A demigod... Another demigod was about to emerge within the Tarot Club! Cattleya, who had joined the gathering last and still didn't know "The Tower's" true background, couldn't help but marvel inwardly. This was perhaps the true terror of a divine assembly where the deity could respond to prayers at any moment...
Because many difficulties and obstacles weren't problems at all for the seated members! They simply needed to pay a certain price for "equivalent exchange"!
Comparing this to herself—though not old by any means, just in her twenties—she had been a Sequence 5 and held the title "Admiral of the Stars" for nearly seven or eight years. Yet only in the past year or two had she felt confident enough to attempt breaking through the threshold to demigod status, beginning preparations that she'd considered remarkably fast by normal standards.
But now it seemed she might not even become the next demigod in the Tarot Club... Both "The World" and "The Judgment" could surpass her.
Derrick "The Sun" felt genuine joy. Though "Temperance" rarely spoke, her close relationship with "The World"—who had always helped him—naturally extended some of his gratitude to her as well.
Moreover, the grains and that peculiar "fermented skate" food "Temperance" provided last week had been tremendously helpful to Silver City!
Even if the latter's taste was... questionable, it remained uncontaminated, normal food. And truth be told, many hunters had actually grown fond of its peculiar flavor...
As his thoughts wandered, Derrick could only hope he too might soon become a demigod like her, and eventually become Silver City's light.
Alger "The Hanged Man" wasn't surprised by "Temperance's" pursuit of demigod status. Ever since she stopped inquiring about "demigod mummies" last gathering, he'd guessed she must have gathered all necessary materials and rituals.
Yet envy and frustration still churned within him. While she had swiftly completed her preparations, he'd possessed the "Ocean Songster" formula for some time without making any progress on materials or rituals...
This can't continue. At the very least, I must obtain the "complete vocal cords of a Siren." According to my intel, "Vice Admiral Twilight" once hunted a Siren and awarded this material to his subordinate commander—the 7,500-pound bounty "Harpy Eagle" Carol, a powerful "Wind Blessed."
I previously lacked confidence to confront her, waiting for the right opportunity... But passive waiting won't do anymore. I need to create my own chances...
Besides, with the Tarot Club's backing, I might not need to act personally. I could commission someone else—like "The World," who already knows my identity.
Stealing a glance at "The World" seated furthest below, Alger began calculating how to persuade him.
Audrey "The Justice" overflowed with happiness. As one of the Tarot Club's founding members, she genuinely wished for its growth. And if "Temperance" could succeed, why couldn't she someday too?
She then recalled "The Tower's" casual remark during her occult lessons: "Once you obtain divinity." This not only demonstrated his formidable confidence but also his faith in her and other members.
If "The Tower" believes in me so strongly, Audrey, you must believe in yourself too! She silently cheered herself on.
Emlyn "The Moon," however, felt somewhat deflated. Since morning, he'd eagerly anticipated this gathering to subtly flaunt his new Baron status—just as he'd done last night when encountering that annoying Aetris.
The mere thought of Aetris' shocked expression had brought him immense satisfaction.
Wait—even if "Temperance" becomes a demigod, that shouldn't stop me from showing off! I'll find a way to let them know I'm now the noble Baron... Emlyn resolved firmly.
Fors "The Magician" felt only mild envy at the news. After all, what did others' demigod ascensions matter to a mere "Trickmaster" like herself?
Ebner "The Tower" harbored concerns. With Klein currently just a Sequence 6 "Faceless," could he still sustain the Tarot Club once "Temperance" became a demigod?
Of course, given Klein and Sharon's current relationship, he might choose to come clean... But that could jeopardize "The Fool's" future rituals...
Some truths can be known but never spoken—which is why neither I nor the original novel's true deities and angels ever exposed Klein as "The Fool."
Still, in the original timeline, Miss Sharon obtained her demigod mummy in mid-June but didn't become a "Puppet" until late September—a ritual spanning over three months...
If she maintains that pace this time, it shouldn't pose problems. Klein will undoubtedly reach "Puppet Master" within three months.
As these thoughts flowed, Ebner calculated his own progress. If all went smoothly, his "acting" and rituals should conclude by April. Once that sea monster appeared and he successfully obtained its characteristics, his promotion might even precede Sharon's...
Though in the original work, after Klein reached Sequence 5, supporting two demigods in the Tarot Club likely wouldn't have strained his spirituality.
