The moment the thought surfaced, Audrey hurriedly shook her head, trying to dispel the doubts gathering in her mind. She silently told herself that since Mr. Fool had acted personally, there could be no mistake. After all, it had already been mentioned in the Tarot Club that the true manipulator behind this war was not George III, but the far more intricate divine games hidden behind him.
"What are you thinking about?"
Little Snake Will had somehow approached without a sound, tilting his head up at her with curiosity.
"N–Nothing… I'm just…still caught up in what happened earlier." Audrey quickly swept her gaze around to make sure no one was paying attention. Only then did she lower her voice and whisper, "The king…George III—he failed, didn't he?"
The little snake gave a faint nod, his expression somewhat complicated. "He…should have, probably."
He folded one arm across his chest and pinched his chin lightly with the other hand, sinking into brief contemplation. "For things to develop to this point…it's truly beyond anything I expected. I must say…those people are really impressive."
"Ah?" Audrey looked completely puzzled, unable to understand the deeper meaning behind his words.
"You'll know soon enough." Little Snake stuffed both hands into his pockets, putting on an air of profound mystery. "Alright, my mission is done. I'm off."
He had only taken a few steps when he suddenly stopped, as if remembering something. Turning back, he reminded her, "Don't forget—tell your family's chef to make me more new ice cream flavours."
Audrey nodded at once. "Oh—oh, okay!"
Watching Little Snake's figure gradually fade into the distance, Audrey finally snapped back to herself.
Mission completed? So that means…
A familiar voice sounded behind her. "Audrey."
"!!!"
Audrey whirled around. Standing not far away was Edward, his face carrying an indescribably complex mix of emotions. Lilith stood at his side, cheerfully waving at her.
"Edward—!"
The moment she called his name, she felt herself swept into a tight embrace, enveloped by a warm force. Edward's arms wrapped firmly around her back, drawing her close with a strength as if he wanted to merge her into his own body. She almost found it hard to breathe.
Surprise and shyness rushed up at once. Although nearly two months had passed since they parted, and she had indeed been constantly worried and missing him…wasn't this reaction a bit too much?
Ah…could it be that because I'm on the Spectator Pathway, I've become too rational, maybe even emotionally deficient?
No…it seemed instead that Edward's emotions were unusually intense—far stronger than he had ever displayed before. It felt less like two months of separation and more like an absence of a very, very long time.
Still…this feeling was quite nice.
Thinking that, she gently closed her eyes.
"Ahem!"
A cough sounded moments later.
Audrey opened her eyes and saw her father, Earl Hall, watching her while clearing his throat softly. Her brother Hibbert stood nearby, smiling, and her mother…was covering her mouth, laughing.
Her face burned with embarrassment. She quickly whispered, "Father and Mother are here."
Edward released her and turned to the Hall family. "Good afternoon, Earl Hall, Madam, Hibbert."
"Yes. You're back?"
Earl Hall gave a slight nod, his face showing a trace of fatigue. "Have you finished everything that needed to be done?"
"It's done," Edward answered succinctly.
"That's good. Come, let's go home first."
Earl Hall spoke as he took the lead toward the exit.
Audrey stuck out her tongue mischievously at Edward, then jogged ahead to cling affectionately to her father's arm. "Father, how are things now?"
"It's been confirmed—His Majesty the King was assassinated." Earl Hall let out a faint sigh, the worry on his face growing heavier. "And just now, we received urgent news—Intis has declared war on Loen."
———
Inside the Hall family's luxurious villa, the atmosphere was heavy and oppressive.
Earl Hall sat on the sofa, the cigar between his fingers burning with a faint crackle, its rising smoke veiling his expression in layers of worry and helplessness.
"The king died suddenly in the middle of his mobilisation speech, and Intis declared war immediately after. The situation is far worse than we anticipated."
His voice was low and hoarse, every word weighted as though bearing immense pressure. "I originally thought that even in the worst case, this war would cost us some territory and a massive indemnity. But judging from how things are developing…Loen may very well face the danger of complete destruction."
As a shrewd businessman, Earl Hall understood deeply that one could never place all hopes in a single place. He had long arranged alternative investments and was prepared to withdraw from Loen if necessary. Yet Loen was still the foundation built by generations of the Hall family. If they left, the family might still maintain a life of wealth, but to regain the prestige and influence they once possessed would be nearly impossible.
Audrey glanced at Edward beside her, then turned back, trying gently to reassure her father. "Father, you don't have to be so pessimistic."
