Klein mulled over the matter and unconsciously shook his head. He had only just received the Bizarro Sorcerer formula from the Evernight Goddess—wouldn't it be far too presumptuous to ask Her for materials as well?
Instantly, the description he had read in the diary resurfaced in his mind: The gift of fate always carries a hidden price; it is merely that the one who pays is not the present you, but the future you.
Considering that, he felt it best to observe for a while longer before making any request.
Next, Fors, Alger, and Emlyn each raised their own requests for materials—Fors on Xio's behalf, seeking items related to the Arbiter Pathway; Alger and Emlyn for their respective advancements.
After hesitating for a long time, Leonard finally gathered the courage to voice his need. "I require a mystical item."
Seeing that Leonard had taken the initiative, Klein controlled the World to ask in a calm voice,
"What do you need?"
"Uh…" Leonard blurted, and subconsciously replied, "I don't know…"
A couple of days ago, after being scolded harshly by the old man, he had reflected deeply. He realised that when it came to digesting potions, even doubling his efforts would only improve his efficiency so much. But advancement wasn't the only path to increasing strength. If he could obtain a powerful extraordinary item, the enhancement might be even greater.
Just like that bloodstained silver armour he had once controlled—against a Sequence 5 Beyonder, it had been able to kill instantly. Its might had been overwhelming.
Leonard's answer made everyone frown, each silently grumbling: You don't know? Is this guy an idiot?
In that moment, everyone gained a rough impression of Mr. Star—a man whose head didn't seem to work very well.
Sensing the strange looks around him, Leonard felt his embarrassment surge. He hurriedly added, "I mean…any type is fine. Preferably something offensive. The stronger, the better."
Lilith smiled. "Do you need something at the level of a Grade 1 or Grade 0 Sealed Artifact?"
"…" Leonard's voice caught.
"There's no need to exaggerate that much."
Of course, if a Grade 1 or Grade 0 Sealed Artifact really appeared, he wouldn't hesitate to take it. But he wasn't delusional—he knew he couldn't possibly afford something of that caliber.
However, after thinking for a moment, he realised something. Judging from earlier conversations, everyone here was roughly in the mid-sequences—around Sequence 6. In other words, ordinary Beyonders. He didn't believe anyone here could actually bring out a Grade 1 Sealed Artifact, let alone a Grade 0—especially not a child.
Thus, he teased lightly, "Your Majesty, Miss Empress, do you actually have a Grade 1 or even Grade 0 Sealed Artifact? If you did, I—"
Lilith shook her head. "Nope."
Leonard lifted his chin, ready to continue speaking—but Lilith suddenly pointed toward Bernadette.
"But Lady Strength does. She has at least three Grade 0 Sealed Artifacts and two Grade 1s. If you can offer something valuable enough, she might actually trade one with you."
Bernadette: "…"
Leonard couldn't stop the shock from spilling onto his face.
Three Grade 0 Sealed Artifacts?!
This had to be a joke, right? According to the old man, even the great families of the Fourth Epoch couldn't necessarily take out three Grade 0s at once. This Lady Strength was definitely someone extraordinary.
He immediately regretted it—he had fallen into his old habits again.
Mr. Fool is an ancient deity. The Tarot Club is a gathering personally established by Him. This is a true divine assembly. How could anyone allowed to participate possibly be simple?
Lilith asked again, smiling faintly, "Right, what were you about to say? If I really had it, what were you planning to do?"
Everyone's eyes turned to Leonard a second time. He wished he could crawl into a hole on the spot. After stammering for a long while, he finally muttered:
"I…I didn't say anything…Ahem, I probably don't have anything that could interest Lady Strength."
He lowered his head quickly, terrified they would ask more.
Fortunately, the Hanged Man—Alger—smoothly pulled the topic back on track. He confirmed Leonard's needs in detail, gave him a rough price estimate, and even offered to check for him later. Only then was Leonard spared continued humiliation.
Leonard: Mr. Hanged Man is such a good person!
Klein: Mr. Hanged Man just wants to fleece you for a big profit.
Once Leonard and Alger finished, Priscilla raised a hand excitedly.
"Mr. World! Mr. World! I found the one-eyed villain you posted a bounty for!"
Klein's mind sharpened instantly. He leaned forward and asked, "You mean Ince Zangwill?"
"Yes! That's him!"
At the mention of Ince Zangwill's name, Leonard's ears instantly perked up.
Wasn't that the mastermind behind the Tingen incident?
Mr. World is hunting Ince Zangwill?
My guess was right!
Priscilla continued excitedly, "Remember how I said Medici suddenly started sneaking around suspiciously? He was actually going to meet Ince Zangwill."
"Yesterday, Medici met him again, and the two of them even reached a cooperation agreement."
Klein froze.
"Cooperation?"
His heart sank.
Why would Ince Zangwill cooperate with a former King of Angels?
