Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

“The gods cannot love.”

It is common knowledge in the Beyonder world that the higher the sequence, the greater the loss of humanity.

A being without humanity cannot love.

Leonard knew this. Still, he naively lied to himself, believing he had a chance that his feelings would be reciprocated.

“What stupidity. Am I nothing more than a clown in your eyes, Kle-… Fool? All this time...”

Leonard came to a realization as he looked at the stiff posture of the puppet. Disparaging thoughts about himself filled his mind.

Klein was not the Fool. Klein was not The World.

Klein died in Tingen. What remained died with The World after betraying the Fool. The old man had reiterated this many times, but he did not want to listen. It was easy to assume that the main body had been asleep for a long time, ever since they managed to win the battle against the outer gods years ago.

“All this time you’ve only been one of his puppets. Did ‘he’ order you to do this?”

The puppet looked like Klein Moretti. From his days in Tingen, keeping the most human moments for both of them. He wondered how he should respond. He already knew the end he would face if he lied to Leonard. The main body was still asleep, and he couldn’t consult it.

In the end, he decided to be completely honest.

“The corruption of the outer gods in your soul has not been fully purified, ‘he’ feared that your chances of losing control would be maximized once he fell asleep. So, he ordered me to maintain an affectionate relationship with you to stabilize your emotions.”

The Servant of the Hidden had lost his usual joy. The atmosphere in the house quickly cooled, and the puppet felt the domain of darkness spreading. ‘He’ himself possessed the power of an angel, but he was not relieved. After all, he was not the first.

His reasoning led him to analyze a possible counterattack and put contingency measures into motion to prevent Leonard from losing control. He could understand why the Angel was upset. He could only blame the main body for not clarifying his intentions from the beginning.

“Out. Your job here is done.” The angel had used his domain of concealment to surround the entire house, and in broad daylight, the building began to blur. On the street, pedestrians seemed unaware.

“But…” Something in the puppet was reluctant. It didn’t want to leave. After all this time together… (DANGER) (DANGER) The puppet felt as if some of its strings were nearly cut. That thought was dangerous. The orders of the main body were absolute, and it couldn’t go against a direct command from Leonard.

It had to contact the main body urgently. It had to... What?

The puppet’s body froze for a moment, realizing that its thoughts had been stolen. In that instant, the domain of concealment had already erased the entire house. It could no longer locate Leonard on its own.

“Pallez.”

...

The house was beautiful. Adapted to the tastes of both inhabitants. Holding beautiful memories of a happy couple. A couple?

But now, darkness had filled every space. The angel felt embarrassed, humiliated, betrayed, sad, furious. A series of negative emotions that only worsened its state. And this house was full of memories that couldn’t give it the comfort it needed.

Leonard remembered this wasn’t the first time he had discovered this “secret.” He didn’t know how many times the Fool had suppressed and stolen his memories.

Did everyone know?

He thought so. After all, that way, the attitude of the other Tarot members toward them made more sense. How many times had his “friends” hidden his state from him?
Leonard didn’t hate them. But still, he wanted to know why. Why did everyone look at his state as if he were the clown in a show, begging for love from a being incapable of giving it?

If Kle- If the Fool is really that benevolent, why he just reciprocate his feelings? Is it because he’s concerned about the state of The Star? What value does the star have compared to the other members of the Tarot Club?

Only...

Only...

He felt like he wanted to disappear.

He didn’t want to face the world after this. Not like this. He didn’t want to see the Fool, nor the other members of the Tarot Club. ‘He’ just wanted to disappear.

It would be nice if he just disappeared.

After all, he had nothing.

The older members of the Church of the Eternal Night saw him as an outcast.

Many of his comrades had died in battle.

And now, he discovered that his only friend and lover... Never had a real lover.

And Klein had been dead for a long time.

“What… do I do?”

“Try not to die.”

Leonard felt Pallez’s efforts to prevent him from completely losing control. But, unfortunately, it was too late.

Leonard’s body had expanded, turning into a corrupted form of a mythical creature.

Pallez felt that the thin thread of sanity was fading, and Leonard’s corruption began to affect him.

“Old man... you knew too, didn’t you?”

“...”

A powerful force from the outside completely shattered the domain of darkness. The aura of the Sefira Castle purified the corruption, but there was nothing left.

Not a single trace of the Servant of the Hidden.

Chapter Text

How long are you going to stay in bed, brat?

The only answer the young man gave was a grunt. The parasite hesitated again, unsure if it should take control of the body and drag Leonard out of bed. The clock on the wall showed that only twenty minutes remained before he had to get to work as the Night Hawk.

It had been three days since they found themselves in this "dream." Pallez couldn’t convince Leonard otherwise. Now the Midnight Poet felt pathetic and refused to get up.

Leonard told himself that after losing control, he died, returning to the embrace of his goddess, and now lived in a dream where he returned to his days in Tingen. Before the disaster. Before meeting Klein Moretti.

But it’s just a dream. No matter what you do, nothing will really change.

Thinking this, Leonard wrapped himself in his blanket and ignored Pallez’s scolding. At least he’s still the same… What a dream. Pallez stopped insisting. A few hours ago, he had sent a letter to the Endrina Security Company, requesting a few days off. It wasn’t difficult for an angel to forge a convincing letter. If he let Leonard do it, his captain would notice, and in the best case, he would visit Leonard’s dream to inspect his mental state.

After all, someone's behavior doesn’t change overnight. And for a Beyonder, that was a bad sign. Pallez parasitized a spirit and resumed his tasks, leaving his brat to sleep. They both had so many things on their minds. It was just that the younger one didn’t want to face reality.

There were so many issues with his current state that Pallez truly didn’t know how to resolve them, even being an angel of Sequence 1. But he narrowed his priorities down to three points.

One, who was the entity that corrupted Leonard, causing his loss of control?  
Two, were they really in the past, or was this an environment created by a god?  
Three, what was causing the brat's sleepy state?

For the first question, the simplest answer would be an external Deity that didn’t participate directly in the apocalypse and stayed out of it until the end. One of those cowards with really troublesome abilities who fled at the slightest opportunity. There was no specific name, and the Madman was the only one who knew more precise information. Who was it? Pallez had no way of knowing at that moment, nor did he know if that god was responsible for his current situation.

That god was the cause of Leonard’s deliriums, and in the end, amplified his negative feelings, leading him to "death." Of course, the greatest culprit was the god of the Madman’s church. He didn’t think his “colleague” would go that far so soon. Ah, if the brat had just listened to me from the beginning…

The second question was even more complicated. Even with Pallez’s disbelief, as a Sequence 1, he could confirm that there was no “error” indicating that this world was fictional. Or a dream, as Leonard would say.

This led to two hypotheses. The level of the creator of this place exceeded Pallez’s power by a wide margin, which could mean that a Great Old One was involved. But then Pallez wondered why a Great Old One would bother trapping Leonard in a fictional world... Then he remembered the Madman was also involved and decided not to think about it.

The second hypothesis was that they had really traveled to the past. Pallez didn’t remember much from the last moments of his reality, but he was sure there was a vortex similar to a dark hole. Both had been absorbed. Pallez didn’t want to explain the implications of both of them being in the past, nor did he want to think about the Butterfly Effect mentioned in Roselle’s theory books.

Leonard wasn’t subtle at all, and with his type of temperament, he should’ve jumped straight into action to prevent the tragedies of his companions. Pallez should feel relieved that Leonard was still peacefully at home.

But that brings us to the last question. Why was Leonard sleeping so much? A healthy Beyonder of the Path of Darkness should sleep between 2 to 4 hours. Pallez was sure that in his past, Leonard was also a healthy insomniac. So why was he sleeping more than 10 hours a day? He thought it was an early warning of a loss of control, but his astral body was clean, and even the corruption stain left by that external god had disappeared from his eyes.

If his colleagues noticed that, it would be a miracle if they didn’t show up at his door with weapons ready to send him to the cathedral for purification. The parasite wasn’t going to let the goddess’s “blessing” exterminate him.

There was also an even more important problem today. The spirit finished cleaning and left a newspaper on the table. As if by magic, the newspaper opened to its front page.

“Today is the day you meet your colleague. Will you keep hiding in the sheets like a three-year-old, or will you face reality?”

“…I have no intention of going out.”

The fate of this present has already changed.

...

It should be rare to dream within a dream. But as a Servant of Concealment, the things Leonard had seen were even more incomprehensible. In the dream world, Leonard wandered from dream to dream, deeply trying to find a way to end his hope.

Moreover, outside, my physical body hasn’t been able to stay awake for long, and that lethargic feeling is very annoying.

His chest hurt. He really wanted to forget it, but perhaps that memory would become his burden. Since time and again, that moment repeated in his mind.

The gods cannot love.

The angel of darkness naïvely believed they could and paid the price. Leonard wasn’t angry about that; his greatest negative feeling was towards the Madman’s behavior. What did he gain by manipulating his memory over and over again?

The Madman and the Goddess of Eternal Night could purify my corruption. I only had to abandon all my feelings, become an ascetic. If the Madman had rejected me, I wouldn’t have had any reason to stubbornly hold on to my humanity. At that moment, I was ready to be rejected. If only… If only I hadn’t fallen in love with him.

In the landscape of dreams, Leonard could hear his own thoughts. From deep within his heart, but he grouped those feelings, safeguarding them in the darkest corner of his mind.

He kept visiting dream after dream, searching for an error that would prove him right.

That was until a tug came to his astral body. Before he could react, a thick field of familiar fog covered his vision. And yearning filled his heart.

His vision turned red, and when he woke up, he was in a familiar place.

Why is this happening?

Chapter Text

A gray mist appeared before his eyes: blurry, vague, and endless.

"What’s going on with this situation?"

The transmigrator looked confused at the vast expanse of gray mist. Within it, there were crimson stars, some large and others small. There was a sense that some were hidden in the depths, while others floated on the surface of this watery mist.

Among them, there was one that immediately caught his attention. Floating on the surface was a red star surrounded by a dark aura. Not the kind that was ominous. It was as if the star was trying to rest peacefully in that dark mantle with a faint scent of flowers. He stared at it for a while.

Zhou Mingrui stretched out his hand to touch it, thinking in the back of his mind about how to leave this place. When his hand touched the surface of the star, a water mark suddenly appeared from within it and shook the stars, causing them to explode in a "crimson" burst. In panic, he pulled back, but accidentally, his body touched two other stars.

As a result, these stars also exploded with brilliant light. At the same time, Zhou Mingrui felt his mind empty and his spirit dissipate. But the dark aura that had surrounded the star slowly enveloped him, and the scent of flowers calmed his mind.

Before he could react, three crimson lights appeared, and three figures emerged from them. One of them looked around with fear and confusion.

Zhou Mingrui was equally stunned.

"Sir, where are we?"

What impressed him the most wasn’t the words spoken, nor the meanings behind them, nor the display of confusion, vigilance, panic, and reverence from the pair. No, it was the third figure.

Behind both of them, there was a person with an imposing temperament and aura. But even so, they didn’t seem to notice him, continuing to look at each other and then at him. Zhou Mingrui knew he was at fault. After all, he had performed the ritual and stumbled upon the stars.

There should be three. Each star represented one person. So, the first star I touched should be... me?

Having made his guess, Zhou Mingrui chuckled softly. With a low but not heavy tone, he calmly spoke as though responding to the polite greetings of the visitors.

"An attempt."

The couple reacted differently. The woman politely asked if they could return, while the man was cautious and probed first. The third figure remained motionless, with no particular reaction, like a silent observer. This unsettled the transmigrator. What was different? Why wasn’t he surprised? Did he know something about this place?

Zhou Mingrui didn’t respond to the woman’s question. Instead, he tried to discern their appearance through the mist. The first was a tall girl with soft blonde hair, but her exact face couldn’t be seen clearly. The second had dark bluish messy hair, and a medium height, not considered bulky.

The third was a man with a delicate black veil covering his features. His long black hair extended down his back. Zhou Mingrui felt something ominous through the veil. The mist prevented him from seeing his figure entirely. Unlike the others who had an incorporeal body with a faint red aura, the third one had a dark aura surrounding him.

Maybe only he could feel it. The scent of flowers and vanilla emanating from that figure. It was a fleeting thought, but Zhou Mingrui concluded that it must be a truly attractive person.

Adjusting to his role as the master, Zhou Mingrui decided to keep up the act to the end. The projections would disappear once the connection was cut, and then they would return... Zhou Mingrui nodded slightly and looked at the blonde woman, chuckling softly.

"Of course, if you make a formal request, you can return right now."

The woman stopped feeling anxious upon hearing this, and after some deliberation, let her curiosity slip through.

"This is a wonderful experience… Yes, I’ve always been waiting for something like this to happen. I mean, I love mysteries and supernatural miracles. No, what I mean is, sir, what can I do to become a Beyonder?"

Good question! I’d also like to know the answer… But it’s a bit inappropriate to talk standing up. Wouldn’t it be better...

