What was Roselle—or whoever's really pulling the strings—trying to achieve by leaving this empty box here?
Given that it was specifically meant for "Fors"... they likely know about the "plot," meaning the real target might be "The Fool"...
With an artifact personally crafted by the Elf King, Klein could undoubtedly divine significant clues from it...
Is Roselle sending a message to "The Fool"? Or is the "Seal of Calamity" using Roselle as a conduit?
Pondering this, Ebner activated his "Pure White Eyes" again, attempting to extract residual traces from the box. Unfortunately, time had eroded all meaningful imprints—unless his "Retrospection" evolved into "Insight," recovering useful information seemed impossible.
Meanwhile, Fors showed no disappointment toward the empty box. On the contrary, she examined it with keen interest, already weaving potential backstories in her mind.
It wasn't until their return to the club's villa that she snapped out of her reverie, announcing to Ebner:
"Now that I've received Mr. Teron's bequest, there's no need for me to stay in Intis. I'll depart for Loen tomorrow."
"I'm heading back to Loen tomorrow too—I can teleport you directly..." Ebner offered, recalling his promised "dream adventure" with Audrey from the last Tarot gathering.
Fors shook her head. "No need. I've joined a traveling circus troupe that tours major northern cities, with Backlund as their final stop. Perfect for 'acting' while sightseeing."
The salty fish is actually putting in effort? What sparked this? Ebner's astonishment manifested as him reaching over to feel Fors' forehead for fever.
She instantly decoded the gesture, indignant. "Do you really see me as that lazy?"
"Yes." He didn't hesitate.
If I don't push myself now, you and Xio will leave me completely behind... Same goes for the Tarot Club... Fors swallowed the thought as Ebner withdrew his hand, producing a bell from his pocket.
"This summons my messenger. If you encounter trouble, write to me—I'll teleport over immediately."
"Got it." Fors accepted it, only then realizing how intimately casual his forehead touch had been... and how she'd grown accustomed to such contact without a second thought.
...
Beneath St. Samuel's Cathedral, Backlund.
What began as a perfunctory investigation into 'Fool'-related incidents to buy personal freedom had unexpectedly borne fruit. Through dream-walking interviews with figures connected to the 'Lanevus Case,' 'Capim Case,' and 'Flesh Abyss Incident,' Leonard Mitchell uncovered disturbing patterns.
"Both the Lanevus and Capim cases involved that private detective—Sherlock Moriarty—and his journalist friend Mike Joseph. While peripheral, they're viable leads... As for the 'Flesh Abyss,' I attempted entering Reverend Hael's dreams but got forcibly ejected..."
"...From what I've learned, Sherlock Moriarty also appeared during the Duke Negan assassination, providing crucial leads..."
"Come to think of it, he looks familiar... Is he some wanted criminal in disguise?"
Leonard recalled the faces from his dreams, put on his red gloves, and stepped out of his office to brew some black tea to clear his mind.
Just then, a colleague approached with a thin invitation in hand.
"What's this?" Leonard asked, puzzled.
"It's an invitation to Ms. Daly's wedding..." The colleague looked visibly dejected.
Though Ms. Daly often made people uncomfortable with her teasing jokes, she was quite popular among the Backlund Nighthawks. The thought of her marrying someone else clearly bothered him.
"Oh, a wedding invitation..." Leonard began with a smile, then froze mid-sentence before exclaiming, "Wait, whose wedding?!"
Misinterpreting his reaction as shared heartbreak, the colleague patted his shoulder sympathetically.
"Ms. Daly's wedding... Hard to accept, but it's true."
"Who's the groom?" Leonard forced a composed smile.
"Some merchant named Dwayne Dantès, just returned from overseas in his forties..." The Nighthawk grumbled, "No idea how he charmed Ms. Daly."
After his colleague left, Leonard's smile faded into solemnity.
He knew all too well about Daly and Captain Dunn's relationship—he couldn't believe she'd consider marriage before avenging the captain...
Either this Dwayne fellow used underhanded methods to deceive her...
Or Daly has discovered something and is using him!
...
Stoen City, capital of East Chester County, Kingdom of Loen.
After socializing with local nobles at the villa, Audrey received a message from "The World."
Glancing at her maid Annie supervising the servants nearby, she crouched beside her golden retriever by the wall, eyes sparkling as she whispered:
"Susie, you'll be getting a gift soon. Excited?"
The old Audrey would've blurted, "Susie, your gift is here!"—risking the dog deducing she could materialize objects indoors (a clear hint at ritual magic to the mysticism-studying retriever).
This rephrased version suggested Audrey had merely received word of an impending delivery, leaving countless plausible explanations.
Reading her mistress's genuine joy, Susie nearly vocalized a question—but noticing Annie's approach, she defaulted to tail wags.
Then, a man's voice abruptly echoed around them:
"Ma'am, your 'Psychiatrist' characteristic delivery has arrived..."
(End of Chapter)