"Lamia's adopted son… I recall you once mentioned that Lamia is an avatar of the Earth Mother, and that in one of your past lives as Giuseppe Castilla, you had been… involved with her. Hm, doesn't that mean Frank is your son?" Klein looked astonished, then suddenly enlightened. "No wonder Frank is so unusual… As the child of the Earth Mother and you, it'd be stranger if he weren't special!"
But then he remembered Frank's solid frame and dense body hair. No matter how he looked at it, Frank didn't resemble the pampered "pretty boy" type at all.
Since Klein hadn't used his Clown abilities to control his expression, nor hidden behind the gray fog, Ebner easily discerned his thoughts. His face darkened as he emphasized:
"He's Lamia's and my adopted son. Lamia has certain… problems with her body, making her unable to bear children, so she adopted him after his parents abandoned him."
"But isn't that odd? The Earth Mother is a true deity who holds authority over 'Fertility.' How could one of Her avatars possibly be unable to give birth?" Klein asked suspiciously, pointing out the inconsistency.
I've doubted that too… But Giuseppe never thought deeply about it, since he didn't realize she was Lilith's avatar… Ebner sighed inwardly, once again criticizing his own past self's negligence.
"In any case, I really don't know Frank's true circumstances… But the fact that the Earth Mother chose him as her adopted son clearly isn't mere coincidence." Ebner spoke with careful deliberation.
"Aren't you going to ask about it? After all, Frank is your son in name, isn't he?" Klein teased with a grin.
Not long after Lamia adopted Frank, 'I' ran off to the 'Ghost Empire' to get myself killed. I had no bond with the child at all… Besides, if Lilith wanted me to know, She would have mentioned it the last time we met. Ebner muttered silently.
Still, he decided he would ask about it at the Harvest Church. And if possible, perhaps even visit the Future to meet the "child" from his memories.
Heh, the 'Mushroom Lord' as my adopted son… that's actually kind of amusing. Though honestly, across all my lives, I've probably had more than a few "cheap sons" like this… say, the God of Combat, for example!
While Ebner mocked himself, Klein saw that he was already intent on investigating and chose not to pry further. After all, this was Ebner's "family matter," not something an "outsider" should meddle in.
After that, the two exchanged some experiences and intelligence until Magician's request to sacrifice "Lemano's Travel Notes" arrived. Only then did Klein end the meeting, nodding slightly:
"That will be all for today."
"Alright." Ebner first nodded, then seemed to recall something and added:
"Right, I have one more favor to ask you."
"What is it?" Klein asked evenly.
Requests from Mr. Tower were never trivial. The matters involved often hid great weight.
Ebner manifested a slip of paper and handed it over with a smile.
"Nothing troublesome… I recall you have a golden leaf that can summon Yaloran's messenger, correct?
"My request is simple: just write a letter to her with the summoning method of my 'Demon Wolf Messenger' recorded on this paper.
"Heh, she had commissioned you to find me before. This way, you're also helping to complete her task—you might even gain some benefit.
"But since I'm asking you for help, I can't offer nothing in return…"
His eyes gleamed mischievously as he continued:
"How about this—I'll give you a free prophecy.
"Hm, done! The prophecy is: if you follow Anderson, you'll be able to purchase a powerful mystical weapon."
Hearing that the request was nothing more than writing a letter, Klein secretly felt relieved. He didn't even bother to question the prophecy and answered with feigned nonchalance:
"No problem."
But when Tower's figure faded from the ancient hall, dissolving into a cluster of crimson stars, Klein immediately conjured parchment and a fountain pen, writing a divination statement:
"Writing a letter to Lady Yaloran is dangerous."
Then he removed the pendulum hidden in his cuff, calmed himself, and silently recited the statement seven times before beginning the divination.
When he opened his eyes, the yellow crystal pendant was swinging counterclockwise.
"That means no… no danger!" Klein finally relaxed. He returned to The Fool's seat and began dealing with the backlog of "work" from the mini-gathering.
First, he accepted Magician Fors and Sun Derrick's offerings, storing "Lemano's Travel Notes" and several boxes of mystical materials above the gray fog.
Then he picked up the small, copper-green notebook with a hard cover, leafed through a few pages, and pondered.
Though he had promised Magician he'd help her record an ability related to "Theft," this book was first being lent to Little Sun for use in the Land Forsaken by God. So he might as well add abilities more useful for Derrick first, and after the three-day rental period, fulfill Fors' request.
