I once speculated that "The Tower" might be part of either the Church of the Eternal Blazing Sun or the Church of Knowledge and Wisdom, but based on repeated observations, that seems unlikely…
His actions appear unrestrained, even when it comes to major incidents like the assassination of an ambassador.
Sure, this confidence partly stems from his considerable strength, but it also shows he doesn't care if his actions implicate his organization… or perhaps he believes his organization would unconditionally back him in such situations…
In summary, he must either hold an exceptional position within an official group or belong to a relatively loose organization…
Well, Mr. Tower is always careful, and the only time he's slipped up at the Tarot Club was when he recounted his role in apprehending the "serial killer" in Tingen…
Unfortunately, though the sea isn't exactly isolated, information doesn't reach here swiftly. I'd gone to great lengths to make inquiries, but I still haven't received a clear response…
And although telegraph companies often send trivial celebrity gossip and other entertainment news, information on urgent matters usually takes a week or two longer than it does on the mainland.
Thinking this, "The Hanged Man" Alger sighed, though he understood why telegraph companies prioritized such information—there are plenty of people willing to pay a high price for it.
Elsewhere, Klein found himself both gratified and wary of "Justice's" thanks and "Judgment's" reminder.
He felt a degree of satisfaction, knowing he might have indirectly prompted a reform that could bring some "light" to people like Old Kohler.
But he also felt a twinge of unease, aware that with his "yellow-black monarch" level of luck, it wouldn't be impossible to encounter a vengeful Aurora Order envoy…
Oh well, it's not like I can "top up" my luck meter… Klein chuckled inwardly, deciding not to dwell on it as he turned his gaze to "The Hanged Man" and "The Tower."
Alger quickly took the hint and materialized the final page of Roselle's diary that he'd promised.
Ebner, after a moment of consideration, materialized three pages of the diary. These three pages were collected by Fanny's grandfather, Mr. Surrey.
Thanks to the restoration of memories through the "Pure White Eye" atop the Sefirah Castle, Ebner now knew that the "thing" Roselle mentioned, sealed on the first floor of the Dream Labyrinth Tower's sixth level, was likely contamination from The Mother Goddess of Depravity.
Although Roselle had assured him the second through ninth floors were "safe" and that he had Lilith's guarantee as a backup, Ebner thought it wise to take an extra precaution for the remaining floors.
That precaution, naturally, was Mr. Fool, so Ebner resolved to accumulate enough "contributions" to secure the protection of the Sefirah Castle…
Of course, he trusted that even without these contributions, Mr. Fool wouldn't abandon him, but Ebner felt it best to adhere to the principle of "equivalent exchange" on the surface, sparing Mr. Fool the effort of maintaining his persona.
With this in mind, Ebner chose three diary pages from Mr. Surrey's collection: one valuable, one redundant, and one full of Roselle's complaints.
Oddly, the redundant page happened to be one of the diary pages Klein had received after past Tarot meetings, so it held some value as a duplicate.
Klein took the four pages into the Sefirah Castle without reading them immediately. Instead, he turned to Ebner and asked, "What would you like in return?"
I'd like the complete recipe for the "Mysticism Magister," or the heart of an adult Gem Dragon… but you wouldn't have those…
Suppressing his disappointment, Ebner said cautiously, "I'd like to accumulate contributions for now… I'm exploring a secret, peculiar place where I may encounter higher-level threats. If necessary, I'd like to request your protection."
At his words, Xio cast a concerned glance in his direction.
She was aware Ebner was venturing through the Dream Labyrinth Tower, but until now, she hadn't thought much of it. After all, Ebner had breezed through the ninth, eighth, and seventh floors with minimal trouble.
But his tone now suggested the later levels of the tower held a hidden danger—something dire enough to require Mr. Fool's protection.
Having once suffered "contamination" from a high-ranking entity herself, Xio couldn't help but feel concerned for her friend.
Klein noticed the "Judgment" lady's gaze and had a sudden realization: Miss Judgment seemed to know about the secret, peculiar place Ebner had mentioned… I remember divining that the two of them were adventuring in an "Inception-like" setting, where they indirectly interrupted Triss's "Incitement" scheme… so, it might be there?
And if I recall correctly, I sensed a terrifying aura at the end of that divination.
