Backlund, inside a certain temple-like basement.
Sparse candles were placed in sequence on the temple's pillars, bringing a bit of light to this gloomy place.
But the candlelight only illuminated a very small portion; most of the temple's area was still shrouded in darkness.
At the end of the candlelight, on the temple floor, a group of people knelt devoutly in black robes.
In the dim light, these people's faces were blurred and indistinct, only their eyes reflecting the candlelight, faintly glimmering.
These eyes were all looking toward the front of the basement.
There stood a statue of an inverted hanging giant.
The giant's face bore an indescribable expression of pain, its body covered in crisscrossing fresh red bloodstains that were slowly flowing downward.
The black of the robes, the dim yellow of the candles, and the bright red of the bloodstains composed all the tones of this area.
"...The Lord's will exists within each of us, connecting everyone's spirituality itself..."
In front of the statue stood Mr. A in a black robe.
With his back to the statue and facing the crowd, he preached to the people below in a devout and peculiar tone.
He had already lowered his hood, revealing his extraordinarily handsome face that was almost feminine.
The people below were quiet and silent, their attention completely captured by Mr. A.
His words seemed to carry magic, making these believers listen and accept unconditionally.
"...However, the fallen Seven Gods stole the Lord's authority, bewitched the world, and prevented people from connecting with the original Creator..."
When speaking of this, Mr. A's voice carried a hint of anger and contempt.
"They and their minions established blasphemous evil organizations on earth, luring ignorant lambs into the abyss..."
"But you... you are blessed, for you have heard my sermon and received the Lord's love."
After the anger, his tone became soft and gentle again. "The Lord will bear your sins and relieve your suffering..."
The people remained quiet, but imperceptibly, something seemed to change. Beneath those black robes, low murmuring sounds arose.
In positions where limbs shouldn't exist, something seemed to grow as parasites, squirming and pushing up the black cloth.
In the darkness, joyful yet twisted emotions fermented. Everyone felt the Lord's great will.
"...The evil Seven Gods fear the Lord.
They united to block the salvation the Lord would bring to the earth. But no matter how hard they and their minions try, it will be futile."
Mr. A revealed a mysterious smile.
"...The Lord will eventually return."
After finishing the sermon and seeing off the believers, Mr. A knelt alone before the statue.
When facing the Lord and listening to the Lord's great voice, he felt supreme glory and peace.
He maintained his prayer posture, unmoving for a long time. Only when an attendant respectfully entered did he raise his head.
"Mr. A, it's time."
The attendant said with a bow.
"I know."
Mr. A took one last look at the statue, devoutly drawing an inverted cross on his chest, then put on his hood and left the basement, climbing the stairs to the upper floor.
At this moment, the first-floor hall had been set up with sofas, tables, chairs, and a blackboard.
The Beyonder gathering he had convened would proceed as usual. When these people saw him enter, they all bowed their heads, showing expressions of awe and even flattery.
All foolish and ignorant fools...
Mr. A looked at these people who had not yet received the Lord's grace, contempt flashing in his eyes.
If he didn't still need them to provide intelligence, he would have controlled these stupid people without hesitation, transmitting the Lord's glory to them and making them the Lord's lambs.
However, before the Lord's true arrival, he still needed to restrain himself.
Mr. A walked through the crowd and sat on a single sofa.
He spoke in a calm voice.
"I have a task."
"Help me find some people who believe in the so-called 'Fool.'"
This was the decree the Lord had transmitted to him.
Although his own mistake had caused the Lord's offspring to escape his control, the merciful Lord had still accepted his repentance, continued to trust him, and transmitted divine revelation to him.
This time, he must do everything possible to realize the Lord's will.
"Those who find these leads will receive rewards beyond your imagination!"
Beside him, two attendants worked together to set up a blackboard with The Fool's honorific name written on it.
"The Fool that doesn't belong to this era..."
The Beyonders attending the gathering read the Loen script, each pondering these descriptions, either thinking alone or discussing in low voices with companions.
"What an incredible description... It sounds almost like a deity!"
Someone exclaimed.
"Yes, using a three-part description without any subordinate clauses can establish a mystical connection.
This is treatment reserved for deities or equivalent ranks!"
Another member more familiar with mysticism nodded.
These people discussed intensely, but Fors and others among them immediately fell into shock.
Isn't this Mr. Fool's honorific name?
Why does Mr. A know it, and judging by his meaning, he wants to capture The Fool's dependents or believers...
Thinking of this, she couldn't help but be startled.
Because in every sense, she had extremely close ties to The Fool!
Fortunately, no one else knew about her connection to The Fool. Even the other members at the Tarot Club didn't know her true identity.
Mr. A shouldn't be able to discover her directly.
However, this matter still needs to be reported to Mr. Fool as soon as possible...
Beside her, Xio was also surprised by this description because she had seen this honorific name before and had recklessly read it in ancient Hermes, causing her to see a certain mysterious existence in her dreams.
Even now, looking back, she felt quite frightened.
The two exchanged glances, both understanding each other's intention—it was better not to let Mr. A know.
Although the members discussed intensely for a long time, the gathering still had to continue. Everyone stated their needs and conducted transactions.
Mr. A sat on the single sofa, supervising the transaction process. At this time, an attendant walked over, bent down, and whispered a few words in his ear.
Mr. A's previously languid sitting posture suddenly straightened.
"Have him wait for me in the small room."
He said to his subordinate attendant.
The latter bowed in agreement and left immediately.
After that, Mr. A absent-mindedly supervised the rest of the transaction process, then left these Beyonders to exchange freely while he quickly walked to the small room in back.
There, a person wearing a mask and hood was already waiting.
"I really didn't expect to get a lead so quickly."
Mr. A chuckled softly, then asked the other party, "Speak. Tell me everything you know about that 'Fool.'"
Then he heard the person across from him make a strange "Eh?" sound.
"The Fool? What's that?"
Mr. A's expression immediately froze, then became angry.
"Are you playing with me?"
He asked coldly.
"Of course not!"
The other party immediately protested.
"I came to report news about the bounty task you posted... I've discovered Lanevus's whereabouts!"
"...Lanevus?"
Mr. A's body paused, then he froze.