Tarot Club’s Daily Brainstorming

Although I still have two pages of Mr. Surrey's 'Roselle's Diary' in my hands that I haven't handed over, I'll refrain from giving them to Klein this time… Otherwise, he'll start thinking I have diary pages every single meeting.

Besides, Xio previously requested Mr. Fool's Blessed for help, owing ten diary pages in one go… Although she seems quite confident about collecting them, I'd better keep a few pages on hand for emergencies. Hmm, they're not particularly important anyway, so it doesn't matter if Klein reads them a few weeks earlier or later.

Sitting on his bed, Ebner had just reached this conclusion when the clock struck three. A familiar, illusory crimson light surged forth, engulfing him like a rising tide.

The endless gray fog stretched out beneath his feet as always, and the mottled bronze long table, though rusty and weathered, showed no signs of decay. Transformed into Mr. "Tower," Ebner glanced across the table at the ladies of "Justice," "The Magician," and "Judgment." He noticed that Xio seemed fatigued, while Fors was sneaking glances at Xio from time to time.

As for Miss "Justice," she had already stood up, her familiar light and pleasant voice breaking the silence as she led the others in greeting the mysterious and mighty figure seated at the head of the table.

"Good afternoon, Mr. Fool~"

"Good afternoon…"

Shrouded in the fog, Klein gave a slight nod in response, appearing leisurely and calm, though in reality, he was busily controlling "The World" to maintain the illusion of a real presence.

After reading Miss Hazel's letter and performing divination the night before, it was already dinner time. Klein had chosen not to go out and instead prepared beef bone radish soup with fragrant steamed rice—a specialty grain from Disi that he had bought earlier for Emlyn when helping Mrs. Doris with her medication. However, the vampire had turned his nose up at the spicy Fenepot highland chili in the soup, declaring it outside the aesthetic preferences of vampires.

It's hard to imagine a vampire eating chili, Klein thought. But Emlyn truly missed out.

While Klein was slightly distracted by these thoughts, Audrey, after exchanging greetings, suppressed her curiosity and excitement. She resisted the urge to immediately ask about the truth behind the Capim incident.

She had heard about it from her father the day after it happened. Capim's corpse had been covered in Tarot cards, which likely meant it was done by one of Mr. Fool's Blessed or a member of the Tarot Club.

Unfortunately, Const was still on leave at home and wouldn't return to Military Intelligence Division Nine until next week. I couldn't get any details from him…

Audrey sighed regretfully and began observing the others around the table.

As a "Telepathist," she quickly picked up on some anomalies.

Hmm… The Sun looks very anxious. Did something happen with his former exploration team captain? Did he encounter Amon?

Fors seems to be in the same hesitant state as me… But why is she sneaking glances at Xio?

She must have read the newspaper and guessed that the Tarot cards on Capim's body were connected to us. But she's puzzled about the 'Emperor' card… Wait, could it be that she suspects Xio is The Hero Bandit Black Emperor?

Well, the 'Judgment' card was indeed placed on Capim's corpse… But if Xio was responsible, then who does the 'Emperor' represent? Mr. Tower? That doesn't seem right…

Audrey sensed Fors's hesitation—like someone unsure about approaching a stranger for conversation. Did Fors figure out Xio's true identity?

"Judgment" is a high-ranking officer in MI9, and Xio seems to be affiliated with this special military department… Could Xio be answering directly to 'Judgment'?

Audrey shifted her gaze to Xio, noting her navy uniform. Though her face was obscured, her figure radiated authority and confidence, vastly different from her usual noblewoman demeanor.

But she looks exhausted… like someone relaxing after an intense period of stress. Did she just experience combat?

Her thoughts trailed off as she turned her attention to the gentlemen.

"The Hanged Man" seems to be in a very good mood. Is he expecting something? Did he finally get the main material for the 'Wind Blessed' potion? Or did something else good happen?

"The World" maintains his usual somber, unreadable aura. He's truly the bane of the "Spectator" pathway.

