Hearing the name "God of Luck," the senior members who had joined the Tarot Club early—such as Sun, Justice, and Hanged Man—all showed expressions of sudden realization. After all, Mr Tower had long been inquiring about intelligence regarding that Elven subsidiary deity, so it was perfectly reasonable that he would eventually acquire something substantial.
However… that "God of Luck" was actually a member of the "Rose Redemption"?
Could He also have once been one of the Kings of Angels?
Seeing that Justice and the others seemed about to ask for further details, Ebner—feeling he had already revealed far more than enough today—swiftly shifted the topic. He turned to Sun Derrick beside him and asked:
"Have you investigated the matter of the former Chief's mausoleum?"
Hearing Mr Tower's question, Sun Derrick replied with some embarrassment:
"No… I've been assigned patrol duties continuously lately, and I haven't had a proper chance to investigate."
Ebner had expected this. He offered advice earnestly, almost like an older brother lecturing a junior:
"In truth, the upper echelons of the City of Silver know very well who you represent. There's no need for you to investigate personally—doing so would only arouse unnecessary suspicion.
"Just go directly to the Chief or the other members of the Six-person Council and ask.
"Tell them that I want to know.
"And the information I just shared with you about the True Creator can serve as my sincerity—or the bargaining chips for the exchange…"
Derrick froze. He had never considered this approach.
But when he thought about the "chips" Mr Tower mentioned, his heart tightened with pain again—because the hope the City of Silver had pursued and yearned for over centuries was nothing but an illusion… one destined never to be realized.
And he believed that when the Chief and the Council heard this news, they would feel even deeper agony.
After all… his own faith had long begun to crumble.
Though grief tugged at him, Sun Derrick knew this was not the moment to dwell on it. He quickly steadied his expression and nodded in agreement to Mr Tower's request.
Ebner's interest in the former Chief of the City of Silver stemmed from his desire to glimpse the Goddess's current degree of mastery over the Death Uniqueness.
—His earlier conversation with Lilith had made it clear that what they could tell him directly had limits; he would have to rely on his own probing. And besides, a Cognizer needed to act accordingly.
After wrapping up the matter concerning the City of Silver, Ebner turned to Justice Audrey, who sat diagonally across from him:
"Miss Justice, you should now be able to easily handle ordinary psychological issues, yes?"
Because he knew the original book's plot, Ebner naturally understood Audrey's level, but with both Xio and Fors present, he couldn't behave too familiar with her.
Justice Audrey sat up straighter, enthusiasm lighting her eyes:
"Yes—no problem at all.
"Mr Tower, do you have a friend who needs treatment?"
I'm short on case studies! she thought excitedly, and then quietly added in her heart: And so is Susie…
"Three Beyonders who were cut off from society and lived in complete isolation for decades need therapy," Ebner briefly described the patients' circumstances.
Indeed, the ones requiring treatment were the three former official Beyonders who had been trapped in Roselle's dream-mausoleum, later placed into Groselle's Travels by Ebner, and brought back into reality some time ago.
Because most of the food they'd consumed in the "dream world" had been products of imagination, after returning to reality—even though Ebner sustained their lives using abundant vitality and the secret art Violet's Perfect Recovery—their condition had remained precarious.
It was only after Ebner advanced to Cognizer and his understanding of the Moon, Mother, and Hanged Man pathways deepened significantly that he completely solved their bodily problems, released them from the "flesh cocoons," and allowed them to return home to see their families.
Yet decades of disconnection from the real world, and the torment of reuniting with loved ones yet not daring to acknowledge them, left all three with various psychological burdens…
In fact, their minds had already become somewhat unstable back in Roselle's mausoleum—it had merely been tempered by necessity and survival.
And because he intended to recruit these three former official Beyonders into his own service, Ebner decided to find them a trustworthy "psychologist" for adjustment… In his mind, both Audrey and Susie were suitable candidates.
As for himself? Although he possessed Spectator pathway abilities—and his "Owen" persona was even an evaluator of the Psychology Alchemists—firstly, he had no spare time to treat others; secondly, Owen was currently under heavy scrutiny, with many people likely looking for trouble. It was better not to let him appear publicly.
On the other side, after listening and thinking for a few seconds, Audrey said sincerely:
"That shouldn't be a problem. But… I hope my identity won't be revealed."
Ebner nodded without hesitation:
"Understood. When they need treatment, I'll notify you in advance."
Justice Audrey softly acknowledged with a "mm," and didn't mention payment at all.
She still owed Ebner Bryan a favour, after all.
With that matter settled, Ebner thought of another issue and turned to Hermit Cattleya:
"Could you help me keep watch for news about the Death Knell?
"I can exchange some mystically-flavoured stories."
Cattleya didn't ask why; she simply pondered briefly and asked:
"I can. When do you need it?"
"Before next Monday… mm, it doesn't need to be precise. Even vague rumours will do." Ebner replied.
As long as he had some form of "clue," he could directly perceive, directly know.
And why did he want the Death Announcer?
