Moreover, the umbilical cord blood of "Little Snake" Will should be of higher quality than that of the "God of Luck," making it even more beneficial for Cattleya.
As Ebner's thoughts wandered, "Hanged Man" Alger once again asked about the Obnis Sea Monster required for the Ocean Songster advancement ritual.
Unfortunately, he still didn't receive a satisfactory answer—only the ever-active "Hermit" Cattleya said she would make inquiries on his behalf.
After this, "Moon" Emlyn—who in the original events should have commissioned a search for "Primordial Moon" believers at this point—remained silent.
Ebner wasn't surprised. After all, the "Goddess of Beauty" had already seized the "Primordial Moon"'s Goddess of Beauty characteristic during the first phase of the "Silver Moon Project." Most of the remaining believers below the demigod level had already been brainwashed by Lilith's authority, their worldviews forcibly twisted…
Thus, the "trial" originally prepared for young vampires, born from the schism of the School of Life, naturally no longer existed.
As for the demigod-level "Primordial Moon" believers who weren't fully influenced by Lilith, they were naturally hunted down by vampire counts and above.
—Helen and Karen had been busy with such matters recently… Although they were clergy of the "Earth Mother" Church, they were also members of the vampire race.
Seeing that the others had completed their transactions, Ebner finally voiced his request:
"I need 10 grams of Astral Light Dust."
This was one of the supplementary materials for the Insight potion—and the only auxiliary ingredient Ebner lacked. He could manage the others on his own.
After speaking, he focused his attention on "Hermit" Cattleya.
Cattleya, as a Sequence 5 Constellations Master of the Mystery Pryer pathway, could obtain small amounts of Astral Light Dust from the Astral Plane each day.
Signature abilities such as "Bridge of Starlight," "Starlight Leap," and "Starlight Cage" all required Astral Light Dust to cast.
"Astral Light Dust is difficult to gather. It'll take me at least two weeks to save up 10 grams… and during that time, I wouldn't be able to use them in battle…" Cattleya first emphasized the difficulty, then asked: "What will you give in exchange?"
"Gold and jewelry worth 2,000 pounds. How about that?" Ebner readily offered the batch of trinkets he'd taken from the God of Luck's ruins—the very ones Roselle had dismissed.
"Deal." Cattleya nodded briskly. Exchanging two weeks' effort for 2,000 pounds of precious metals and jewels was fair.
Besides, while she hadn't lied about Astral Light Dust, she always kept a private stockpile of such casting materials. Giving away 10 grams wouldn't truly affect her.
With this transaction done, no one else spoke.
Mr. Fool Klein chuckled and announced:
"Let us enter the free exchange session."
At once, "Justice" Audrey, "Hanged Man" Alger, "Judgment" Xio, and "Hermit" Cattleya all turned their eyes toward "Sun" Derrick.
They remembered that "Sun" had previously mentioned being assigned an exploration task near the Giant King's Court.
At the center of attention, "Sun" Derrick didn't shrink back. He recounted all his experiences in Afternoon Town, accompanied by Mr. Fool's conjured projections.
The gate between myth and reality, the gray, dead landscape, the ruins of the fallen flying city, the altar with the names Ouroboros, Medici, and Sasriel, the eerie horror of "Nightmare" Afternoon Town, mentions of "Rose of Redemption" and "Dark Angel," Mr. Fool's salvation, and the reliability of the Chief—all of it was vividly presented before the Tarot Club members.
He stopped abruptly only when describing the half-collapsed church. His mouth opened slightly, but he glanced at "Tower" beside him, then up at the Fool at the head of the table, unsure if he should continue.
"Justice" and the others noticed this pause and felt puzzled, assuming the rest had to do with Tower's help.
But on this matter, Ebner and Klein had already established an unspoken understanding. Both simultaneously cast Derrick encouraging looks.
Seeing this, "Sun" Derrick continued. He described how Tower suddenly descended to save his companions in Silver City, then the priests' strange words inside the church—the sudden blank in memory, and the self-destruction when they were about to say the fourth Angel King's name, burning to ash in transparent flames.
Another Angel King's name! And Afternoon Town really does sound gloomy and terrifying. The priests' confessions had such a… prophetic doomsayer feeling… Audrey listened with fascination, extremely curious about the blank space and the unspeakable names.
At the same time, she was astonished that Tower could enter the Forsaken Land of the Gods, though not surprised—after all, Derrick had said Tower claimed to be on a mission there.
And since Mr. Fool allowed "Sun" to join the gathering, it seemed reasonable that he could send Tarot members there as well…
I really want to know what mission Tower was helping Mr. Fool with… But judging by his expression, he doesn't want to say… Audrey almost wanted to offer money for the secret. But she quickly remembered that Tower—Ebner—had once spent three million gold pounds to buy a hereditary viscountcy. He probably wouldn't care for her pocket money anymore.
