Shadow World? What is this?Is
the world similar to the spirit world? Yet I've never encountered this name in any mysticism book...
Klein, reading the diary's contents, found himself echoing Roselle's same questions.
Similar in form to the Seven Pure Lights of the spirit world... But I don't actually understand the essence of the Seven Lights... Only know they formed an organization called the "Pure Light Brotherhood"...
This feels like "listening to a speech only to hear another speech"!
After mentally complaintsing a few lines, Klein flipped the parchment over to read the reverse side... Unfortunately, this side's date wasn't consecutive with the previous entry, and its content was completely unrelated—filled entirely with "in-depth exchanges" with certain wives and daughters...
The only noteworthy point was that these ladies were all family members of clergy from the "Church of the Eternal Blazing Sun."
Roselle concluded with sigh: Some members of the "Church of the Eternal Blazing Sun" devote themselves wholly to their deity, paying almost no attention to their families and completely indifferent to his "comforting" of their kin... Even in liberal Intis, this stands out as unique.
He then emphasized how another faction of clergy was entirely different—while equally devout to the "Eternal Blazing Sun," they retained their individuality, displaying more "humanity"...
Even more bizarrely, these two groups coexisted harmoniously without apparent conflict.
This sounds like fanatics coexisting with casual believers... Harmonious relations... Could the "Eternal Blazing Sun's" followers just be exceptionally tolerant?
After brief fruitless contemplation, Klein stopped overthinking. Leaning back, he made the parchment vanish with a smile:
"You may begin."
The moment he spoke, Derrick turned toward the table's end:
"Apologies, 'World' sir. The two methods I found in Silver City for separating spiritual corruption from Beyonder characteristics both overlap with what you previously mentioned..."
"Additionally, the Chief informed me that if you don't object, Silver City could assist by praying to one of our two powerful sealed artifacts, using its feedback to pulverize the characteristics and evaporate the corruption."
Must you state it so directly... "Mr. Fool" Klein at the table's head nearly froze.
Though little "Sun" had already revealed this through past pledges to "Justice" and "The Hanged Man," wasn't "The Hermit" a recent addition? Suppressing the urge to facepalm, Klein analyzed: The repetition implies Silver City also uses either "Error" pathway artifacts to steal corruption or angelic-tier power to destroy characteristics... "Sun's" latter comment confirms this.
But my "All-Black Eye's" corruption isn't from ordinary Beyonders—it originates from the evil god "True Creator." Otherwise, I'd have long used the "Error Card" to extract it...
As for the second method, even if I could secure an angel's help, none would risk "True Creator's" contamination to assist me.
Regarding Silver City's offer... Letting "True Creator's" corruption manifest there would be suicidal! They likely couldn't bear the consequences!
Seems I'll still need to purchase a "Error" pathway artifact to bear the corruption... Hmm, I recall Leonard attended the "Hermits of Fate." Maybe he could procure one for me.
As Klein pondered, both "The Hanged Man" Alger and "The Hermit" Cattleya grew interested in "The Sun's" methods. The latter offered an alternative "Unshadowed" purification technique in exchange. When Alger questioned further, young Derrick replied with startling sincerity:
"'Hanged Man' sir, no payment needed. You've consistently advised and helped me through difficulties—consider this my gratitude."
For a moment, the seasoned Alger was speechless. Years of maritime survival had shaped his worldview into varying shades of gray, yet now he felt an uncharacteristic pang of guilt.
Swiftly discarding the sentiment, he praised "The Sun's" virtue instead—encouraging its continuation... the better to cultivate future benefits...
"The World" shot Alger a glance, sighing inwardly at his veteran cunning. Hopefully this incident makes "The Hanged Man" slightly more virtuous... Not that he's truly malicious.
Joining the praise while politely declining Derrick's offer, Klein noticed the lad's disappointment. Derrick dearly wished to repay his three benefactors ("Tower," "Hanged Man," and "World"). Having already helped "Tower" obtain the "Cogwheel Tome" and shared knowledge with "Hanged Man," only "World" remained unreciprocated.
As this matter concluded, "The Magician" Fors raised her hand toward Alger:
"I've obtained leads on a 'Three-Eyed Thunderbird.' A friend will assist in hunting it—if successful, we'll acquire the materials by Tuesday or Wednesday."
Fors has Thunderbird intel? From her travels? And this "friend" surely means me? Ebner instantly deduced her plan.
