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In Tingen, at Blackthorn Security Company, Klein watched Aaron's figure disappear into the colorful light, feeling a bit envious. Klein wasn't sure if this ability, similar to teleportation, was due to his Sequence or the effect of a Sealed Artifact.
At his current level, he could at most access Sequence information below Sequence 7, and only if it was recorded in the Tingen Nighthawks' archives. For example, there was no information on the subsequent Sequences for "Mystery Pryer" or "Seer."
Pulling back his chaotic thoughts, Klein saw Rosanne hurrying over. He informed her that Old Neil was fine and then left Blackthorn Security Company.
Now that he was truly a Beyonder, he wanted to try some things, but it wasn't suitable to do so at a Nighthawks' outpost, which was guarded by the Chanis Gate.
At 2 Daffodil Street, Klein pulled out a brass key and opened the door, seeing Benson, who had moved back and forth between Daffodil Street and Iron Cross Street multiple times.
This house, rented just yesterday, gradually began to feel like a home. The tension in his heart, caused by Old Neil's situation, slightly eased, and even the dangerous 'whispers' he occasionally heard diminished a bit.
After having lunch with his family, Klein quickly went upstairs and entered his own bedroom.
Taking out the spiritual materials Old Neil had given him when teaching him Spirit Vision, Klein quickly completed his attempt at the Wall of Spirituality. Feeling slightly invigorated, he swiftly took out paper and pen and wrote down the honorific name of the "Lord of Order" in Rune Language.
Recalling it, he then wrote down the entire process of the Sacrifice and Grant ritual on the back of the paper. This was part of the many pieces of knowledge that had suddenly surged into his mind after receiving the light points when he first encountered that hidden existence.
Klein had no doubt about its accuracy; after all, the charm in his pocket had been granted through this very ritual.
As a "false" hidden existence, Klein decided to prepare an honorific name for himself as well. The corresponding Sacrifice and Grant ritual could be slightly modified; otherwise, without even an honorific name, his The Fool persona would be too cheap.
Originally, Klein thought it might not matter much, but after truly experiencing the Chaos Council and witnessing the magic of the Sacrifice and Grant ritual, he couldn't sit still.
Referencing the honored names of several true gods and that of the "Lord of Order," and combining it with the luck-transferring ritual that had caused his bizarre transmigration, Klein finally designed an honorific name that satisfied him:
"The Fool who doesn't belong to this era, you are the mysterious ruler above the gray fog, you are the Yellow-Black King who controls good luck..."
After a moment of hesitation, Klein still chanted this freshly created honorific name in ancient hermes.
The most violent noise and the most heart-wrenching screams rang out once again. He felt a headache that was even harder to endure than when he had consumed the "Seer" Beyonder potion.
Klein, who had already learned meditation, controlled himself to try not to listen. The murmurs and whispers quickly receded like a tide. Klein felt his spirituality lighten, and everything seemed to become ethereal.
Boundless gray fog appeared in his vision, with deep red stars, near and far, like countless eyes.
Above the gray fog, the majestic palace, like a giant's dwelling, still stood, seemingly existing there for millions of years.
"It really worked! This honorific name can connect with that gray fog space!"
Suddenly opening his eyes, Klein stood up invigorated, muttering to himself. Then, he looked at the bright sunlight outside the window and paused:
"What time is it? I hope I haven't missed the 'Tarot Club' meeting this afternoon?"
Clang!
Klein pulled out his pocket watch, opened it, and immediately felt relieved.
It was only a little past twelve. Designing the honorific name hadn't wasted much of his time; there were still over two hours until the agreed-upon three o'clock in the afternoon.
Placing the slip of paper on the candle to burn it, accompanied by incantations, Klein walked four steps counter-clockwise, forming a square.
Above the gray fog, inside the grand palace, the bronze long table was mottled and ancient. Klein sat at the head of the bronze long table with twenty-two high-backed chairs and heard a familiar sound—it was his own prayer from just now.
Looking at the suddenly glowing crimson star, Klein curiously extended his right hand, constructing an invisible connection. The scene inside his bedroom immediately appeared in his vision.
Klein slid his finger, breaking the connection with the crimson star, and the image in his mind shattered and disappeared.
It was at this moment that he fully confirmed that the ritual incantations he had conceived could precisely point here, point to himself!
