Everyone:You really do have a talent for accidentally confessing things, Mr. Moon.
Emlyn's sudden question instantly left everyone except Lilith speechless.
Wait—why did that kind of question come out of your mouth, Mr. Moon?
Sensing the awkward looks directed at him, Emlyn quickly tried to patch things up. "I…I just happened to be reading a related book recently, so it, uh, stirred up some thoughts…yeah, that's all."
"The World" spoke in a low, steady voice. "Mr. Moon, are you referring to the natives of the Rorsted Archipelago?"
Emlyn coughed lightly. "...Let's just say yes."
Fors couldn't help but exclaim, "I didn't expect Mr. Moon to be so kindhearted! Seeing the oppressed natives made you think of how to lead them to revolt against the colonisers."
"...Mm-hm."
The World continued calmly, "But that's a difficult task. Most of the colonised have no extraordinary powers, while the colonisers possess not only powerful fleets and cannons, but also mighty Beyonders. The disparity in strength is simply too great."
On this subject, Klein actually spoke from experience.
As the current holder of the Sea God's Sceptre, he was probably the person most familiar with the Sea God Church and the natives of the Rorsted Archipelago among everyone present.
For hundreds of years, they had risen up time and again, only to be ruthlessly crushed each time—never once seeing even a flicker of hope.
Emlyn hesitated. "Then what if…the natives also had Beyonders specifically meant to counter the colonisers?"
"Even then," The World said slowly, "you'd first need to awaken their will to resist—to make them understand why they're fighting back. That's the hardest part. Most people, after years of oppression, lose their courage and spirit, becoming numb and accustomed to submission."
Klein couldn't help recalling how difficult it had been for South Asian countries in his previous life to resist foreign invasions and colonial forces.
Emlyn nodded stiffly. "Alright, I see."
Of course, he didn't actually understand much, but he at least realised that this wasn't something that could be explained in just a few sentences.
At that moment, Alger turned to the Sun.
"Mr. Sun, how went your exploration last week?"
Derrick blinked. "Under the guidance of that child called Steph, we successfully made it out of the temple and even cleared a safe route. We're now heading toward Afternoon Town."
"You didn't encounter anything else along the way?"
He shook his head. "No. But the Chief still doesn't completely trust that child and has told us to remain on guard in case of any accidents."
Lilith raised her eyebrows in surprise. "You met that child Steph?"
Everyone found it strange that she called him "that child."
Derrick immediately asked, "Miss Empress, do you know Steph?"
"Mhm."
Lilith thought for a moment before replying, "He was originally a poor orphan. Later, I—well, He—became a fanatic believer of the True Creator."
"A fanatic of the True Creator?"
Derrick suddenly recalled his companions who had been corrupted before, and his heart sank. "Then why would he guide us? What does he want?"
"No idea." Lilith smiled faintly. "But it must have been the True Creator who commanded him to do so. Steph is now one of the few angels under His command—he only obeys His orders."
Angel?
That child was an angel?!
Derrick froze completely.
"So, in theory, he shouldn't be hostile toward you," Lilith went on lightly. "If he really wanted to harm you, he could've done it directly."
After thinking for a moment, Lilith rested her chin on her hand. "Alright, here's what you can do. When you return, mention my name—'Miss Lilith'—to Him. He'll know what to do."
"Ah?"
Derrick looked utterly lost. I…don't really get it.
And he wasn't the only one—everyone else also looked bewildered.
"Ah, well," Lilith said cheerfully, "during the time I was 'missing,' I just happened to meet that kid—Steph. So, he might give me a little face."
She spread her hands and added, "But not necessarily. After all, he's now a devout follower of the True Creator."
Something was off.
Something about Lilith was definitely off.
Having been quietly observing her, Audrey reached that conclusion almost immediately.
The Lilith before them was not the same as the Lilith in her memory—there was a subtle but unmistakable difference.
No…Audrey even began to wonder if this was really Lilith at all.
Yet, "Mr. Fool" showed no reaction whatsoever.
Does that mean He thinks there's nothing wrong?
No...the more suspicious it seems, the calmer I have to be. Audrey steadied herself, inhaling deeply. I'll wait until the gathering ends, then find a chance to talk to her privately.
"I wish to purchase the Heart of a Dreamcatcher, the Mind Illusion Crystal, or a complete brain of an adult Mind Dragon…" she said aloud.
Those were the materials required for a Sequence 5 Dreamwalker. Audrey already possessed the corresponding Beyonder characteristic, so naturally, this request was meant for Susie.
Her words reminded everyone that—ah, right—they were still in the middle of the trading segment.
Even Klein, behind the guise of The Fool, nearly sighed and facepalmed.
Good grief…the more gatherings we have, the messier the order becomes.
I really am not cut out to be a leader.
Still, he didn't intervene. Trading was, after all, a form of communication. Trying too hard to separate it out would only make the gathering feel rigid and unnatural.
Bernadette then spoke up, her calm voice carrying across the table. "I may be able to help you locate the complete brain of an adult Mind Dragon."
After a pause, she asked, "Miss Justice, have you already advanced to Sequence 6?"
"Yes, I was promoted last week," Audrey replied. "I have a feeling that playing the role of a Hypnotist might be faster than before, so I need to start preparing materials early."