Has Mr. Fool's recovery progressed further? Can he already send Tarot members into the Forsaken Land? The same thought occurred to both "Hanged Man" and "Hermit." But since even the favored "Justice" hadn't asked, they too suppressed their curiosity, only watching "Sun" and "Tower," hoping for more clues.
But Derrick, too, stared intently at Ebner. He hadn't had time in Afternoon Town, but now he desperately wanted to know how Tower entered and left his cursed homeland.
Ebner understood his thoughts. After a pause, he shook his head:
"That passage isn't suitable for you. Aside from me and one or two special demigods, only angel-level beings can use it to reach the Forsaken Land… And I've already closed it after returning."
"I see…" Derrick looked disappointed, but accepted it. Still, he lifted his head to ask the Fool with some worry:
"Mr. Fool, is the key to leaving the Forsaken Land truly in the Giant King's Court?"
Klein's smile froze. He suspected so as well, but had no confirmation.
So, keeping with his habit of indirect answers, Klein simply mentioned that Bernadette already knew how to enter the Forsaken Land—leaving the details for others to speculate.
As Klein expected, the topic quickly shifted to Cattleya's sharing of her exploration in the Sea of Divine Battle Relics, which relieved him greatly.
But just as Klein, through "World," concluded with Bernadette's judgment that the Fountain of Youth was a scam, Derrick suddenly recalled the priests' unfinished words in the church. He turned once more toward the head of the table and asked piously:
"Mr. Fool, who tempted the 'Dark Angel' Sasriel? And who was the fourth name? Why can't it be spoken?"
Klein's smile stiffened again.
Fortunately, "Magician" never performed unprepared. As his thoughts raced, Klein noticed the colors of Ebner's emotions were full of amusement. Without hesitation, he switched to contingency plan number two. With an easy smile, he turned his head toward Tower:
"This question, Tower understands best."
After all, the Rose of Redemption might even contain his old flame!
As his words fell, Ebner—who had been enjoying the spectacle—suddenly felt several gazes converge on him.
Prepared for this, Ebner curved his lips into a smile and countered:
"I do know what the blank space and the unspeakable names are… But do you truly wish to hear them?
"Or rather—are you ready for the inevitable 'fate deviation' that will follow upon knowing this secret?"
His words made everyone tense, none daring to answer lightly. Only Little Sun, his face resolute, nodded firmly and declared:
"I want to know!"
Ebner swept his gaze around, quickly noting most were hesitant. Aside from Sun, only "Magician" Fors was firm in her choice—her thoughts were obvious even without mind reading: This sort of thing is too troublesome; better not to know.
After waiting a few seconds and seeing no other response, Ebner smiled at Derrick:
"Let's speak privately."
He then requested Mr. Fool to shield the others' senses.
Moments later, when the private conversation ended, the others saw Derrick's face full of shock. Yet he still sincerely thanked Tower:
"Thank you very much for your explanation, Mr. Tower… And the 'incantation' you taught me, I'll remember it and recite it when in utter despair."
What the others didn't know was that Mr. Fool was actually even more shocked than Sun. Klein recalled what the Red Angel had once revealed: 'Some beings you could never imagine were once members of the Rose of Redemption.'
I truly never imagined… even They were included!
If not for Liu Bo being the "God of Luck," this secret might have been lost forever in history.
Thankfully, only Sun had heard it. Otherwise, they might truly have been in danger upon returning to reality.
After all, the subconscious oceans of intelligent beings were interconnected… Those names themselves carried power, resonating even in the subconscious sea… Who knew what might be drawn by them!
Thinking of this, Klein glanced at "Justice" and "Hermit," who looked tempted yet hesitant. He had the Fool tap the bronze table and said:
"There is only one chance. Missing it is also a choice of fate."
A choice of fate? Cattleya pondered the phrase with deep thought.
What a glib tongue… but it aligns with my own acting philosophy of letting others choose the direction of fate's deviations… Truly a beacon of destiny! Ebner silently mocked.
So… though I don't know the exact names, judging from Tower's attitude, I can guess roughly who they are… After all, only true gods have names with such power. Alger exhaled. He had already pieced together some speculation from Derrick's earlier account—just lacking confirmation.
To think it would be like this… I'm still not decisive enough… Audrey reflected in disappointment. She almost pouted but quickly realized she was no longer a little girl. She had to take responsibility for her choices. Suppressing her frustration, she looked across at Tower and requested a private talk.
As Mr. Fool tapped the table, Audrey carefully said:
"The Psychology Alchemists' team will arrive at Kabas Town tomorrow morning to conduct an exploration."
"Tomorrow morning?" Ebner nodded and replied with a smile: "You've worked hard. If that truly is where the Queen of Calamity is hiding, I'll keep my promise and take you to the true City of Miracles."
If we find Cohinem, I'll take you to the Hall of Honesty and let you socially die on the spot.
Sitting at the head of the table, Klein silently "translated" Ebner's words.
(End of Chapter)