At this thought, the mist stirred, and in an instant, they saw a series of imposing stone pillars around them. Above them was a vast dome that encapsulated them.

The entire building appeared magnificent, grand, and elevated, like a legendary palace for giants.

Directly beneath the dome, where the gray mist gathered, appeared a long bronze table with ten high-backed chairs on either side in a symmetrical arrangement. The backs of each chair dazzled and faintly glowed with a crimson red, drawing the outlines of strange constellations that differed from reality.

They both sat face to face, next to the Seat of Honor.

"How fascinating," she said, and Zhou Mingrui confirmed.

But upon remembering something, he noticed that the third figure was still in his place. This time, however, it seemed as if he had discovered something, and his hand brushed one of the stone pillars. He didn’t seem fascinated. Zhou Mingrui didn’t know how, but he believed that person wasn’t doing well at that moment.

It was ominous.

Perhaps following his gaze, both guests looked in the same direction. Upon seeing a fourth person, the spell that surrounded that figure seemed to fade. The girl was slightly startled but then observed him with curiosity.

The man tensed, and his level of vigilance increased. How did I not notice him? He seems to be a guest like us. But acting like this in front of such a great existence— is this man in his right mind?

Feeling the gazes of the other guests, the person finally reacted and then sat at the other end of the table. From the way he walked, they could tell there was slight tension in his shoulders. He turned slightly, as though looking at the other end of the Seat of Honor.

If it weren’t for being the “first” in this place, they would have thought this man was waiting for someone to sit in that chair. He finally looked down and made no sound.

Looking at his behavior, the man with blue hair reprimanded himself. He had followed the girl and sat next to the "evil god," which went against his experience. He should have sat at the other end of the table. Would this god be upset if some humans overstepped their limits and thought themselves worthy of sitting by his side?

If I got up now, would this god kill me on the spot?

Unaware of the thoughts of his neighbor, the girl reprimanded herself for losing her composure and doing something in poor taste, like ignoring one of the other visitors.

Ah, how embarrassing. How did you not notice, Audrey... Could it be that this man with the magnificent aura is a Beyonder?

Unaware of the thoughts of the other guests, the third guest was lost in his own thoughts.

Not only was he confused and terrified.

He was truly annoyed now.

Chapter Text

There was silence for a few seconds. Alger inspected the surroundings, and after a few moments of silence, he suddenly opened his mouth and answered Audrey's question instead of Zhou Mingrui.

"Are you from Loen? If you want to become a Beyonder, join the Churches of the Goddess of Eternal Night, the Lord of Storms, or the God of Steam and Machinery."

Leonard finally managed to stabilize his emotions. And at Alger's words, he mentally nodded; that was the safest bet to become a Beyonder. It was complicated for him to analyze his entire current situation, so he settled for satisfying his curiosity. This scene was identical to the one described by Justice and The Hanged Man.

The founding of the Tarot Club. Leonard didn’t think much about why he was dragged into this scene, concluding that it was an answer to his desires. When he found out that Klein was The Fool, Leonard regretted not joining the Tarot Club when they were in Tingen, being the person closest to Klein at that time.

He regretted not having been by his side. This world seemed to answer that desire and fulfilled it. Without any apparent reason, Leonard was now involved in the first meeting of the Tarot Club. He saw that his appearance was the same as when he died.

This dream is so beautiful. Is this the mercy of her goddess? Even after "betraying" her church, she still thought of him as a servant and believer. And even if this dream is not hers...

Leonard had no intention of getting lost in this dream. He didn’t want to be more pathetic than he already was. Still, this familiar environment and the embrace of this fog made him waver. Leonard had never regretted having so much humanity as he did now. Even after being used, deceived, and abandoned, Leonard still loved.

This stupid heart wants to sink into the dreams. This isn’t a kind world where I am the protagonist, there are no second chances. This isn’t time travel. It’s simply a dream created by a god. Pallez was also dragged along with me. Whether this god has good or bad intentions doesn’t really matter to me. I’m dead, and that fact isn’t going to change.

"Most of us will never encounter a Beyonder in our entire lives. This has caused the churches, and even some clergymen within some of the larger churches, to suspect the same. However, despite this, I’m confident in telling you that Beyonders still exist in courts, tribunals, and enforcement agencies. It’s just that their numbers are much smaller compared to before and during the early days of the Iron Age."

Leonard could imagine the curiosity with which Klein... Zhou Mingrui was listening. Not long had passed since he fell from the Sefira Castle and revived in Klein’s body. This person hadn’t yet fallen into the dark world of Beyonders and naively thought about returning to his "home."

He still had some brothers waiting for him. A normal life in a small town. A dream. And humanity, this Zhou Mingrui was so human.

Audrey mentioned that she knew all the information about The Hanged Man and said that she wanted to become a Beyonder without losing her freedom. Leonard thought of her naivety and almost couldn’t hold back his laughter. This wasn’t the Audrey he knew. Perhaps her change in attitude caught the attention of the others.

Alger, who was about to respond to the noble naive, fell silent. Audrey, in turn, instinctively knew that the man across the table was laughing at her. She subconsciously puffed out her cheeks and felt embarrassed once more.

Leonard had no plans to participate. But if he was going to endure being trapped in a dream filled with nostalgia and longing, at least he would take advantage of it a bit. A dark part of his heart also wanted to annoy his "friends" for hiding secrets from him. So, he would mock a little, after all, this "evil god" didn’t have the power or courage to kill him.

"You’re very naïve. So naïve that I almost feel sorry for you." Leonard’s voice had a poetic tone. The kind of magnetic, mysterious, and above all attractive voice, it’s a pity that he said such harsh words with slight mockery. "You’re one of those high-born types. I can see that you’ve never suffered hardships in your life, you must have a family that loves you, money stacked in piles, and influential fame. So, Miss, why are you willing to throw that life away and enter this rotten world? Is it just curiosity? Or is it necessity?"

In fact, that was Leonard’s first impression when he saw her face in the newspapers before becoming a Beyonder. He knew that the life of nobles wasn’t perfect, but Audrey’s life was. Among all the Tarot members, she was the only one who didn’t have difficulties and certainly no justified reason to join.

When asked, she was embarrassed about her past. How a girl was dragged by an unknown being and didn’t feel fear at all. Although that was the trait Klein valued most about her. Was Leonard jealous? No, he convinced himself that he wasn’t.

Isn’t this guy just a bully?

Zhou Mingrui became slightly upset, though he couldn’t help but agree with him. He had assessed the behavior of the blue-haired man, who was cautious and alert to danger. The girl’s words also gave him some ideas; this world was not unfamiliar with supernatural things. But in his memory, Klein Moretti had never encountered any of them in his life. He was genuinely curious, so he apologized to the girl in his heart and didn’t act.

Audrey was upset and embarrassed. It was the kind of embarrassment that made her wish the ground would swallow her. How rude, you can’t say such direct things to a lady, that calm demeanor was just a facade... did he also recognize me? Did he realize I’m a noble?

Leonard had no intention of waiting for a response, but the fact that Audrey stayed silent without even answering gave him a few more points. Maybe this dream could be used to satisfy my selfish desires...

"But I don’t really care what you do with your life. If you’re a noble from Loen, you should have a lot of money... If you don’t want to be tied to an organization, you could acquire a formula. I currently have many Sequence 9 formulas, are you looking for something in particular? If you don’t know, you could first consult with the man over there."

Leonard slightly pointed to Alger, who just seemed to want to sink into his chair. Audrey seemed upset for some reason. Meanwhile, the host hadn’t moved an inch.

"Sequence 9?" Zhou Mingrui murmured to himself.

Alger fell silent. About half a minute later, he turned his gaze to Audrey and deliberately said, "I have two sets of formulas for the Sequence 9 Potion."

"Really? What sets?" Audrey didn’t hide her excitement, as she felt it was better to talk with the cautious man than the one who mocked her. It was a small feeling of pettiness, but she seemed a bit disappointed that he only had two formulas.

Alger leaned back slightly and answered slowly, concluding that the third guest was either exaggerating or a fraud. But then he reconsidered, that man should know the situation they were in; he wouldn’t lie in front of such a being, would he?

"As you know, humanity can only rely on potions to become true Beyonders, while the names of the potions come from the 'Blasphemy Slate.' After constant translations into Jotun, Elvish, Ancient, Modern Hermes, and Old Feysac, they have undergone changes to adapt to the day and era of that time. The essence is not in their names, but in whether they portray the 'core characteristics' of the potions."

"I have a Sequence 9 Potion called 'Sailor.' It allows you to have excellent balancing skills. Even if you were in a boat during a storm, you could walk freely as if you were on land. You will also gain immense strength and illusory scales beneath your skin. They’ll allow you to swim like a fish and be hard to catch. You’ll move agilely under the water like marine animals. Even without any equipment, you can easily dive underwater for at least ten minutes."

"Sounds great... Are these the 'Sea Guardians' of the Lord of Storms?"

"They were called that in the past." Alger didn’t stop and continued after giving a small glance at the other man. "The second set of Sequence 9 potions is called 'Spectator,' though I’m not sure what it was called in the past. This set of potions allows you to have an exceptionally sharp mind with keen observation skills. I believe you can understand what 'spectator' means by watching operas and plays. Just like an audience, the spectators judge the 'actors' in the secular world, glimpsing their true thoughts through their emotions, behaviors, and mantras."

At this point, Alger emphasized, "You must remember, whether you’re at an extravagant banquet or a busy street, spectators can only be spectators forever."

Audrey’s eyes sparkled as she listened but didn’t decide, although she suspected that the veiled man was a fraud. She still turned to look at him. Leonard smiled and rested a hand on his chin, mocking The Hanged Man slightly. But then he remembered how lost he felt when he first joined the meeting, and that feeling of inferiority.

Just let me mock a little.

"You’re really poor." Alger clenched his fist and held back the urge to insult him. "Well, if that’s the case, I suppose I have no choice. Miss, how about paying 100 pounds for a complete catalog of the Sequence 9 of the 22 paths? Of course, this is an additional cost to the price of the potion, and I don’t expect less than 300 for each one. Are you interested?"

Alger immediately straightened up in his seat. Audrey was lost. And Zhou Mingrui was thinking about what things he could buy with that money.

This guy was deliberately inflating the prices. A Sequence 9 potion isn’t worth more than 200 pounds. And what’s this about the 22 sequences, did he see the Blasphemy Slate or something similar? What could his background be?

It’s only 100 pounds. Audrey wasn’t unfamiliar with catalogs, but she didn’t know if she could trust the information provided by this strange man. Also, she was already smitten with the 'Spectator' formula. But it’s curiosity after all. "I’d like to know what potions you have available. How do I make the payment, and how can I confirm the authenticity of your information?"

"Can I give you an address to send the money? And I believe none of us would dare lie under the gaze of the mysterious gentleman," Leonard’s voice had a touch of familiarity. With his casual posture, both visitors couldn’t help but have strange assumptions.

As he said this, he looked at Zhou Mingrui, who was sitting upright in the Seat of Honor. He stood up and placed one of his hands on his chest. Just this simple movement revealed a mysterious aura. Zhou Mingrui felt embarrassed.

"The fact that he didn’t bring it here is a sign of his unimaginable power. None of us would dare break a promise with you as a witness."

"That’s right!" Audrey’s eyes sparkled, and she agreed enthusiastically.

From her perspective, the mysterious gentleman who had unimaginable abilities was definitely an 'authoritative' witness.

How could I or the guy in front of me dare deceive him!

Audrey stood up and turned halfway.

"Sir, please be the witness to our exchange."

At that moment, she realized she had been too impolite, forgetting to ask a particular question. She hastily asked, "Sir, how should we address you?"

Alger nodded slightly and repeated the same question seriously, "Sir, how should we address you?"

Zhou Mingrui was surprised. He lightly tapped his fingers on the bronze table. The content of the previous divination suddenly crossed his mind.

He leaned back, withdrew his right hand, and crossed his ten fingers, placing them under his chin. He gave them all a faint smile.

"You may address me as..."

He paused for a moment before saying kindly and calmly, "The Fool."

Chapter Text

Audrey requested to make more attempts like this. She didn't want to miss the opportunity to use this meeting to delve into mysticism and the Beyonder world.

Alger listened to her suggestion calmly; he was also tempted by the idea. He quickly echoed, “Mr. Fool, don’t you find these ‘Meetings’ interesting? Though your powers surpass our imaginations, there must be certain domains you don't understand or in which you don’t excel. The person in front of me is obviously a young lady of high status. The young man behind us has vast knowledge. I also have my own set of experiences, perceptions, means, and resources. Perhaps a day will come when we can help you complete something trivial that might be uncomfortable for you.”

Wow, what a way to flatter and stand out. Klein should be uncomfortable with The Hanged Man's performance. I wonder what face he made at that moment. He must be suffering from not exposing himself right now.

“Mr. Fool, I think it’s a very good suggestion. As long as this Meeting becomes regular, you can leave certain things that are uncomfortable for you entirely to us. Of course, it has to be something within our capabilities.”

