In Monday morning. Coursing sun bathes a golden glow over the furnished corridors of Blackthorn Security Company.
Bidding farewell to Klein after he left for another Church duty. She was left alone to stride for the stairway and walk down to the basement.
After checking her silver pocket watch. Her steps then slowly diminished as she heard muffled voices coming from a corner door. With piqued interest, Selina leaned closer to it and chimed a little.
"Yes, now what will be your thoughts?"
Old Neil... Selina acutely guessed by the tone of the old gentleman's voice.
"I-It's nice, ball is round. It's sphere. Do I hold it? Like this?"
A ball? Selina pictured a round rubber ball in her head. That must be Ademinsaul. He's talking freely now!
Seemingly nodding, Old Neil quipped, "It's called a Crystal Ball. You see future in it. You can try channeling your thoughts into it and tell us what you're seeing. Heh heh, that way you have to blathering anything."
"Ball... Crystal Ball... M-Mr. Old Neil I'm seeing you... This isn't you right? I smell death!"
Colors melted on Selina's face as she tensed with nameless horror. Death? Ademinsaul also remarked that on me but white!
"Nonsense." Old Neil laughed as if receiving a comical joke. "I am as healthy as a Blessed Poplar tree. You know, as Klein had made me realize. Fate does not come as a linear path, it branches out.
"Look at you for instance. If we had not come across another like you, your fate would've been kept in the corners of Evil Dragon's bar. Which is... not entirely bad considering you had no rent, free food, and protection..." The following statement made Old Neil press a finger to his chin.
But then he smiled prematurely, "But would you settle? You do not have freedom to do anything else but to be agonized by the fates you're forced to see."
"You're right..." Ademinsaul's voice slowly tuned down as he contemplate on his visions. "You've been a great mentor Mr. Old Neil. Do I have anyway to repay you and everyone else for allowing me to this opportunity?
"To become a whole Sequence 9?"
"Well, you do need to a few years to shed that excess half Sequence you had. But all I can say is you're welcome in the Nighthawks." Old Neil said joyously.
Behind the door. Selina reclined to the wall behind her, intertwined her hands and continued to listen.
Perhaps, fates do change... for the better...
"How long do I have to stay here?" Ademinsaul innocently asked.
"Hump!" a peculiar grunt escaped Old Neil's mouth as he hoist himself out of his chair. "Once we have your records and credentials, you will be allowed to leave.
"However, you will find that jobs nowadays are indifferent to the conventions. If you like, you can assist us by becoming one of our clerks. Pays are decent, acceptable working conditions, where else will you find that?"
Mr. Old Neil, it's only now do I strike you as an articulate gentleman... Selina remarked inwardly.
"Sigh, alright. Selina will be at the armory soon, I didn't to stay for long so handle that crystal ball with care." With that, sounds of footsteps reverberated from the door.
Almost immediately, Selina's heart stirred as she scattered a way for an excuse. She didn't had time, thus the door creaked opened.
"M-Mr. Old Neil!" A sheepish smile curled from Selina's lips.
...
Near noon. Klein followed his plan and continued his investigation on the buildings with red chimneys in Tingen.
Unfortunately, he didn't come across his target.
He returned home, witnessed Selina heating up the leftovers from yesterday's dinner and he paired them with bread before taking an hour's nap.
At about twenty minutes to three in the afternoon, Klein placed his book down and sealed his room with a wall of spirituality, once again entering the mysterious world above the gray fog.
He sat at the seat of honor at the ancient bronze table, extending his hand toward the crimson star representing Sun while ignoring the frequency of his heartbeats.
In the City of Silver.
Derrick Berg was sweating on the practice grounds. His vision suddenly blurred as a heavy fog entered his view. He saw The Fool sitting high above, deep within the fog.
He froze, then stopped whatever he was doing and bowed his head.
When the illusion vanished, he counted his heartbeats silently and carried his silver sword to a rest area quickly.
A thousand heartbeats later, he locked himself in a bathroom.
After about ten breaths, he saw the red light swell over him and swallow him in an instant.
Above the gray fog, Klein leaned back into his chair and tapped his left molar twice to stealthily activate his Spirit Vision.
He saw that the mottled color deep within The Sun's Ether Body had turned pure, akin to the light of dawn. He smiled and said, "Congratulations, Mr. Bard."
At the same time, he saw the stars behind The Sun's chair shift quickly, turning into the symbol of the Sun.
It transformed without my will, as if it was a reflection of the Sun. Also, other than the palace, table, and chairs, the items that I conjure cannot be preserved once I leave this world... They are very special... There sure are many secrets to this world above the gray fog... Klein took in everything in front of him as he contemplated.
Derrick lowered his head and replied humbly, "This is all due to your assistance. This is but the beginning."
He wasn't surprised that The Fool knew that he had consumed the potion.
Klein took out his silver pocket watch and looked at the time. He chuckled and said, "Then let us start the gathering. Remember, the frequency, or should I say gap between the gatherings should be about the same in the future."
...
In the guest room.
Selina was waiting for the gathering to initiate, laying her head on her desk using her arms as cushions when suddenly a crimson light engulfed her vision.
Instantly, she found herself seated at a high-back chair, greeted with a long mottled-bronze table and four occupied seats out of twenty-two.
Right then, Audrey looked at the scene before her and immediately greeted The Fool.
"Good afternoon, Mr. Fool. I have a page of the diary of Emperor Roselle with me."
"Good afternoon, Mr. Sun. Have you gotten the formula for Telepathist?"
Being cheerful seems not only as a trait for Ms. Justice, but also a punctual choice... Selina reclined back to her chair and mused silently.
The Sun, Derrick Berg, was a young man that cared a lot about his reputation. He immediately replied, "I have obtained the Telepathist formula."