Because of the blood-red crystal Klein had once given him, and the scene he divined through Sefirah Castle. Those signs convinced him that the predecessor of the Death Announcer likely had deep connections with the "soul-stone" system created by the God of Luck.
And Ebner needed that knowledge for his secret-art deductions.
"Alright."
This task depended mostly on luck and wasn't difficult, so Cattleya accepted easily.
After that, Ebner had originally hoped someone would bring up the "Trier Abyss Descent" incident so he could take the opportunity to show off, but as the free discussion phase neared its end, no one mentioned it—leaving him quite disappointed.
A moment later, he consoled himself:
Only a few days have passed. Information spreads slowly in this world, and there are no Intis citizens among the attendees. Even if they heard something major happened in Trier, they'd probably think it was an earthquake…
I suppose I'll have to wait for the matter to ferment a bit longer.
While Ebner mulled over this, The Fool Klein—seeing the Tarot Gathering reaching its end—had The World deliver a reminder:
"Regarding that mural, try not to recall it in reality—and do not attempt to draw it."
Justice Audrey and the other members instinctively looked towards the upper end of the bronze long table. Seeing that Mr Fool did not refute the warning, they all grew solemn, not daring to be careless.
This also made Hermit Cattleya shelve her intention to write to the Queen of Mystic Bernadette about the matter—she decided to wait until they met in person, then judge whether there was a safe method to avoid the influence.
Thus, the Tarot Gathering concluded in an atmosphere of tension and vigilance. Soon, only Ebner and Klein remained above the gray fog.
At this moment, Klein proactively told Ebner about the problem that Will had detected on Sharon, and finally, pretending calm, asked:
"Do you have any good solutions?"
The Mother Tree of Desire truly exploits every gap… As expected of an Old One, its methods are profoundly concealed; even I didn't detect anything wrong with that succubus.
Turning this over, Ebner suggested gently:
"There are only a few methods to cleanse the Mother Tree's contamination… and the safest is to wait until Mr Fool further awakens, then ask Him to resolve it."
This is exactly what Will said—Mr Fool's further awakening means I have to become a demigod?!
Klein felt disappointed, though he had expected this outcome.
"Adam is indeed terrifyingly skilled. He must have noticed abnormalities in your succubus during the 'sea monster struggle.'
"So during this primordial island expedition, He conveniently 'arranged' things to help you remove that hidden risk."
Ebner sighed, then smiled:
"But this favour—or rather, this 'gift'—is something you will have to repay eventually."
Klein's surprise was immediate and obvious. He blurted:
"That final sigh on the island—was it really from the Son Adam?
"I thought it was just someone from the Twilight Hermit Order…
"He helped me—was that goodwill?"
Ebner shook his head, voice laden with meaning:
"Do not believe in Adam's goodwill. He has no humanity.
He helped you simply because doing so benefits Him."
No humanity… Klein repeated this phrase several times, then asked again:
"What happened on the island after the Hanged Man and I left?"
"Nothing much. After killing that mutated Six-winged Gargoyle, I examined the murals in the church again—and then the entire island vanished."
At this point, Ebner paused, feeling that hiding things from a friend would only let Adam exploit the gap. So he added:
"However… the mural I saw was different from the one you saw.
And what exactly I saw… you're not suitable to know just yet."
"The mural can change… so Adam's main target was you? Or rather, letting you see that mural?" Klein instantly grasped the essence.
"Exactly…" Ebner nodded heavily. Even now, recalling that mural depicting the birth of the Unknown made his heart sink with weight.
A brief silence settled over the gray fog. After a few moments, Klein asked again:
"What happened with you and Bernadette saving Trier?"
Ebner's spirit lifted. After a bit of organization, he recounted his "glorious achievements."
The tale wasn't long, but it rose and fell dramatically and was sufficiently thrilling. It involved not only the True God Abyss, but also multiple pathway angels: Knowledge Emperor, Knowledge Magister, Death Consul, and others!
As Klein listened, he was shocked by the content—but the moment he noticed the barely concealed pride in Mr Tower's expression, his attention pivoted elsewhere:
"So… you got half of House Delien's property and collection for free?"
The smile on Ebner's face froze. He was rendered speechless.
God of Poverty, he thought helplessly, you never disappoint—your focus truly stands alone.
…
While the Wisdom Eye clone and Klein were reinforcing each other's humanity, Ebner's true body stared vigilantly at an uninvited intruder who had stepped into his bedroom—Black Saintess Medea.
The hooded lady, whose beauty was concealed beneath her cloak, smiled at the man standing guard and said with a soft, lilting tone:
"No need to be tense. I'm only delivering a message on behalf of Princess Vera."
Ebner frowned and activated the Pure White Eye, carefully examining the Black Saintess. Only after confirming that she was genuine did he ask:
"What message does Vera want you to deliver?"
The Black Saintess narrowed her eyes slightly and deliberately used a teasing, suggestive tone:
"Her Highness says… she hopes you can visit her tonight."