Aaron's lips twitched as he looked at the light cluster, wrapped in silver silk and composed entirely of illusory, distorted, mysterious symbols, but he didn't expose Will Auceptin's claim.
Would a Snake of Fate, who had been fighting Ouroboros since the Fourth Epoch and had restarted countless times, not keep some trump cards for himself?
Especially since this plan targeting Ouroboros was proposed by Will Auceptin himself, Aaron didn't believe that this guy wouldn't leave himself any contingencies during the entire half-year from his restart to his birth.
But since he said so, he must have his own concerns, and Aaron didn't press further, his eyes slightly shifting as he chuckled, "Alright, I understand. How should I contact you in the future?"
"Do I need to communicate with you in this way until you are born?"
Aaron said, pointing to the sunny, vibrant dream world around them.
Will Auceptin pondered for a moment, then, after two or three seconds, said, "It doesn't need to be that troublesome. You were just not in Backlund when you used the paper crane before, and I cannot maintain the state of the Snake of Fate right now, so I can't respond worldwide."
"But as long as you are in Backlund, holding that paper crane, I will be able to find and contact you."
At this point, the childish voice noticeably emphasized, "But I also hope you understand that while I value our friendship very much, I am currently in a crucial developmental stage and may frequently fall into slumber."
This meant that if there was no particularly urgent matter, he shouldn't bother him... Aaron clicked his tongue, stroked his chin, and retorted, "Understood. If I or my friends need help in Backlund, you can still offer assistance within your capabilities, right?"
Will Auceptin was silent for a moment before saying, "Alright, as an unborn fetus, I need to catch up on sleep. We can discuss anything else later."
"Finally, I wish you all the best. Goodbye!"
Before Aaron could say anything more, he was forcibly kicked out of the dream, having used his Nightmare ability to enter Mrs. Wilmar's dream.
This is what he called running out of power? Aaron looked at the maid kneeling by the bed and Mrs. Wilmar sleeping in the master bedroom, shaking his head with a wry smile.
He had originally wanted to ask Will Auceptin if Amon had already arrived in Backlund, but it was clear that this Snake of Fate had anticipated his question and decisively kicked him out of the dream.
However, such a sensitive, even secretive, attitude indirectly answered the question in Aaron's heart.
"Has he arrived already? That's quick. I just wonder what level of avatar it is..."
Thinking this, Aaron removed the power of the "Slumber Charm" and was about to teleport away when his gaze shifted slightly and fixed on the full-length mirror on the dressing table in the master bedroom.
The exquisite, clean mirror surface shimmered, and silver symbols quietly appeared at some point, forming a brief sentence: "I forgot to warn you, if the Sealed Artifact of 'Die of Probability' cannot be maintained, do not bring it directly to me, never!"
Is he afraid of being backlashed by this Uniqueness, which has gained some intelligence, when his strength is at its lowest?
Watching the silver symbols quietly disappear, Aaron had this thought, nodded silently, and stepped into a blue light door, vanishing.
-----------------
Above the gray fog, in the palace like a giant's dwelling.
Emlyn White tensed his body, looking at the mottled, ancient bronze long table in front of him, and without any concealment, he repeated in detail everything the two Marquises had told him that night.
Finally, he cautiously turned his head to look at the top of the bronze long table. When he saw that the figure shrouded in thick gray fog was still looking down at him, Emlyn's mind buzzed, and he quickly lowered his head.
"Marquis? In the Sanguine, this seems to be the honorific for Sequence 3. The Sanguine actually have two Sequence 3s in Backlund?"
Thoughts flashed through Klein's mind, but his expression remained unchanged. He already had a general understanding and guess about Emlyn's situation.
He leaned back in his chair, smiling unhurriedly, "I can give you an opportunity to become the Sanguine's savior, but this is also a secret transaction. You cannot reveal anything related to me to anyone unless you get my permission."
"That's why I'm responding today. Similarly, you don't need to report to Lilith; that would alert certain individuals."
Opportunity... His rigid body relaxed slightly, and Emlyn immediately responded respectfully, "Your will shall be carried out on Earth!"
