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Is this a coincidence? Or did my fabricated honorific, after connecting with this mysterious space, cause me to be noticed by certain entities?
Klein felt a pang of discomfort. That was a Sequence 1, a Grounded Angel, an existence at the pinnacle of a single Pathway. Even for the Church of Evernight, that was the level of existence only a Pope could face.
Carefully recalling the dream he just had, a calm Klein realized that the 'Snake of Fate' didn't seem to hold any malice towards him.
The influence of this mysterious space radiating onto him was more likely because he not only directly faced an Angel but also used the gray fog's blessing to perform a divination. This was more like a backlash caused by his own reckless actions.
The 'Snake of Fate' didn't seem to use this opportunity to counterattack. Otherwise, Klein felt that with his essence being only at Sequence 9, even with the obstruction of this mysterious space, it would have been impossible to escape the backlash so easily.
Recalling the subsequent developments of that dream, Klein frowned. The most important thing in the house with the red chimney was the pure white quill that appeared at the end.
Was this a benevolent reminder, or a trap?
Klein sighed helplessly. He couldn't share this information with the Nighthawks. He couldn't explain the source of the information, nor should he.
It couldn't be that other Beyonders couldn't divine it, but he could. Not to mention others, Klein knew that there was a Beyonder who could divine in the Tingen Punishers team of the Church of the Lord of Storms.
While this could be attributed to the lingering effects of the Antigonus family's notebook, what Klein worried about most was how the mastermind who had shielded the gray fog would react upon learning of this.
He rubbed his temples, feeling a headache. Although the Tarot Club was in the afternoon, as the great 'The Fool,' he couldn't directly inquire. The safer method was to wait until next week, his second Council of Entropy, to seek answers from that true hidden existence.
Having made up his mind, Klein continued to look down. Although he couldn't use the 'Monster' Pathway's Sequence 8 and Sequence 9 potion formulas, he could exchange them for money or use them as rewards for Tarot Club members.
Klein remembered that in the Nighthawks' internal records, the organization in charge of the 'Monster' Pathway was called the 'Life School of Thought.' It seemed that Admire and the 'Snake of Fate' behind him both belonged to this organization.
He secretly kept this clue in mind, Klein's gaze burned as he looked at the 'Calamity Charm' crafting techniques displayed on the parchment.
The ritual for crafting this high-level charm in the domain of fate was essentially a simplified version of the bestowal ritual, except that the object of the prayer for bestowal was changed from a specific hidden existence to the lucky gold coin containing silver liquid.
Engraving the corresponding symbolic patterns was not troublesome. The only drawback was the material that carried the charm's power. Ordinary spiritual materials simply couldn't hold and preserve such power. Even with lowered requirements, 'powdered mandrake snake skin' and 'blood-veined tree bark' were essential.
As a high-level charm, the 'Calamity Charm' could actively attract disasters of varying degrees, affecting the target or enemy, and drawing the opponent into an environment where it could best exploit its advantages.
At the same time, it would come with a strong mental storm, directly affecting the opponent's mental body, causing a certain degree of dizziness or mental confusion. If the enemy entered the latter state, they would be very prone to making mistakes, allowing the disaster to snowball until it consumed them.
Satisfied, he put down the yellow crystal. After thoroughly divining the crafting method and effects of this charm, Klein was very pleased. His only offensive charm currently was one he bought from the attendant of the Council of Entropy. In just a few weeks, he could now craft charms himself.
After divining and confirming that the 'Clown' potion formula he obtained yesterday was indeed without issue, and considering that the Antigonus family's notebook had already been sealed by the Church, Klein simply set aside the anomaly of that strange notebook, rubbed his slightly sore temples, and left this mysterious gray fog space.
He glanced at the wall clock; it was already 2 PM. Without further delay, Klein quickly entered a meditative state to restore his spirituality.
---
South of Pritz Harbor, a majestic dark blue airship broke through the clouds, heading towards the endless deep sea.
The interior of the airship was divided into three levels. The top level had complex mechanical devices and cargo warehouses. The middle level featured a hall where buffet dinners and dances could be held. Around the hall and along the passages leading to the upper and lower levels were individual lounges.
As for the bottom level, it contained machine gun rooms, ammunition rooms, artillery positions, and soldiers' quarters.
