Splash...
Bernadette stepped into the pool and sat down, letting the steaming water rise until it submerged her shoulders. "I'm feeling a bit tired. I'd like to rest for a while. Care to join me?"
Edward quickly shook his head. "No need, I still have things to take care of."
"Mm."
She let out a soft hum, saying nothing more.
"Farewell," Edward said gently as he pulled the door open and stepped outside.
Bernadette raised her slender, pale neck and murmured to herself:
"Father...If it were you, what would you do?"
———
No. 39, Böklund Street.
When Hazel returned to her room, a grey-white rat suddenly darted out from who knew where, scampering right up to her feet. It comically squatted there and then, with a ripple in the air, opened its mouth to speak human language:
"I suddenly have a very bad feeling."
Hazel quickly asked, "What's wrong, teacher?"
These past few days had been a rollercoaster for Hazel. First, her teacher—the one who'd led her into the world of the Beyonders—suddenly vanished without a trace. Then, during a dinner banquet at the Hall family estate, her father was poisoned. That incident had nearly scared her half to death.
Fortunately, both situations had quickly turned around for the better.
"I'm not sure," said the grey-white rat warily, casting sharp glances around. "It's just a sudden premonition. I want you to arrange for me to relocate immediately!"
Flora Jacob had not been having a smooth time lately. After finally locating the long-lost treasure of the Jacob family, she had suffered severe injuries in the process and had been sealed inside the sewers, unable to move.
After accumulating power over a period of time, she had successfully lured a naive noble girl—Hazel—into becoming her student through dream infiltration. Step by step, she had guided her into the Marauder Pathway.
Once it was confirmed that her original body was beyond recovery, Flora planned to abandon it and parasitise Hazel, taking over her body completely.
Everything had been proceeding in an orderly fashion—until that night, when an extraordinary black cat entered her view.
Through her astrological powers, Flora had sensed an overwhelming omen: if she could parasitise that cat and use it as a medium, she would be able to find a host far stronger than Hazel.
(Note: In the original novel, Flora is stated to possess Astrology—either as a Marauder with relevant abilities or originally from another Pathway like Apprentice.)
In fact, this was the second time she had encountered that cat. The first time, while partially possessing a rat, she had come across a being so terrifying that she had mistaken it for an evil god. All she could do then was flee. Parasitism? She wouldn't have dared.
But upon encountering it again that night, she knew she couldn't let the opportunity pass her by.
Just as she was about to succeed, however, someone had interrupted her parasitism. The effort had completely depleted the power she had built up, returning her to square one.
Fortunately, it seemed the other party hadn't fully figured out what she was. After rescuing that cat, they had quickly left. But Flora could sense the hostility the individual had toward her. She knew she couldn't remain in the sewers any longer!
Parasitise Hazel now?
Impossible. If someone investigated, they would surely start with Hazel and her family.
Right now, what she needed was not to find a better host, but to escape the notice of whoever might come looking for revenge.
Her attention turned to the rats in the sewer.
At that moment, Hazel spoke. "We have an estate outside Backlund. Would you like to go there first?"
"Perfect!" Flora responded decisively. "Send me there immediately!"
Hazel hesitated. "Teacher, what exactly happened that night?"
The grey-white rat looked up, its pupils gleaming crimson. "The black cat you encountered was an extraordinary creature. It may have looked like a cute little kitten, but in truth it was a monster. If I hadn't stopped you from bringing it home, your entire family would've been eaten alive!"
Hazel's face instantly turned pale.
Flora continued coldly, "And the person who showed up afterwards was its owner—an extremely dangerous and wicked individual. I may have driven him off that night, but my injuries relapsed because of it. To avoid retaliation, I had no choice but to hide in the body of this rat."
"So…the ominous premonition you just had—is it because of that person?"
"Probably."
She waved her paw irritably. "Enough talking. I need to leave right away, before he really does come after me—and drags you and your family down with me."
"Alright, I'll make the arrangements right away."
Hazel quickly left the room, her mind involuntarily flashing back to the man she'd seen that weekend at the Hall family banquet. Wasn't he the escort of the Hall family's eldest daughter?
Could someone like that really be the dangerous, evil being Teacher described?
And that silly, spoiled, freeloading cat—could it truly be a monster that devoured people?
Hazel shook her head hard: How could you doubt your teacher?!
If not for her teacher guiding her into the world of mysticism, she would still be a clueless noble girl—how could she have seen the wonders of the Beyonder realm?
Teacher had told her before: "When the wicked disguise themselves, they often look like good people."
That must be it!
———
As dusk approached, a bat no larger than a human palm tore through the air and appeared before Edward. It dropped a small slip of paper before hovering midair, waiting for Edward's response.