Alger, meanwhile, froze. Having just resolved to commission "The World" against "Vice Admiral Twilight's" subordinate, he suddenly had intel on another main material he needed.
But my current funds only suffice for one approach...
After nearly half a minute of deliberation, Alger addressed "The Magician" earnestly: "Miss, might you retain the 'Three-Eyed Thunderbird' materials for a few weeks after the hunt? I'll require time to raise funds."
"I'm willing to pay a premium—how does 7,000 pounds sound?"
Fors, having recently witnessed numerous stock transactions worth tens of thousands or even hundreds of thousands of ferres alongside Ebner, had grown somewhat numb to monetary figures. She agreed absentmindedly.
Only after hearing Alger's grateful praises did the magnitude of 7,000 pounds truly register, sending waves of excitement through her.
Even after deducting the standard 70% "commission fee" for Ebner per mercenary guild conventions, she'd still net 2,000 pounds!
With this transaction settled, Alger immediately requested a private audience with "The World." When their isolated discussion concluded and others' senses were restored, all noticed the meaningful glance exchanged between the two, signaling some agreement.
Thereafter, Emlyn remained silent—his bank drafts, depleted after purchasing the Vampire Baron's inheritance and new puppets with their elaborate costumes, couldn't cover Viscount-level materials.
Derrick had already redeemed all his accumulated Silver City merits and awaited patrol or exploration assignments. Freshly promoted and still deciphering acting guidelines, he felt no urgency to acquire the "Notary" formula.
Neither Fors nor Audrey sought higher-sequence formulas either—both had alternative acquisition channels requiring no secrecy, making additional Tarot Club expenditures unnecessary. (Audrey's financial nonchalance stemmed from privilege, not foolishness.)
Cattleya continued observing quietly, unwilling to prematurely reveal her needs.
After a prolonged silence, the gathering naturally transitioned to free discussion.
With "The Tower's" consent, Audrey first shared her dream adventure—omitting most of the crystal cave lady's dialogue while detailing her reaction to the "Book of Calamity," casually inquiring about her possible real-world whereabouts.
Cattleya studied the eloquently speaking "Justice," noting how every garment and accessory differed from last time yet uniformly exuded luxurious refinement.
For a fleeting moment, she envisioned portraits of a certain queen in her youth—each depicting entirely distinct ensembles where no outfit ever graced formal occasions twice.
After a pause, Cattleya advised: "Investigate local folklore or myths... If possible, review unsolved case files from extraordinary squads."
How similar to "The Tower's" suggestion... "The Hermit" is clearly erudite too! Audrey nodded thoughtfully in gratitude.
Following "The World's" brief account of the "Celestial Sect" incident at Bayam's Governor's Residence, Alger manifested an abstract portrait: "Does anyone recognize this individual?"
"Justice," "The Magician," even "The World" appeared utterly baffled.
Only Xio broke the silence after several seconds: "That's from a bounty hunters' tavern bartender's sketch..."
Alger instantly deduced her methods from Xio's tone, reconstructing the backstory before self-deprecatingly lamenting his excessive efforts in tracking this insignificant figure.
The others grew more perplexed by their cryptic exchange.
Ebner—who knew Xio best—gleaned partial truths and smiled knowingly, only to be met with her flustered glare.
Later, Emlyn seized the chance to flaunt his new status while inquiring whether Vampires needed acting methods for "Potions Professor," receiving joint clarification from "The Tower" and "The Hermit" that beyond Sequence 7 "Vampire," all subsequent sequences required acting.
As discussions wound down, Audrey turned toward the table's head:
"'Mr. Fool,' the second round of civil service examinations concluded today—only interviews remain."
Her buoyant tone resembled an exemplary student reporting grades to parents.
The second phase ended? I wonder if Benson passed... And whether he'll interview...
Having already acquired all "Savant" materials from the Fragrant Citrus Leaf Tavern's gathering, I'll give Melissa her gifts soon—properly introducing her to mysticism. According to Sharon, she's learned much from Miss Hazel and Xio. At Sequence 9, risks should be minimal.
Leaning back, Klein nodded approvingly: "Splendid."
After final exchanges, the gathering concluded. As figures faded, only "The Tower" and "The World" remained.
They bowed to "Mr. Fool" until his presence dissipated from the ancient palace. Then Klein produced a notebook, handing it gravely to Ebner:
"Review this first...
"It documents an exceptionally peculiar experiment."
(End of Chapter)