In one of the middle-level rooms with the best view, Audrey, dressed in a pure white gown with gold lace, her golden hair loosely tied back and softly falling, curiously surveyed the scenery outside the floor-to-ceiling window with her emerald, gem-like eyes.
Frankly, before actually riding an airship, Audrey didn't understand the design principles of this latest model, nor how high it could fly or how much it would sway in mid-air.
So much so that when it took off from Pritz Harbor, she was startled by the low rumble and the slight tremor of the floor and walls.
Thinking of this, Audrey looked amusedly at Susie, who was lying at her feet, somewhat afraid to approach the floor-to-ceiling window. She had only discovered today that Susie was actually afraid of heights.
Just as she was about to comfort Susie, a voice sounded from behind her:
'Miss Audrey, our current voyage will stop once at Damir Port and once at Harman Port in the Dacey Bay to refuel the airship's high-octane steam engine and replenish supplies.'
'Then we will follow the safe route through the Berserk Sea to Nikifell in West Balam. At maximum speed, we should arrive by mid-August. I hope you don't mind the airship's environment.'
Audrey turned her head and saw Ms. Daly, who was no longer dressed so bizarrely. A gentle smile immediately spread across her face, and she clenched her right hand as if cheering herself on:
'Thank you for the reminder, Ms. Daly, and please convey my gratitude to Mr. 'Sword of the Goddess.''
As the person in charge of this trip to the Southern Continent, Nighthawks Senior Deacon Crestet Cesimir had to stay in the deepest part of the top floor, guarding and sealing the Grade 1 Sealed Artifact brought from the Holy Cathedral, unable to go out freely.
Daly also smiled and nodded. Her originally bizarre eyeshadow and blush were gone. Apart from her somewhat strange Spirit Medium attire, she looked like a warm and intellectual older sister.
As the daughter of Earl Hall and the fiancée of Duke East Tucker, a noble lady of such distinguished status, the accompanying person and bodyguard naturally had to be a woman.
As an elite of the 'Red Gloves' team, a Sequence 6 Spirit Guide, Daly was undoubtedly the most suitable candidate.
Because both were believers of the Evernight, Audrey tapped her chest four times, outlining the 'shape' of the crimson moon. Worldly matters used worldly etiquette, while religious matters used religious rituals.
Audrey recalled the sea chart she had found before departure and asked curiously:
'Ms. Daly, are we not passing through Bansy Harbor this time?'
'I heard it's called the 'Weather Museum,' where magical phenomena often occur, and the food there also seems to have a unique flavor.'
Daly was momentarily stunned, feeling a bit embarrassed by her lack of knowledge. Before being transferred to Backlund to join the 'Red Gloves,' she had only served as a Nighthawk in Enmat Harbor and Tingen.
However, due to the Nighthawks' jurisdictional restrictions, she truly had no concept of this 'Weather Museum.'
Seeing the emotional colors Daly displayed, Audrey knew she had asked the wrong question. She playfully stuck out her tongue, intending to ask another question, when she heard Daly's subsequent reply:
'I'm very sorry, Miss Audrey. The sea and air space near Bansy Harbor have been blockaded by the Church of the Lord of Storms since last year, prohibiting ships and airships from approaching.'
'I don't know the specific reason. Perhaps only the high-ranking officials of the Church know some secrets. Therefore, this route specifically avoided Bansy Harbor.'
Blockaded by the Church of the Lord of Storms for nearly a year, and only high-ranking Church officials might know why... Audrey's eyes suddenly lit up, her thoughts racing, but she still maintained her expression management using her Spectator abilities.
After chatting for a few more minutes, Audrey glanced at the time, seeing it was already 2:50 PM. She then lowered her head and pressed her forehead, pretending to be slightly uncomfortable due to the turbulence.
After Daly's offer to call a therapist was politely declined, she left Audrey's room. Looking at Susie, who was pitifully clinging to her feet and unwilling to leave, Audrey looked at her watery eyes and said with a mix of laughter and helplessness:
'Alright, Susie, you're already a Beyonder, ah no, a Beyonder dog. You must overcome your fear of heights. Hmm, I need some alone time later. Tonight, I'll teach you how to read a map.'
Susie, knowing that Audrey always had alone time during this period, pitifully released her paws and responded by vibrating the air:
'Okay, Audrey, you can prepare some biscuits for me first. Maybe that will help me overcome my fear of heights.'