"I'm only afraid that everything the Hall family has accumulated over generations will be ruined in my hands."
Earl Hall let out a bitter smile and shook his head. He shifted his gaze to Edward. "Edward, do you know what the Church of the Evernight's stance is right now?"
Lilith curled her lips from the side. "They can barely protect themselves at the moment."
"This…sigh."
A sudden dazed look flashed across Earl Hall's face before he forced a wry smile. "Enough. The two of you haven't seen each other in some time. You must have a lot to talk about. No need to keep me company here."
As soon as his voice faded, two figures stepped through the doorway of the living room—one was a girl in a cake-layered dress, the other a middle-aged man in black armour.
…Huh? Why did this man look oddly familiar?
(Note: Ordinary people could not directly behold gods because the authorities and information carried by deities naturally caused pollution to those below the required level. But if a deity deliberately concealed such things, ordinary people should not be harmed. After all, during the Fourth Epoch, multiple gods walked openly in the real world—some even served as kings—so inevitably they were seen by mortals.)
Though shocked, Earl Hall still frowned and asked, "Who are you people? How did you break into my home?"
The intruders, of course, were Emperor Roselle and his daughter Bernadette. After spending quite some time "chatting" with the Evernight Goddess in the astral world—until Roselle could no longer endure it—the Goddess suddenly informed them that they were now permitted to seek out Edward.
Thus, the moment they returned to reality and confirmed Edward's safety, the two came straight to Earl Hall's residence.
Roselle scanned Edward from head to toe, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "So you finally managed to outmanoeuvre Adam and Amon?"
Edward shook his head. "Nothing that impressive. Just a few small schemes that happened to work out."
He paused, then turned to Earl Hall and introduced, "Earl, these two are friends of mine from the mystical world. They're here to see me."
"You…you…you…"
After her momentary shock, Audrey suddenly grew flushed with excitement. Staring at Roselle, she stammered, "Y-You're Emperor Roselle?!"
Roselle instantly beamed and burst out laughing. "Hahaha! Edward, to think your little girlfriend is actually my fan! Excellent, excellent!"
Earl Hall, meanwhile, looked utterly lost. "???"
"It's real—it's truly Emperor Roselle! I can't believe I'm seeing the living Emperor Roselle in person!"
Audrey grew even more excited, her voice trembling with exhilaration. "I've always loved your inventions and your writings! Even though…even though I later learned none of those things were originally yours…I still think you're amazing!"
"…"
Roselle's smile froze for a moment, the corner of his mouth twitching. "You could have left that part out."
Audrey then turned to Bernadette, her eyes lighting up. "Lady Strength, congratulations! You've finally found Emperor Roselle."
Bernadette gave a soft nod. "Mm. Not only have I found my father, I have also finally found...the other person as well."
As she spoke, her gaze fell upon Edward, carrying a complex emotion difficult to describe.
Audrey: "???"
Was she talking about Edward? Why did her eyes look a bit…off? Am I imagining it?
Edward met Bernadette's gaze with a gentle smile. "Long time no see…Bernie."
Roselle immediately pulled his daughter behind him defensively and snorted. "This is my daughter. Don't call her that so intimately."
"Wait!"
Earl Hall finally snapped back to his senses. He looked at his daughter in disbelief. "What did you mean by what you just said?"
Audrey hurried to explain, "Father, haven't you always admired Emperor Roselle and collected so many of his belongings? This is Emperor Roselle—alive!"
"But…but isn't Emperor Roselle…isn't he…"
Earl Hall was so shocked he began stuttering uncontrollably.
Roselle stroked his iconic moustache and smiled. "Oh, I did die. But now I'm alive again."
"…"
Earl Hall felt a wave of dizziness wash over him. He suddenly remembered that he himself had recently experienced something like "dying and resurrecting," so perhaps…perhaps this wasn't entirely unacceptable—
Like hell it wasn't!
This was a figure from one or two centuries ago!
A name recorded in history books!
And yet he was now alive again, standing right here in his house. Earl Hall had always believed himself fairly knowledgeable about the mystical world, but only now did he realise just how little he truly understood—merely the tip of the iceberg.
Roselle smirked. "No need to be so shocked. There are plenty of old undying freaks in the Beyonder world. Just like the fellow I met a moment ago—William Augustus I, the founder of Loen and your very first king. George III also lived for more than two hundred years—he and the original George I were the same person."
He did not mention that he had crushed both of these undying men to death—one after another—barely half an hour ago, lest he frighten Earl Hall, a loyal noble of Loen, into collapse.
———
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