Hearing Derrick Berg's words, Adrian feigned surprise. "You're a follower of the Creator? In the God-Forsaken Land?"
God-Forsaken Land! Alger caught a whiff of divine secrets. He'd once boldly hypothesized that the Aurora Order's True Creator "Sanctuary" was the God-Forsaken Land. The Fool's simple "Yes" had already unnerved him.
Now, shocked and stunned, he realized another Tarot member, besides The Fool, knew of the God-Forsaken Land's location.
That The Fool knew its whereabouts was expected—He was a godlike being. But Mr. White Tower was different, a mere Beyonder, yet privy to a secret the Lord of Storms Church sought in vain!
Alger grew uneasy, realizing White Tower's knowledge hinted at a murky backing. What was White Tower seeking at sea?
"Esteemed Mr. Fool, forgive my presumption," Adrian said gravely, bowing to Klein, The Fool. "I was part of an organization with classified records on the Creator, as The Sun mentioned. With respect, I'd like to ask The Sun a question."
A question? About the God-Forsaken Land or the Creator? Hmm… I'm curious too… Klein mused, replying calmly, "Proceed."
"Mr. Sun," Adrian said, adopting a solemn air, "if you truly worship the Creator I'm thinking of, I believe I can find a way to the God-Forsaken Land."
Derrick Berg jolted, glimpsing hope for Silver City. "You know how to reach Silver City?"
"My apologies," Adrian said, shaking his head gently. "I haven't been to the God-Forsaken Land. I know of a path, but I'm unsure if it truly leads there."
He continued tactfully, "I can only say how to enter it. In my current organization, there's a method—a pilgrimage route. Traverse it, and we can reach the Creator's Sanctuary."
The Creator's Sanctuary? The Aurora Order! Is White Tower a True Creator follower? Alger caught a detail others missed. Seeing Justice, a mysticism novice, and the excited Sun unmoved, he suppressed his thoughts.
As a Lord of Storms Church member, maintaining composure after hearing the Aurora Order's infamy was no small feat. His training painted their members as terrifying.
I need to stay calm… White Tower is rational, lucid, not a True Creator fanatic. Crucially, he passed The Fool's scrutiny… Having dealt with the Aurora Order, Alger mentally reassured himself, calming down.
Mr. Hanged Man seems rattled… Is there an issue with White Tower's identity? Audrey, relaxed post-transaction, slipped into her Spectator state. Noticing Alger's body language shift thrice in a second, she formed guesses.
"The Creator's Sanctuary…" A pang of sorrow hit Derrick. Their suffering stemmed from their cursed land. Could such a place be called a "Sanctuary"?
"Our sky is perpetually dark, pierced only by lightning, bringing fleeting light. The darkness hides countless monsters…" Derrick shared his homeland's plight, clinging to faint hope.
"…I understand," Adrian said, pausing thoughtfully for a few seconds, letting the Tarot members think he was pondering. Then, taking a deep breath, he looked at Derrick. "Thank you. I can now confirm Silver City is in the God-Forsaken Land."
"God-Forsaken Land…" Derrick murmured. "Even on land abandoned by God, for over two thousand years, we've still worshipped the Creator."
"Even after He forsook you?" Klein asked softly, keeping his gaze steady, his Fool's tone deliberately light, probing further. "Do you still pray to Him?"
"Yes, we do, but since that abandonment, we've never received a response," The Sun said, his voice tinged with undeniable pain.
Klein leaned back leisurely, half-closing his eyes. "Describe your sacrifice rituals in detail."
…
Looks like Klein's testing his summoning method… Adrian chuckled softly, awaiting the Tarot Gathering's end. As the others' forms vanished from the gray fog, leaving only him and Klein, Klein greeted casually, "Long time no see, Little Zhou?"
Gotta tease the Fool first.
What's that nickname… Klein smiled, nodding lightly. "Old Gao, how's your prep going?"
"I've tasked Mr. A and Mr. Z with investigations. We've completed the first phase of intel-gathering. Qilangos will attempt to assassinate Duke Negan on Wednesday, heh, though his method's unclear…"
Adrian shook his head, smirking coldly. Mr. A and Mr. Z were mobilizing the Aurora Order to ensure the operation's success.
As expected, Hanged Man pathway Beyonders were True Creator zealots, even martial-minded divine envoys setting aside grudges for Creator-related tasks.
"Got it. If issues arise, I'll find a way to help," Klein said, pausing before adding, "Thanks."
"Good. After this, I'll linger with the Aurora Order to handle the missing divine vessel issue," Adrian said earnestly. "Be careful."
