Chapter 17: Another Tarot Gathering,
Above the grey mist, colossal stone pillars supported a magnificent temple.
Next to the ancient and mottled bronze long table, two deep red masses appeared, blurring into ethereal human figures.
"Good afternoon, Mr. Fool," Audrey greeted with a light smile, "It's a pity there's no fine wine here, otherwise I could toast to your successful attempt."
Attempt? Oh, she's referring to that ritual… Alice thought without a hint of guilt for her laziness in not trying.
"Your power far exceeds our imagination."
Hmm… If prayers can be heard, next time I wake up from a nightmare, can I also wake up Mr. Klein?
Watching the respectful Alger, Alice had an untimely thought while smiling lightly, "Congratulations on your success."
Klein, still shrouded in dense grey mist, gestured with his right hand as if responding to a mundane matter, "Very good, this indicates we are on a fruitful path. If you have matters that prevent you from attending on Monday afternoon, then perform the ritual in advance and inform me. Just modify the incantation 'pray for a good dream' to the specific reason."
Alice resolved to wake him next time.
After Audrey submitted a diary and Alger indicated he hadn't received one, the esteemed Mr. Fool began his reading time.
Once Mr. Fool announced that trading could begin, Audrey eagerly asked Alger, "Where can I find the Psychological Alchemists?"
Alger shook his head, "Miss Justice, first, I don't know the clue; second, I think you shouldn't be in such a hurry to find the Psychological Alchemists. Your current focus should be on digesting the 'Spectator' potion."
Realizing Mr. Fool had no intention to add, Audrey nodded slightly disappointed, "I just hope to have ample time to prepare and contact them more naturally. Well, when can I digest the 'Spectator' potion and end the act? Is there a standard to judge?"
Clearly, Alger didn't know either, but the kind Mr. Fool reminded, "In the lower sequence, strict role-playing can lead to complete digestion within half a year, a month is not impossible."
He looked at "Justice" and added soothingly, "The signs of complete digestion will be clear to you in time, no need for others to teach."
"A month…?" Alice repeated in surprise, knowing the church's standard was three years, as learned from Dunn. If the effect of role-playing was so exaggerated, why wouldn't the church publicize it? "Half a year…" Alger murmured softly.
As an observer, Audrey curiously scrutinized them, then turned to Klein, "Mr. Fool, do you plan to add new members?"
Mr. Fool remained silent; after all, he couldn't just say he lacked the spirituality to bring in another person.
"As a regular gathering, member selection should have strict standards," Alice said softly, "And of course, the review should be personally conducted by Mr. Fool, shouldn't it?"
"That's true," Audrey agreed with a nod, "We should have a strict process, starting from observation, recommendation, then to assessment…"
"Secrecy is our creed," Mr. Fool concluded with relief.
"I seek information about the School of Life or clues about the 'Monster' pathway extraordinaries." After confirming Audrey had nothing else to say, Alice stated her request.
"What is the School of Life?" asked an ignorant Miss Audrey.
"You're not an Beyonder of the School of Life?" Alger looked at Alice in surprise. Unlike Audrey's complete ignorance of the supernatural world, Alger assumed Alice was from the School of Life after learning she belonged to the "Monster" pathway, deliberately ignoring the few discordant aspects.
"I became an Beyonder due to 'luck'," Alice emphasized 'luck,' and Alger quickly understood—it was an accident.
But what kind of accident turns someone into an Beyonder and even promotes them? It must be Sequence 8 or 7, unlikely a middle sequence… of course, referring to an earlier middle sequence.
Pausing his thoughts, Alger suddenly realized an unreasonable aspect: Alice was not old, still retaining obvious naivety, not the state of a wild Beyonder—she was likely well-protected, considering her younger age when she became Beyonder. If she didn't belong to the School of Life, then she was probably discovered by the authorities.
This explained why she knew the inner workings of the three major churches and why she, like him, was surprised by the enhancement of role-playing…
But would an official Beyonder be promoted due to "luck"? Wait, where would the authorities get a "Monster" pathway potion formula? At the moment, Alger didn't consider the possibility that Alice hadn't experienced Sequence 9 and 8, as most wouldn't believe it without witnessing it… even seeing it would be hard to accept.
Lost in thought, Mr. Hanged Man didn't answer Audrey's question, so Alice had to explain to Audrey, "It's a secretive organization; I don't know much about it either. I only know it primarily follows a master-apprentice tradition, with 'Apothecary' and 'Monster' pathways."
Pausing, Alice added, "My commission remains valid until I find the School of Life or a 'Monster' pathway Beyonder."
After Audrey and Alger both expressed understanding, the atmosphere fell silent again.
"I heard a 'Listener' from the Aurora Order is seeking traces of the True Creator, their proclaimed 'Sanctuary'," Alger initiated a new topic.
"The True Creator?" Audrey asked, puzzled.
"That's an ancient being worshipped by many mystical organizations and secretive cults. They believe the Creator hasn't completely perished, and the remaining core is the True Creator," Alger explained briefly, "Since the Fifth Epoch, the True Creator has appeared in various forms, like 'The Hanged Giant,' 'The Eyes behind the Shadow Curtain.' Many believe that when Emperor Roselle invented the Tarot cards, he referenced the True Creator's image, hence the 'Hanged Man' card."
With that, he looked at Klein, "I'm correct, aren't I, Mr. Fool?"
Klein chuckled, "I prefer to call him the Fallen Creator."
Fallen? No, another image of the Hanged Man is sacrifice… Considering the fact that the True Creator became an evil god, Alice suddenly thought, is His becoming an evil god related to this?
(End of Chapter)