Audrey glanced inside. "So this is what it feels like to look down from outside. Don't worry, this secret will stay between the two of us. Hmm, and Susie at most."
The Leather Pouch closed, plunging the surroundings into darkness.
Edward flopped onto the sofa and looked around. "Hmm, it feels a little cramped. I'll have to expand the space in here, or just ask Old Dumbledore to buy a suitcase from Mr. Scamander for me."
He suddenly scratched his head and asked in confusion:
"Huh, did I forget something?"
Inside Earl Hall's luxurious villa.
Audrey waited in her room for quite a while, but no one came. Even if they wanted her to get some proper rest, surely they wouldn't leave her entirely alone.
She decided to take the initiative.
"Dad."
When she reached the drawing room, Earl Hall was speaking to her elder brother, Hibbert Hall, with a grave expression. Several maids stood in the distance, their heads lowered, not daring to make a sound.
"Audrey, why did you come out?"
Earl Hall immediately walked over and helped her sit down. "How are you feeling now?"
"I... I'm perfectly fine."
"Audrey, don't worry. We'll catch that damned criminal!" Hibbert said angrily.
"Ah, well..."
Audrey felt helpless. If she told her father, "That criminal is actually my friend," he would surely be furious.
"Dad, I'd like to visit the church and pray for the Goddess's blessing. May I?"
"No!" Earl Hall refused without hesitation. "What you need to do now is rest properly and wait for that fellow to be caught!"
"But I... I'm still a little scared."
Earl Hall's face filled with concern. "Then I'll invite Archbishop Saint Anthony over. He can give you the Goddess's blessing on her behalf."
"There's... no need for that, Dad. Going to church in a few days will be just as good." She lifted her skirts and curtsied. "I'll go back and rest."
"Escort Audrey back."
Two maids accompanied Audrey back the way she had come. As they approached her room, one suddenly spoke. "Miss, perhaps we should move you to another room. A lot of outsiders entered this one earlier, and it needs to be cleaned again."
She said to the other maid, "Go and clean it."
"I don't think now is the time to clean."
"Why? When do you intend to do it, then?"
"Anyway, now isn't the right time. Don't you agree?"
"Hmm, you're right."
The maids' strange behavior startled Audrey. Then she remembered that Edward had cast a Repelling Charm on the room before entering the Leather Pouch. They were clearly under its influence.
Oh, no wonder no one came, even after I waited in my room for so long.
But I don't know how to lift the charm yet.
"All right, you can go back. I'll go into my room myself."
The two left without hesitation.
Just as Audrey opened the door and returned to her room, Susie came back as well. Bits of grass clung to her fur, as though she really had gone out to play.
"Audrey, I saw several Beyonders."
"Thank you for your hard work, Susie."
Susie wagged her tail happily, then looked around. "Has that person already left?"
Audrey took the Leather Pouch out of her clothes and patted it. "He's in here."
"Is he really your friend? Why have I never seen him before?"
"Hmm, that's a secret between him and me. I'll tell you when I get a chance later."
She tilted her head, looking a little puzzled:
"A secret? All right."
Audrey opened the Leather Pouch and called inside. "Edward, you forgot to remove the Repelling Charm from the room. Now none of the maids can come near it."
Edward slapped his forehead. "I knew I'd forgotten something."
"Dad won't let me go out right now, and there are still Beyonders watching outside the villa." Audrey looked apologetic. "Sorry, you may have to stay inside for a few days. But I'll bring you food every day. Our chef is every bit as good as a House-elf."
"Sure." Edward had no objection. "By the way, I just thought of something. Over the next couple of days, we can have Susie wander around more and gradually expand her range. Once those Beyonders get used to it, give her the Leather Pouch and have her take it somewhere far from your home before letting me out."
Audrey clapped her hands softly. "Good idea. Susie, what do you think?"
Susie wagged her tail happily and said with a grin:
"Of course, no problem. No one will suspect me. After all, I'm just a dog."
Chapter 12: One and a Half Meters
Three days later.
With a silk bow tied around her neck, Susie left Earl Hall's luxurious villa as usual and happily went out to play.
She chased bees and butterflies along the way, and her smooth golden fur soon became a tousled mess covered in bits of grass. When she tired herself out, she found a sunny patch of grass and enjoyed a good sleep.
