Chapter 73 - 73: Miss Lilith

Words : 2405 Updated : Sep 25th, 2025

Chapter 73 of "HPxLOTM: A Wizard's Path to Divinity" opens with suspenseful action: Lilith's voice was delicate and soft, like that of a little girl. Edward's heart practically melted... Keep going!

Lilith's voice was delicate and soft, like that of a little girl. Edward's heart practically melted as he scooped her up into his arms. He could clearly feel that she'd lost quite a bit of weight. "Silly cat, I told you to wait—but you really stayed in the same spot all this time?" She tilted her head and blinked innocently. Letting out a small meow, she whispered, "I...I'm hungry." Edward pulled out a can of cat food, some dried sardines, and jerky chicken. Watching Lilith chow down with gusto, he couldn't help but rub his own stomach—after several days of sharing snacks meant for cats, he was starting to crave real food too. Well, let her finish eating first. He crouched beside Lilith, gently stroking the soft fur on her back, and asked, "Lilith, when did you learn to talk?" With a fish snack clamped in her mouth, Lilith pondered for a moment. Chewing noisily, she mumbled, "Don't remember...it was...the big dog who taught me." "Big dog? You mean Susie?" "That's right." "So you've been waiting here for me this whole time, which means you learned to speak just a few days after taking the potion? That's really impressive!" Lilith paused for a beat, then nodded decisively. "Yup!" "Did Susie teach you anything else?" She shook her head. "She tried, but I...didn't understand~" "Huh? Wait a sec—how did you even get from Tingen to Backlund?" She looked up, crumbs from her fish snack still stuck to her face, and replied with wide-eyed innocence, "I didn't understand~" "…" Edward really couldn't tell if she genuinely didn't understand, or if she was just playing dumb. Once she was full, Lilith arched her back in a big stretch, her energy visibly restored. She silently crept into the bedroom. Then, all of a sudden, she dashed at Edward—who was in the middle of arranging his ritual—pounced on his arm, and began gnawing and batting at it. Of course, it was all play, without any real force. Edward helplessly picked her up and set her aside, patting her head. "Lilith, why don't you rest for a bit?" She gave a lazy roll and flopped onto the floor, her tail sweeping side to side idly. But soon, her attention was caught by the candles, essential oils, and herbs. Padding over curiously on soft little paws, she reached out toward them. Seeing that her master didn't stop her, she glanced back to make sure he was watching, then gently placed her paw on a candle. The moment her eyes met Edward's, she gave it a light flick. Clatter—the candle fell. "…" Edward massaged his forehead and grabbed her by the scruff. Lilith didn't resist; her limbs dangled limply while her tail modestly covered her backside. She stared up at her master with big, innocent blue eyes. "Hmm, Lilith, you weren't this mischievous before." "Nope~ Kitties…are like this." "Alright then. You go rest. I've got something to take care of." "Okaay~" With a flick of her body, Lilith darted out of the bedroom. She paused at the window, hesitated for a second, then deftly leapt onto the sill, opened the window, and slipped out. She scampered onto the roof of a passing carriage, waited a few minutes, then sprang off and dashed into the subway station. The ticket booth attendant didn't seem the least bit surprised and greeted her with a smile. "Hey there, little one. You're back again." "Meow~" Lilith gave a sweet little cry and followed the crowd into the station and onto the train. Back in the apartment, Edward had finished arranging the ritual. Sitting cross-legged, he began to chant softly in Hermes: "The Fool that doesn't belong to this era; The Mysterious Ruler above the Gray Fog; The King of Yellow and Black who wields good luck." "I beseech your gaze; I beseech your listening; Great Mr. Fool, I deeply apologize for missing the last Tarot Meeting. I was taken deep into the spirit world by my messenger and was unable to pray to you or attend the gathering. Please forgive me…" ——— [58 Minsk Street—In Mr. Jurgen's home.] Klein crouched in front of a cabinet, gently opening the lowest drawer with a pinch of cat fur between his fingers. "Meow!" A black cat suddenly shot out. Klein's pupils shrank—he nearly reached for his gun. The cat simply raised its tail and trotted off toward its food bowl. "…I hate black cats." Mr. Jurgen blinked and turned to him in surprise. "How did you know it was hiding in the cabinet?" Klein was just about to respond coolly with "that's a detective's intuition" when