"I think it's rather amusing too. That 'Senior Number Eight' must have thought the same as I did—casually choosing a codename entirely unrelated to himself, so there's no need to worry about anyone discovering his true identity."
Klein frowned slightly. Hermes?
He actually lived all the way into Emperor Roselle's era—and might even still be alive today! That makes him a living fossil of human mysticism!
For the first time, Klein deeply felt the terror of the "Twilight Hermit Order."
Even Hermes was a member!
The following entries described how Roselle learned that the Twilight Hermit Order's ideal was to await the awakening of the 'Lord that Created Everything'. Yet its members each harboured their own schemes. Roselle had also gained knowledge from the Blasphemy Slate regarding the Spectator Pathway.
"So, the Sequence 0 of the Spectator Pathway is called the 'Visionary.'"
Tsk, to think they hold the Blasphemy Slate that records all potion formulas. This Twilight Hermit Order really is on a much higher level than my Tarot Club.
Klein silently ridiculed, then turned to the final page. He found it was merely a record of Roselle's early life after transmigrating—worthless daily notes about manor life, filled with hunting trips, longing for delicacies, wishing for extraordinary powers, and attractive maids.
Dismissing the diary, Klein swept his gaze around and said calmly, "Let's begin."
Little Sun Derrick immediately blurted out impatiently, "I've been assigned another mission. The Chief will personally lead a team to explore that dilapidated temple, and he specifically named me and Elder Lovia to accompany him."
Alger responded, "This is likely your Chief's final test to clear away any lingering suspicion on you."
"What should I do, Mr. Hanged Man?" Derrick asked nervously.
"Do not do anything unnecessary. Follow your Chief's orders and carry out the exploration properly." After a brief pause, Alger added, "You have a clear conscience. You've never betrayed the City of Silver. Any amount of verification will only prove your loyalty."
Derrick felt a weight lift from his heart. "I understand."
"Then…when exploring that bizarre temple, is there anything else I should pay attention to?"
As soon as his words fell, everyone present instinctively looked toward the empty seat of the "Tower." With his "connection" to the True Creator, surely he could have given some reliable advice.
At the head of the bronze table, the quietly observing Fool finally spoke:
"Flesh…and murmurs."
Derrick was somewhat confused.
Alger thought for a moment, then said, "When the time comes, communicate more with Elder Lovia. She clearly worships the True Creator, so she might be able to give you some correct guidance."
"Alright."
The meeting then shifted into its usual phase of buying and selling mystical ingredients.
Observing from the side, "Moon" Emlyn witnessed his first transaction successfully completed. After some hesitation, he mustered the courage to ask, "Everyone, does anyone know how San...Vampires can increase their strength—without relying on gifts from their elders?"
Vampires?
Alger froze at first, then his expression relaxed slightly.
Derrick, recalling the monsters he had once seen—those pus-covered vampires lurking in the dark, moving like the wind—couldn't help but glance sideways at Emlyn.
As for Audrey and Fors, they merely gave him a quiet look.
Under the weight of so many stares, the "Moon" Emlyn grew uneasy, faintly realising he might have asked something inappropriate.
Why are you all looking at me like that? Isn't it allowed for me to have a vampire friend? Should I explain? No…why should I? So what if I'm a vampire? There's nothing wrong with admitting it!
Our kind has a long history, long lifespans, and abundant accumulation. We are a noble race! It's not as though you're all that impressive—just now, the highest trade was barely something at the Sequence 6 level!
With that thought, Emlyn lifted his chin proudly and added, "Yes, I am a trueborn noble Sanguine."
Klein nearly choked. Wonderful. Little Sun won't be the only one blurting things out at meetings anymore—this Emlyn's brain isn't much sharper.
After some thought, Alger said, "I know how vampires can increase their strength."
Emlyn instantly looked at him. "Uh, Mr. Hanged Man, what payment do you require?"
"No need. We're all members of the Tarot Club. This kind of information exchange is free."
Emlyn was moved deeply at once. Mr. Hanged Man is such a generous, noble man!
Alger pondered for two seconds, then explained, "Vampires can also advance by consuming potions, but they must be the corresponding, correct kind. Within the major Churches, certain experiments have been conducted. The results prove this method is feasible. However, I cannot access the detailed information."
Emlyn immediately blurted out, "But the main ingredients of those potions are my kin!"
