Moments later, she opened her dazed eyes and was immediately startled to see herself surrounded by a group of men. "What…what do you want?"
Edwina stepped forward and asked calmly, "Who are you? Why were you in the wreckage at the bottom of the sea? And how are you still alive down there?"
The woman was silent for a moment before replying hoarsely, "My name is Christine. I didn't survive…I just…can't die."
———
The next morning, Edward and Audrey arrived in Hartlarkh Village, located in East Chester County.
Just as Audrey had said, the entire village was filled with folk traditions centred around dragon worship. Dragon-themed statues and carvings could be seen everywhere.
And yet, the villagers themselves were all ordinary people. Their reverence for dragons was purely cultural, with no ties to the supernatural.
After wandering through the village, they made their way into the forest where the fire dragon Anna had been resting.
Previously, Audrey had buried a suitcase there for Anna to use as a hiding spot in case of danger—but when they arrived, the suitcase was empty.
"The big lizard isn't here," Lilith said, leaning over the rim to peer inside.
Audrey looked up and glanced around. "Where could she have gone?"
Edward pulled out his broomstick. "Let's take to the skies and have a look."
Both cast Disillusionment Charms on themselves and took off. From the sky, the vast forest stretched out beneath them—but there was no sign of the fire dragon.
"Did she leave the area?"
They continued flying around the region. Suddenly, a deep roar echoed from the distance. Edward quickly pulled Lilith—who had popped her little head out to look around—into his arms and gripped the broom tighter, accelerating toward the sound.
They flew deeper into the mountains. The trees grew denser and taller, seemingly forming a wild, untouched primeval forest.
Roooar—!
Another roar. Still ahead.
The two continued forward, swiftly soaring above the ancient forest canopy.
Rustle, rustle—
Startled birds burst into flight, and shadows of beasts darted among the trees. What had been a quiet woodland suddenly came alive with movement and sound.
Suddenly, the forest gave way—and a small mountain village appeared before them.
Both slowed down, hovering with uncertainty.
This was…Hartlarkh Village?
They'd flown in a giant circle? Some kind of spatial maze?
No.
Edward immediately rejected that idea.
Then…what was going on?
Just then, a massive stone pillar dozens of meters tall rapidly rose from the village ahead. Perched atop it was a long, slender grey-white dragon.
It squatted atop the stone pillar like a small mountain. Its body was covered in massive, stone-like scales of dull grey and white, and its vertical pupils gleamed a pale gold. With a sudden sweep, its enormous wings spread wide, nearly blanketing the sky.
ROOOAAAR—!
It let out another earthshaking roar.
Moments later, another huge figure emerged from the woods behind it—huge only in comparison to Edward and Audrey. Compared to the grey-white dragon, it was far smaller.
It was the fire dragon, Anna!
"Anna!" Audrey called out in delight.
Another pillar rose, and Anna landed heavily on it. In a deep, slightly feminine voice, she said, "Hello, Audrey. Hello, Edward."
Lilith peeked out again. "And me! Big…Anna~" She glanced nervously at the enormous grey-white dragon and tactfully avoided calling her a "lizard."
Edward, catching his breath, suddenly frowned. "This is a dream…isn't it? When did it start?"
The grey-white dragon replied, "From the moment you entered this place."
Its voice was in the dragon tongue—yet Edward, who had never studied it, could understand every word.
His guard went up immediately. "What do you want?"
Anna answered, "He means no harm. Meeting here is simply…safer."
"Why?"
The grey-white dragon's voice was calm. "Someone is looking for me."
It paused, then its golden vertical pupils flickered faintly. "You…carry a certain scent."
Edward's heart skipped a beat. "What scent?"
"Liveseyd."
———
[Note]: Don't forget to VOTE. It keeps me motivated.