This filled him with a sense of accomplishment, feeling that his exploration from scratch had been very effective.
His mood instantly improved, and the pleas that had been buzzing in his ears like flies suddenly became acceptable.
He stood up, walked around to the back of the topmost seat at the bronze long table, and looked at the constellation symbol there.
The brilliant stars outlined a strange symbol, one that was outside the scope of Klein's current knowledge of mysticism.
He carefully distinguished it for a while, seeing the "Pupiless Eye" symbolizing Concealment and the "Contorted Line" symbolizing change within it. Both were missing a part, overlapping each other to form a new symbolic representation.
"Incomplete Concealment, incomplete change... What does it mean when put together?" Klein frowned and murmured, unable to find an answer for the moment.
He withdrew his gaze and walked around the magnificent, ancient temple, his sight not missing a single corner.
As for the more distant, seemingly boundless ethereal places, he dared not venture deeper for now, fearing he would be completely lost there.
"This place is indeed full of mystery... When I become stronger, I wonder if there will be new changes..."
Having gained a preliminary understanding of this gray fog space, Klein sighed. He spread his spirituality, enveloped himself, and simulated the feeling of rapidly falling. Before the gathering began, he needed to seize the time to recover his spirituality.
Everything passed quickly, various illusions shattered, and he penetrated the grayish-white mist, returning to the real world to lie on his bed and begin meditating.
-----------------
Aaron, who had secretly returned to Backlund, appeared inside a detached villa in the West Borough. He only lifted his concealed state after using the Eye of order to confirm that no one was monitoring the place.
Backlund was unlike other places. Aaron, who had already become a demigod and succeeded as a duke, was practically an eyesore to the Augustus Family, if not quite a thorn in their side. Therefore, he naturally had to be cautious when acting here.
After setting up a Wall of Spirituality, Aaron uncovered the black cloth on the full-length mirror in the living room and drew a combined symbol representing Concealment and prying on the mirror's surface.
As the last stroke of the symbol fell, the full-length mirror in the bedroom emitted a dim but pure light, like a quiet undercurrent surging at the bottom of a lake.
A phantom, ancient, and bizarre silver mirror quickly appeared within the mirror, with faint glows flickering in the eye-like black gems on both sides. Golden text immediately appeared on the mirror's surface, directly expressing a sense of pride:
"Three days ago, Prince Grove of the Loen Royal Family personally visited the Church of the God of Steam and Machinery to inquire about Qonas's whereabouts."
"I did not betray you, but instead provided some misleading images, pointing the finger at the Castiya Family. Do you think my handling of the situation deserves your praise?"
Aaron was a little surprised. Why was Arrodes so fawning today? Where was your previous integrity?
However, he still nodded slightly and simply replied, "I am very satisfied."
The golden text distorted and transformed, new words appearing:
"Alright, according to my rules, you may now ask me a question."
Aaron, already familiar with Arrodes's routine, didn't hesitate and asked directly:
"I want to know the exact location of the temple on Symeem Island that hides the 'Book of Calamity.'"
The mirror surface distorted for a while, and after a long moment, text appeared:
"Due to the special resonance between the 'Book of Calamity' and a certain Spirit World area, I cannot directly display the exact Spirit World coordinates of that temple for you, nor can you directly cross over to it."
"With your strength, you could naturally force your way in, but this would inevitably provoke a counterattack from Kalvetua and even attract the attention of the 'Sea King,' which I believe is not what you desire."
An image then appeared on the mirror: a lady with grayish-blue eyes, wearing a man's shirt, sitting at a desk and flipping through a book.
In her hand, specks of starlight condensed, forming a brilliant key inscribed with complex and strange patterns.
Arrodes thoughtfully explained in text next to the image:
"She is a member of the Moses Ascetic Order, currently residing at 24 Cross Street, Port District, Symeem Island. The key in her hand is what you need; it can guide you and help you enter the temple."
Having noted down the address, Aaron glanced at the time, preparing to send the mirror back home, when he suddenly saw the text on the mirror twist again. The newly displayed text gave Aaron a sense of bashfulness:
"Noble, powerful, and mysterious Duke Aaron, may the humble and insignificant Arrodes ask a small request of you?"
If it's about taking you out of the Church of the God of Steam and Machinery, don't blame me for refusing you.
Thinking this, and given that Arrodes's previous information had indeed saved him a lot of effort, Aaron still nodded:
"Speak, but I need to consider it..."
