"...That's the basic situation."
"Additionally, on a Sea Island, I saw ruins that seemed to have been inhabited by Ancient Balam people from the South Continent. In them, I observed some customs related to the worship of the God of Death. I would like to learn more about 'Death' to enrich my occult knowledge and better complete the commissions and tasks you assign."
"Therefore, within the scope of your abilities, could you provide me with some information in this regard?"
After writing down the signature 'Duke', Lex checked it, confirmed there were no issues, then took out his metal flute and blew it.
A moment later, his spirituality was stirred, and then he heard an unreal knocking sound.
"Please come in."
The very polite headless messenger immediately passed through the door and entered the room. With a hand on its abdomen, it bowed slightly to Lex.
Lex handed it the envelope: "Please deliver this to Osweld."
The butler-like headless messenger took it, unhurriedly smoothed out the tiny creases on the envelope, then put it into its pocket before backing away and leaving.
After completing this task, Lex stretched, preparing to lie on the bed to relax and get ready for the Tarot Club meeting at three o'clock.
When the hour hand of the pocket watch pointed to three in the afternoon, crimson emerged from the Void. A moment later, Lex recovered from his hazy, dazed state and once again arrived Above the Gray Mist, far above reality. He reappeared in the ancient palace, like the Giant Court, and saw solemn high-backed chairs, a mottled bronze long table, and the blurry figure at the head of the long table, forever shrouded in gray mist.
Lex noticed that Mr. World had arrived early. Perhaps Klein always manifested this alt first before summoning the other members.
Mr. Fool is always so busy.
Crimson continuously flashed, and one after another, blurry figures, obscured by mist and difficult to discern, appeared in the palace. Lex watched as Hanged Man, Sun, and Justice successively appeared near their respective positions.
At this moment, he saw a sixth figure appear in the palace.
A new member?
Although the new member's appearance was unclear, it was certainly a lady. She was relatively tall, with slightly curly brown hair. Her actions showed caution and wariness, as if she was somewhat afraid of the Tarot Club members.
Lex could completely understand her feelings. After all, coming to such a mysterious place, with all the members shrouded in gray mist, anyone's first time here would naturally react this way.
However.
Who could it be?
Could it be Miss Fors?
Lex remembered that a Watcher had previously said that the writer Miss would also join the Tarot Club in the future. If it was her, then it could be confirmed that even though she had moved, she was at least safe for now.
Lex was certainly not the only one to notice a new person at the gathering. Audrey, who always had a sense of proprietorship, was so busy observing the newcomer that she didn't greet Mr. Fool immediately.
It's a woman. Could it be Xio? No, her height doesn't match. Is it Fors? Or someone else? It doesn't matter, even if the other person's figure is blurry, I can still make out their hair color and outline, and hear their accent and common phrases!
I can observe from these aspects. Hmm, I'm becoming more and more like an 'Audience', a true 'Audience'… Audrey turned around, held up her skirt, and said to Klein at the head of the bronze long table: "Good afternoon, Mr. Fool."
She did not proceed to greet the others. Her curiosity led her to look at the newly joined member sitting in the same row as her, and she asked with a smile: "And this is?"
Klein made himself appear very leisurely. He looked around and then said: "This is Miss Magician, our new member."
Then, he looked at Miss Magician and introduced them one by one: "In the same row as you are Miss Justice and Mr. World. Opposite you are Mr. Chariot and Mr. Hanged Man."
"And the last one is Sun."
The one attending the Tarot Club for the first time was indeed Fors. On wednesday's blood moon night, she almost lost control. By chanting the honorific name of Fool, she was pulled Above the Gray Mist by Klein and became a member of the Tarot Club.
After listening to Klein's introduction, she matched the codenames with the individuals and memorized them, nodding to them in greeting, all while observing the members.
Miss Justice is a blonde lady, very young, and sits elegantly.
Mr. Hanged Man has dark blue hair, which reminds me of seaweed. He gives me a very unsettling feeling; he must be the leader of some faction.
Sun seems to be just a teenager, looking very introverted, probably as weak as I am?
Mr. World's gaze is so cold, quite gloomy, looking unapproachable.
Mr. Chariot also seems to be not very old, a young man. His figure looks a bit familiar. Is he someone I know in reality?
While Fors was observing others, the others were also looking at her. After a moment of observation, Mr. World was the first to speak: "I want to know information about the 'Devil' and 'Guardian' Sequences."
Lex suppressed the urge to look at the head of the long table. Mr. World's statement was equivalent to Klein himself. Has Mr. Fool provoked Beyonder of the 'Devil' and 'Guardian' Sequences in Backlund?
I know that 'Devil' is a Sequence 6 of the 'Criminal' pathway. In Enki Town, I killed a newborn devil. Last night, I even fought a Beyonder of this pathway. I have some understanding of this pathway.
'Guardian' is a Sequence 5 of the 'Warrior' pathway. Hmm, my understanding of this pathway is limited to Nafi. This is a pathway where one gradually grows taller as the Sequence increases.
Lex cleared his throat: "I have some understanding of 'Devil'."
Hanged Man, who was sitting in the same row as him, glanced at Lex and also spoke: "If it's just 'Devil', I know some things."
At this moment, Sun, who had been very silent during the previous meeting, straightened his back and said with a confident tone: "I am very clear about both of these Sequences."
It sounds like Sun is determined to win this time.
Lex smiled and didn't try to answer the question before the tall young man, leaning back in his high-backed chair.
Sun continued: "My reward is information related to the True Creator. Whether the two pieces of information are of equal value will be determined by Mr. Fool."
Lex sighed inwardly. Little Sun is still too young. Mr. Fool is Mr. World, so whether they are of equal value is simply his word. But this can't be blamed on Little Sun. After all, who would have thought that Mr. World would be Mr. Fool's alt? If the Watcher hadn't 'spoiled' it for me, I wouldn't have known either.
Indeed, at the head of the long table, the figure shrouded in gray mist chuckled: "Alright."