Audrey, who immediately saw through Susie's little trick, smiled and didn't refuse. After settling Susie, Audrey walked into a nearby compartment, skillfully set up a Wall of Spirituality, and began to await the start of the Tarot Club.
Quietly counting her heartbeats, crimson light expanded before her eyes, and the boundless gray-white mist once again appeared before her. The empty and mysterious feeling flashed by, and Audrey saw the majestic and grand temple.
Subconsciously, she looked up to the main seat, habitually beginning to observe.
However, her vision, her gaze, was completely obstructed by the dense gray fog.
Stunned, Audrey suddenly came to her senses, turning her head in alarm, looking at the illusory deep red stars all around her.
"I was truly too rash, too bold, too foolish. To actually try to observe Mr. Fool... Thankfully, thankfully, he wasn't angry." Audrey secretly stuck out her tongue, pretending to be leisurely admiring the scenery, just short of humming a cheerful tune.
Alger sat silently, his gaze fixed on the surface of the bronze long table, as well-behaved as if facing a true deity. After obtaining the blood of the Ghost Shark, he had advanced to Sequence 7 Seafarer.
Aaron, however, was composed. A slight smile played on his lips as he watched the somewhat flustered yet feigning composure Audrey. After a moment's thought, he spoke first:
"Respected Mr. Fool, I have discovered two pages of Emperor Roselle's diary and have memorized their contents."
Audrey quickly snapped back, realizing she had forgotten to greet him, but still quickly added, and cast a scrutinizing glance at the Hanged Man.
"I, I also memorized two pages of Emperor Roselle's diary."
Alger unconsciously restrained his movements and, after a few seconds of silence, said:
"I also have two pages."
"Very good." Klein didn't let his delight infect his voice. As his words fell, yellow-brown parchment and dark red steel pens instantly appeared before the Tarot Club members.
After a moment, Klein's thoughts stirred, and the six pages of parchment flashed into his hand. He briefly identified them; two were fake. As Klein examined them closely, his gaze suddenly froze.
The four diary pages separately described the connection between the Hornacis mountain range and the 'Nation of the Evernight' that had been destroyed by the Church of Evernight, the conversation between Secret Order leader Zaratul and Roselle, and other daily trivialities, such as having a deep exchange with a certain noblewoman.
Hornacis... Flegrea... Klein silently recited these two familiar words in his heart. When he first became a Seer and his state was unstable, or when he encountered the lingering influence of the Antigonus family's notebook, illusory whispers, from he knew not where, would always echo in his ears.
Looking at Roselle's speculation in the diary that the Church of Evernight might possess the complete potion formula for the Seer Pathway, Klein suddenly felt a surge of motivation.
If he wasn't strong enough, returning to his original world would inevitably require external forces, and whether those external forces were good or bad, benevolent or malicious, was uncontrollable and extremely dangerous.
Since that was the case, it was better to become stronger himself and return using his own power. Therefore, the completeness of the Sequence and subsequent potion formulas were what Klein was most concerned about at the moment.
This joy didn't last long, coming to an abrupt halt when Klein saw that Zaratul, the leader of the Secret Order, had been a Sequence 2 Miracle Invoker of the Seer Pathway centuries ago.
Klein, who had originally not taken the threat of the Secret Order seriously, suddenly felt as if he had been struck by a heavy blow. Suppressing the bitterness churning in his heart, he calmly put down the parchment in his hand, looked up at the Tarot Club members, and smiled slightly:
"My apologies, I was engrossed."
I really want to know what was written in the diary that could engross Mr. Fool so much... Audrey smoothed the yearning in her heart and said with a calm smile:
"I can understand. I look forward to one day being able to exchange the contents of Emperor Roselle's diary from you."
"That will come at a price." Klein smiled as he glanced at Miss Justice, then swept his gaze over the silent Hanged Man and the composed Mr. Tower.
Recalling her earlier conversation with Ms. Daly, Audrey clasped her hands in front of her and said:
"Mr. Fool, I wish to exchange those two diary pages for a question."
Audrey then looked at the other Tarot Club members, especially the 'Emperor' who gave her a sense of familiarity, and added:
"If you believe the answer holds high value, you can also tell me what you desire, and I will do my best to find it later."
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