Unlike a Psychiatrist, who had to diagnose and treat "patients," a Hypnotist only needed to perform hypnosis. Thus, digesting the potion was relatively simpler.
Hearing that, Alger's heart tightened slightly. Miss Justice is already preparing for Sequence 5…I'd better speed up too.
Klein glanced at the group, seeing how everyone's fighting spirit had been stirred by Audrey's progress. He nodded in satisfaction.
Perhaps the Tarot Club will soon evolve into a gathering of high-sequence powerhouses.
Once all the transactions were completed, Audrey spoke again.
"Last week, at the Psychology Alchemists' gathering, I met two new members—Prince Edessak and his sister, Princess Helena."
"Eh?" Fors gasped.
"Weren't those the ones publicly declared to be the culprits behind the 'Great Smog of Backlund' Incident?"
Everyone except Emlyn roughly knew the true circumstances of that disaster. To the outside world, that royal pair had been accused of colluding with an evil cult and causing tens of thousands of deaths—but in truth, they were scapegoats.
They actually dared to return to Backlund?
"And then?" The World asked in a deep tone.
As someone deeply involved in that incident, Klein knew many mysteries had never been answered—For example, the "Quill of Alzuhod" that appeared at the scene was a fake, yet the whole event was clearly tied to the real one. So who possessed the genuine Quill?
Since the government and royal family had ultimately dumped the blame on those siblings, Klein suspected they might know something more.
Audrey continued, "They told me they came back because of the upcoming war."
"War?" Fors nearly jumped out of her seat.
"W-what war?! I've been living a peaceful, lazy life writing my novels, and now suddenly there's going to be a war? No, thank you!"
Audrey explained, "Don't you remember? I mentioned before that during the same period as the 'Great Smog' incident, there was an assassination attempt on the upper echelons of Loen, which caused political unrest. Feysac will likely seize the opportunity to start a war against Loen."
"And now, that 'likelihood' has become a reality. Feysac has begun mobilising its troops to the border, and the Intis Kingdom seems to be making preparations as well. This war might engulf the entire Northern Continent."
The World asked thoughtfully, "So those siblings returned for the war? Do they intend to join the army, earn military merit, and clear their names?"
"They didn't say."
"Did you ask them about the Great Smog Incident?"
"Yes," Audrey nodded. "Their answer matched what we already know. King George III sought godhood, trafficking humans to build his mausoleum, and colluding with the Demoness Sect both to erase evidence of the trafficking and to gain their support. Edessak was merely a scapegoat pushed out by the King. If he hadn't been cautious enough, he would've died that very day as the supposed culprit."
Fors clenched her fists. "The King of Loen…he's despicable! How could he sacrifice so many innocent lives just to ascend?"
The Hanged Man turned toward Emlyn.
"If the Northern Continent truly plunges into war, most nations will likely recall their overseas forces."
Emlyn scratched his head. "And what about it?"
Alger sighed helplessly. "That would make it the perfect time for the natives of the Rorsted Archipelago to overthrow colonial rule."
But what's that got to do with me? That's Dantiz's turf…
Hmm? Though, come to think of it, the Southern Continent might be affected too.
Alger continued, "Once war breaks out, Backlund will be among the first to feel the impact. Those of you residing there would do well to prepare early."
Klein frowned slightly. But I need to stay in Backlund to get that Antigonus Family notebook…
Fors looked equally troubled. Leaving Backlund wouldn't be hard, but how am I supposed to convince Xio to go with me?
Thinking of that, she glanced toward The Fool and carefully asked, "Mr. Fool, about the friend I recommended for the Tarot Club last time—have You finished Your observation?"
Klein froze for a moment. Right…I was too busy working toward Sequence 5 and completely forgot. And that 'observation' thing was just something I said casually back then…
Still, he put on his usual air of profundity and said serenely, "You may now tell your friend My honorific name."
Fors' face lit up with joy. "Yes, Mr. Fool!"
Priscilla then spoke worriedly, "I'll be staying in Backlund too. I have to wait for Mr. Azik."
The World turned slightly. "Mr. Azik hasn't returned yet?"
"No."
Priscilla shook her head. "Even the messenger can't reach him. Ugh, it's driving me crazy." She pouted and leaned over the table. "And lately, Medici's been acting all secretive again. I have no idea what he's up to."
Audrey asked gently, "Are you still having those strange dreams?"
She'd visited Priscilla the previous week, hoping to use her Psychiatrist abilities to uncover something—but found nothing at all.
"Mhm, still having them, but not as often as before."
"Don't worry," Lilith said softly. "Azik will return soon."
Priscilla's eyes widened. "How do you know that?"
"Because I've seen him," Lilith said with a smile. "He's gone to take care of something very important."
She added reassuringly, "As for your dreams, they may simply be a side effect of his influence. After all, you are his descendant—Beyonder powers in the bloodline sometimes create mysterious connections."
"Oh, that's good." Priscilla finally smiled. "Miss Empress, when will you come visit me again?"
"In the next few days," Lilith replied.
"Yay!"
Just then, the long-silent Bernadette spoke softly, her voice carrying a faint tension. "Miss Empress…I'd like to meet and talk with you as well."
———
[Note]: Don't forget to VOTE. It keeps me motivated.