The Fool?
Selina remembered the divination cards that she used to conduct during her college years. Occasional events would sometimes force her to attend as a seer.
This resulted in her encounter with tarot cards, her only usable divination method, which she still kept a deck in her dorm's closet as a keepsake.
According to the previous Selina's general knowledge, these cards were introduced by Roselle Gustav before his death at the White Maple Palace.
Roselle... My suspicion of you are getting stronger and stronger. Selina mumbled internally, before dismissing the thought momentarily.
Retracting her attention to the presence of the gray-fog. Selina felt its eerily similarity to when she first attempted her 'return' prayer.
Her eyes were once closed, summoning every bit of hope in returning to her world, her surroundings took a heavy turn, as if a mist was forming in every inch of the room, shrouding her, before dispersing at the end.
Could this 'Fool' person... Be the one responsible for my transmigration? Selina's hands clenched each other, as they rest onto her thighs.
After a few seconds of silence, Audrey stood up, held up her skirt slightly and bent her knees, curtseying to the man addressing himself as Fool.
"Honorable Mr. Fool, would you please permit me to take the liberty of requesting you to be the witness of our trade?"
"It's nothing." The Fool replied languidly.
"It's our honor, Mr. Fool." Alger stood up as well. He bent his back slightly with his right palm over his chest.
In response, Selina stood as well, following Alger's courtesy. She pulled both sides of her dress and the ends of her hands, lifting them slightly, mirroring the blonde woman unhurriedly.
Mr. Fool lowered his right palm and smiled, visible enough to be made from the dense fog.
"Continue, all of you."
Alger nodded and sat back down before looking at Audrey.
"If you can obtain the Ghost Shark's blood, get someone to send it to the Warrior & Sea Bar at Pelican Street, in the White Rose Borough of Pritz Harbor. Tell the boss, Williams, that it's what the 'Captain' wants.
"Once I acknowledge the receipt, will you be giving me an address to mail the potion formula to or do you want me to tell it to you here directly?"
Audrey thought for a moment before saying with a smile, "I will choose the more secure method. Let's do it here, although it's a test of my memory."
Since Mr. Fool had agreed to bear witness for their trade, it should hint that further gatherings will be held in the future...
I should still have a chance to inquire Him of the existences of transmigrators... Let's observe for now, how things would escalate... Without realizing it, Selina have referred to the man seated at the Seat of Honor a common noun addressed to the gods.
While Audrey have also thought the case.
With this in mind, she suddenly turned her head as she looked at the enigmatic 'Mr. Fool' with sparkling eyes. With a tone of interest, she suggested, "Mr. Fool, would you mind making a few more 'attempts' like this?
Alger listened to her suggestion calmly, he was tempted by the suggestion as well. He hurriedly echoed, "Mr. Fool, don't you find such 'Gatherings' interesting? Although your powers exceed our imaginations, there has to be certain domains that you don't understand or excel in. The person next to the lady opposite me is obviously of lofty stature, perhaps also the lady beside her. I also have my unique set of experiences, insights, mediums, and resources. Perhaps there will come a day when both of us can help you complete something trivial that might be inconvenient for you."
Selina nodded mildly, visibly agreeing for the suggestion.
Then silence eluded the entire space.
A young lady of lofty stature... Was my behavior and accent that obvious? Audrey stared blankly, mouth slightly agape, but she soon jolted back to her senses and nodded her head without any hesitation.
"Mr. Fool, I think it's a very good suggestion. As long as this Gathering becomes regular, you can totally leave certain things that are inconvenient for you to us. Of course, it has to be something within our capacities."
At that moment, Mr. Fool subconsciously rapped the side of the long bronze table with his right finger.
A habit? Selina mused, patiently awaiting for the enigmatic Mr. Fool's response.
After a few minutes, Mr. Fool halted his habitual action, revealing a smile at the trio.
"I'm a person who likes a fair and equal exchange.
"Your help will not go unrewarded.
"Every Monday at three in the afternoon, try your best to be alone. After I make a few more attempts and figure out certain things, perhaps you can apply for a leave of absence ahead of time. You will no longer need to worry about being in inappropriate situations."
This was a form of agreement to their suggestions!