At noon, as Susie lay on the ground staring into space, a passing hound suddenly caught her attention.
"Woof! Woof! Woof!"
She sprang up and barked several times before chasing after him. The two dogs chased each other, gradually leaving Empress Borough and entering Cherwood Borough.
The hound was having the time of his life when Susie abruptly turned and walked away without warning. He stood rooted to the spot, like an innocent young man who had been toyed with by a heartless woman.
Susie's usual roaming grounds had mostly been within Empress Borough, where the residents were nobles and wealthy people. Cherwood Borough was clearly different. Its residents were mostly ordinary people, its population was far denser, and all sorts mingled there.
She remained alert along the way. Only after confirming that she hadn't attracted anyone's attention did she turn into a deserted alley, take down the Leather Pouch hidden inside her bow, and use her mouth and paws to open it.
Edward, who had long been waiting at the foot of the stairs, leaped out. He picked up the Leather Pouch and tucked it into his clothes-he had already changed into a gray trench coat and white shirt, with a black silk top hat.
Edward crouched in front of Susie and offered her a piece of dried chicken. "Thank you, Susie. Head back now, and be careful on the way."
With the chicken in her mouth, Susie left, wagging her tail happily.
"Phew-"
Edward let out a long breath. "Free at last. Next, I'll find somewhere to stay, then think carefully about what to do after that."
He took out a stack of banknotes Audrey had given him before he left-a full 2,000 Pounds. She truly lived up to her reputation as the Tarot Club's angel investor and genuine big spender.
So this is what it feels like to have a rich backer?
Having a rich backer feels good for a moment; having one every day feels good forever-the god of poverty, Klein, would cry himself unconscious in the bathroom.
Edward counted out 20 Pounds and put the rest into the Leather Pouch. Given the cost of living in the world of mysteries, it would last him a long time as long as he didn't buy luxury goods or Beyonder items.
"Hmm, better cast a Shield Charm to be safe."
He lowered the brim of his top hat and walked out of the alley.
The view before him opened up:
At that moment, Backlund, known as the "City of Hope," gradually unfolded before his eyes.
Inside Earl Hall's luxurious villa in Empress Borough.
Several members of the Church of Evernight were questioning the maids about what had happened three days earlier, but all of them claimed they had been too frightened to remember what the criminal looked like.
"Dad."
Audrey walked in with a drawing in her hand. "I heard you were preparing to draw a wanted portrait of the criminal. I remember him very clearly, and I happen to know how to draw, so..."
She handed the drawing to Earl Hall. "I hope this helps."
"Wonderful."
Earl Hall unfolded the paper. The two sides of his mustache twitched upward slightly, and he looked at his daughter. "Are you certain this is what he looked like?"
"I'm certain, Dad."
Father and daughter held each other's gaze for a few seconds before Earl Hall handed the drawing to a Red Glove:
"Since Audrey has already drawn his portrait, let's end the questioning here. There's no need to try those... other methods you mentioned either."
"Of course, Earl Hall. We'll catch him as soon as possible."
The Red Gloves quickly left with the drawing.
Earl Hall took a small sip of black tea and asked casually, "Audrey, do you still want to visit the Church of Evernight to pray for the Goddess's blessing?"
"Yes, Dad. May I go out now?"
"Yes."
"Then I'll go tomorrow. I'll return to my room now. Thank you, Dad."
Father and daughter maintained their tacit understanding. Neither said more, and neither asked more.
Audrey walked out of the drawing room and let out a soft sigh. "Oh, Susie, was it wrong of me to do that?"
Susie wagged her tail, looking utterly innocent.
Inside a cheap inn in Cherwood Borough.
Edward finished checking in and moved into a cramped room measuring less than ten square meters.
The furnishings were simple: a wooden single bed, a battered table, a chair with part of one leg broken off, a coat rack, and a stove. The window was shut tight, perhaps to keep the dust in the air from drifting inside.
The reason he hadn't chosen somewhere better was simple-both better hotels and long-term rentals required proof of identity, and he had no legal papers.
"But I'm not here on vacation anyway."
Edward took off his hat and trench coat, hung them up, then took out a notebook and sat down at the table.
"I came here with three and a half goals. First, choose a Pathway that suits me. Second, get its formula. Third, drink the potion."
Before you continue