Alger chuckled and said, "Never speak in absolutes. For example, I've obtained leads on the residual characteristics of a vampire baron. He perished in a sudden conflict and had no time to designate an heir. You could inherit this legacy through a potion, preventing the vampire's power from being lost."
"Inheriting a legacy through a potion…preventing the vampire's power from being lost…" Emlyn suddenly felt that Mr. Hanged Man's words made a great deal of sense. He changed his question, "What would the price be?"
"Somewhere between four to five thousand pounds. The exact figure depends on the eventual owner I find."
Alger didn't press him. He smiled lightly and added, "I know this is a difficult decision. You can take your time. There's no need to rush."
"Alright." Emlyn exhaled in relief.
At that moment, the usually silent Mr. World spoke in a steady voice, "I'd like to issue a commission."
Everyone immediately turned to look at him. The last time the World had issued a commission, it had been to find that man named Ince Zangwill. Unfortunately, apart from Priscilla, a member of the Aurora Order, claiming to have spotted his trail in Feysac, there had been no further clues. That commission had effectively been left in limbo.
Klein manipulated the World to materialise a photograph—of the girl he had seen on Symeem Island, the one who seemed to be a transmigrator.
"I want to find this woman."
The instant Audrey saw the photo, her heart skipped violently. The clothes she's wearing…how is that possible?!
She instinctively wanted to ask, but quickly held herself back, deciding to wait.
Klein continued, "I encountered her on Symeem Island in the Rorsted Archipelago a few days ago. The locals called her a 'witch.' Unfortunately, I didn't have time to speak to her before she left."
"There's something very important I need to confirm with her."
Even after several days, whenever Klein thought back to that encounter, he still felt a chill creep up his spine.
Since his transmigration, his two greatest secrets—being a transmigrator and being Mr. Fool—had been so casually exposed by that girl. Even the grey fog, his last sanctuary, the only place that gave him a sense of safety, suddenly felt less secure.
Who exactly is she?
Why does she know these things?
What does she want?
These three questions circled endlessly in his mind.
Though the girl had said before leaving that he would understand once he advanced to Sequence 4, Klein couldn't wait. He was desperate to know everything.
More importantly, he wanted to know…whether he could still go home.
Alger studied the photo for a moment, then asked, "I want to know—what is your relationship with her, Mr. World? That will determine the approach I should use in finding her."
Klein considered briefly. "Perhaps…compatriots. I don't know her. I don't know her identity, her name, or anything else. But I suspect she comes from the same homeland as I do. I wish to ask her about our homeland."
His answer left Audrey somewhat puzzled. Mr. World—Klein—claimed that girl was his compatriot? But the clothes she wore clearly belonged to Edward's world. Why would Klein say she was from his homeland?
Instinctively, she glanced at Edward's seat. If only Edward were still here, I could ask him about this later…
"Understood," Alger said simply.
Klein turned back to the others. "Does anyone else have questions?"
Audrey hesitated several times, then finally asked, "Mr. World, may I know…why do you think that girl is your compatriot?"
"…"
After pondering for a while, Klein answered, "Her clothes."
"I see."
Her clothes? Really?! Just what is going on here…
Seeing that no one else spoke, Klein added, "Then, I'll leave this matter in your hands."
He paused, then asked, "By the way, does anyone know where I can encounter mermaids…the wild kind?"
Alger replied, "I've heard that mermaids appear east of the Sonia Sea, but I don't know the exact location."
"Would non-wild ones do?"
Bernadette suddenly spoke.
"Do you mean the ones kept by the Churches?" Klein shook his head. "For certain reasons, I'd prefer not to contact the Churches."
"No." She shook her head. "I mean the ones I raise myself."
"Uh…what?"
Klein was stunned. Why in the world would the Queen Mystic raise mermaids?
Bernadette continued calmly, "If you need them, you may visit my palace in the Fog Sea—Emerald City. The mermaids I keep are all there."
"…Alright. Thank you."
As no one else spoke, Klein knew the gathering was nearing its end. He was just about to announce it when—
Queen Mystic, Bernadette, suddenly raised her head and asked in a solemn tone:
"Mr. Fool, I wish to know…besides the divine kingdom where you currently hold the Tarot Club, is there another mysterious space in this world filled with greyish-white fog?"
———
[Note]: Don't forget to VOTE. It keeps me motivated.