Chapter 26: "Sun" Derrick
After accidentally touching upon the core of role-playing, even though Alice didn't feel much urgency to digest the potion, she could still sense the rapid progress compared to before.
Having already seen Dunn in her dreams and realizing that Dunn had some suspicions about the role-playing method, Klein also completed his own hint during this period, obtained the Clown potion, and successfully advanced to Clown... Well, after all, he didn't need to exchange for another formula; he just needed the main ingredient.
Obviously, Klein was still immersed in the excitement of digesting the potion and hadn't thought about checking the outcomes of the predecessors who had comprehended the role-playing method.
—So, at the next Tarot meeting, Alice saw a new member.
"This is the new member, titled 'Sun'," came the calm introduction from the head of the bronze long table. "This is Miss 'Justice,' this is Miss 'Fate,' and this is Mr. 'Hanged Man.'"
Alice curiously scrutinized Sun. She realized that Sun in front of her wasn't much older than she was, and his actions revealed obvious nervousness and unease. But...
If Justice and Hanged Man were here because of experiments, and she was here because she had uncovered Klein's identity, then why was Sun here?
Before Alice could think it through, she heard Audrey's voice: "Mr. Fool, I have collected two more pages of Emperor Roselle's diary."
Suddenly, Alice thought of a good way to ask questions. She raised her hand: "Mr. Fool, I have also collected a page of Emperor Roselle's diary."
No matter how chaotic Mr. Fool's mind was, he had to smile and ask Alice and Audrey: "Miss 'Justice,' Miss 'Fate,' what do you wish to obtain?"
Alice looked at Audrey, planning to wait for her to speak first to see if she could get some ideas—after all, she didn't really have a diary page and naturally couldn't really ask for something...
Audrey then said with feigned modesty: "You know, I am about to finish digesting the 'Spectator' potion. I hope to obtain the formula for the 'Mind Reader' potion a bit earlier so I can prepare the materials in advance. Well, I know the content of these two pages is not much and may not match the value of the 'Mind Reader' formula. I will give another page, and, um, I will also pay you an additional sum of money..."
Alice looked at Audrey in surprise, unable to understand why she would say such a thing to Klein—who would think of giving money to a deity! Although she thought Klein would probably like this proposal...
Without needing Alice's gaze to remind her, Audrey had already realized the inappropriateness of her words. She quickly fell out of her Spectator state and hastily explained: "I didn't mean that! Mr. Fool, I mean, you can specify the compensation you want, yes, that's it!"
Alice silently withdrew her gaze.
At this moment, "Sun" Derrick suddenly joined the conversation: "'Mind Reader' potion formula? The one that follows the 'Psychoanalyst'?"
Klein might lose his business. Alice blinked, feeling both amused and keenly aware that something was off—Derrick used the ancient term for "Psychoanalyst."
Derrick obviously didn't realize the scrutinizing gazes of the others. He very seriously snatched Mr. Fool's business: "I can help you get this formula!"
The naive little Sun even felt guilty for not being able to produce the formula immediately, explaining: "This sequence originated from the Dragon race, and our Silver City was once under the rule of the Giant King's Court. You know, giants and dragons are mortal enemies, so Silver City has the sequences 9, 8, and 7. I have a way to get them."
At this moment, Alice suddenly had an urge to see Klein's expression through the fog, although she didn't have that ability.
But, what exactly is Silver City? Audrey asked the question Alice wanted to ask: "Silver City? I've never heard of this place... Where is it?"
Alice looked at Alger, who also seemed clueless about this question, as he was listening intently.
So, the naive little Sun once again exposed himself without hesitation: "You are not citizens of Silver City, which city-state are you from?"
Everyone present fell silent, and Derrick, not getting an answer, didn't bring it up again: "I will get the 'Mind Reader' potion formula as soon as possible. I want to exchange it for the initial sequence of the 'Sun' pathway."
"'Sun' pathway? Sequence 9 'Chanter'?" Alger's timely question filled in the knowledge gap for everyone.
Derrick thought for a moment and said: "It should be that, but I lack understanding of it."
The observing Mr. Fool, to avoid having his business snatched by Alger again, urgently joined the conversation: "I think Miss 'Justice' doesn't have the 'Chanter' formula."
Audrey then nodded.
Mr. Fool continued: "I will give 'Sun' a 'Chanter' formula. 'Sun' will get the 'Mind Reader' potion formula to Miss 'Justice' as soon as possible, aiming to do so within two gatherings. Miss 'Justice' will give me the newly obtained Roselle diary pages, completing the transaction."
So troublesome... Alice's thoughts followed Klein's words in a circle, successfully confusing herself.
"Well, from the principle of equivalent exchange, 'Sun' is at a loss, but he has only made a promise. When he actually produces the 'Mind Reader' formula, Miss 'Justice' can consider how to compensate him, or I can compensate him, and Miss 'Justice' will provide money to one of my followers who needs to do something recently. Hehe, this is because 'Sun' may not be able to receive cash or material compensation from Miss 'Justice.'"
While pondering where Klein got his followers from, Alice suddenly heard something that puzzled her—'Sun' may not receive compensation? Hiss, where exactly did Klein bring him from?
Audrey and Derrick gladly accepted this proposal, and thus, the transaction was completed.
Then, having already paid a reward, Mr. Fool had to look at Alice, who had handed in a fake: "Miss 'Fate,' what do you wish to obtain?"
"I request to speak with you alone... Um, I have a question to ask you."
Klein immediately understood Alice's meaning. Sure enough, after isolating the others' sight, Alice couldn't wait to ask: "Where exactly did you bring him from?"
"I'm not quite sure," Klein explained, "but I suspect he might be from the Forsaken Land of the Gods."
"The legendary Forsaken Land of the Gods?" Alice confirmed in astonishment.
"That's right." Klein nodded.
(End of this chapter)