"The Sun" Derrick was visibly anxious but refrained from directly asking for help from the Tarot Club members.

"Mr. Tower" remained calm and composed, observing everything like a wise sage. Yet, as always, there was a faint hint of concealed joy beneath his tranquil facade.

At this moment, Xio stood up and said respectfully, "Mr. Fool, thank you for your help in that previous matter. I've brought three pages of Roselle's Diary today, and the remaining seven will be presented in future gatherings."

"Well done." Klein nodded in satisfaction and helped manifest the diary pages.

The previous matter? What matter? Did 'Judgment' privately seek Mr. Fool's assistance? Could it be related to the Capim incident? Did she impersonate The Hero Bandit Black Emperor under Mr. Fool's guidance, avoiding detection? Or did Mr. Fool send The Hero Bandit Black Emperor to help her?

Audrey and Fors shared similar thoughts.

Alger, "The Hanged Man," had his own speculations but, being unaware of the Capim case, refrained from overthinking. He respectfully turned to Klein and said, "Honorable Mr. Fool, I've also collected two new pages of Roselle's Diary."

Only two pages? Ebner thought. In the original timeline, there should've been three… Ah, the missing one must have been that 'garbled text' page. Because I had previously handed in several pages with similar errors, Klein had already deciphered the numeric and date meanings in Chinese… So, I suppose this is a tiny butterfly effect caused by me.

Klein responded with a faint smile, "What would you like in exchange for them?"

Alger glanced at the covered card beside Klein and suppressed his eagerness. "I wish to know what that card beside you represents. I also request a private exchange."

His request didn't surprise Klein—it was one of the easiest demands to fulfill. He chuckled lightly and said, "Granted."

The other members' perceptions were temporarily blocked, leaving Audrey with an exaggerated sense of disappointment. She had eagerly anticipated seeing Alger's astonished expression, savoring that moment of satisfaction from her small secret achievement.

Ebner watched this unfold and began to reflect. Compared to Audrey and Alger, was my reaction to the Blasphemy card too indifferent? Should I write a few diary pages next time to ask for a look as well?

While he was lost in thought, Klein lifted the perceptual barrier. The lingering emotions on Alger's face—shock, joy, and longing—were caught by Audrey, and they filled her with a deep sense of satisfaction.

However, she quickly reined in her emotions, though her thoughts began to drift again. That satisfaction I just felt… it's so similar to the subtle joy Mr. Tower tries to hide during our Tarot gatherings…

Klein, sensing Audrey's realization through her emotions, shook his head slightly with an amused smile.

Then, the five yellowed parchment pages handed over by "Judgment" and "The Hanged Man" floated into Klein's hands. He lowered his head, seemingly casual, but in truth, he was carefully reading them.

The two pages submitted by "The Hanged Man" documented the prelude to Roselle's Abyss Expedition. They recounted how the legendary "Great Navigator" Roselle acquired the Black Throne and set sail into the depths of the Misty Sea in search of the Western Continent.

This diary entry must have been written after Roselle rejected Viscount Cullen's suggestion and questioned the exploration of the Misty Sea. It's also before he brought back the egg that would later hatch into the demon Adabao from the Abyss…

At that time, he might not have even reached Sequence 4. He was probably still in his twenties.

Haha, Emperor Roselle was truly reckless in his youth. He sailed into the unknown depths of the ocean based on a treasure map of questionable authenticity, with no knowledge of what dangers awaited him… Actually, scratch that. Even in his later years, he remained just as reckless. Creating the "Blasphemy card" and challenging the gods is proof enough.

Klein couldn't help but make a few sarcastic comments in his mind before putting down those two pages. He then picked up the diary pages submitted by "Judgment."

Hmm… Two out of the three pages are ones I've already seen… but repetition is inevitable. Firstly, not every member has seen the pages others submitted. Secondly, I can't exactly teach them Chinese.

Fortunately, the third page contained something interesting.

"March 15th. I bestowed a newly forged extraordinary weapon upon Cullen and officially granted him the title of Viscount."

(End of Chapter)