It was Akasha's messenger.
Edward unfolded the note and a glint of light flashed in his eyes—Akasha had already pinpointed the whereabouts of the demigod from the Marauder pathway. As expected, the woman had chosen to parasitise a rat and was now hiding in a manor on the outskirts of Backlund.
"Please inform Countess Akasha: we move tonight!"
Whoosh.
The small bat vanished in a flicker of shadow.
Edward turned to Lilith, who was curled up with a book in her hands, and said, "Lilith, I'm off to avenge you!"
"Eh?"
She looked up. "Is it that bad guy from the sewers?"
"That's right!"
"I want to go too!"
"No can do~ It's too dangerous."
Lilith pouted. "Alright…I'll stay home and wait for you then~ But don't take too long!"
Edward gave her head a gentle pat before his figure distorted and disappeared into the air.
A few minutes later, Lilith stretched lazily, got up, hopped onto the windowsill, and leapt into the shadows.
———
North Borough, Pinster Street.
Disguised with an ordinary face, Edward knocked on the door of townhouse No. 7. A few moments later, Leonard opened the door, his expression puzzled at the sight of an unfamiliar visitor. "Who are you here to see?"
The response came not from Edward, but from inside Leonard's mind—Pallez said calmly:
"He's here for me."
"What?"
Leonard froze in disbelief. Ordinarily, anyone who knew the old man would certainly have to go through him first, right? How could someone skip over him entirely and go straight to knowing that guy?
His face darkened.
"Old man…did you take control of my body while I was asleep?"
"What do you think?"
"…"
Pallez replied blandly, "Relax. I always tell you when I'm taking control. As for this gentleman—he's the student of an old friend of mine. He's come to join forces in hunting down a demigod from the Marauder pathway."
Leonard spoke inwardly, "Why didn't I know about this at all?"
"Because we didn't meet in the real world. Naturally, you wouldn't have known. Now, are you planning to just stand in the doorway all night?"
Leonard exhaled and calmed down. Although he had never fully trusted the entity parasitising his body, their long-term companionship and the many ways it had helped him over the years had gradually changed his attitude. He was beginning to regard Pallez more and more like an overly strict grandfather.
"Come in, then."
"No need," Edward shook his head. "Old man, I've already contacted a Vampire demigod. The hunt begins tonight. Are you available now?"
"Tell him: I'm available," Pallez responded. "But I've already told him last time what I can and cannot do. If he's okay with that, we can head out now."
Leonard relayed the message.
"No problem. All I need you to do is make sure she doesn't escape."
"Understood."
Pallez smiled faintly. "Then, it's time for me to take over again."
Leonard drew in a deep breath. "Do it."
———
[8:30 PM—Elk Manor, Northwestern Suburbs of Backlund]
This manor originally belonged to a viscount and had stood for over a century. After marrying, Member of Parliament Macht purchased it, spending a substantial sum each year to renovate and maintain the property. It was the perfect weekend retreat during autumn and winter, where he could host gatherings with friends.
But due to recent events, it was unlikely MP Macht would return anytime soon. Nevertheless, the manor was still staffed with maids and servants to keep it in pristine condition, always ready for a visit.
Deep within the wine cellar.
Flora Jacob had relocated here at noon, but unease had gnawed at her ever since. She had the distinct feeling that someone was watching her every move from the shadows.
But no matter how many rats she commanded to scour the grounds, she couldn't detect any trace of Beyonders.
She tried to convince herself it was just paranoia, but the anxiety wouldn't go away.
"Impossible. There's no way they could have found me so quickly. It must be the rat…the parasitic influence making me paranoid and fearful of everything."
"Yes. Don't overthink it. Don't overthink it."
"Once I get through this period, I'll be safe."
The grey-white rat squeaked and screeched as it gnawed frantically on a wooden barrel in the cellar, trying to soothe the growing terror in its heart.
Suddenly, a crimson radiance bloomed in the dark, spreading rapidly and bathing the entire cellar in the glow of a blood-coloured moon.
The moon?
No! How could there be a moon visible in a basement?!
Flora instantly understood. Her dark red pupils flared with light as she activated her ability and stole the moonlight. In the blink of an eye, darkness reclaimed the room.
Then—pairs upon pairs of blood-red eyes lit up across the cellar.
They belonged to countless mad rats, twisted and deranged—Flora's minions, meticulously arranged in advance for this exact moment.
She had only one thought:
Escape.
She didn't care who her enemy was—fighting was absolutely out of the question.
But in the very next second, Flora felt something terrible—those rats around her were rapidly slipping beyond her control.
The sensation was all too familiar.
Another Marauder is here!
———
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