Meanwhile, "Mr. Fool" Klein—who Ebner was currently worrying about—wasn't considering such distant matters. He was using his spiritual vision to observe the Tarot Club members and noticed that aside from Sharon completing her ritual, both "The Sun" and "The Moon" had advanced—one becoming a "Solar High Priest," the other a "Potions Professor."
"Three members advancing or about to advance within just one week... Is this coincidence? Did they all just happen to take their potions this week? Statistically possible—last week's material requests from Sharon, 'The Moon,' and 'The Sun' support this—but it still shows how fast Tarot Club members progress. Otherwise, such timing would be improbable..."
Klein felt quite gratified. Over time, the Tarot Club had grown to rival elite church teams, a far cry from its humble beginnings with just "The Hanged Man" as its sole Beyonder.
As he reflected, "Justice" Audrey snapped back to attention and apologized to "Mr. Fool," explaining she hadn't contacted any "Psychological Alchemists" recently and thus had no Roselle diaries to offer. Similarly, "The Sun" Derrick had been occupied with matters, and Silver City's leadership hadn't organized new explorations, leaving him without fresh ancient mythology materials.
"Mr. Fool," Klein could only nod calmly in response.
Fortunately, "The Magician" Fors raised her hand: " Mr. Fool,' I've obtained a diary page."
She'd acquired it unexpectedly during her travels with the circus.
"Good. What would you like in exchange?" "Mr. Fool" transmitted the manifested parchment to his side and casually inquired.
"I'd like you to appraise an item... a box, to see what's special about it." Fors paused, then added, "I know one page isn't enough. I'll continue collecting more to pay for the appraisal."
Hearing this, Klein couldn't help glancing at "The Tower"—since Ebner had previously "offered" a box above the gray fog for examination... Klein already had results and planned to discuss them privately after the gathering.
Thus, "Mr. Fool" tapped the edge of the ancient bronze table and cautioned, "The secrets involved in that box aren't something you should know yet... I'll permit you to make another request."
Before Fors could respond, "The Hanged Man" Alger grew excited. "The Magician" hadn't described the box, yet "Mr. Fool" knew! Any item recognized and deemed dangerous by Him must be extraordinary—likely involving high-level secrets!
Meanwhile, "Justice" seemed to have guessed something, looking toward "The Tower"... Alger recalled "The Tower" mentioning last week he'd accompany "Justice" to explore the crystal cave in dreams... Did they invite "The Magician" and discover secrets there?
Alger couldn't restrain his speculations about deeper truths.
As for Audrey, she immediately thought of the "God Casket" mentioned by the suspected Queen of Calamity.
Given Fors' lazy nature, she probably wasn't investigating proactively... So was she asking on Ebner's behalf? It seems she doesn't know Ebner is "The Tower"... Is this some sort of... game between them?
Audrey's imagination ran wild momentarily.
"Judgment," Xio also looked at Ebner, silently questioning if Fors still possessed dangerous items. Only after seeing his understanding nod did she relax.
"The Magician" Fors, startled by "Mr. Fool's" warning, privately resolved to write Ebner immediately advising against further investigation, then requested this count toward future "contributions."
Observing the silent exchanges below, Klein had "The World" also glance at "The Tower"—since nominally, Ebner had asked "The World" Klein to divine the box...
Of course, this effort was wasted, as Ebner didn't even notice.
As Sharon would say: "The Tower' who only makes eye contact with ladies!" Klein mentally吐槽ed before picking up the diary page to read:
"September 22nd. Today, I had a frank father-son talk with Yaldabaoth—the demon I raised and personally ennobled as Duke..."
"Alright, I notice my translation-style writing is getting worse... Simply put, after advancing to 'Devil,' he finally answered my questions about his origins."
"He told me he's neither from the 'Abyss' nor a 'Cosmic Shadow' avatar as I'd guessed, but from the 'Shadow World'!"
"How strange. I only knew of the spirit world, underworld, astral world, and world of absolute reason... What's this 'Shadow World'? Why has no one mentioned it?"
"When I asked Yaldabaoth, he refused to answer, saying I'd learn in time..."
"When did he pick up Zaratul's bad habits? Do 'Devils' enjoy this too now?"
"...He then detailed his background... Essentially, his existence resembles the Seven Pure Lights of the spirit world, just relying on different foundations..."
"The reason he lacks their near-divine level is because his foundation is currently sealed... One of his missions is finding vulnerabilities in these seals, allowing what he relies upon to gain advantages."
(End of Chapter)