Audrey saw the man in the back nodding in agreement. In the end, she negotiated the "Spectator" recipe with the blue-haired man since he only asked for one ingredient instead of 300 pounds. Though she was tempted by the various paths, she ultimately didn't change her decision. But 100 pounds for the information on other paths was a good deal.

Leonard could almost hear the gears turning in the Fool’s mind. Analyzing the pros and cons. Zhou Mingrui finally agreed and mentioned his condition: an equivalent exchange. That changed Alger and Audrey’s perspective since he didn't take their lives immediately and offered them a fair deal.

“Every Monday at 3 PM, do your best to be alone. After I make a few more attempts and discover certain things, you may be able to request an absence in advance. You won't have to worry about finding yourself in inappropriate situations anymore.”

He always had that aura, even when he wasn’t a Beyonder.

Without waiting for Alger to say a word, Audrey said excitedly, her eyes shining, “So, will we have code names? After all, we can’t use our real names for the conversation.”

The Fool showed his acceptance.

“You are The Fool, from the tarot cards. So, as a long-term, regular, and secret ‘Meeting,’ we must be uniform in our designations. Yes, I’ll also choose one of the tarot cards. I’ve decided. My designation will be ‘Justice!’”

“And you, sir?” Audrey smiled mischievously at one of her 'companions' sitting in front of her.

Alger frowned slightly before immediately relaxing.

“The Hanged Man.”

Finally, the trio’s gaze fixed on Leonard. He didn’t respond immediately, lost in the appearance of the Sefira castle.

When I joined the tarot club, I drew the Star card. Klein had cheated and decided to give me the name that, according to him, suited me best. At that moment, I didn’t know whether to be happy or upset. But now, I can choose a new code name. But aside from The Star… who else could it be? At least that little part can’t be forgotten. Even if this moment is fictional, I can say that one of my wishes has been fulfilled.

“A Major Arcana? What a coincidence. My friends know me as The Star.”

Zhou Mingrui thought The Star definitely suited that person. As for why, he didn’t know. Maybe he was just exhausted from this headache. He felt his invisible connection with the crimson stars and the grayish mist begin to falter.

This alarmed him, and to avoid being discovered, he had no choice but to hurriedly end the meeting.

“Let’s look forward to the next meeting.”

The 'stars' shone once more as the crimson light receded like water. Just as Audrey and Alger heard the words of Mr. Fool, their figures blurred as they disappeared.

Zhou Mingrui relaxed in his seat, trying not to be overwhelmed by the pain. He had survived this first encounter and was one step closer to figuring out what world he had ended up in. But in a few seconds, he became alert as he felt the mist moving beyond his control.

On the other side, The Star's figure had not left.

It was watching him.

Leonard hadn’t expected his request to be fulfilled. And that fleeting thought of "I want to stay a little longer" becoming reality. But he remembered that this was a "dream" and that these things could indeed come true.

Let me see you again.

The mist began to dissipate in response. Leonard saw a young figure in the seat of honor. Dressed in a white shirt, its features obscured by thick mist.

Only three days had passed, but Leonard missed them as if years had gone by.

Leonard stood up and walked slowly to the seat of honor. He had done this many times before, but this time was a bit different. The Fool in front of him was still very weak, incomparable to the person he remembered, but he was so human that he longed for him.

With each movement, the scent of nocturnal flowers and vanilla surrounded him. He finally reached The Fool. The Fool remained still, actually quite tense. Through the veil, his green eyes emitted an enigmatic glow.

His face drew closer to The Fool’s, trying to see his features.

His chest ached. His hands cupped The Fool's face, and he placed a chaste kiss on his lips. He finally embraced him and whispered in his ear.

"I'm sorry. But I just wanted to be by your side once more."

Please don't remember this.

After a crimson glow, both figures disappeared.

Leonard woke up. He rubbed his eyes in an attempt to wipe away his tears. And stared at the ceiling. Part of his sleepiness had faded.

"Your astral body disappeared for a few minutes. Was it him?" Pallez already knew, but wanted to confirm with Leonard.

He got out of bed and looked outside through the window.

"Yes. I think I know how to end this dream."

Zhou Mingrui could think of nothing but The Star’s green eyes. Or... there was something else. He gently touched his lips as if trying to remember that sensation. It felt like a dream.

That had been his first kiss.

Also. It seems he didn’t just steal someone else's house.

What kind of relationship did the original owner have with The Star?

Who was The Star in the first place?

Chapter Text

Dunn Smith appeared in his dreams just one day later. The investigation into Antigonus’s notebook now had a living witness—a young graduate named Klein Moretti. He hoped Leonard would join them soon, as they now had to keep a close watch on him to see if a new clue would emerge.

Leonard operated on autopilot. To him, the bustling street outside was nothing more than an illusory landscape. He took a carriage to the headquarters of the Nighthawks while debating future plans with Pallez.

Through the window, he saw many people going about their daily lives. Some were heading to work, others diligently tending their stalls, and some were simply causing trouble. To Leonard, everything seemed so real, but he wasn’t fooled—the truth of this world would reveal itself as he ascended higher in his sequence.

Yet even Pallez hadn’t noticed anything. This dream was comparable to the Fool’s dream—except there was no Great Old One overseeing everything, ready to expel him immediately. But of course, that didn’t make it any better. Leonard’s spirituality could sense a hidden presence silently guiding Tingen’s fate.

At this moment, Ince was still alive.

“We’ve arrived. Try to act normal and don’t pounce on your colleague the moment you see him.”

“I won’t.”

“You said that once before, and look how that turned out.”

Leonard stretched his body before stepping out of the carriage. He entered without knocking, only pausing for a moment before moving familiarly toward the office. When he sat in front of the typewriter, it took him a while to realize he had forgotten to greet Rozanne.

She seemed busy—it was best not to disturb her.

With ease, Leonard began working on the reports Dunn had requested. It wasn’t difficult for someone who had once been the captain of the Red Gloves to organize the information from police officers’ submitted requests.

Some cases needed prioritization, while others seemed exaggerated at first glance. A man suspected his wife was a witch who had bewitched him to take all his fortune. A student reported hearing strange noises and screams at midnight from the room next door.

Time passed quickly. Leonard had completely forgotten he had colleagues. It wasn’t unusual for him—he had long stopped working in a team. A Beyonder at the angel level always acted alone.

When the last stack of documents was ready, Leonard got up to get some cold water. But at that moment, footsteps echoed in the hallway. A young scholar-like man walked alongside Rozanne, heading toward the Chanis Gate to find Dunn Smith.

Those eyes landed on Leonard for a moment. Then, he simply greeted him and continued on his way.

Leonard wasn’t used to it. But at least, with Pallez’s help, his emotions didn’t even surface. The ability of the Error Path was very convenient for theft. Leonard felt nothing. He took the documents and left them on Fyre’s desk with a note to pass them on to Dunn.

Wanting to avoid further encounters with Klein, Leonard took on a relatively normal case and went out to investigate.

Leonard returned because he had forgotten something important.

“Aren’t you a bit too young to be suffering from dementia? Even more than your captain.”

Leonard’s face scrunched up at the thought. His drowsiness already caused him enough trouble—he didn’t want to add memory loss to the mix. It’s just temporary, he repeated to himself. At least I managed to solve the case quickly enough.

Just as Leonard reached the end of the stairs, someone appeared.

The poet didn’t let his expression wrinkle—it was the same scene as the first time they exchanged words.

“What a coincidence, huh?” Pallez mocked.

“Good afternoon.”

“Good afternoon. I suppose I don’t need to introduce myself?” Klein responded with amusement.

“No need.” I have a very deep impression of you. And really... Ah, it was stolen again. “Leonard Mitchell. Midnight Poet of Sequence 8.”

Sequence 8... He really is a poet... Klein shook his hand with a smile. If he felt a small spark when their hands touched, he didn’t let it show. Leonard let go after a brief handshake and didn’t spare him another glance as he walked past.

“I have to replace the Captain. See you tomorrow.”

“See you tomorrow.”

Klein didn’t think much of it and climbed the stairs. It was normal, given that it was their first meeting.

“Actually, Klein is very special…”

Leonard entered the office and greeted Dunn to switch shifts.

Old man, can you create the internet?

“No.”

Although he never said it outright, Leonard really missed the conveniences of the modern world—TV shows, movies, the internet… There were so many things he missed. But every memory inevitably involved Klein.

It’s not easy to forget the person you longed for so many years. Even though the pain of that broken heart had been stolen and discarded by Pallez under the excuse of “eliminating negative factors,” Leonard simply couldn’t.

This building was one of the places where he held so many memories—memories of when he lived a peaceful, carefree life. With colleagues and friends who had not yet disappeared. An old Neil who had not yet lost control. A Kenley who longed to marry his fiancée. And a Dunn Smith who was still alive.

Leonard didn’t dare fall asleep in front of the Chanis Gate. That would be a complete failure of his duty as a servant of the Goddess and as a Nighthawk. In the past, he would spend time reading novels and poetry—it had become a routine, even after fully digesting his Midnight Poet potion.

Huh? Old man. My potion is completely digested, right?

“You’re only noticing now? Maybe you should ask your captain for some memory pills.”

Leonard ignored his mockery.

“It’s not healthy for you to sleep all day. Why don’t you try joining a club?”

“Are you worried about me?” Pallez didn’t answer, and Leonard knew he had already fallen asleep. He smiled slightly. The opportunity to escape this dream had not yet appeared. Until then, he should make this wait worthwhile. Even if he couldn’t change his fate, he wanted this brief time to resolve all his regrets.

Leonard accepted the idea.

Klein was opening a new chapter of his life in this world.

After an unknown figure from the Secret Order broke into his home, testing his acting skills, Dunn offered him the opportunity to become a Beyonder.

Is it really that easy to become a Beyonder?

In order to return home, Klein seriously considered Dunn’s proposal. With the information he had learned in the Tarot Club and from the Star’s knowledge, he had grasped the basics of Beyonders and mysticism.

Becoming a Beyonder might be the only way to return home. Klein already knew the answer. He felt fortunate that the opportunity had come so soon.

“You’ve decided so quickly?” Dunn asked.

Klein took a deep breath and answered seriously, “Yes, I’ve made my decision.”

The captain’s expression turned solemn, but the depths of his gray eyes remained unchanged.

“Tell me your answer.”

Klein answered without hesitation, “Seer!”

Chapter Text

At 2:52 p.m., Klein was extremely nervous. After remembering that today was the tarot club, he couldn't help but think about the Star's shameless behavior. What kind of person would kiss a stranger?

I'm sorry. But I just wanted to be by your side one more time.

Klein guessed that the Star was referring to the previous owner of the mist space. That mist was the result of the lucky ritual, the ritual that brought him to this world. He had to restrain himself from starting a new meeting again, and confront the Star about everything he knew.

The existence of other transmigrators was no longer a secret to Klein. If Roselle was one of his compatriots, they might not be the only ones. There were other transmigrators hiding, but Klein doesn't know.

Furthermore, the relationship between the Star and the previous owner couldn't simply be "friendship." What should I do if he kisses me again? This space is too mysterious. If I confront the Star unprepared, it could easily blow my cover. He doesn't seem weak, and the information on the potions suggests he has ample resources. I currently have less than 10 pounds. And he easily made a deal for 100 pounds in the first meeting. What should I do?

Seeing that time was short, Klein decided that everything would be decided at this meeting. If the Star was a serious threat, he would remove him from the club. Then he would think of an excuse for Justice and the Hanged Man.

After confirming that there were no invisible spirit bodies in his room, Klein stopped Spirit Vision and took out his pocket watch to check the time.

Tick-tock. Tick-tock.

At one minute before three, he quickened his pace and, as before, walked four steps counterclockwise in a square formation. He whispered an incantation in Chinese.

Soon, his body became light as he floated upward. He saw the blurry, grayish mist emanating from it. Then, he saw dark red 'stars'. Two of them had a minuscule connection to him, and the third had a stronger connection.

Klein looked at his blurry self and muttered in confusion, "The Astral Projection Old Neil mentioned?"

He remained calm for a few seconds and again transformed the opulent divine palace with the tall bronze table under the vaulted ceiling, as well as the twenty-two tall chairs corresponding to the different constellations.

Klein calmly walked to the Seat of Honor and immersed his body and face in a thicker gray mist. He extended his right hand and touched the familiar dark red stars, creating a miraculous connection.

Dark red colors bloomed on both sides of the bronze table. They rose like a fountain before falling in drops. He "sculpted" three blurry figures that sat in the same places as before.

Audrey, with her soft blond hair and tall, slender figure, instinctively looked toward the Seat of Honor. She saw the figure immersed in the dense gray fog, sitting backward. One hand was flat, touching the side of the table, while the other caressed her chin.

"Good afternoon, Mr. Fool~!" Audrey called out in a cheerful voice.

She then turned her head and looked at the person in front of her. In the same tone, she said, "Good afternoon, Mr. Hanged Man~!" In a calmer tone, she greeted the other side of the table. "Good afternoon, Mr. Star!"