The golden text changed colors, forming a large block of words:
"I sense a familiar, Mother-like aura on you, but that aura is too distant, already beyond the range of Backlund."
"I would like to ask you to bring me an item imbued with that aura next time, any item will do."
Where does a mirror get a Mother... Although a little speechless at Arrodes's description, Aaron clearly understood its intention. Looking at the pencil-drawn smile that appeared at the end, he thought for a moment and said:
"Alright, but it will take some time. If there's nothing else, you can go back for now."
The next moment, the mirror spewed out one phantom light after another of different colors, like brilliant fireworks. The light finally transformed into a line of text:
"Praise be to you! Arrodes awaits your next summons!"
-----------------
Backlund, Empress Borough, Earl Hall's villa.
Audrey blew dry the ink on the letter, pouting as she folded the envelope.
She had originally thought she would meet Aaron again when she visited Oak Island in Pritz Harbor to see the ironclad ships, but almost a week had passed, and she still hadn't seen him.
This "guilty" behavior made Audrey increasingly suspect the true identity of that "Emperor" gentleman who gave her a strangely familiar feeling.
Putting away the envelope, Audrey, who was pondering the upcoming Tarot Club, suddenly felt something and quickly turned her head to look at the dark corner away from the balcony.
She saw the golden retriever Susie squatting there, quietly observing her.
Oh, Goddess... Audrey's mouth twitched. She wanted to cover her face and silently sighed, drawing a scarlet moon on her chest. Then she leaned closer, looking down at the golden retriever from above:
"Susie, this isn't right. You're peeking. A 'Spectator' should openly observe from their own position."
The golden retriever looked up at its master, cooperatively wagging its tail and chattering a few words. Audrey didn't dare to delay. She glanced at the time on the clock, beckoned to Susie, and said seriously:
"Susie, you are also a Beyonder now. We are the same kind—no, not that. I mean, we must help each other better."
"I've already told Annie that I need to rest this afternoon. You stand guard at the door later and don't let anyone disturb me."
Susie gave her a deep look and wagged its tail helplessly.
"Very good, I'll let you choose tonight's dinner!" Audrey clenched her fist and gently shook it.
Watching Susie obediently walk out the door and lock it from the inside, Audrey suddenly had a strange thought:
"What if Susie could also join the Tarot Club...?"
The moment she imagined a dog barking suddenly in a mysterious and solemn gathering, Audrey felt an inexplicable sense of shame and quickly shook the thought out of her mind.
....
The surroundings seemed to be covered in a layer of mist. Klein seemed to see a gray table.
On the table lay a notebook with a hard paper cover, completely dyed black.
A strange sense of déjà vu emerged in his heart. Klein walked over and opened the notebook.
The open page had a drawing: a "The Fool" wearing splendid clothes and a dazzling headdress!
Behind the "The Fool" was a strange symbol composed of an incomplete "Pupiless Eye" and "Contorted Line."
Below the drawing, a line of Hermes was written:
"Everyone will die, including me."
Klein's heart jolted. He suddenly noticed that the "The Fool's" mouth was curved into a smile!
Whoosh!
He sat up abruptly, seeing the dazzling sunlight. He subconsciously checked his pocket watch; it was already 2:55 PM.
"Perhaps recording the symbol behind the 'The Fool's' chair caused a change in myself, or perhaps the strengthening of my connection with that mysterious space made me dream of that Antigonus Family notebook!"
After a simple interpretation of his dream, and feeling his spirituality full, Klein didn't think any further due to the time constraint. He then walked four steps counter-clockwise to arrive above the gray fog.
Crimson light bloomed on both sides of the bronze long table, surging up like a fountain and then falling down, revealing three blurry figures. Their positions remained unchanged from the last time.
Klein, who had already activated his Spirit Vision in advance, had intended to probe the true strength of the Tarot Club members, but he didn't even have time to observe the aura colors of Miss Justice and Mr. Hanged Man before he was almost blinded by the dazzling golden light deep within Mr. Emperor's aura.
As the gray fog surged, the stinging pain in his eyes and the murmuring in his mind slightly lessened. Klein was inwardly alarmed and quickly closed his Spirit Vision, simultaneously feeling bitter:
"I'm only a Sequence 9. What kind of beings have I attracted...?"
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