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"A great existence?"
Klein, whose head was throbbing abnormally, took a few seconds to realize that the person was referring to him. Without time to think or deliberate, he seized a fleeting thought in his mind and quickly made a decision.
He would maintain his mysterious image in the eyes of these three, actively guide the development of events, and gain valuable information from it.
Although he didn't know anything either, one thing he could confirm was that the appearance of these three was entirely due to him. In this incident, they were the guests, and he was the host. This was his greatest confidence.
He was planning to give himself a more high-end title in his mind to maintain his mysterious image, but then he felt that talking while standing like this seemed a bit undignified. It would be best if...
As soon as the thought crossed his mind, the gray fog suddenly churned. In an instant, towering stone pillars appeared around them, and the top was covered by a vast dome.
The entire building was magnificent, grand, and majestic, like a giant's royal palace from legends.
Directly beneath the dome, where the gray fog gathered, a bronze long table appeared, with ten high-backed chairs on each side, and similar seats placed at the front and back. On the back of the chairs, brilliant, shimmering, deep red, hidden patterns outlined strange constellations that did not correspond to reality.
Klein sat at the head of the table, quietly observing the three people arrayed below him, rubbing the edge of the bronze long table without a change in expression.
Having just experienced a bizarre rebirth and a strange suicide, Klein was still able to remain calm, unlike the lady below who was curiously looking around.
The content of his previous divination suddenly flashed through his mind. He leaned back, interlaced his fingers under his chin, and smiled at the three, saying, "You can call me…"
At this point, he paused, then spoke in a gentle and calm tone:
"The Fool."
The brief answer quickly faded into the magnificent temple and the pervasive mist. Aaron, who had withdrawn his gaze from Audrey, curled the corner of his mouth and continued in a dignified yet respectful voice:
"Mr. Fool, do you mind having a few more 'attempts' like this?"
"If possible, I hope to join this 'gathering.' Perhaps I can help you complete trivial matters that are inconvenient for you to do yourself at some point in the future."
Looking at the other two who had come to their senses and echoed his words, Klein's face, shrouded in gray-white mist, showed a strange expression, feeling a pleasant sensation like an itch being scratched.
This fleeting pleasure of receiving a pillow when sleepy passed quickly, and the stinging pain from his mind became increasingly obvious, prompting him to make a quick decision.
Although more "gatherings" would make it easier to expose his true situation, they would indeed allow him to gain more Beyonder mysteries and occult knowledge, which would be helpful for his future return.
Anyway, the summoning and disbanding of the "gatherings" were under his control, so even if any problems were exposed, they would be within a controllable range. The benefits clearly outweighed the disadvantages.
Leaning back in his chair, Klein chuckled:
"I am someone who values equivalent exchange."
"I won't let you help unconditionally."
"Every Monday, at three in the afternoon, try to be alone. Once I try a few more times and figure some things out, perhaps you can ask for leave in advance and won't have to worry about being in an unsuitable situation."
Audrey, who had just turned seventeen, had learned a lot about the Beyonder world from Aaron. Her thirst for knowledge and girlish temperament were strong. Hearing Mr. Fool's reply, she couldn't help but clench her fists and swing them lightly in front of her chest.
"Then shouldn't we also choose titles for ourselves? After all, we can't use our real names to communicate."
Before Aaron could speak again, her eyes sparkled, and she eagerly interjected, while using her Spectator Beyonder ability to look at Aaron, who was also enveloped in gray-white mist opposite her.
Although she couldn't see clearly, there was always a vague sense of familiarity, coupled with the reason she came here, she couldn't help but have some guesses.
"Good idea," Klein replied in as brief and relaxed a tone as possible.
He seemed nonchalant, but in reality, his mental exhaustion was becoming severe, and his head throbbed rhythmically.
Audrey, who hadn't figured anything out, was a little disappointed but immediately started thinking, saying as she pondered:
"You are Mr. Fool, from the Tarot cards. As a regular, long-term, and secret 'gathering,' the titles should be as consistent as possible. Hmm, I'll also choose from the Tarot cards."
Her tone gradually became cheerful:
"I've decided, my title is, 'Justice'!"
This was one of the twenty-two Major Arcana cards.
"What about the two gentlemen?" Audrey smiled and looked at her two "companions" opposite her.