So we have favorites. Hmm, don't blame me if I take it personally.

Leonard thought playfully, jokingly. He returned the greeting with a nod and relaxed in his seat. At such a display of confidence, Audrey and Alger couldn't help but change their expressions as they looked at the Seat of Honor.

Mr. Star, if I were really a villain, you wouldn't be so relaxed like this. Aren't you afraid of me? . . . No. I don't think so. Klein alienated and maintained his inscrutable image. But this attitude created a different kind of misunderstanding in both guests.

Audrey thought Mr. Fool was tolerant and considerate.

While Alger began to doubt their identity, his posture almost relaxed, trying to imitate the star. But then a feeling of danger made him regain his rigid posture. He saw the Fool looking in his direction. Alger felt like he was sweating like a mare. Did he read my thoughts?

Klein looked at Alger with his spirit vision and saw him stiffen. Somehow, I think I've been misunderstood. The Hanged Man's aura is: Analytical, thoughtful, careful, and a little terrified? On his first try, Klein came to a conclusion hesitantly.

The more she looked at him, the more terrifying The Hanged Man’s aura became. So, she stopped looking at him and turned back to Justice to see if her emotions had changed as well. She noticed that, aside from joy, there was also… understanding? What had happened to them?

Ultimately, she wanted to look at The Star. But for a moment, he seemed to forget something and randomly recalled the kiss. Klein felt embarrassed and deactivated his spiritual vision. At that moment, Miss Justice's voice pulled him out of his trance.

"Mr. Hanged Man, did you receive the Ghost Shark’s blood box?"

Upon hearing The Hanged Man’s words, Audrey was overjoyed. She had managed to obtain the blood from her family's vault and wasn’t too worried about them finding out. She was thrilled to have found friends connected to mysticism. And although her relationship with The Star had started off a bit rocky, the information he had provided satisfied her curiosity.

For the formula, Justice and The Hanged Man requested another private meeting. Klein couldn't help but feel a little bad for The Star, who had been left out. If you hadn’t been so annoying at the beginning, Miss Justice might not have minded letting you listen. That is, assuming you actually knew the Spectator formula.

When Klein heard The Hanged Man’s explanation about Cogitation, he suddenly had a thought. He lightly tapped the table, and the fog surrounding the two of them dissipated. For this information, he wanted to conduct a test—it could be all or nothing.

Justice and The Hanged Man assumed he had something to say to everyone. Since both were looking at The Fool, they didn’t see how The Star hastily shoved the book he had been reading under the table.

Klein did see it. But at that moment, he couldn’t directly ask how he had brought a book into this place. Do all the things people wear come with them? Maybe I’m overthinking this.

The mysterious and powerful figure was gently tapping his fingers. Then, in a deep voice, he said:

"It’s not about understanding them, but digesting them."

"It’s not about discovering, but acting."

"The name of a potion is not only symbolic but also imaginative. It is the key to digestion."

Audrey was stunned and confused upon hearing this. She wasn’t entirely clear on what Mr. Fool was trying to express.

Subconsciously, she glanced at The Hanged Man from the corner of her eye, seeking a reaction. She was startled to see him freeze in place as if an ordinary person had suddenly heard a loud, thunderous revelation. Curious, she looked at The Star, but he remained in the same position, appearing somewhat bored.

He already knew. But I’m not surprised—just from The Hanged Man’s reaction, I can tell this information is extremely valuable.

"Digest, act… digest, act… digest, act, key…" Alger muttered repeatedly in a low voice, as if he had grasped a crucial concept or fallen under some strange spell.

After a while, he lifted his head and said in a hoarse voice, "Thank you, Mr. Fool. Your suggestion is as valuable as my life. You have enlightened me greatly. Of course, I believe I still don’t fully understand or grasp it completely."

Klein maintained his mysterious and unfathomable image, smiling as he said, "That was an advance payment."

Klein, you should be ashamed. What about those of us who already knew? Well, I have no intention of sabotaging his performance—it’s kind of cute seeing him act so authoritative. At this point, he knows about the existence of other transmigrators and… he is undoubtedly something beyond. Leonard thought as he played with his veil.

In truth, Klein didn’t fully understand the exact meaning of what had been said. He was only certain that Emperor Roselle was more powerful than the typical Beyonder and stronger than The Hanged Man.

Advance payment… Audrey asked, "Mr. Fool, what do you wish us to do?"

Opposite her, Alger nodded and said, "What task would you entrust to us?"

Klein leaned back slightly, looking at both of them before speaking in a soft and pleasant voice, "Obtain, on my behalf, the secret journal of Roselle Gustav, even if it’s just a single page."

"Journal? That’s a journal?" Alger frowned slightly at the detail.

Facing The Hanged Man’s question and having achieved the desired effect, Klein leaned back in his chair, intertwined his fingers, and responded casually, "For now, let’s just consider it a journal."

Klein, you're really shameless. That's so cute. Wait, that's bad. I thought stealing my feelings for Klein would help me avoid raising suspicions. But there's a side effect I didn't consider. . . I. I might fall in love with Klein again!

Chapter Text

Leonard really thought this would be a big problem.

Even if those romantic feelings were no longer involved. Knowing that he once loved him for so long, all the admiration he has for Klein will soon turn into affection.

Fortunately, the negative feelings that were corrupted and caused his loss of control have faded. But Pallez is already tired of having to steal his emotions every time—he is simply a retired old man.

And although completely stealing his "ability to love" would have solved the problem, it would put both of them in danger. Pallez wouldn’t allow it without a good excuse either. Not wanting to face his feelings toward Klein wasn’t a good enough reason; it would only invite ridicule.

But since Pallez cannot enter the Tarot Club, he cannot monitor his emotions and steal them at the right moment. The atmosphere of the Sefirah Castle also filters some of his negative emotions. That function is something that the Fool of his world created for him—to immediately purify the creeping corruption of the Outer God.

This allows his feelings to be the most "pure." And although he cannot forgive the Fool for his behavior just yet, if things continue this way, that moment will soon arrive. Leonard has always loved Klein, and every identity is a part of him.

He could never hate Klein for something like this, not when he did it to help him and to show he cared for Leonard. That’s why he strongly hates that Outer God. "He" corrupted his feelings and made him hate Klein.

Leonard also has his own reasons for not leaving the Tarot Club so soon.

Should he drag the old man along too? He must be bored just reading old newspapers every afternoon, and he doesn’t talk to anyone besides me. It’s a great idea! Besides, he forced me to join a literature club! But… I should let Miss Justice propose it first.

Leonard looked at Audrey with bright eyes. Audrey noticed and wondered what Mr. Star was thinking this time.

Audrey had heard other noble children mention the matter. However, she had never learned much about it. With her curiosity piqued, she asked, "It is said that Emperor Roselle’s diary was written in a cryptic language or symbols he invented, correct?"

"Yes," Alger replied simply. "Some believe it is a unique set of mystical symbols. Others think it’s a form of hieroglyphics. But to this day, no one has found the correct way to decipher it. At least, that’s all I know."

"Although I acknowledge its value, personally, I think instead of a diary, it would be better to call it an adult novel. I wonder how 'He' would react upon discovering that this 'diary' is now circulating the mystical world without any censorship. The only thing in his favor is that only a limited number of people know how to decipher it."

Leonard spoke with laughter while playing with his hair. Part of his veil lifted, revealing his amused smile. Though his Chinese isn’t that good, at least he can read it normally. Roselle wanted to hide from the world when he discovered that other members of the Curly Baboon Society had published a translation of the "Roselle Diary," which contained secrets of mysticism.

To think that Klein read it unprepared in such a serious moment. If only he could have seen his expression and known what he was thinking.

"’He’!?" Alger’s voice made Leonard turn to look at him.

"Ah. This isn’t public knowledge. Forget it, I won’t mention it further—unless you have information or something valuable enough to trade."

Justice seemed to have something to say, but Leonard continued anyway, "Though I doubt it. You don’t even have the qualification to hear what I have to say. Unless you are a demigod, you would explode immediately upon leaving here."

Leonard paid no attention to the others; he was simply laughing at their reactions. But since he couldn’t leave Klein looking like a complete fool, he continued speaking, this time with solemnity.

"Mr. Fool. I understand your desire to collect the diary, but due to a past pact, I promised not to disclose that specific information."

Roselle didn’t want Leonard, who had learned from Klein about the shameless things he had done, to disclose them. But that wasn’t a valid concern, as just a few months later, the translation of Roselle’s Diary was published, and it became a hit in the adult reading category.

"But for now, I can assure you that 'He' is still alive."

Far from the expressions of the Hanged Man and Justice, Klein was completely pale. The term "He" was used to refer to gods. It was said that Roselle’s diary described the location of the Blasphemy Cards, which hold the path to becoming a god.

So… were all the current gods once human? Roselle is alive. And the Star knows much more.

Klein had to grip the chair and use all his self-control to avoid asking more. That would go against the image of a great existence. Due to his emotional shift, the fog turned turbulent, scaring Justice and the Hanged Man.

It was the first time they had seen such a change, proving that the Fool wasn’t just tolerant and that, if provoked, he could react negatively.

The Emperor Roselle is still alive and has even become a god? How much is this information worth? Can humans truly become gods? And the theory that Roselle discovered the divine pathways and ascended seems true. Who is the Star? Based on what he knows, he should be an Angel—or perhaps something even greater. He already suspected that the Fool might be an evil god, maybe one who has been asleep for a long time. But…

The trembling subsided after a few seconds. But the fear had already been instilled in the hearts of Justice and the Hanged Man. Meanwhile, Leonard was slightly surprised but maintained a relaxed posture.

Soon, the Fool’s authoritative voice resonated, chilling the hearts of those present.

"I am someone who values a fair exchange. Star, is there something specific you desire in return for this information?"

Please, nothing too expensive. But Klein had no hopes. Someone like Star should already know what is in Roselle’s diary. He is someone of a very high sequence and possesses incomparable knowledge. What could a Sequence 9 Seer, who had just started working, possibly offer him? But if he offered nothing, his image in front of Justice and the Hanged Man would be ruined.

Leonard hesitated a bit. But he finally thought this was a great opportunity.

"Mr. Fool. I would like to convert this into an equivalent of contribution points. There is nothing I desire at the moment, but in the future, I may request a small favor from your existence," Leonard said in a serene voice.

The aura of serenity spread around him, but since they were a little far apart, no one except Klein felt the shift in Star’s aura.

It seems that Star still has some consideration. I misjudged you, Star.

"Agreed. The exchange of information about Roselle’s diary is still in effect. The advance payment I gave you is only equivalent to two pages of the diary per person. If there is more, I will provide something additional in return," Klein said calmly, like an adult who doesn’t take advantage of children.

As for where the additional payment might come from, it was naturally from the new pages of Emperor Roselle’s diary. This formed a virtuous cycle. Justice and The Hanged Man regained their composure.

"You are truly a generous gentleman." Alger remained silent for a few seconds before slightly bowing with his hand on his chest.

Leonard pretended to listen as the original trio discussed how to materialize the knowledge from Roselle's diary. Justice praised this method for its convenience and then received some advice from The Hanged Man. Audrey, who for the first time felt the fear of a great existence, hesitated before deciding not to ask The Star about something so trivial.

The image of The Fool and The Star silently changed in both of their hearts. Just as Klein was sinking into his thoughts on how to act as a Seer, Alger finished explaining the demands he knew of a Spectator. He sighed before saying, "It seems there is nothing else. Perhaps we can have a casual chat. We can talk about the things happening around us. It may be something very normal to you, but in the ears of others, it could be a very important clue."

"Alright." Klein came back to himself and nodded slightly.

He was already planning to try acting as a Seer. After all, there didn’t seem to be any negative effects in doing so.

"Then, shall we start with you, Mr. Hanged Man?" Audrey agreed excitedly.

Alger thought for a moment before saying, "The infamous pirate who calls himself Lieutenant General Deweyville has begun his journey to explore the far eastern end of the Sonia Sea again."

"Oh? The owner of the Black Tulip?" Audrey returned with a question after some reflection.

"Yes," Alger replied with a nod.

I don’t even know who that is... Klein listened in silence while contemplating the news he planned to share. It had to be something that wouldn’t expose him while allowing him to receive feedback.

Soon, he decided. He maintained his inscrutable image as The Fool and ran his fingers along the side of the bronze table.

"From what I know, the Secret Order has lost a notebook belonging to the Antigonus family."

This news was not only known by the Night Watchers of Tingen City. The Secret Order, as well as the Beyonders closely associated with them, also knew about it.

"A notebook from the Antigonus family?" Alger repeated before smiling and shaking his head. "I'm really curious about what reaction the Church of the Evernight Goddess would have if they found out about this."

Why would he mention the Church of the Evernight Goddess? Klein sharply detected a problem, but it wasn’t appropriate for him to ask.

That would shatter his image as the mysterious and profound Fool.

At that moment, Audrey asked curiously, "Why are you curious? What kind of special reaction would the church of the Goddess have?"