If they truly joined forces…wouldn't hunting Ince now mean facing another angel-level enemy?
"Mhm! But I'm not sure what they're cooperating on. That one-eyed villain asked Medici to kill someone as proof of sincerity first."
"Kill who?"
Priscilla answered brightly, "A Saint of the Church of Evernight."
"!!!"
Leonard nearly slammed the table. What?! Who has the guts to do that? Someone actually dares to hunt a Saint of the Church of the Evernight Goddess?!
The others were equally stunned.
It was already shocking to hear someone intended to hunt a clergy member of the Church—hunting a Saint was beyond anything they could imagine.
Fors couldn't stop bouncing her leg—not from fear, but from excitement.
Wonderful! I knew every Tarot meeting would give me new writing material!
After all, no matter how terrifying the events were, none of it had anything to do with her. She was just a popcorn-munching spectator.
Klein remained silent for a few seconds before asking, "And Medici agreed?"
"Yes!"
Priscilla hadn't noticed Klein's growing heaviness. Instead, she grew even more excited. "Mr. World, don't you think this is a perfect chance to hunt that one-eyed villain?"
Klein blinked.
"What?"
"When Medici and the one-eyed villain finalise the time and location of the attack, we can secretly set up an ambush. The moment he shows up—bam! We take him out!"
"But His Excellency Medici…"
"No need to worry about him!"
Priscilla patted her chest confidently. "Leave him to me!"
"Uh…"
Klein hesitated.
He wasn't sure whether he should trust the words of a child.
Leonard, who had been listening for a while, finally couldn't hold back. "Um…may I ask—who exactly is this Medici Miss Death is talking about? And why does she know so much about his cooperation with Ince Zangwill?"
After a pause, he quickly added, "I've also been searching for Ince Zangwill."
Priscilla replied sweetly, "Medici is the evil spirit housed inside my body~"
"…Ah?"
Audrey kindly helped clarify for the seemingly not-so-bright Mr. Star.
"Miss Death is a Sequence 5 Gatekeeper. As for Medici, he is—no, they are—three individuals who were Sequence 1 Angels before their deaths."
"…Ah?"
Why is it that I understand every word Miss Justice says individually, but once she puts them together, I understand nothing?
But Leonard's confusion concerned no one.
Klein lowered his head.
"I need more time to consider."
Priscilla hurriedly urged, "Don't think about it~! If you miss this chance, who knows when the next one will be? If you're worried about failing, you could…ask Lady Strength for help!"
"Wait!"
Her eyes lit up, excitement bubbling.
"Or—how about this? Let the Tarot Club work together! A group operation! Let's hunt that evil one-eyed giant villain together!"
"I've wanted to meet everyone in real life for so long!"
The moment the words fell, Alger immediately said apologetically, "Forgive me. I won't be able to reach the continent anytime soon."
It was both the truth and an excuse—he was nowhere near ready to meet the Tarot members in person.
Derrick followed softly, "I…I can't leave the Forsaken Land of the Gods."
Emlyn raised his hand. "I'm currently in the Southern Continent. I can't return soon."
Fors, suddenly realising the popcorn had rolled to her feet, hesitated.
She had gone on an operation with Audrey and Miss Death once, and even helped take down her own teacher—but this time was completely different.
The target was a powerful demigod!
What could she do besides cheer from the sidelines?
Write a live-action report?
Xio secretly glanced at Fors, desperately seeking advice—should she refuse outright? Even if she didn't refuse, what could she do to help kill a demigod?
Sigh. No wonder Fors warned me again and again before the meeting that most Tarot members look low-sequence, but the things they talk about get increasingly outrageous…
Audrey answered honestly, "My strength is still too weak. If I follow, I'm afraid I would only cause trouble. But if there are other aspects—especially financial ones—you need help with, I can assist as much as possible."
Bernadette looked toward Lilith.
Seeing Lilith grin at her knowingly, she understood immediately, nodded, and said, "I can assist. Just pay me ten thousand pounds afterwards."
Ten thousand pounds?!
Klein instantly sobered up at that number.
He quickly said in a deep voice, "Let's not rush. Give me a bit more time."
Then he turned to Priscilla. "Miss Death, do you know roughly when Ince Zangwill and His Excellency Medici plan to act?"
"Most likely within a week or two."
"Good. I'll contact you as soon as possible."
In that moment, Klein suddenly remembered the ritual for advancing to Sequence 4—to murder a demigod before the eyes of many witnesses.
Ince Zangwill happened to be a demigod.
He was also Klein's enemy—one who had to be eliminated sooner or later.
If he could accomplish both goals at once…that would be ideal.
Unfortunately, his Marionettist potion had only partially digested.
"Oh! So Miss Death has an angel-level evil spirit in her body, and this evil spirit is cooperating with Ince Zangwill?"
Leonard finally exclaimed in sudden realisation.
———
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