Klein leaned back, saying as if the clouds were light and the wind was gentle, "I have tacitly approved the establishment of a secret gathering, right here. The members all have their own code names, and you can choose one from them."
Emlyn looked curiously at the unchosen Tarot main cards manifested on the surface of the bronze long table for a few moments, then said with a firm tone, "Moon."
"I choose the 'Moon' card!"
Klein looked at the symbol of the "Crimson Moon" formed by scattered stars on the back of the chair Emlyn was sitting on, not surprised by Emlyn's choice.
The time estimated by his spiritual intuition had arrived, and Klein no longer paid attention to Emlyn, whose expression was a mix of nervousness and excitement. He lightly tapped the back of the chair with his finger.
Emlyn was momentarily stunned as he watched the "Moon" card disintegrate into grayish-white fog in his hand. He subconsciously looked up and saw several figures sitting opposite him at the mottled long table. A light, pleasant voice also entered his ears at this moment:
"Good afternoon, Mr. Fool."
"I recently returned to Backlund. The remaining Roselle's diary will require you to wait another week."
Roselle's diary? Backlund? "Moon" Emlyn subconsciously widened his eyes, looking towards the opposite side of the bronze long table, following the source of the voice.
Klein's gaze retracted from Mr. "Emperor", and he couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief. This Duke often took leave, but thankfully, he came this time; otherwise, his carefully prepared speech would have been useless.
Only then did Klein remember that he had overlooked a certain Vampire. He chuckled and introduced, "This is the new member, Mr. 'Moon'."
Mr. "Moon"? I thought the one who chose the "Moon" card would be a lady... "Justice" Audrey, while politely greeting him, used her Psychiatrist ability to observe this new member.
Klein didn't pay attention to the members' mutual scrutiny. He waited until the transaction part was concluded and they entered free exchange before manipulating "The World" to stand up and say in a low voice to Mr. "Emperor," who rarely spoke:
"Great Mr. Fool, I request to speak privately with Mr. 'Emperor'."
Of course, Klein would not refuse his own request. Under the surprised or curious gazes of the other Tarot Club members, "The Fool," shrouded in thick gray fog, gently nodded, shielding the perceptions of the other members.
Aaron sat calmly in the bronze high-backed chair, his eyes playfully sizing up the somewhat gloomy "The World" opposite him. He spoke softly, "Is there something you need from me?"
As "The World" was merely a paper figure manipulated by the Marionettist characteristic, his expression was extremely stiff. However, under the setting of a cold personality, this was not abrupt. Klein responded calmly with a hoarse voice, "A transaction, a mutually beneficial transaction."
"My true name is Sherlock Moriarty, a Blessed of my Lord in Backlund. I am currently facing some trouble."
"My Lord and the True Creator are hostile to each other, and the demigods under His command are being obstructed by the Saints of the Aurora Order. Therefore, I wish to cooperate with the Duke of East Tucker this one time."
Listening to Klein's words through his alternate identity, Aaron's face couldn't help but show some surprise. He hadn't expected this guy to reveal his identity in front of him. When he heard the clearly fabricated reasons that followed, he felt somewhat speechless.
The Saints of the Aurora Order were almost all killed by him; where would they find the time to obstruct the so-called demigods under The Fool's command?
Clearly feeling the strange look Aaron conveyed, and thinking that he had offended him by mentioning his identity as a Duke, Klein hastily added, "My Lord is still in recovery and does not wish to attract the attention of certain existences, which is why He conveyed your true identity to me. Please forgive me, Duke."
Waving his hand indifferently, Aaron put away his playful expression, sizing up "The World" as he softly said, "No matter. Since it is Mr. Fool's will, then so be it. I happen to be in Backlund right now. What kind of transaction do you want?"
In Backlund right now? Klein was stunned for a moment, then carefully began, "You should be familiar with the Sealed Artifact 0-08. I seem to have been written into its story now, which also involves the Demoness Sect and a certain faction of the Royal Family. I hope you can safely take me out of Backlund at a critical moment."