I wonder if that and the "black spots" that once marked Xio's spirit are equally perilous?
Possibly so… With Mr. Tower's wisdom, he likely has a thorough understanding of this threat and believes "The Fool" can resolve it, or he wouldn't have asked.
No point overthinking it; I'll just do my best to help him if the time comes. If it's beyond my control, then so be it.
Besides, Mr. Tower likely has other contingencies beyond myself as "The Fool."
With his hands clasped, Klein responded casually, "Agreed."
The other Tarot members, curious about the "place" Ebner had mentioned, each had differing thoughts.
Miss Justice felt a touch of envy, as she yearned for similar adventures.
The Hanged Man, on the other hand, envied Mr. Tower's treatment.
Divine protection… what an honor. If I were to request something similar from "The Fool," would he grant me the same privilege as "The Tower"? Alger wondered uncertainly.
The Sun, Derrick, listened intently, though he was still quite puzzled. To him, nearly everywhere surrounding the City of Silver was strange and perilous… In fact, even within the city walls, danger lurked.
At the head of the table, after responding to "The Tower's" request, Klein finally picked up the page from "The Hanged Man," glancing at it absentmindedly, before his eyes widened.
"January 16: The taste of a Witch is indeed something else."
Emperor… I underestimated you… you actually went through with it?
I remember in a previous diary entry, you seemed rather hesitant when a Witch "offered" herself… that was only one day ago on January 15th, wasn't it? You really went from reluctance to indulgence overnight? Classic Roselle…
And to think that you didn't mind her… past identity or the experiences she'd gone through as a Witch?
Klein's mouth twitched as he struggled to keep his expression neutral.
Suppressing the urge to sigh, he continued reading the rest of the page, which, thankfully, held quite a bit of substance. Besides outlining the "aggregation effect" of Beyonder characteristics, Roselle mentioned disguising a Sealed Card as a bookmark hidden within a valuable book.
Emperor, couldn't you at least specify which book? And you still had the nerve to criticize "Diviners" for being cryptic? Klein inwardly lamented, setting aside his disappointment as he picked up the first of the three diary pages provided by Mr. Tower.
He hadn't expected much but was immediately captivated by the first line.
"... Resurrection itself is a miracle!"
Reading Zaratul's words to Roselle, Klein was reminded of his own two "resurrections."
As the leader of the Secret Order, Zaratul held the Sequence 2 position of "Miracle Invoker" in the Seer Pathway. So… resurrection is part of a Miracle Invoker's abilities?
In that case, my resurrections must have been due to the miraculous power of this mysterious space above the gray fog…
And considering the Antigonus notebook, the messenger puppet from the Chanis Gate, and the Rosago attack—all alongside the recently mentioned aggregation effect of Beyonder characteristics…
Perhaps this space is indeed deeply tied to the Seer Pathway and corresponds to a Sequence-level Sealed Artifact? Or even the divine kingdom left by a Sequence 0 Beyonder from this Pathway?
Is this why Mr. Tower has never doubted my title of "The Fool"?
Thoughts bubbling in his mind, Klein suppressed his growing unease and opened the second diary page from Mr. Tower.
"November 25: The last angel hidden within the Sauron family attempted to assassinate me in front of White Maple Palace on the eve of my inauguration as governor.
"Hah, just as I suspected, his mental state was deteriorating badly; he's completely mad, or he would have sensed my preparations.
"Hard to imagine an Angel in the Hunter Pathway, an expert in conspiracy, so easily falling into a trap… A madman like him can't be understood by common sense.
"Still, he probably never imagined that a "double-crossing" Sealed Artifact from the Sauron family would warn me, allowing me to prepare by hiding an Angel from the Church of Steam in ambush and using a wish from the "Genie's Lamp" to become the "Civilization Enlightener" for one day.
"It's strange, though… why would a Sealed Artifact formed by the Conqueror characteristics possess a dream-related ability? Could it be that it operates through people it lures into its control?
"In any case, the Sauron family's angel was slain in the Astral World, thanks to our joint effort.
"That Sealed Artifact, with its Conqueror characteristics, played a significant role in my rise to power. Though I've never truly seen it, I might consider granting it 'freedom'… if it isn't something excessively corrupting."
(End of Chapter)