As he spoke, Edward flipped a coin. "Audrey has been hypnotized."
The number side landed facing up, indicating no.
Without pausing, he continued, "Audrey has been given a psychological suggestion."
Again, the number side faced up.
He then performed divination on various statements in succession and discovered that Audrey really had not been affected by any Beyonder abilities.
"Strange. Even if she meant you no harm, surely she wouldn't have done absolutely nothing to you?"
Resting her chin on her hand, Audrey watched the serious Edward and said, "Either she suspects someone else is behind me and avoided acting so she wouldn't alert them, or... she really is as indolent as she looks and simply couldn't be bothered."
"Well..."
The lady known as "Sloth" from the Psychology Alchemists had appeared only once in the original novel and had shown no personality traits at all. Edward really had no way to judge.
So all he could do was solemnly remind her:
"Whatever the case, from now on, you must pray to Mr. Fool for protection every time you go out."
Audrey nodded. "I understand, but... what should I offer in exchange for Mr. Fool's protection?" She looked a little troubled. "Unlike you, I haven't accumulated a lot of 'merit' with Mr. Fool."
"How about... I ask Mr. Fool whether I can lend you my 'merit'?"
"Wouldn't that be inappropriate?" Audrey hurriedly waved her hands. "No, no. I'll think of something myself!"
"All right."
At that point, Audrey asked hesitantly, "By the way, if this lady really came to investigate the truth behind the deaths of the Psychology Alchemists members in Backlund, can we tentatively assume that someone else masterminded the Backlund Assassination Incident?"
Edward nodded thoughtfully. "According to what you said in your letter, quite a few of those members killed