Alger, who had been struggling at Sea for many years, had always been cautious and silent, but seeing the lady, who was presumably a noble, cast her gaze upon him, he frowned slightly, then relaxed and said:
"The Hanged Man."
This was another Major Arcana card.
And Aaron, feeling Audrey's naked gaze, subconsciously turned his head slightly to avoid it, and responded with a deliberately disguised voice:
"The Emperor!"
Somewhat surprised that he would choose this Major Arcana card, Audrey was momentarily stunned, but still continued:
"Alright, then we are the founding members of the Tarot Club!"
Then she looked nervously at Klein, who was shrouded in gray-white mist, seeking the opinion of this mysterious existence:
"Is that alright, Mr. Fool?"
At this moment, Klein's headache intensified, and he felt the invisible connection between himself and the deep red stars and gray-white mist begin to waver.
"Yes, then today's gathering ends here," he decided immediately, speaking in a low voice.
"As you wish." Aaron was the first to stand and bow, and couldn't help but find it amusing to see Audrey and Alger imitating his actions.
The "stars" brightened again, and the deep red light receded like water. All the figures became even more blurred, increasingly illusory.
In less than a second, the "projection" shattered, and silence returned above the gray fog.
Klein felt himself rapidly growing heavy, swaying unsteadily. When he opened his eyes again, he found himself still in his apartment room, in the center of the transfer ritual.
Before feelings of frustration and loss could spread through his heart, his vision suddenly went black, and he collapsed directly onto the compartment floor.
-----------------
Backlund, the Capital of the Loen Kingdom, Empress Borough.
Audrey pinched her cheek, unable to believe what had just happened.
On her dressing table, the ancient bronze mirror was shattered into pieces.
Her gaze shifted downwards, and Audrey saw "deep red" flowing on the back of her hand, like a starry "tattoo."
The "deep red" gradually dimmed, eventually hiding beneath her skin and disappearing.
Only then did Audrey confirm that she wasn't dreaming.
Just as she was about to write a letter to Aaron, her eyes suddenly sparkled, and the corners of her mouth curled up little by little. She put the retrieved letter paper back, couldn't help but stand up, bend down, lift her skirt, and dance a court dance.
Dog barks came from outside the bedroom. Audrey stopped abruptly, quickly put away some ritual materials from her desk, leaving only the broken mirror shards, then assumed an elegant posture.
This was her agreement with Susie. During this time, whenever she wanted to use various rituals to try and uncover the secrets of that bronze mirror, Susie would stand guard for her outside the door.
Annie, Susie's personal maid, followed Susie and pushed the door open, immediately seeing the fate of the ancient bronze mirror:
"Oh, Miss, the mirror Duke Aaron gave you, it, it's broken…"
Audrey blinked, showing a timely expression of regret, and said slowly:
"Uh, yes, hmm, Susie came in earlier. When Aaron comes next time, I'll have Susie apologize properly."
How does a dog apologize? Annie, who didn't dwell on this question and knew that Duke Aaron also liked Susie very much, could only sigh. She carefully collected the mirror fragments and placed them in an exquisite box.
After doing all this, she looked at Audrey and asked with a smile:
"Miss, which dress would you like to wear?"
Today was the official launching day of the ironclad warship. Not only would various nobles from within Loen attend, but even the King and Queen, who resided deep within the palace, would be present.
Audrey's eyes brightened, and she answered without hesitation:
"Of course, the one I wore on my engagement day."
Annie's expression froze slightly, and she carefully advised:
"That dress is indeed the most perfect one, no one would question it, but this is, after all, a ceremony that the King himself will attend."
"You can wear it at home, or on less formal occasions. I'm sure Duke Aaron would understand."
Audrey, not wanting to trouble Annie, no longer insisted. She pouted her lips and allowed the maids to do her makeup.
After these preparations, she would ride in a carriage with her father, Earl Hall, to the Royal Naval Base in Pritz Harbor to attend the ceremony.
-----------------
Tingen, Zouteland Street, Blackthorn Security Company.
Roxanne, who was slacking off at work, heard a gentle yet authoritative voice in her drowsy state:
"Take me to Dunn Smith."
The brown-haired girl immediately sat upright, abruptly picked up the newspaper spread out in front of her, covering her face, and pretended to read aloud from the "Tingen City Honest Man's Newspaper" in her hands.