a buzzing whisper suddenly echoed in his ear—someone was praying to him. He stood up and said apologetically, "Pardon me, Mr. Jurgen. May I use your washroom for a moment? Uh, I had too much coffee this morning." "Of course, go right ahead." Klein entered the bathroom, locked the door, sealed the room with a spiritual wall, took four steps counterclockwise, and recited the incantation to return above the gray fog. In the vast, palace-like space that resembled a giant's abode, his figure reappeared at the head of the bronze table. Reflected in his eyes was a deep crimson star, continuously pulsing and contracting. "…That's the star representing the Tower? Is Edward praying to me?" He had been checking Edward's star every day these past few days—logically, he'd seemed fine. But given how long he'd been out of contact, Klein couldn't help feeling uneasy. He reached out his hand, channeling spirituality, and touched the star. Boom—a twisted and blurry image unfolded before him. He saw Edward seated cross-legged, praying devoutly. "Great Mr. Fool, I deeply apologize for missing the last Tarot Meeting. I was taken deep into the spirit world by my messenger and couldn't conduct the ritual or attend the gathering. Please forgive me…" "…After saving your Blessed One, Klein, I was planning to return to Backlund. But I was suddenly attacked by a Saint from the Aurora Order. Thankfully, in a critical moment, Mr. A from the Aurora Order stepped in and rescued me." "According to Mr. A, he was under orders to escort me to the True Creator. But the Saint said he was ordered to kill me. I don't know what's really going on." "Regardless, the Aurora Order is certainly looking for me now. I humbly beseech the great Mr. Fool for guidance." "Praise be to Mr. Fool." The image of Edward faded. Klein leaned his cheek against his hand, resting on the arm of the bronze throne, and sighed inwardly. "Sigh…the great Mr. Fool is still pretending to be a detective, working undercover and making a living helping people find their lost cats. And now you've got Saints and the True Creator chasing after you…Maybe I should just kick you out of the Tarot Club." After muttering to himself for a moment, he schooled his face into a mysterious and profound expression and responded calmly. "I understand." ——— [Empress Borough—Hall family's luxurious estate] Audrey sat on the garden swing, gently rocking back and forth. She had entered the spectator state, quietly observing each person who passed through the garden. Even though she no longer needed to 'act' as a spectator, the habit had long been ingrained and wasn't so easily shaken off. Just then, she noticed Susie trotting away excitedly, her movements sneaky and furtive as she slipped behind a cluster of flowers and headed toward a rarely visited corner of the garden. Audrey blinked in surprise—this scene felt oddly familiar. Curiosity piqued, she quietly followed and crouched beside the flowerbed, peering through the gaps in the leaves. Susie arrived at a spot two or three meters from the perimeter wall, sat upright with her tail wagging, and looked up at the top of the wall. Moments later, a slender black figure appeared at the top and leapt down gracefully. "Eh? Isn't that…Lilith? Has Edward come too?" Audrey's eyes narrowed thoughtfully. If it's really him, there's no need to climb over the wall, is there? Susie ran over happily, circled Lilith twice, then raised her front paws and carefully adjusted the spectacle frame hanging around her neck. With a serious expression, she said, "Today, we'll continue with pronunciation practice as usual." She opened her mouth and let out vocal warm-up sounds, going, "Ah ah ah," "Yah yah yah." Lilith mimicked her exactly, using her little-girl voice to repeat the sounds: "Ah ah ah," "Yah yah yah." Susie then continued in a slow, pronounced voice. "Hello." "How are you?" Lilith followed, though her pronunciation was slightly clumsy: "He…llo. How are…you?" Susie wagged her tail proudly. "That's it! Now repeat after me: 'Susie is Lilith's best friend.'" "Su…si is Lilith's best…" Before she could finish, Lilith suddenly turned her head and corrected firmly: "No. Wrong!" Susie's tail drooped immediately. "Ah? I'm not your best friend?" "It should be…Miss Lilith." She repeated again, "Miss Lilith." "Miss Lilith?" "That's right!" "Then…Susie is Miss Lilith's best friend?" "Then…Susie is…Miss Lilith's…best friend." "You don't have to say 'that' word." "You don't have to say that word." Watching the two little creatures earnestly practicing their speech, Audrey was completely stunned. She had always believed Susie was a one-of-a-kind miracle—a