Alger smiled and said, "The Antigonus family was destroyed by the Church of the Evernight Goddess."

"I'm not really sure whether it happened at the end of the Fourth Epoch or in the early stages of the present era."

This...! Klein’s pupils contracted, and a chill suddenly ran down his spine!

Judging by how things are going, the value the Night Watchers have placed on this Antigonus notebook far exceeds my imagination!

The reason they nominated me as a Beyonder—that I had some contribution and that they wanted to prevent danger to me—are probably insignificant. They actually want me to enhance my spiritual sensitivity to help them find the notebook.

The Captain didn’t hide this from me. He mentioned it, but I simply didn’t pay much attention…

"The same Antigonus who liked to hang people? His family fell during the Fourth Epoch after getting involved with some problematic figures and losing control. I know he's still alive, but he's no longer the handsome wolf he once was."

Leonard exaggerated his voice as if he truly regretted it. In the past, Klein would have pouted if he had heard him say something good about another person. Thinking about it made him feel happy, reminiscing about Klein’s "small" fits of jealousy.

If Klein had scolded him for talking about someone handsome in front of his "friend," Leonard didn’t know. Klein simply couldn’t help but scold him in his heart and lament that the original owner of the castle was no longer there. Who knows what he would do if he saw his "friend" talking about another man’s beauty?

Come to think of it, was the previous owner a man or a woman?

"Mr. Star, how do you think the Church of the Evernight Goddess will react?"

"They are probably already looking for it. But they won’t give it too much importance, because knowledge never comes without a price. Anyone who grabs that notebook will meet a tragic fate or go insane. Either way, they’ll end up dead. Why make a big fuss over something that solves itself?"

The room fell silent for a moment. Klein now knew why the original Klein and his companions had died. But it was just too unlucky. Why did they have to buy that exact book?

"Well, my turn. Let me think about what I have to share."

"Yesterday, my etiquette teacher taught me how to faint—how to faint gracefully without making any mistakes. It’s a practical skill used in social events to avoid awkward situations or unpleasant men… Hehe. I was just organizing my thoughts. What I actually wanted to say is that since the failure in the battle on the eastern coast of Balam, the king, the prime minister, and the knights have been under immense pressure. They are desperately seeking change."

Chapter Text

As Audrey recalled the conversation between her father and older brother about the situation, she expressed in her own words:  

"They believe that the structure of the government is too chaotic. In every election, if there is a change in the ruling party, there will be a personnel change from top to bottom. This disrupts things and significantly reduces efficiency. Not only does it cause the loss of battles, but it also creates great inconvenience for civilians."  

Klein knew very well that there was still no system for evaluating public office positions.  

Hmm, how strange that Emperor Roselle never established such an institution in Intis... Could it be that he shifted his focus to other things later in life?  

When The Hanged Man, Alger, heard that, he interjected with a soft chuckle.  

"They believe? Then their beliefs are a little slow. Maybe they'll only feel the itch a year after being bitten by the black mosquitoes."  

Black mosquitoes were a species of creature that resided in the south of the Loen Kingdom. They were extremely venomous, and their venom made victims feel the urge to tear their own skin apart.  

Leonard, on the other hand, showed not the slightest interest in this conversation topic. He remembered that the law Klein had supported would be used by the king for his Apotheosis. There was no way the current Klein could know that, and Leonard certainly wouldn’t tell him. Even if this was a dream, there was no way he could stop it with his current strength.  

Audrey extended her palm and covered her mouth. Ignoring The Hanged Man’s mockery, she expressed the fundamental point of what had been said:  

"Unfortunately, they are incapable of finding a good solution to replace this system."  

Klein listened attentively and felt that the topic was within his area of expertise. He smiled faintly and said, "This is a simple question."  

"Simple?" Audrey asked in confusion.  

Klein felt as if he had returned to the forums of the past. He confidently commented,  

"An exam, just like university entrance exams. Conduct a public examination. It can be divided into two or three rounds. Use the most objective method to select the best candidates."  

"But..." Audrey knew what kind of objections this would imply.  

Leonard knew the great success of such a system. Although it indirectly caused tragedies, it was undoubtedly something that could improve the current system. Of course, it couldn't completely mitigate the intervention of nobles in controlling public offices. In the future, there were many cases where nobles manipulated the results to pass the exam and support members of their own party.  

"This kind of design can lead the eloquent members of the royal family into government. Regardless of which party is in power or who the minister is, the civil service would allow the kingdom to maintain its basic and effective operations."  

While considering the suggestion, Audrey asked hesitantly,  

"Are you implying that even if those ministers were turned into monkeys, the effects would be insignificant?"  

"No," Alger suddenly interrupted. "I think monkeys would be a better option than the current ministers."  

"It’s a very simple yet effective solution!"  

Audrey is still so naïve. If only she knew that these kinds of things could increase the power of the gods, would she still be happy? She still doesn’t understand how rotten the world of Beyonders is. She was really lucky that the god who answered her mirror ritual was Klein.  

Even so, that makes Audrey a very pleasant person. She is sincere, fair, and kind. She has that kind of naïve heart that doesn't allow her to abandon those closest to her, and she is capable of sacrificing herself to protect her loved ones.  

Audrey looked at Klein and sincerely exclaimed,  

"Mr. Fool, you must be an elder with outstanding intelligence and a wealth of life experience!"  

... The corners of Klein’s mouth twitched slightly as he looked at The Hanged Man and Justice in silence for a few seconds. Then the trio simultaneously turned to Star.

He seemed to be counting the red stars, paying no attention at all.  

Audrey had looked at Star with pride after receiving The Fool’s guidance. She was also curious about the information that Mr. Star would share. But seeing him so relaxed made her sigh at his indifference.  

When he noticed their gazes, Leonard pretended to be paying attention and quickly thought of something to share.  

"In a few months, the True Creator will attempt to descend upon the city of Tingen."  

That was one of Leonard’s regrets. Although he was just a "tool" used by Ince to fulfill his plans, years had passed, yet that memory was still fresh in his mind. Even when he saw Dunn alive again, it meant nothing. Countless times, Leonard had seen his fallen comrades in his dreams.  

Perhaps deep down, he thought that Klein, who was not yet so immersed in the Beyonder world, would leave Tingen with his family and avoid getting involved in the True Creator’s descent.  

Even without Klein, Leonard and the old man would find a way to stop it. But even if he "died" trying, it wouldn’t be that important.  

But Klein was not that kind of person. Besides, this event was crucial for Klein’s growth.  

"Wait… you mean the god of the Aurora Order!?"  

Alger couldn't even control his voice. Audrey shrank into her chair. Both understood the consequences of an evil god attempting to descend. A tragedy would unfold.  

In Tingen? Something this dangerous is about to happen, and the churches seem to know nothing about it. The Night Watchers have only focused on searching for the notebook. Is this happening behind the scenes? What should I do? Mr. Star doesn’t seem to be lying…  

Klein had already become a Night Watcher. He couldn't leave Tingen without permission. A move as drastic as fleeing with his family would mark him as a traitor. Besides, he was still cursed by the notebook. He didn’t know when "bad luck" would strike again.  

Tell the captain? No. How could he explain where he got the information without being suspected? In this world, knowledge could come from anywhere—even injected by an evil god. He could become a suspect and be interrogated. If this event came to pass, he would be the main culprit...  

"If you ask me how, I’ll just say that there’s a little spawn running around... Correction, there are two spawns running around," Leonard said, remembering Lanevus.  

Feeling his spirituality draining, Klein asked no more. He was waiting for something.  

"Let’s end today’s meeting here."  

"As you will." Audrey, Alger, and Leonard stood up together.  

Klein leaned back slightly and cut the connection. He watched as the illusory and blurry figures of Justice and The Hanged Man shattered and dissipated instantly.  

But above the gray fog, he was not the only person sitting at the bronze table.  

Now, Klein didn’t know what to expect. He could ask about the details of the True Creator. Or about his compatriot Roselle... Many things, really. But they weren’t "equals." He was currently in Star’s debt and wasn’t sure he could ever repay it in this lifetime.  

Leonard was also nervous. Knowing how uncontrollable his emotions were in this place, he wouldn’t try to embarrass Klein for now.  

His heart wouldn’t be able to bear it.  

- I’m sorry for what I did last time. If you haven’t reacted, it means you don’t remember anything… And maybe that’s for the best for both of us. We have both changed too much. -  

Leonard vaguely hoped that his Klein had found him. As Lord of Mysteries, no one on the planet could stop him. But it seemed that was not the case.  

- Since you have your own plans, I won’t interfere.  

Leonard had always felt like a burden. Unable to help Klein. And it seemed that Klein had been too kind in returning his feelings. This last wish was just selfishness.  

Fool did not react and said nothing. But the fog was changing. Leonard did not take his eyes off Fool. Deep down, he wondered how his Klein would feel if he said those words to him. But thinking about it would be too painful.  

Leonard didn’t give him time to respond. He wasn’t expecting an answer anyway.  

- This is goodbye for us, Fool. Next time we meet, please consider me just an old friend.  

Leonard took a step back and, with a small bow, disappeared from the castle.  

He felt no sadness. Only relief. As if the heavy rock pressing against his chest had been lifted.  

This inferior self will no longer hold you back.  

- So, it happened. - Pallez did not use his usual tone. He simply sounded tired.  

- What?  

- You’re crying.

Chapter Text

I always thought that love was an unbreakable bond, a thread that, though fragile, could withstand the tides of fate. But I was wrong. There is no thread, no bond. There is only a distant echo of what once was, a reflection that no longer belongs to me.  

I loved you, Klein. I loved you with the desperation of a man who knows that time does not stop, with the foolishness of a fool who believes that fate can be bent by the strength of his hands. But fate is cruel, and when I finally thought I had reached your light, I realized I was only embracing a shadow.  

What irony. I dreamed of a future by your side, and instead, I found a puppet woven from my own hope. Was it pity, Klein? Was it compassion that guided your hand when you accepted my love? If so, then how foolish I was, how pathetic to revel in the lie. And yet… I do not blame you. I never could. Because if you had told me the truth from the beginning, I would have rejected it with the same stubbornness with which a dying man rejects death.  

But now I know. I know, and for the first time in a long while, I breathe without the weight of a burden I should never have placed upon you. I will not seek you, I will not call you, I will not extend my hand hoping you will take it. This time, Klein, you will walk without my shadow at your side. Because I know that, in eternity, the only thing left of humans like me is oblivion.  

So live, my light. Live without me. Because this time… this time, I will be the one to let you go.  

Chapter Text

The kiss came to me like a gust of wind on a calm day—unexpected, inconceivable. Its warmth remained imprinted on my skin, a vibrant echo that stunned me more than any battle, more than any sacrifice.  

But I do not know him. I do not know who he is, this man who looks at me with a sorrow sharper than an obsidian blade. His voice trembles, but not with fear. Not with hate. It is a farewell.  

"This is goodbye for us, Fool."  

The words hang in the air, suspended between us like a star on the verge of extinction. I want to respond, to ask, to demand to know what story we shared, what love was strong enough to bring forth such devastating pain. But I do not. Because deep inside me, something… hurts.  

This man, this stranger, is leaving me. And I do not understand why I feel that I do not want him to.  

It should not matter. I am not who he believes. I am not the god he once knew, nor the figure to whom he gave his soul. But in his gaze, in his broken voice, there is a truth I do not know—yet somehow, it wounds me.  

Why does my chest feel empty? Why does the thought of watching him walk away stir this absurd urge to call out to him by a name I do not even know?  

My lips do not speak the words that press against my throat. Instead, I only look at him, trapped in the fleeting flash of an emotion I do not understand. And when he finally takes a step back, when the distance between us widens, I realize that perhaps, just perhaps…  

…I have already lost him before I even knew him.

Chapter Text

Leonard woke up with a headache and a slightly sweaty forehead.

Pallez was still asleep. For now, he had no intention of helping Leonard with his little problem. Leonard thought that was for the best—he wouldn’t be able to stand the parasite mocking him.

The day before, he had tried to end his regrets, and based on his experience, that should have been enough to show a small crack in the core of this dream. Or at least the master dream controller should have reacted in some way.

But nothing happened.

This world didn’t tremble. It didn’t lose realism.

Is this place really a dream?

No. That couldn’t be. This world is a dream—there are no second chances, and it’s terrifying to think about some kind of being that could change the outcome of fate by altering the past. The old man doesn’t believe it. If the first attempt didn’t work, I’ll go with the second method. If nothing changes by then, I’ll give up and live in this new reality.

“One way or another… until that happens, I’ll stay by Klein’s side as his friend. Those memories that feed his humanity... I’ll strengthen them… That’s the only thing I can do for him.”

Having made his decision, Leonard got up and headed to take a bath. But when he saw the time, he gave up on the idea—he remembered he had to cover for Rozanne at the reception desk. He dressed quickly and ran out. If Leonard noticed that the heaviness and slight smell of sweat had disappeared, he said nothing.

He didn’t want to embarrass himself in front of the old man.

