Klein, seated at the head of the table as the Fool, relaxed slightly now that his goal was achieved. However, he still controlled the World to add, "While I don't know the specifics of the Secret Order's plans, the intelligence suggests they may exploit Stewart's new doctrinal proposals."
Judgment Xio nodded. "Thank you for the warning. I'll take note of it."
The Hanged Man Alger also filed the information away, considering how to discreetly report it to his superiors.
After this exchange, World returned to his usual silence. Justice Audrey, noticing that the others were lost in thought, took the initiative to share her insights:
"The Kingdom's Air Pollution Investigation Committee has been formally established.
"The committee's chairman is Sir Des Shaw, and the chief secretary is Mr. Hibbert Hall..."
Sitting at the head of the table, Klein mentally added: I know that. My former employer, Mrs. Mary, is now a member of this committee. According to landlady Mrs. Starling, there's a grand ball tonight to celebrate its establishment.
Judgment Xio was reminded of the same ball. Due to the ongoing serial killings in Backlund, she had been assigned by MI9 to provide security at the event.
Her earlier statement to Fors about having a "task" wasn't entirely untrue. In contrast, Fors's claim about being struck by "inspiration" was highly suspect.
Many attendees at the ball would be Storm Church adherents, and Stewart might be among them. Xio mentally plotted, If the opportunity arises, I'll relay the information World shared with him.
"Hmph, it's about time those parliamentarians did something useful," Alger sneered. "Though I wonder if this committee will end up as just another political stunt or a meaningless formality."
Hibbert would never be part of a useless stunt… Audrey pressed her lips together in mild frustration.
Xio, glancing at the silent World, decided to contribute her own intelligence:
"A certain high-ranking MI9 official is seeking the whereabouts of the 'Wishing Lamp.' They're willing to pay the price of a demigod-level potion formula for any credible information."
The Wishing Lamp?! Isn't that the "0-05" Sealed Artifact that World asked about in a previous meeting, and which Tower explained?
According to Tower, Roselle used it to briefly ascend to Sequence 1. Why would MI9 be searching for it now? Is this an individual's ambition or a directive from the Ruen monarchy?
Alger frowned as his thoughts churned. Roselle used the lamp, backed by the Church, to kill the last angel of the Sauron family. Could someone in MI9 be attempting to emulate him? But the Augustuses are no declining Saurons…
Alger glanced instinctively at World and Tower.
Klein, behind the mask of the Fool, also felt perplexed.
Tower mentioned the Wishing Lamp is a fusion of a Miracle Invoker's Beyonder characteristic and a mysterious origin. The Augustuses follow the Arbiter pathway; obtaining the lamp wouldn't help them ascend—it'd simply be another powerful "0"-grade Sealed Artifact. As an ancient angelic family, they wouldn't lack such artifacts.
Could this search be a personal endeavor by an MI9 official?
Based on Roselle's diaries, I can infer a few things about the lamp's current whereabouts…
First, it's unlikely to be in any major Church's possession. If it were, MI9 wouldn't need to search for clues. "0"-grade artifacts are typically cataloged and monitored by governments and Churches alike.
Second, it's not in the hands of a troublemaking secret organization. The Wishing Lamp's abilities would've made waves in the supernatural community already.
That leaves three possibilities:
1. The lamp was hidden by Roselle's enigmatic secret society.
2. It was traded to the Secret Order, possibly via Amon or another party, given Roselle's relationship with Zaratul.
3. It remains with Roselle's children, most likely his favored eldest daughter, Bernadette, who might still be alive.
If it's with Bernadette, there's nothing to be done. But if it's held by the first two groups, perhaps MI9 could provide a decent trade…
Would divination on the gray fog confirm anything? My connection to the Wishing Lamp isn't strong, even with this space aiding me.
Klein, feeling the room's attention shift to World, controlled his proxy to rasp, "What pathway's demigod formula is being offered?"
Xio thought for a moment before replying, "Arbiter… though it's likely negotiable."
She speculated that Princess Vera, with her royal status, likely possessed multiple formulas, including those of the Lawyer pathway, which MI9 controlled.
"I'll look into it," World responded, his voice low and noncommittal. "But I can't promise results."
Their exchange left the Magician Fors more bewildered than even the Sun. Her wide eyes reflected astonishment and curiosity, almost piercing the shroud of gray fog that veiled her thoughts.
The Wishing Lamp? What an evocative, mystical name! What sort of artifact could match a demigod formula in value? Just an hour ago, I still thought of demigods as mere legends!
Justice Audrey, noticing Fors's expression, suppressed a smile. Without using her abilities, she could easily "read" Fors's thoughts. Half out of kindness and half to boast, she explained the Wishing Lamp's history and capabilities.
Fors, shaken and intrigued, felt a strange sense of déjà vu, reminiscent of when Ebner had once regaled her with tales of "0"-grade Sealed Artifacts. But after his advancement to Sequence 8, he started withholding more than he shared… That's why I based the "evil spirit" character in my novels on him!
While Fors grappled with wonder and nostalgia, the real-life "evil spirit" Ebner was deep in thought.
The Wishing Lamp is only valued at a demigod formula? That's disappointing.
Reflecting on the original story, Ebner shared Klein's initial assumptions about the artifact's potential locations. However, when considering the lamp's origin, a new possibility emerged:
In the original, an otherworldly force linked to the Outer God "Uncertain Mist" also sought the Wishing Lamp. Though this storyline deviated in this timeline, it's possible the Tower family's intervention didn't prevent its continuation.
If the Wishing Lamp were crucial to sealing an influence of Uncertain Mist, an MI9 official seeking it might be driven by personal knowledge… or perhaps it's someone from the Tower family within MI9.
The lamp, combined with the Genie and Uncertain Mist, could pave the way for the return of an Old One, the "Child of Chaos."
This could be a continuation of Xio's East Chester County encounter… Should I warn her?
After a moment's deliberation, Ebner decided against it. Xio lacked the tools to handle such revelations safely. With the Fool as her ultimate safety net, it was best not to burden her unnecessarily.
Just as Ebner relaxed, Derrick began sharing updates on Silver City's recent changes.
Once Derrick finished, Alger turned toward Ebner, organizing his thoughts. Finally, he spoke:
"A major incident involving the Pirate Kings and four Pirate Admirals has shaken the seas!"
(Chapter End)