Audrey had just turned seventeen. Having been taken care of her entire life, she had the character of a young girl. Therefore, she could not help but clench her fist and gradually pump it in front of her chest when she heard The Fool's reply.
Without waiting for Alger or Selina to say a word, Audrey said in excitement, her eyes glowing, "Then, shall we give ourselves call signs? After all, we can't use our real names for conversation."
Mr. Fool seated at the Seat of Honor responded with a subtle nod.
A codename... Are you perhaps going to take Mr. Fool—a name of the 0 card from the tarot cards—as a foundation? Selina mused, gazing silently at the trio before chuckling internally and adding, A gathering of tarot cards...
Audrey's tone slowly turned joyous.
"I've decided. My designation shall be 'Justice!'"
It was one of the twenty-two Major Arcana tarot cards.
"What about you, Miss? Mister?" Audrey cheekily smiled at the duo, glancing between her side and at the opposite of the table.
Selina tucked her hands together beneath the table, and replied in a mellow voice.
"The Lovers."
Followed by Alger, frowning slightly before relaxing it immediately.
"The Hanged Man."
Both are from the Major Arcana cards.
The Lovers card was the most agreeable option for Selina, mainly due to her occasional—too common—chances of stumbling upon it ever since her first role as a seer. It signifies love, relationship, and value, yet the one aspect she look forward to never occurred.
I thought they gave me titles like 'The Most Muse' of the school, was that just my imagination? Selina brooded over her years as a college student.
"Alright, then we can be considered as the founding members of the Tarot Club!"
Audrey was the first to blurt it out happily, only to look fearfully at the fog-concealed Mr. Fool. "Will that be alright, Mr. Fool?"
The enigmatic man shook his head in amusement.
"You can decide on such trivial matters by yourselves."
"Thank you!" Audrey was clearly thrilled.
Following that, she looked at Alger.
"Mr. Hanged Man, can you repeat the address again once more? I'm afraid that my memories will fail me."
"No problem." Alger was very pleased with Audrey's seriousness as he repeated the address once more.
After repeating it to herself silently thrice, Audrey said again in excitement, "I heard that tarot cards were invented by Emperor Roselle as a game. In fact, doesn't it come equipped with the power to divine the future?"
"No. Most of the time, divination stems from one's self. Everyone has something spiritual about themselves, allowing them to attune to the spiritual world and connect to information about themselves at an even higher level. However, ordinary folks are unable to notice this, much less be able to interpret the 'signs' they receive. This information will present itself with the help of divination tools. Let me raise a simple example, dreams and dream interpreters."
Alger took a glance at the mysterious Mr. Fool and seeing no response from him, he refuted Audrey's claim. "Tarot cards are, in fact, such a tool. It uses more symbolism and more logical elements to help us in conveniently and accurately interpreting the signs."
He then hovered his gaze towards Ms. Lovers, presumably asking for her opinion.
Hmm? I guess he's asking me for correction... Selina nodded in response, agreeing to his explanation.
"Got it." Audrey mirrored Selina. Following that, she emphasized, "That's not what I meant. I'm not doubting the tarot cards, but I heard that Emperor Roselle had actually created another set of cards, secret and mysterious ones. They were paper cards which symbolized a particular unknown power. There was a total of twenty-two cards that he completed. Later on in life, he referenced them to create the twenty-two Major Arcana tarot cards which are used as a gaming tool. Was what I said correct?"
Another set of cards? A set exactly twenty-two which holds mysterious secrets? Ms. Justice is a lot more knowledgeable that I thought... Selina mused silently, paying attentively to their conversation.
Alger subconsciously straightened his back and said in a deep voice, "That's right. It is said that Emperor Roselle had seen the Blasphemy Slate and that set of paper cards contain the profound mysteries of the twenty-two paths of the divine."
"Twenty-two paths of the divine..." repeated Audrey with a longing tone.
Twenty two paths... Selina echoed the same sentence in her mind, before pursing her lips.
After considering their origins, connections and capabilities as individuals. Selina opened her mouth, and diligently gathered her thoughts.
She hesitated for a second, before saying "I would like to request anyone to report a criminal activity"
Then, she hurriedly added.
"An activity concerning an evil cult and a possible deity's descent"