Carriages weren’t fast, but extra payment could work miracles. Leonard was restless but couldn’t do anything about it. If he used his extraordinary abilities this early in the morning, a reprimand would be the least of his problems.

"Luckily there's no traffic... I don’t know how people from the previous era endured this."

The Midnight Poet looked at his reflection in the mirror—the hair was messy, some strands falling over his forehead. He fixed it as best he could. Not too bad.

With nothing better to do, he pulled a collection of Roselle’s poems from his pocket. He almost frowned, thinking about how Roselle shamelessly plagiarized the historical content of his era.

“Those poets must be turning in their graves.”

When he reached Zouteland Street, he jumped off the carriage after paying. He burst into the Evernight Security Company. Almost immediately, Rozanne’s voice came from behind the counter.

“You're late! If Captain Dunn scolds me, I’m blaming you entirely!”

“I’m really sorry, Rozanne. I’ll make it up to you with dessert today.” Leonard felt genuinely touched to speak with her again. This was the cheerful girl—not the pessimist from his time. She hadn’t seen her comrades die yet.

“…You’re acting really weird… are you okay?”

“Is it that obvious I got rejected?”

Rozanne stared at him, and the little seed of concern in her chest was snuffed out. How could she worry about this poor excuse of a poet? She really wanted to meet the girl who rejected that annoyingly handsome face—she owed her thanks for knocking the “protagonist” down a peg.

“That explains a lot. Good for her,” Rozanne quipped and didn’t worry further. Since it was late, she left for the armory. Once she was gone, Leonard remembered he also needed to request some mystical ingredients and bullets.

Time passed as he watched his fellow Night Watchers. A wave of nostalgia washed over him. These were his batchmates. He had to restrain his expression to not grimace when he saw Kenley saying goodbye to his fiancée at the company door. Dunn, as a proper Beyonder of the Path of Night, never left the company unless on missions, slept less than three hours, and often didn’t even go home.

The Path of Darkness made them ideal candidates for labor exploitation. Leonard recalled how one of those “transmigrators” in the Curly Baboon Research Society once published a lengthy article accusing the Church of the Evernight Goddess of overworking its believers.

It caused quite a scandal at the time.

Reception duty was as simple as grabbing a newspaper and doing nothing until lunch. This ghost company wouldn’t change until Klein and his strange fortune began attracting cases like flies.

Not to mention the juicy salaries one could earn.

Knowing no one would come after the entry hour, Leonard let himself doze off. That was until he heard the entrance bell ring.

Klein walked in, looking a bit confused, and bowed.

“Good afternoon. Where’s Rozanne?” Klein asked. Leonard saw nothing unusual in him. Unlike Leonard, Klein—who "knew nothing"—had had a good night’s sleep.

Remembering how he was supposed to act this time, Leonard pointed toward the partition with a relaxed smile and posture.

“She’s working the night shift at the armory.” Leonard didn’t give him a chance to reply. “Klein, there’s a question that’s always puzzled me.”

“What is it?” Klein was caught off guard.

“Why did Welch and Naya kill themselves on the spot and you came back home?” Leonard asked. Though his tone showed some curiosity, Klein saw in his eyes that his colleague wasn’t truly interested. It felt like a rehearsed question said out of courtesy.

Klein wondered what weird game this poet was trying to play. Not to mention, he paused a moment to look at Leonard’s appearance. Leonard was attractive and always carried a laid-back aura. His shirt had the top buttons undone. But this time there was a touch of laziness and sleepiness in his movements.

Not the disrespectful kind—more like the “sexy” kind that his coworkers squealed over when looking at special editions of idol magazines.

This guy is a natural enemy of men. They say attractive people look good even in potato sacks. Klein cursed internally.

Leonard’s handsome face was resting on one hand, hair slightly messy as if he had just woken up. And he was clearly sleeping on the job. Klein decided to let it slide—just this once. If a female customer saw that face, she’d stay and bring the company prosperity.

“It probably has to do with how the unknown existence made me take the Antigonus family notebook to hide it,” Klein answered with the official assumption—now more convinced by the information he’d gotten during the meeting.

Leonard took a walk before looking Klein in the eyes.

“If your suicide was meant to silence you and erase any evidence, why didn’t they make you destroy the notebook right then and there?” Leonard tried to guide Klein as he had in the past. Back then, his original intention had been to expose Klein’s cover—but at the time, he hadn’t thought someone could return from the dead, and the old man hadn’t said anything about the gray fog.

With his knowledge, Leonard found it kind of amusing to see Klein solve his own mystery.

Actually, I don’t know if the notebook was destroyed or just hidden… but using reverse logic, if it was going to be destroyed, it could’ve been done on the spot. There was no need to take it away for that…

As a qualified armchair detective, Klein dove into deep reasoning.

“Maybe when Welch, Naya, and I came into contact with the unknown existence, it enjoyed the sacrifice of life or wanted similar situations to continue. Knowing my suicide would be discovered, it made me take the notebook to hide it and set up the next round of entertainment. But something went wrong during the process, and I didn’t manage to kill myself.”

This was a well-reasoned assumption Klein made based on his consumption of novels, movies, and dramas involving cult sacrifices.

As for what went wrong mid-process, he knew very well it was the unexpected variable of him being a transmigrator.

“That’s a good explanation. There was a full moon that night. That would mean you were controlled by the notebook to hide it or... deliver it to someone. It would make sense if the object hadn’t fully recovered its power and affecting another person weakened its control over you. But that would be even worse.” Leonard looked him in the eyes and smiled slightly.

“What piques my curiosity the most is how conveniently you forgot everything. That can only mean two things—either that existence still has plans for you, or… something much stronger intervened. I wonder which it is.” Leonard smiled as he noticed Klein’s expression shift slightly.

What does he mean? Is he suspecting me? Klein was startled. While secretly criticizing the idea, he chose his words carefully.

“I won’t try to defend myself since I lost all memories of that period. Whether it’s the Captain or Miss Daly, they’ve confirmed I’m fine. Your joke’s not funny.”

“I’m just considering the possibility. I’ll make it up to you with an iced tea next time, you are very special.” Leonard laughed, remembering how easily desserts could fix things—especially with Klein. He’d convinced Rozanne the same way that morning. “Did you discover anything in the afternoon?”

After all their conversations and previous encounters, Klein was very suspicious of Leonard. He answered calmly: “No. I plan to try a different route tomorrow afternoon.”

He pointed to the partition and said, “I need to go to the armory to pick up bullets.”

The Shooting Club opened at nine in the evening. After all, its availability increased only after most members left work.

“May the Goddess bless you,” Leonard smiled while making the crimson moon gesture on his chest.

He watched Klein walk past the partition and listened to his footsteps descending the stairs. Leonard’s smile gradually faded.

“Thanks, old man.”

“If this is going to be my life now, I’ll start looking for a new host.”

He hadn’t even been asleep for half a day. Pallez wanted to scold him for not trying harder to distance himself from the relationship. He could only steal those feelings after Klein left and toss them onto someone random—he didn’t want the Goddess’s gaze to misunderstand his intentions and wipe them both out.

Leonard was exhausted after a training session. Luckily, one of his coworkers offered to play cards, and Leonard didn’t have to exert himself much more.

“I need to do something about this dream. It’d be terrible to fall asleep in the middle of a case. The only good thing is I’m more active at night, so it won’t affect upcoming missions.”

After buying some supplies—and an excess of coffee—Leonard took the carriage back. He remembered everything that was coming.

But without being able to really change anything.

This whole plot woven by Inze.

“How badly would things go if I took a step forward?”

Chapter Text

The days passed quickly for Klein.

Although he could justify it by simply getting used to the routine, Klein didn’t. He knew the reason, and without realizing it, his heart was eagerly awaiting Monday.

But part of him also wanted to delay that inevitable day. Benson and Melissa noticed he was a bit lost in thought, accepting the excuse of his new job position. They were worried that this new "position" might put him in danger due to its high salary.

During this time, his encounters with his colleague seemed to be the only thing worth mentioning. It appeared that the captain was conspiring against him by constantly pairing him with the poet for assignments.

Klein thought it was simply for the convenience of keeping him under surveillance, but Leonard was very lively. He would’ve been a good partner if they hadn’t started off on the wrong foot, and now, unlike with his other colleagues, Klein often resorted to sarcasm in conversations with Leonard.

Not to mention his behavior and the “poetic” aura around him made Klein question whether this colleague had a standard sexual orientation. Not that Klein minded — he wasn’t complaining either. Having a handsome colleague who was always so close, willing to teach him a few things, and who acted so casually around him — it indirectly lifted his spirits.

He was a very attractive person, after all.

His former colleagues would kill to have such a handsome supervisor.

It wasn’t hard to notice that Leonard behaved very differently around Klein. At first, Klein thought he just liked bothering the rookies. But could it really be something like that? Make no mistake — Leonard was annoying in a way that stirred something in Klein, giving him the impulse to knock him over the head for how shameless he could be. And he got on his nerves with his wild guesses about his case.

But he was undeniably intelligent and dedicated to his work. Klein felt that Leonard’s few tips helped him grasp the secrets of his path much faster.

He even dared to say that, at some point, Leonard had a colleague who walked the path of the Seer. But that had nothing to do with Klein, and he wouldn’t pry into his colleague’s secrets so blatantly.

At least during those moments, he forgot about Star. Maybe because of the relaxed posture both seemed to share, but they were very different.

Leonard was lethargic and often lost track of what was going on around him (which seemed like a symptom of some illness or losing control, but Klein said nothing in the end, as he still seemed sane). Star, on the other hand, though often lost in thought, was always aware of everything — no matter how much he tried to fake it.

Leonard and Star were the two headaches that tormented his life as Klein Moretti.

But unlike Leonard, who maintained a constant demeanor, Star was the most unpredictable factor. Star had a close relationship with the world of mist — with the ritual that brought him to this world.

But Klein was too weak. Even if Star seemed to have justified things with his own words, it didn’t erase the possibility that something could go wrong.

At least Star accepting his “memory loss” had convinced him enough to keep him. Now his "Tarot Club" had a real expert to back him up.

He had so many things to think about regarding those two this week. And. No. He wasn’t going to dwell now on Star’s overly intimate behavior.

And in the blink of an eye, it was Friday. That day, it rained heavily in Tingen. Inside the Blackthorn Security Company, Klein, Rozanne, and Bredt sat on the couch in the reception lounge enjoying their “office rations” worth seven pence. Klein wanted to save as much money as possible, and every penny counted.

That day, only Leonard was in the office as a Nightwatcher — and only because he was stationed at Chanis Gate.

But they received an unexpected visit from a desperate butler.

“Is this the former little mercenary squad?”

“You could say that,” Rozanne replied like clockwork.

The skinny man coughed and said, “I have a mission request.”

A mission request... You probably came to the wrong place... The sign of this security company is really just for show...

Klein immediately suppressed his urge to mock the visitor. How he wished he had a forum to share his thoughts.

But he soon remembered that he had asked a similar question himself. The Captain’s answer had been that they could take on jobs if they were free. The money earned could be used for the team’s petty cash fund and as bonuses for participants.

Rozanne’s eyes darted around as she thought for a moment before saying, “Our security staff are all out on assignments. The earliest they’ll return is in an hour. If your matter isn’t urgent, you may consider our services.”

The man declined. He was in too much of a hurry and simply left in the middle of the storm. Rozanne and Klein felt like a bag of money had just slipped from their hands. Rozanne even thought Klein could’ve taken the job — and let slip a problematic word. Luckily, no one besides them heard it.

Rozanne panicked, and her two colleagues just laughed as they put away the dishes.

Because of the rain, Klein couldn’t go out and stayed in the company reading newspapers. The news that most caught his eye was about how the suspect in his friends’ murder had been captured.

They labeled the suicide as a murder. More than for insurance, it seemed to be a way to preserve the Welch family’s prestige. He supposed that even in death, Welch’s father didn’t want his son to carry the stigma of suicide. That made Klein think about his own parents.

Klein was about to take a nap in the break room when there was a knock again at the reception room door. The butler seemed even more anxious now, more willing to wait the hour until the mercenaries returned.

Klein originally thought it strange that this man showed up at the Nightwatchers' base. But it was a coincidence that all the mercenary teams were out and unavailable.

All because of the Howes Street assault.

A standard chain reaction... Klein and Rozanne exchanged glances and saw the self-deprecating smile on each other's faces.

The security industry had entered a golden age. However, the Blackthorn Security Company remained unaffected. It was clear how poorly the company was managed.

Of course, to some extent, it also proved the success of the Nightwatchers in remaining hidden.

After waiting another twenty minutes, Klein got ready to leave since the rain was stopping. He planned to practice at the Shooting Club.

At that moment, Leonard Mitchell — with black hair and green eyes — emerged from the partition. He looked curiously at the butler, and a glimmer of recognition sparkled in his eyes. Klein reasonably assumed it was because of the money. Leonard’s relaxed and pretentious attitude didn’t bother the butler, Klee, as he called himself.