"I will, Old Gao," Klein nodded, about to sever his spiritual link when Adrian called, "Old Zhou!"
"What?" Klein turned. Adrian's lips straightened. "I had my messenger leave a charm outside your window. Grab it later."
"It's for our operation. I hope you'll use it via the gray fog to launch an attack."
"Oh, the charm's activation word is Chinese: 'Circle.' It temporarily creates a space to restrain Qilangos and teleport him to a designated spot. Using it with The Fool's power also solidifies your Favored One status."
"Got it. I'll support you as The Fool's Favored One… Thanks," Klein said solemnly
—This keeps my cover!
He exhaled, dispelling his room's spiritual wall, smiling at his sister by the table.
Even in this era, he had a caring compatriot and family-like bonds.
Klein's lips curved upward. Do I have a home here now?
Daly yawned, eyeing the pile of documents on her desk, frustration mounting. Propping her chin with both hands, she zoned out.
"Ugh, where's the Tingen case specialist… How many more files do I have to review…" Daly's eyes glazed, worn out by Tingen's workload.
"Sigh, Dunn, Dunn…" She sighed. "Oh, Klein's on his team. Maybe I'll ask what Dunn likes…"
"That blockhead, ugh!"
Time slipped by, and soon, the banquet day arrived. Audrey, in splendid attire, wore a courteous smile, entering the hall with her parents. Mr. A, disguised as a servant, slipped in silently—shapeshifting was trivial for a Shepherd.
Adrian stood aloof at a distance, awaiting the outcome. Though it seemed a mere Sequence 6 Beyonder assassination, Adam, the Creator's "son," loomed behind it.
Adrian was curious: after the Celestial Worthy's heir acted, how would the Creator's "son" respond? Raise the stakes or abandon Qilangos as a pawn, as in the original timeline?
Meanwhile, Klein stood tensely in his room, sealing it with a spiritual wall. He'd placed Adrian's charm on the gray fog, ready for Audrey to summon its power via ritual.
Per Adrian's plan, Alger and Audrey joined the operation. Alger had specifically requested The Fool's Favored One's aid, receiving an ambiguous reply.
Unlike Alger, driven by fear of Qilangos escaping, Audrey volunteered, feeling her prior contributions were minor.
Partly, her curiosity about Beyonders spurred her. Thus, Miss Audrey, brimming with responsibility, felt a mix of emotions.
Pride in the Tarot members' unity mingled with nervous anticipation. Facing a high-Sequence powerhouse as a Beyonder novice made her uneasy.
Come on, Audrey, protect Mom and Dad, alert The Fool… She walked, supported by a maid, mentally cheering herself.
Where's Qilangos… I need to spot odd behavior… Gotta report to The Fool!
Catching a figure approaching, she slowed, straightening into the poised, elegant Miss Hall.
"Hello, Baron Gramir," Audrey greeted with a flawless smile and etiquette.
The sparse-browed, pale-blue-eyed Baron Gramir smiled, bowing. "Hello, Miss Hall, you're the brightest, most dazzling gem of this ball."
After brief pleasantries, Baron Gramir headed to the dance hall. Audrey moved toward the "dining area."
A few steps later, she frowned, her emerald eyes puzzled. "Baron Gramir's different today…"
"No, he's too confident, and he skipped his usual perfume's lingering note…"
Watching him depart, countless clues wove together in her mind, forming a conclusion: He's likely Qilangos in disguise!
I must protect Mom and Dad… Audrey's gaze darkened. She informed her father, Earl Hall, of her suspicions, then, as planned, entered a prayer room bearing the Lord of Storms' holy emblem.
Sitting, she leaned forward, hands clasped in prayer, touching her forehead.
In ancient Hermes, she whispered,
"The Fool that does not belong to this era,
The Mysterious ruler above the gray fog,
The King of Yellow and Black who wields good luck."
Klein heard her prayer, hastily taking four reverse steps to the gray fog, responding, "I understand."
I understand… I understand… Hearing the low, resonant voice, Audrey felt reassured. She stood, casually re-entering the banquet hall.
Mr. White Tower, Mr. Hanged Man, it's up to you… She prayed silently.
Alger's expression sharpened, heading to the alley agreed upon with Adrian. There stood a black-robed figure, half his chin visible in the shadows.
Around him, over a dozen figures—some standing, some sitting—clustered, surrounding the shadowed man.
Seeing Alger in a black robe and mask, they all turned to him in unison.
(End of Chapter)