unique coincidence that only she had raised an extraordinary creature. Yet now there was another… Lilith. She suddenly recalled that Edward had once asked her if it was possible that Susie had secretly given Lilith a potion. At the time, she had confidently refuted it with two solid reasons. But now, this scene…was making her eat her words. Still—how had Susie gotten her paws on a potion? Through what method? Just as she was puzzling over this, the world around her blurred. A hazy fog spread out, and Mr. Fool appeared seated solemnly amidst the gray mist. His voice, low and deep, echoed: "Mr. Tower has returned." As his voice faded, the gray mist dispersed. Audrey found herself back in her garden, face full of delight. Edward's back! He's really okay! Mr. Fool came specifically to inform me… was he worried I'd be anxious? Right, He's long known Edward and I are friends. I didn't expect someone as mysterious and aloof as Mr. Fool to be so thoughtful… No longer in the mood to watch the little ones practice speech, Audrey picked up her skirt and ran back toward the house. ——— After receiving Mr. Fool's reply, Edward packed up his things and stepped out into the living room. "Lilith? Lilith?" No answer. "Slipped out again?" He sank into the soft sofa, closed his eyes, and let his entire body relax—relishing this long-lost peace and comfort. A breeze drifted through the open window, and the pendants on the chandelier above clinked together with a pleasant ding-dong. His eyelids grew heavier and heavier, on the verge of sleep. "…Ah, right." He opened his eyes and gave his forehead a light smack. "I haven't informed Audrey yet." Just as the thought crossed his mind, Audrey's voice suddenly sounded: "Edward? Are you there? Can you hear me?" He immediately looked down at the leather pouch. Two slender, fair fingers were gently prying open the flap. He quickly loosened the pouch and placed it on the ground, opening it wide. Audrey soon emerged, a mixture of joy and concern on her face—though still maintaining her noble composure. Her tone was bright: You're back~" She entered her spectator state, giving him a thorough once-over before asking, "You're alright?" "It was a bit thrilling," he said with a smile, "but luckily, I was pretty fortunate. No worries." She beamed. "Mr. Fool really didn't lie to me." "And you? How've you been these past few days?" "Pretty well," Audrey said cheerfully. "You missed an important milestone in the Tarot Club—Mr. Fool has successfully initiated a new function! Now we members can offer up sacrificial items and conduct long-distance trades through Him." "Oh, and The Hanged Man has already found the Lavos Squid's Crystallized Blood, Mandrake Sap, and Poison Hemlock extract you were looking for. You can trade with him through Mr. Fool at any time." "Nice." So the Fool Express is finally open for business… "Also, a few days ago, I received a rainbow salamander's pituitary gland from my second brother," she added, curtsying elegantly. "Standing before you now…is a Sequence 8 Telepathist~" "Whoa, impressive! I'll have to be more careful around you now—can't let you catch me thinking bad things about you." "Heehee." She squinted with a delighted smile, clearly enjoying the compliment. But then her expression faltered a bit as she thought of something. "Susie's Sequence 8 too…she's the truly amazing one. While I was still struggling to act my role properly, she had already digested her potion." Audrey puffed her cheeks and mimicked Susie's tone: "And when I ask how, she looks at me innocently and says, 'Audrey, I'm just a dog.'" After a brief pause, she lowered her voice and asked, "Ah…enough about me. Where exactly have you been these past few days? Why couldn't even Mr. Fool reach you?" "The Spirit World." "The Spirit World?" "Yeah, here's what happened…" Edward recounted everything he'd experienced over the past several days, leaving nothing out. An hour later, Audrey's eyes were wide with disbelief. "Why is it that every time I don't see you for a few days, you somehow end up in some major incident? A Grade 0 Sealed Artifact, a meteorite, the Church of the God of Death, the descent of the True Creator, and a Saint of the Aurora Order…?" Edward spread his hands and sighed. "I'd rather have encountered none of it. Think about it—the True Creator managed to spot me once, which means He can do it again. So whether I stay in Tingen or Backlund doesn't make much difference anymore. Now the question is…what do I do next? Flee overseas?" ——— [Note]: Don't forget to VOTE. It keeps me motivated.

Chapter 73 - 73: Miss Lilith

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