He recounted how his master’s son had been kidnapped that very morning and his need to use private means to ensure a safe rescue.

Leonard Mitchell smiled calmly.

“Seems like Lord Vickroy only wants us to find the kidnappers’ hideout. Otherwise, he wouldn’t think his only son is worth just a hundred pounds. A tobacco merchant with close ties to southern plantations wouldn’t offer only two hundred pounds.”

“No, Lord Vickroy is just an ordinary merchant. He doesn’t consider himself wealthy. Also, he believes the police would be more professional in rescuing his son,” Klee answered frankly.

“Understood. No problem.” Leonard snapped his fingers again.

His green eyes drifted past Rozanne, then settled on Klein, who was reading the newspaper across the room. A glint of amusement flickered in his gaze.

“My beautiful lady, please fetch me a contract template.”

Rozanne was surprised. First, because she didn’t know of any contract templates. And second, because she thought Leonard just wanted to embarrass her in front of a client — a continuation of their usual teasing. And while she had no regrets about what she said yesterday, she didn’t think Leonard needed to lie for something like that.

“Oh, please forgive her, she’s still new and not fully familiar. My dear colleague, could you kindly bring me the document I requested?”

Klein, suddenly dragged into the situation, could only bite the bullet and walk over under Rozanne’s fiery gaze. He retrieved a folder with contract templates from the file cabinet, picked the one he thought most appropriate, and brought it over.

All to save face for the company.

As far as he was concerned, Leonard had done it on purpose. He had seen Leonard drafting contracts before when they were both free — supposedly because he had nothing better to do. From Klein’s point of view, the contract looked quite professional.

When Klein was about to leave, Leonard grabbed his arm, nearly causing him to fall. Klein looked at Leonard with suspicion, but Leonard simply asked him to stay. His excuse?

Leonard introduced him as a good detective with unconventional methods.

The butler relaxed a bit knowing a detective would also be joining, and asked why the man hadn’t accepted the commission an hour earlier.

“He’s extremely weak.” The butler evaluated Klein’s thin and frail figure and nodded in agreement.

Klein was about to punch Leonard in the head but managed to calm down and kept smiling. They signed the contract, and an enraged Rozanne took the document to Madam Oriana.

“I’ll await good news,” Klee said as he stood, hat in hand, and bowed after receiving a copy of the contract.

Leonard didn’t reply but dismissed him with a smile and a wave.

Suddenly, he turned to Klein with a grin.

“Shall we go?”

“Huh?” Klein was surprised.

“I’m good at combat, shooting, climbing, tracking, and some support roles. But finding people isn’t one of them. You’re not expecting Old Neil to come out in this weather, are you?”

When he said tracking, his voice dropped to a whisper that Klein barely heard.

“All right.” Klein did have the urge to test his new abilities — and besides, it was a 100 libras reward. Even if they didn’t get the full amount, their cut would still be substantial.

Chapter Text

This was his first field mission with “Klein.”

He had deliberately postponed this encounter, rejecting more than one of the missions Dunn had reserved for Leonard to guide Klein.

Maybe Dunn’s demeanor had allowed him to deduce they would make a good team. Maybe he was right—he had known from the start that Klein would accept becoming a Beyonder. But Leonard was still barely getting used to having his “old colleague” back. His feelings were a “bizarre blend of emotions and sentiments” that gave Pallez constant headaches.

(Something he didn’t really have, since Pallez was still living as a parasite.)

Unfortunately for Pallez, he had to keep a close eye on Leonard at all times. It was as if his “protégé/grandson’s” intelligence suddenly plummeted whenever he looked at the Seer.

Leonard could only smile. Deep down, he wanted to scream or cry. Whenever his emotions began to overwhelm him—or when his “peculiar condition” surfaced—Pallez decisively took control of his body to make it seem as though the Midnight Poet was perfectly fine.

He didn’t want Leonard’s colleagues suddenly suspecting him of losing control and sending him for inspection. Not everyone would be as “oblivious” as Klein, who simply dismissed it as a peculiarity of the Path of Darkness.

Pallez could barely endure it.

“¡May someone have mercy on this old man!”

Leonard and Klein were chatting casually while the butler retrieved the missing child’s clothing. That kind of laid-back behavior made Klein misinterpret Leonard, who didn’t seem all that interested in the case at hand.

The rain outside made the warmth inside the carriage feel intimate. More than once, Klein found his gaze drawn to the poet’s exposed neck. Then he scolded Leonard in his mind, accusing him of dressing improperly. As if that justified his growing urge to button Leonard’s shirt.

Fortunately, before long, Butler Klee returned with a bag of belongings.

“These are the clothes Young Master Elliott wore yesterday. And this is the Storm Amulet he used to carry.” The butler began explaining the details of his master’s son’s disappearance. But neither Leonard nor Klein cared for such minutiae.

After boarding a private carriage, Leonard gave Klein a few tips on divination. Which, in Klein’s words, was completely ironic—since he was the Seer, and Leonard didn’t seem to need it at all. In the end, by using a dowsing rod, they located the child within thirty minutes.

When they arrived, Leonard immediately seemed to know it was the right place. But then he urged Klein to double-check, circling the building before heading out with visible excitement.

“For your first time, you’re not that bad.”

“I’m sure someone more experienced—like you—would do better even without me here.”

Leonard didn’t answer; he just gave him a conspiratorial smile. When they reached the kidnappers’ room, Klein couldn’t help but be drawn to Leonard’s poetry.

The aura of serenity around him intensified when he used his powers. Far more than what Klein had experienced with Dunn—and Dunn was a higher Sequence compared to Leonard. Klein felt that even if he wasn’t the target of the poetry, merely listening to it made it hard to stay on his feet.

Leonard noticed and caught him before he collapsed completely. He was genuinely surprised, and Klein wondered if it was because he was still too weak. Surely he couldn’t be the only one collapsing just from hearing Leonard’s poetry, right?

Klein was beginning to understand why Leonard worked alone.

Leonard surprised him again when he went to the stairwell and dragged out a man in a coat. In his words, “an accomplice in charge of delivering food.”

“Isn’t it a pleasant coincidence? That this accomplice showed up right after us. Saved us the trouble of finding him.” Leonard’s smile didn’t reach his eyes.

The door was smashed apart with a kick, but no one inside woke up. Klein didn’t sense or hear anyone come out to check the noise either.

Were they all asleep?

Klein began using Cogitation to free himself from the effects of Leonard’s poetry. But at that very moment, he felt déjà vu—a foul sensation creeping up behind him, as though he were being watched.

Something inside him stirred and gave a warning. The feeling grew stronger once he noticed it.

*If you don’t uncover it, you’ll regret it!* According to Captain Dunn, whenever déjà vu struck, it probably meant…

Suddenly, Klein shuddered and confirmed the sensation.

'Yes, that notebook! The Antigonus family notebook!'

“Leonard! I just got that déjà vu feeling. It must be the notebook—the Antigonus family notebook.” Klein struggled to keep the alarm out of his voice.

The pen in the man’s hand suddenly stopped writing. Then, driven by something else, it began resisting its user, scribbling things that could harm him.

Used to such rebellious behavior from the artifact, he regained control while staring at the notebook’s crossed-out sections.

“Where?” Leonard didn’t even know what expression he was making at that moment.

'This is wrong! Klein shouldn’t know so soon.'

His intuition told him Klein had sensed the shift in his emotions—and that his own reaction had been off.

“The room in front.”

Leonard had already finished tying up the kidnappers. The child was deeply asleep and showed no signs of waking.

If things had gone as expected, Klein wouldn’t have discovered that information until the next day. Should he fix it? All it would take was Pallez stealing a bit of information—but Klein wasn’t an ordinary Seer. He would realize something was off, and that would breed mistrust later on.

It would be good enough if Klein didn’t report his suspicious behavior. Leonard also had to consider the “writer” possessing the pen. A deliberate act like making Klein forget would make it clear Leonard had deeper motives.

He told Klein to fetch the patrol officers and the captain.

Once he was alone, he had time to reflect further.

“Things are changing. Almost like a real butterfly effect.”

“What will you do? You haven’t exactly been subtle in your approach to your colleague.”

“. . . I should try to keep my distance.”

That would be counterproductive, thought Pallez. Nor did he believe Leonard could keep his word about “keeping his distance.”

Leonard spoke to Pallez about the sudden surge of power. Even if it had lasted only seconds, his ability had influenced everyone in the building. That was dangerous.

A Beyonder who couldn’t control his powers endangered the entire team. Pallez mentioned similar cases—high-Sequence Beyonders who had been forced to descend in Sequence.

The simplest solution was to rise in Sequence until he recovered his “full state.” If he still couldn’t control his power, things would only get more complicated for both of them.

“The captain said the request will be answered tomorrow. I’ll be a Nightmare soon.”

“That’s for the best.”

“Don’t open that room. Contact some police patrols first. Ask them to report to the tobacco merchant. Then notify the captain to send a team for verification.”

Klein nodded, then rushed downstairs. He nearly tripped on the stairs when he saw a woman asleep at the door of her second-floor apartment. To avoid drawing more attention, Klein shut the door and, with the help of a few people, contacted the patrol officers.

He relayed the situation, then said he also had to inform his superior—but that one of his colleagues was already on-site.

Klein took a carriage, trusting Leonard would handle the rest.

“Your fate seems intertwined with the Antigonus family notebook. I never expected you to encounter it this way,” Dunn said as he prepared to depart.

Klein nodded, feeling there was something truly sinister about this “coincidence.” He decided he would follow the investigation closely.

'it was far too coincidental!'

When he returned with Captain Dunn and corpse collector Frye, Leonard was waiting at the apartment door. Klein noticed he looked somewhat nervous. Klein assumed it was the pressure of being left alone to guard the place, especially with such a powerful artifact involved.

“Is this the place?” Klein asked. Leonard nodded.

This time, Leonard opened the door more carefully. What lay inside didn’t surprise him, but something seemed to snap, and the stench inside made him gag.

There lay the corpse of an elderly woman.

Ray Bieber’s widowed mother—suspected of possessing the Antigonus Notebook.

Chapter Text

Leonard's really trying.

If he remembers correctly. When they were in Tingen, the number of times the two of them had been paired up on missions could be counted on one hand.

Did they talk a lot back then? Not really. Now their minds seemed to be on the same wavelength. And there was an innate familiarity in Leonard's actions, enough to make Klein relax around him. As if they'd been friends for a long time. It was strange. Leonard seemed like someone you could easily get along with, but he wasn't really.

The Nighthawks were his colleagues. The Red Gloves were his comrades. The Tarot Club was somewhere between the two. And although it pained him to admit it, Justice and Wizard weren't real friends.

In his entire life, Leonard had never had a friend.

Leaving out Klein, of course.

Was it fate? Leonard asked Will more than once.

The boy had looked at him as if he were stupid, before snorting and leaving.

The worst part? Leonard lost his only friend the day Klein arrived with a glass of beer and saying, "Leonard, let's get married!"

Leonard accepted. "Knowing" that deep down, Klein had only given him that chance because Leonard wanted nothing more. Therefore, Klein could find nothing else to give him as "compensation" for joining the tarot club and participating in its plans to save the earth.

Only after "that" day did he discover that the real reason was his corruption. Leonard shouldn't have deluded himself. He should have listened to Pallez's warnings.

Later, the poet realized his "mistake." He tried more than once, unsuccessfully, to get the god to "reconsider" before the wedding day.

"Do you doubt my feelings?" the god asked. The oppressive aura had almost destroyed his bones by that point.

Leonard said nothing, didn't even dare let out a moan of pain. But in his mind, he thought so.

Maybe it's Leonard's fault. For being so greedy.

"I must stay away."

Leonard is really trying! But the captain doesn't seem to think so! "Keep an eye on him," he said when he called him into his office a few days ago.

This is the third time this week that Klein and Leonard have been in the office together!

Oriana and Rozane are also there. But they're simply lightbulbs. Klein sits next to them in the living room. Leaving both women in the chair opposite, they discuss current political developments and high-society gossip.

Leonard making a mocking comment and Klein making a sarcastic remark to contradict him. It's so natural! More than once, the two women simply look at each other with a knowing smile and walk away, leaving them to talk alone.

During those moments, it's not unusual for Leonard to get carried away. Hours will pass, and more than once their shoulders bump and their hands touch. Leonard forgets that he's no longer married to Klein; they're now simply colleagues at the same church.

At some clever or astute remark from Klein, Leonard simply blushes, and the next second he acts as if everything is normal. He notices that, at times, the old man simply lets them be. Waiting for the feelings to accumulate like a package before withdrawing them all at once to save strength.

Klein has noticed this too. After all, Leonard has never been very good at hiding his feelings from Klein. The seer is also very clever. The poet always returns home embarrassed, his heart pounding, simply remembering the "false" married life they shared.

And the next day he appears as if nothing had happened. As if the day before they were simply friends and nothing more. Pallez warned him that if he continues like this, his colleagues might take action.