With that thought, Klein flipped to a yellowed page, then summoned the Sea God's Scepter from the junk pile into his hand.
He infused a portion of spirituality into Lemano's notebook, causing it to glow faintly, while the blue-green gems atop the bone staff burst into bright light one by one.
Crackling! Silver-white lightning appeared out of thin air, thick and ferocious, interweaving into a storm.
Meanwhile, on the yellowed page, complex symbols and marks were quickly etched, overlapping, fusing, and gradually forming.
Soon, the page was dyed in silver-white.
"Lightning Storm," a demigod ability of the Sailor pathway, had been recorded!
So lucky? It actually worked on the first try! Klein couldn't believe it. He had never trusted his luck. The sudden success made him wary.
But this is above the gray fog. Even if something strange is at play, it's unlikely to interfere here… Could it be that since advancing to Sequence 5, my honorable name 'The Yellow-Black King Who Masters Fortune' is actually working?
With that thought, Klein began recording other mid- and low-sequence abilities.
Moments later, after twelve consecutive failures, Klein sighed silently.
As expected, this is my real level… The earlier success must have been an accident.
Without dwelling, Klein "bestowed" the notebook and the materials to Derrick and Fors. Then he turned to handle Ebner and Cattleya's sacrifices.
—Earlier in the Tarot meeting, Mr. Tower had exchanged 2000 pounds worth of gold and jewels with Hermit for 10 grams of Astral Dust. And he had also purchased the "Admiral of Hell" for 15,000 fels from her using a bank note.
After all this, Klein examined the scroll containing Ludwell's marionette and marveled at Cattleya's generosity.
With the scroll, carrying the marionette was so much easier! Truly, children only grow after being disciplined…
It was just a pity the scroll had limited uses. For now, it could only store and release the "Admiral of Hell" four more times.
After wasting one use to "test the goods," Klein was satisfied, then put it away, planning to disguise Ludwell in the real world to avoid recognition.
After finishing all the "work," Klein finally remembered Ebner's parting prophecy. His expression grew odd as he thought:
"Anderson is so unlucky… yet following him could actually lead me to a good deal, to buy a powerful weapon?
"Hm… Though my Phoenix Revolver is strong, its functions overlap somewhat with the Admiral of Hell. It's not well suited for the marionette to use.
"Maybe… I should trust Liu Bo's prophecy?"
Pensive, Klein performed another divination. The result also showed no danger. That settled his mind.
He then clasped his hands in a prayer-like posture, pretending to pray to Mr. Fool. A few moments later, he mimicked The Fool's tone and responded to himself.
Ten seconds later, Sharon's figure appeared once more above the gray fog.
Thus began Klein's second round of the mini-gathering.
…
On the Future,Hermit Cattleya glanced at the offerings on the altar. She ignored the gold and jewels, but picked up the bank note stamped with the seal of Suhit Bank.
Her violet eyes shimmered mysteriously. Half a minute later, she removed her heavy glasses, then put them back on.
"So… this is the parting gift I once refused.
"You're compensating me?
"But I don't need such compensation…"
Murmuring, half to herself, half to someone unseen, Cattleya eventually calmed down. She went to her desk and began writing a letter to the Queen Mystic, reporting Mr. Fool's decision.
…
In Backlund's North Borough, inside a modest villa—
Dunn Smith sat on the sofa, newspaper in hand. From time to time, he looked toward his wife, Madam Daly, whose belly had just begun to show, as she instructed the maids. He quietly savored this rare peace and happiness.
In such a warm atmosphere, Dunn unknowingly dozed off.
Yes—the former Nightmare, now a Soul Assurer, had fallen asleep again.
Realizing this quickly, Madam Daly's expression grew serious. She decisively dismissed the maid, sending her far away, then without hesitation activated a "Dream Charm," diving into Dunn's subconscious.
She soon saw a figure standing before Dunn, conversing with him.
It was a woman dressed in a simple linen robe, patched in places, a bark-like rope around her waist. Her long black hair flowed freely, her bare feet covered in dust and scars.
Her features were plain, her dark eyes no different from an ordinary person's. Yet simply looking at her filled the heart with peace. Even shock or wariness could not disturb it.
The woman noticed Daly's arrival, beckoned her closer, and said gently:
"I'm sorry to have worried you.
"I have brought you the Goddess' task. But it seems your husband doesn't wish for you to take part, which delayed things a little."