Taking advantage of being in this mysterious gray fog space, Klein didn't shy away, directly mentioning 0-08 and the relevant intelligence he possessed. He then added, "I know you are collecting items with my Lord's aura. If you are willing to help me with this, the items Mr. Fool has bestowed upon me can be given to you for free, or if you have other requests, I can also consider them."
Originally, Klein had considered Mr. Azik as his last resort for escape, but the scene he saw in his dream divination last time, and learning Mr. Azik's true identity as the Death Consul, shook that idea.
Especially after discovering that the Demoness Trissy, who carried an important Sealed Artifact of the Demoness Sect, was by Prince Edessak's side, Klein could no longer be sure whether Prince Edessak's assignment for him to investigate Talim's death was itself a story written by 0-08.
If that were truly the case, any attempt he made to escape Backlund would fail due to various coincidences, and he would be unable to escape with his own power.
Therefore, revealing his identity and seeking help, seemingly rashly, was also Klein's last resort after careful consideration.
Anyway, only Sherlock was exposed, and only as a Blessed of The Fool could he have the leverage to negotiate a cooperation with Aaron, who had long since become a demigod, when he was not at an advantage in terms of strength.
"You brat actually want to freeload off me?" Aaron sized up "The World" with a deadpan expression, muttering to himself.
For him, items with the aura of Sefirah Castle were only useful for summoning Arrodes outside of Backlund. The most crucial thing was that Klein could make as many of these as he wanted.
To prevent Mr. Fool from developing a bad habit of freeloading, Aaron decisively shook his head and, without waiting for "The World" opposite him to speak again, slowly added, "Since it's a transaction, then let's do this: I'll help you once, and in the future, you'll help me once unconditionally, well, as long as it doesn't go against your original intentions."
"Alright, witnessed by Mr. Fool!" "The World" responded decisively. Anyway, it didn't require him to do anything now, and exchanging future promises for present help did not exceed his psychological bottom line.
His five senses returned, Alger subtly glanced at Mr. "Emperor" beside him and "The World" at the end of the bronze long table. Although he was curious about what they were saying, knowing that curiosity kills the cat, he cleared his throat and slowly changed the subject:
"The biggest news on the Five Seas recently is the disappearance of 'King of Blood Moon,' one of the Pirate Kings, along with his fleet. After confirmation by the Church of the Lord of Storms, this newly promoted Pirate King has fallen, and no organization has claimed responsibility for this matter yet."
Listening to Alger's words, Klein's expression subtly changed. He glanced at Aaron, who had a strange smile on his face, and recalled the two ladies who had conspired to hunt the "King of Blood Moon" at the Council of Entropy earlier.
They succeeded! To make a large fleet led by a demigod disappear without a trace, and these were only two of the members...
He sighed softly in his heart. After all the members had expressed their conjectures, Klein lightly tapped the bronze long table and said calmly and without ripples, "Today's gathering ends here."
Emlyn White's eyes suddenly lit up with a deep red glow, quickly engulfing him.
After a brief dizziness, he found himself still wearing a cassock, standing dazed in front of the candelabra, a wiping cloth still in his hand.
Immediately after, he saw a phantom parchment appear in his mind, gaining knowledge on how to pray to The Fool for help through a mystical ritual.
Once I get home, I'll immediately perform the ritual and ask Mr. Fool to remove my psychological cue... Emlyn suddenly felt a little excited, and his backward-leaning body suddenly bumped into something hard.
The joyful expression on his face froze slightly. Emlyn turned his head somewhat stiffly and saw Bishop Utravsky, tall and with a kind expression, standing behind him. A soothing, peaceful voice sounded:
"Alright, since you're awake, go prepare the communion for tonight's sermon."
In the priest's eyes, I was just asleep? His inner tension was calmed by the soothing tone. Looking at the huge figure slowly walking deeper into the church, Emlyn inexplicably thought of something:
Father Utravsky never seemed to stop me from looking for ways to remove the psychological cue. What exactly is he thinking?