"It hurts." Leonard says it more than once. His body, being younger and of a lower sequence, overflows with humanity. His feelings are stronger and so difficult to deny. Even as an angel, the poet still maintained a humanity comparable to a first-sequence demigod. Which is why he could have been corrupted, and that corruption couldn't be removed without erasing his remaining humanity.

Which was odd. Strange. Leonard can't help but fall in love with Klein's human side. That cunning, sarcastic, stingy man who loves his siblings and enjoys sweet food. That man who, in the future, will sacrifice everything to save his home. Even if it's no longer the land he knows.

Why is this world so cruel to him?

At least Estrella has it easier. That part of him can deceive himself enough to not return as a tearful muffin. Because the aura of divinity of Sefira Castle is thick enough.

Reminding Leonard that he married a god. To the one he naively tried to teach about humanity. They've made some progress! But Leonard can no longer tell if that was true or just a memory implanted by the Fool.

Was it a lost cause from the start?

But. Leonard loves him.

That god may have corrupted Leonard's feelings, driving him mad. But the issue at hand was real. The Fool manipulated his memories.

Again. Leonard doesn't blame him.

His humanity is wreaking havoc. He's getting overly emotional, not just positive feelings. The negative ones are starting to proliferate, but before they can take root, Pallez dismisses them.

In general, anyone who receives those feelings will only feel them for a moment. The way a person suddenly feels sad and the next second forgets the reason.

A normal person's thought will be: I forgot because it's not important.

For that reason, Leonard never asked Pallez where those stolen feelings went. He had better things to worry about.

One of them was his promotion to Nightmare. The evaluator didn't ask much; after all, his promotion wasn't as far-fetched as Klein's. He also seemed to convince himself after seeing Leonard's "unique temperament."

The fortunate thing about his promotion was that the captain was able to give him two days to adjust. Days during which he slept late at home, traveling in the dream world and digesting his nightmare potion in record time.

Leonard knew "horror." It was easy to digest 15% of the potion in those two days. The side effects he had felt subsided slightly. Pallez called it "progress," and the poet felt happy.

For Leonard, an orphan, Pallez was like a father figure. He is the most important person to Leonard besides Klein. Devotion to his goddess is a completely different thing.

The time Klein spends in the office has also been reduced. "To further my acting, I have decided to join the Divination Club," he had said one afternoon, looking at him with appraising eyes, waiting for his reaction.

Leonard replied that he was happy for him. He didn't say he was secretly relieved, because that would mean it would be easier to avoid him.

Klein met his eyes. He searched for something, hiding a snort when he thought no one was looking. Leonard didn't know what he did wrong, so he gave him his slice of Desi cake as a peace offering.

The seer accepted, with an expression that said, "I'll take it, but it offends me greatly." Oriana and Rozane shared knowing glances for the fourth time in that last hour. Klein then brought up Old Neil and his use of ritualistic magic to settle a promissory note as a new topic of conversation.

Leonard's temper changed at the mention of Old Neil. "It was at his house. So it shouldn't be too late to save him." But that was a naive thought, and Leonard quickly saw the truth. Klein noticed it; to avoid worrying them, the poet left with the excuse of bringing more tea. There wouldn't be another mention of the subject soon.

So Monday arrived.

Both Leonard and Klein had the day off.

Leonard was at home waiting at three in the afternoon. A spirit controlled by Pallez was also diligently cleaning the house. On the table were a cup of vanilla tea and some literary manuscripts.

He initially joined the club as an excuse, finding something to do and talking to less familiar people. But he genuinely took an interest in the meetings. Leonard wasn't good at writing poetry as such.

Pallez's teasing followed him for a long time, as he failed miserably at creating poems to sacrifice to the Fool. At the time, Leonard didn't know why he had been given this mission.

But over time, he managed to publish some works. His poetic and literary studies were conducted under the observation of the Maga. Leonard learned a lot from her, although his poetry was passable. His narrative writing was somewhat notable.

His vocabulary and supernatural experience were also extensive, something Fors introduced him to "improve his poetry." But during his writing sessions, Leonard was used as a walking dictionary.

The club he joined wasn't that big. But they had a newspaper and collaborated with a printing press; it certainly wasn't that popular. Leonard thought a magazine would work better, but the members wrote about different topics.

There were only 22 members in the club. Mostly young college students and recent graduates trying to make a living. They were artists but lacked "business skills." They couldn't make much real money. One benefit was the extensive library; each member lent a copy of their work each time. Although it wasn't mandatory, it was a way to make themselves known.

The club was located on the third and fourth floors. The first and second floors were used as a library. Part of the club's profits came from people lending books for a fee. For that reason, this small club had survived.

It couldn't give them recognition from high society.

But it could provide a living. Although minimal, it was something to consider.

Leonard stood out when he offered to help the club owner run the newspaper. He didn't really do much, simply rearranging the newspaper and adding new sections. His son had recently decided to go to Blacklound to pursue his dream of starting a publishing house. His father had helped him with almost all his savings.

It was a small favor. But it earned him the owner's appreciation.

Chapter Text

At the agreed-upon time, Leonard appeared out of the gray mist. Sitting next to what would be the future seat of the World. Of course, he would be a puppet most of the time. That was for the best; sitting so close to the Fool wasn't a good idea.

"Congratulations, Miss Justice, you are now a Beyonder," Klein said.

"Thank you, Mr. Fool, and thank you, Mr. Hanged Man and Mr. Star."

Justice greeted the members familiarly, and Leonard simply nodded in response. His mind wandered to the Literature Club, which worked very well to distract him from thinking about Klein. He became completely lost in his own world, in an effort to ignore Klein.

When Roselle's diary pages were mentioned, all eyes shifted to him for a moment. Then they returned to their homework.

Hanged Man thought: The Star can't possibly provide Roselle's pages for a "deal." If this information were true, and considering that despite this "reluctance," the Fool allowed the Star to continue attending.

'Does the Fool know who the Star made a contract with?' The Hanged Man thought. 'Besides, the Star should have another kind of use within the meeting. As I thought, perhaps the journal pages are just a way to ensure active participation. The Fool already obtained some of the information he desired from the Star.'

Not that the Hanged Man was complaining; that was a good thing. He assumed the Star sequence should be that of a demigod or even an Angel. That's because of what the Fool said about the knowledge that he needed, at the very least, to be a demigod to listen to him. The Hanged Man, being a member of the Church of Storms, knew of the forbidden knowledge.

This time he has the opportunity to participate more and will not compete directly with the Star. Alger has ambitions to become more powerful, but he will not offend beings above him.

Upon completion of the scrolls. These appeared in the Fool's hand, and he read them with a relaxed posture. Estrella decided not to look at him for most of the meeting.

Even when the other two showed interest in the diary's information, or when Justice asked three questions and included him in the conversation, Estrella simply thought, "Don't look. Don't look. Don't look."

Justice was currently a kind girl; she had grown accustomed to Estrella's behavior and now treated him as someone trustworthy. She wasn't one to hold grudges, much less for something as small as mocking behavior.

Her first question was related to the performance and what it really meant. Hanged Man and Estrella remained silent. Hanged Man, because he wanted to hear what "the great existence" had to say. Estrella, because she knew the Fool needed to show off to gain Hanged Man and Justice's trust.

In exchange for that information, the Fool asked for more pages from Roselle's diary or about the Antigonus family. Behind the fog, the Fool wanted Estrella to participate. Even when thinking about the Seer path, the Fool was tempted to have a personal talk with him.

Estrella was generally cooperative, and he also seemed to think the original owner had amnesia. Even last time, he pointed out that they could be considered friends. Isn't it normal for friends to help each other?

"Just give me information about the Seer path. Preferably the later sequences, and I'll forget what you did at our first meeting."

Unfortunately, the Hanged Man spoke first. The Fool couldn't be picky either, so he gave him the floor.

"The Antigonus are an ancient family. Their history dates back to the Age of Calamity before the Fourth Age and is connected to the second Slate of Blasphemy."

The Hanged Man's speech focused on the Slate of Blasphemy and the Age of Calamity, as well as the family's fall at the hands of the Church of Eternal Night. She made it clear that she didn't know the exact way she fell and which Path they controlled.

Hearing that, Estrella chimed in with a single sentence.

"It's the path of the Seer."

The Fool froze in place for a few seconds before nodding. Hanged Man seemed to want to know more, but ultimately said nothing. Just as she thought, Justice was the only one who didn't know this information.

Justice smiled slightly and said, "Then I'll ask the second question: What is the name of the subsequent potion for the Beholder? Where can I find the clues?"

The Hanged Man also decided to answer. "I'll answer the question for free because I directed you to this path."

"The subsequent Sequence for the Spectator is Sequence 8, Telepath. The old name for Sequence 7 is Psychoanalyst, but it's now called Psychiatrist. This is what I learned from a member of the Alchemists of Psychology. I believe they should have several potion formulas for this path."

Hearing that The Hanged Man had cut off all leads, Justice was disheartened but focused his gaze on The Star.

The man seemed to think for a moment before answering.

"One hundred pounds."

Justice clutched her skirt while maintaining her composure, yet she smiled and accepted this transaction, carving it into her heart that the Hanged Man was undoubtedly much kinder. The Hanged Man and the Fool were speechless. The Star's attitude seemed to say, "Only money will make me talk." To avoid being left out, the Hanged Man seriously considered paying, but he wasn't very interested in the information. He also didn't have enough money.

The Fool was once again discouraged. "It's one hundred pounds. I could buy a lot of suits and lots of delicious food." If it weren't for the cover he has to maintain, he would actively participate. Fortunately, there's someone like Lady Justice at the meeting. Because otherwise, the Fool wouldn't know what to do.

Perhaps when he grows stronger, the castle will allow him to create a clone or something. There was no need to get discouraged so soon.

"You don't need to do anything, Lady Justice." Star leaned forward in her seat. "You're already a Spectator. As a noble, the more important your social position, the faster they'll seek you out."

"Does that mean?" Justice sat up straight, her hands trembling slightly. She thought for a moment about her acquaintances.

"If you're perceptive, you'll find them in high society circles. You know method acting; just pay attention to psychologists. Don't be naive and don't act too quickly. It would be a shame if you became a puppet overnight." Star's tone turned cold. "That's all I have to say."

"Thank you, Mr. Star. I'll deposit the hundred pounds at the address you mentioned last time."

The fog that enveloped them dissipated.

The third question unsettled everyone present. The Hanged Man's thought was, only the rich can give potions to animals. The Fool had a similar thought. He had spoken with Old Neil about the potion materials. And they weren't cheap!

The Star stifled a laugh. That only made Justice even more embarrassed.

Almost at the end of the meeting, the Fool asked for the three members' cooperation for a ritual.

Justice listened with interest and recorded the entire ritual process. When it was over, he asked, "What about the incantation, Mr. Fool? What is the corresponding incantation?"

Hanged Man also stopped writing with the fountain pen in his hand. He turned his head to look at the Fool.

"The Fool who does not belong to this age, the mysterious ruler over the gray mist; the King of Yellow and Black who wields good fortune..."

The Hanged Man, who knew and understood far more than Audrey, trembled from the bottom of his heart.

"The name of a god."

In the free exchange section. Star only vaguely commented on some changes in Backlund. By the time the meeting ended, only Star and the Fool remained.

Star let out a laugh. The tinkling of her voice carried around the room, and the Fool's heart suddenly leaped. She was frightening!

"Oh! That's so funny! Did you see the Hanged Man's face when he heard your honorific?!" Star clutched her stomach. The fog had dispersed, revealing the dark cloak covering her figure. "By the gods, Fool. You're still the same as always!"

Klein clearly didn't know. A part of him was relieved that Star didn't notice anything.

"Star. I want to trade with you."

"Sure. Is it because of your sequence?" Star said, wiping away a fake tear of laughter. He didn't ask for details. He seemed to have his own "plans" in mind. "If it were my past self, I would help you without hesitation. But this time, I won't make it so easy for you. We'll use the rules you established. I'll exchange one recipe for another of the same sequence, only when you really need it. It shouldn't be difficult for you with the Beyonder Characteristics Convergence Act working at full power."

"I understand." Estrella gave a small bow and left. The castle fell silent. Klein gasped. He had never regretted it so much in his life!

After a short walk, he returned to his room. Then he realized he hadn't known what the Beyonder Characteristics Convergence Act was.

"At least this time, nothing strange happened. I have information about the Seeing Path. If the members of the Secret Order come for the notebook, would I have a chance to find out the recipe for the next sequence potion?"

If it were possible. Klein didn't want to turn to Estrella. What would Estrella think if The Fool asked for the recipe for a lower sequence? At least in these meetings, he's deduced that Estrella can't find his whereabouts.

"Maybe. Does he think I always reside in the mist? Ahh. Why do I feel like an abandoned bride? Don't remember. Don't remember."

He recalled the contents of Emperor Roselle's diary, hoping to reinforce his memory through writing and avoid forgetting it in the future.

Klein reviewed the notes several times after finishing writing. Finally, she tore them up and burned them.