"You can start your discussion now"
Audrey let out a breath of relief and adjusted her state to become a Spectator. She smiled faintly and said, "I'd like to know if there are any Sequence potion named Tribunal, or a kind of Beyonder that can go through wooden doors or make locks ineffective?"
Mr Hanged Man answered,
"I need you to help me investigate something in return for the answer"
"What is it?" Audrey asked with interest as well as with puzzlement.
Alger glanced towards The Fool and said, "I'd like to know if the King has the intention of taking revenge on the Feysac Empire and launching a new war on the East coast of Balam within this year or before June of next year"
The Tarot Club was currently using the Loen language, which was confirmed by the trio's accents at the first Gathering. Hence, Alger knew that Miss Justice was a noble in the Loen Kingdom while he also believed that Miss Justice knew that he was a Loen.
As for The Fool, Alger believed that His behavior as a Loen was merely a disguise, a disguise that would ease the discussion.
Ever since the ritualistic magic, Alger started using 'Him' to address The Fool politely.
Audrey recalled everything that she heard from various social events. She nodded confidently and said, "No problem, but I would need sufficient time to be certain"
"I can wait" Alger smiled and said, "With Mr. Fool as a witness, I believe you wouldn't go back on your promise"
Audrey looked towards the quiet yet mysterious Fool engulfed in gray fog as the corner of her mouth curved upwards.
"But I think the value of this information is worth more than both questions put together"
"When you confirm the answer, I'll provide compensation depending on the situation" Alger replied with an answer he prepared beforehand.
Miss Justice, Mr. Hanged Man, do you need virtual currency to determine value?Klein smiled and leaned backwards while he looked at the two people before him.
Audrey relaxed and cheered for herself in her mind.
Well done! Audrey, you learned how to negotiate! She was so excited that she nearly broke out of her Spectator state. She quickly thought of something and asked, "Oh right, Mr. Hanged Man, did you receive the one thousand pounds?"
"I'm sorry, I'm still sailing. I have yet to return to land." Alger wasn't willing to bring it up. He answered her original question, "The Beyonder that can go through wooden doors and foil locks would probably be Sequence 9 Apprentice. The secret organization, Theosophy Order, has its formula. However, don't ignore the possibility that it was obtained through other channels, such as an ancient tomb of the Fourth Epoch"
She waited for either Mr Fool or Mr Priestess to confirm or provide more details, she noticed that Mr Priestess's behaviour was a bit strange today… After waiting for a brief moment, she said,
"If I had found the formula for Apprentice before, I might not have opted for Spectator"
The performance was simply outstanding!
Alger didn't bother with Miss Justice's remark but continued his explanation, "There is also a Sequence potion that is entitled Arbiter. I think you should be familiar with it, because it is the Sequence pathway that the Augustus and Feynapotter Kingdom's Castiya family has. Of course, the low Sequence formulas were used as rewards in ancient times. Some nobles might have received it before"
The Augustus family was a royal family of the Loen Kingdom while the Castiya family was a royal family in the Feynapotter Kingdom.
It turns out that the Augustus family are all Arbiters...
Audrey was enlightened and felt that it cleared up her suspicion.
She sighed and thought, It's no wonder I've always gone along with their arrangements, always uncomfortable, always willing to admit defeat, like I'm never myself when I'm before them! I thought it was because I was timid…
"The Arbiter has a convincing charm and considerable authority, as well as outstanding combat ability that can deal with the unexpected," Alger described the situation simply.
Audrey nodded slowly and leaned backwards. She then spoke elegantly, "I have no more questions"
Alger thought and looked towards the seat of honor at the long bronze table.
"Honorable Mr. Fool, I'd like to ask if the True Creator's Holy Residence that the Aurora Order advocates is the legendary Forsaken Land of the Gods?"
He seemed to consider it for a while and then replied in a calm tone, "This is not something you should know now."
Alger felt his heart tighten, and he immediately lowered his head and replied, "Please forgive me for overstepping my boundaries"
Audrey wanted to ask about the Forsaken Land of the Gods but she also gave up the thought when she heard that.
In the lofty divine hall above the gray fog, silence suddenly filled the air.
At that moment, Audrey felt that she should say something.
"Mr. Fool, if—and I'm saying if—I have the opportunity to join another organization, such as the Psychology Alchemists, is it permitted?"
Klein maintained his posture of leaning backward as he said with a chuckle, "That is no problem. My requirement is that the existence of the Tarot Club is not to be exposed"
"If you become a member of another organization, the materials and information you can use for exchange will also increase"
"I understand now" Audrey was excited but she immediately thought of a question, "Mr. Fool, if I found a suitable gentleman or lady for this gathering, could I guide them to join? How do I do that?"
Alger thought and asked, "Mr. Fool, what is the requirement to be a member of this gathering? How do we determine?"
Mr Fool maintained his silence for a few seconds and only spoke when Justice and Hanged Man appeared a little uneasy.
"You can inform me here of people who you find suitable. I will decide if they will join us. Before that, you can't give any hint that would cause the secret of the Tarot Club's existence to be exposed. You must remember, to non-Gathering members..."
Mr Fool then paused and said in a heavy voice, "You must not speak my name without my permission"
…
Arthus found himself trapped in his own prison again.
He was so close to surrendering, utterly, completely.
What can I even do? Should I just choke the next time Sebastian feeds me? Would that even work?
He scoffed bitterly to himself. I didn't have the courage to end it in my past life. What makes me think I'd have it now?
He stared at the ceiling, the weight of stillness pressing down on him.
I can't drink the potion. If I lose control… I might kill Sebastian.
Even if he somehow managed to resist the madness, what then?
It wouldn't cure the paralysis. I'd still be a cripple, just an extraordinary one.
Maybe I should change my mind on what pathway I want to advance in.
The thought flickered, then faded.
No… Even if I changed my mind, no Sequence 9 potion can fix this. They only grant minor abilities, nothing close to healing my condition.
Then the Planter pathway crossed his mind. If he reached Sequence 8, became a Doctor somehow maybe… just maybe… he could try healing himself. But that was a distant dream.
First, I'd need the formula. Then I'd need to digest it, an almost impossible feat while bedridden.
He clenched his jaw. Damn it… what other options do I even have? I have tried everything that I can think of.
He could try finding someone from the Apothecary pathway. If they made him their Blood Servant, his condition might improve, perhaps even be cured.
But that meant slavery. Total submission.
A Blood Servant couldn't disobey their master.
I'd rather die.
What more can I do? I've tried everything. I don't want to live like this. I can't. I won't.
A grim resolve took root.
At the next Tarot Club meeting, I'll ask for the Planter pathway potion formula. I don't care anymore. It is the best possible option at the moment. Planter pathway.
It was his only hope.
No savior was coming. No one ever did.
I'm on my own.
And if he died with his efforts to digest the potion?
So be it.
This was his second chance at life.
I refuse to rot away like this. Not when I have the chance to actually do something. I decide how I live. No one else