Then she lowered the newspaper, revealing her smooth forehead and light brown eyes, first ingratiatingly then in surprise, looking towards the source of the voice, and couldn't help but exclaim:
"Duke Aaron!"
Looking at Roxanne, who hastily stood up, even knocking over her chair, Aaron, who had not changed his appearance, smiled and did not blame her for slacking off at work. Anyway, Blackthorn Security Company didn't have much business, and their main job wasn't this.
Only after standing up did Roxanne realize that behind Duke Aaron was a man in his thirties with a decent face, deep brown eyes, a high nose bridge, and thin lips, giving off an arrogant feeling even when standing.
His attire was particularly peculiar, making one feel uncomfortable: he wore a pointed, stiff black hat, and his coat buttons were haphazardly misaligned, neither symmetrical nor coordinated.
Noticing the lady's gaze, Mobet, who was following behind Aaron, revealed a geniality completely unlike his arrogant demeanor.
It was truly frustrating; Mobet, who had already advanced to Sequence 4 Parasite, had still been unable to contact Pallez within Leonard during his time in Tingen.
No matter how many hidden marks of the Solomon family Mobet left, he had even tried methods other than direct parasitism, but all had been without any effect.
Aaron's only comment on this was, "An old man scared silly by Amon," but Nast had already sent word that they would depart to explore the Solomon ruins by next month at the latest.
Aaron's time remaining in Tingen was running out. Some matters could no longer be delayed and had to be resolved before he left, which was also the reason he directly revealed his identity and came here.
After waiting for a moment, Aaron's gaze passed over Roxanne, who had pushed the door open again, and looked at a young police officer with black hair, green eyes, and a romantic poetic temperament, who followed behind her.
Gasping for breath, Roxanne quickly explained:
"Duke, I'm sorry, the Captain isn't here today. Last night, a bizarre suicide occurred on Iron Cross Street in Howl Street District, and the Captain took a few team members to handle it."
"This gentleman is also one of our official members, Nighthawks Leonard. He came back to retrieve a Sealed Artifact to assist with the investigation and will be heading to the scene soon. If you're in a hurry, you can go with him."
After speaking, she looked at Leonard, who had suddenly fallen silent, with some surprise. This usually eccentric fellow was behaving uncharacteristically obediently.
Smiling and nodding at Roxanne, he then turned aside to reveal the doorway, signaling Leonard to go first. Leonard, who seemed to want to say something but didn't, glanced at Roxanne, who had been secretly urging him, sighed, and moved his stiff steps towards the carriage downstairs.
Leonard, who had been calling out a certain name in his heart but had received no response, felt restless. As a true Nighthawk, and having communicated with Miss Daly of the Red Gloves in Backlund, he knew much more than Roxanne, a mere clerical worker.
That most prominent Duke was a Blessed of the Goddess, his strength already at the Archbishop level. To be alone with such a powerful person, what if he was discovered…
He stopped his anxious overthinking, and a majestic voice drifted into his ears:
"Mobet, you drive the carriage. Just go to Iron Cross Street in Howl Street District. The others can leave for now."
Leonard looked up in surprise, his gaze meeting those smiling yet not smiling golden eyes. A panicked feeling, like being stripped naked and exposed to a camera, immediately filled his heart.
The carriage slowly started. A faint dark golden mist emanated from Aaron's body and merged into the carriage, creating a sealed and private environment.
The Darkness Mark on Aaron's wrist was activated, emitting a faint glow. He twirled the Ring of Mysteries on his finger, and then casually took out a paper crane from his Pregnant and placed it in front of him. The figure of Faus Ellen then abruptly appeared in the corner of the carriage.
Looking at Leonard, who was bowing his head and remaining silent, Aaron spoke calmly:
"It's an honor to meet you, Mr. Pallez Zoroast. I believe my sincerity is quite sufficient. Why don't you come out and talk?"
"The old man's real name is Pallez Zoroast?"
This thought quickly flashed through Leonard's mind, but the old voice that usually resonated did not appear. Not knowing how to respond, he could only remain silent.
He sighed softly, and the Ring of Mysteries flashed with a faint glow, pulling Varna Weil from the historical void. Having already achieved demigod status, summoning an angel projection was no longer as strenuous as before.
After doing all this, Aaron picked up Will Auceptin's paper crane in front of him and added casually:
"Playing dead isn't a good choice. Don't worry, I'm not Amon. Or do you think you can escape from me in your current severely injured state?"
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