For the past week, he had been settling the inheritance that his parents had left him. Besides the property, furniture, and a few sentimental items, the rest of the valuable items were brought to the black market in the City of Silver in exchange for the Telepathist formula and the Bard potion's ingredients. His meals were now rationed.
However, he believed that the situation wouldn't be for long. When he passes the combat examination, he would then join the team that cleansed the Things of the Dark in the outskirts of the city and be paid a decent amount.
When I become stronger, I'll apply to become a member of the elite squad, to explore the depths of the dark and find a way to remove the curse... Derrick thought with hope as he looked towards The Fool who was engulfed in the fog.
He noticed that last time, after Miss Justice made a request to Mr. Fool, she was able to produce a page of the unknown Roselle diary out of thin air!
Although Derrick didn't quite understand what had happened, he felt that it'd be better if he watched Mr. Fool.
"First, recall the formula in your head. Then, grab the pen by your side and instill it with the strong desire to express your thoughts." Klein casually leaned back in his high chair.
As The Sun was from the City of Silver, which might be the Forsaken Land of the Gods, the pen that instantiated before him wasn't a fountain pen, but a quill instead.
Of course, there still wasn't any ink.
Derrick didn't dare to doubt what The Fool said, so he immediately grabbed the quill that suddenly appeared by his hand.
He followed The Fool's instruction, and as expected, he saw the Telepathist potion formula appear on the brown goatskin parchment before him within seconds.
After looking through it twice, Derrick silently pushed the promised item towards Miss Justice.
Audrey was overjoyed and eager, but she took the parchment gracefully. She glanced at the page, and the words that Klein had translated came into sight.
"Main ingredients: Phantom Netherdrake's complete pituitary gland, 10 ml of Half Specter Rabbit.
"Supplementary ingredients..."
Main ingredients that I've never heard of... Hmm, I don't know enough. Audrey, who had been trying to learn more about the different types and names of Beyonder ingredients from Fors and Xio, seemed to fret in thought.
During such moments, she would completely forget how a Spectator should behave.
Suddenly, Audrey heard a light rapping sound. She quickly looked towards the seat of honor at the long bronze table subconsciously.
She was surprised to see Mr. Fool rapping at the edge of the table with his right index finger while he gestured to her with a nod.
What's going on? Audrey was confused as her eyes wore a vacant look.
Just when she was about to ask, the corner of her eyes suddenly saw some changes on the Telepathist formula. There were remarks next to some of the ingredients:
"Main ingredients, Phantom Netherdrake's complete pituitary gland (also known as Rainbow Salamander), 10 ml of Half Specter Rabbit (also known as Farsman Rabbit).
"Supplementary ingredients..."
I know all of these! Audrey was stunned at first, then there was an intense surge of delight from the bottom of her heart.
"Thank you, Mr. Fool. You're really very knowledgeable." She looked towards the seat of honor as she thanked and sincerely complimented him.
The Hanged Man Alger didn't know what had happened, but he felt extreme contempt towards what Justice had said.
How could you describe a godlike figure with the word "knowledgeable"?
His existence alone is equivalent to knowledge itself to a certain extent!
Selina also had the same slight sentiment. But considering the lady's demeanor all-throughout the last gatherings, she could only sigh.
Audrey looked at the Telepathist formula a few times and then reined in her gaze unwillingly. She then personally expressed Roselle's diary onto a page.
"You deserve this." She put down her pen.
At that moment. Selina in turn also made a request, "Mr. Fool, may I borrow a pen as well?"
Klein paused for a moment and blinked twice. Her lips curled a smile as he lampooned inside, Is this going to be another roller coaster? Humor me Ms. Lovers...
"Please." He gestured with an open palm.
Selina lifted her hand, and there, fog coalesced to form a pen just right at her delicate fingertips. So this is how it feels...
I wonder... Almost giving into her urges, she shook her thoughts and made two pages appear to her palm.
Audrey watched, she was mixed with anticipation and joy. Because from Ms. Lover's body language and tone, she has two pages of Roselle's diaries!
The Sun openly gazed at Selina as she remain staring at the parchment, seemingly wanting to question her.
Then, the two pages are done, and Selina did not even lift pen at all. She sighed inwardly and added to the Seat of Honor,
"Mr. Fool, I hoped that my assistant had got through to your admirer, receiving the receipt."
Assistant? Selina... Klein was puzzled at first before nodding with a languid voice. "Yes."
The account was created under Ms. Lover's other identity, as per Selina's explanation. Thus he'll be able to freely access the account anytime he please.
The transfer of receipt was done through the use of Mindprint ritual appealing to the White Maiden. Though bestowment and sacrificial rituals are forbidden until the Goddess had regained, fortunately trivial rituals are an exception.
This is as long as "Her" authority is done indirectly.
At that moment, Klein pressed down on the page of Roselle's diary, but he wasn't in a hurry to read it. He looked to the side at The Sun and calmly asked, "What compensation would you like?"
Derrick thought seriously and said, "As of now, I don't have anything that I desperately need... I should digest the Bard potion very soon. I shall wait until then to request my compensation. Yes, perhaps to prepare for the corresponding Sequence 8 formula or the necessary ingredients."
Sequence 8 is Light Suppliant, which I have... but the ingredients. Even if I had them, I would have no idea how to give them to you. Wait, he used the word digest... Indeed, the City of Silver knows of the "acting method"... Hmm. The highest Sequence there is only Sequence 4, so are they limited by ingredients? Klein nodded in deep thought, agreeing to the deal.
Audrey also sharply noticed the word "digest." She weighed her words and asked, "Mr. Sun, are you aware of the 'acting method'?"