"Although today is the full moon, it's still daytime, so there's no rush. I can give Klein a surprise first..."
Lynn stretched, stood up, and walked to the window. He glanced at 15 Minsk Street across the street to confirm that Klein hadn't left. Taking a deep breath, Lynn began preparing for the upcoming script.
The script he referred to was naturally about "an angelic fellow informing Lynn Sotos about the whereabouts of the Sefirot, and using an irresistible condition to make Lynn Sotos pray to The Fool."
Lynn couldn't be sure Klein would follow the script and join the Tarot Club, and he didn't plan to force it with 0-08.
Even if this script didn't work, Lynn had scripts two, three, and four lined up. He wasn't worried at all.
So, while Klein, who was at home with no commissions, sipping coffee and reading the newspaper, watched Lynn Sotos happily leave the house in his indescribable disguise as if he had received a commission, a few hours later, he saw a despondent Lynn Sotos appear on Minsk Street. Or rather, he looked more like someone who had faced a significant choice and was on the brink of financial ruin.
"What's going on?" Klein frowned slightly. He watched Lynn through the window, hesitating whether to go out and ask, when Lynn seemed to sense his gaze and looked up at him.
Klein hesitated for a second, stood up, and waved at Lynn.
A dozen seconds later, the familiar guest was once again in the living room of 15 Minsk Street.
"Lynn, what's wrong? Are you in some sort of trouble?"
Klein poured a cup of coffee for Lynn, as was his habit, and asked with concern.
Whether for personal or professional reasons, Klein couldn't ignore Lynn's abnormality.
"I... I'm not sure if I should say..." Lynn took the coffee, took a sip, and looked both hesitant and conflicted, wanting to confide but feeling it might not be appropriate.
In acting, Lynn really had a firm grasp.
Klein naturally saw through Lynn's deliberate "hesitation." He thought for a moment, sipped his coffee, and said, "If you're in trouble, why not talk to me? You know my capabilities. Even if you've offended someone as significant as the Intis ambassador again, I can still take on your commission."
His tone was calm and gentle, yet the content was reassuring.
"It's not that..." Lynn shook his head, looking at Klein. After a few seconds of hesitation, he sighed and said, "Do you remember the Fool that Miss Audience's companion mentioned to us last time?"
Huh? What's this about The Fool?
Klein was momentarily stunned but maintained a composed expression. He looked at Lynn with a hint of confusion and said, "What? Have you discovered something about The Fool, or encountered something related to The Fool?"
His expression was natural, as if he really didn't know anything about The Fool, much less having any connection with The Fool. In terms of acting, the Transmigrators were all naturally proficient, except for a certain Emperor.
Perhaps this was why all his fellow countrymen had thrived, except for a certain Emperor who was forced to be in a state of neither life nor death, waiting for Klein's rescue.
"I..." Lynn's gaze wavered, his lips moving but unable to speak a word for a while.
Fortunately, Klein had enough patience. He didn't rush Lynn, sipping his coffee slowly and waiting quietly.
The living room became silent. After a full half-minute, Klein saw that Lynn seemed to have finally made up his mind, but his first sentence almost made Klein choke.
"I have a friend, a very close friend..."
Klein: ...
Are you talking about yourself?
Klein was genuinely amused. He hadn't expected Lynn to use the classic "I have a friend" line. Considering Lynn's usual personality, it suddenly seemed very fitting.
Although Lynn was cautious about some things, in many matters, it was hard to tell if he was being deliberately careless or genuinely so.
"Well, what about your friend?" Despite his internal jokes, Klein naturally didn't expose Lynn and followed up with the question.
"My friend, for some special reasons, might have to pray to The Fool..." Lynn said, and then he heard coughing. It turned out that Klein, who was sipping coffee, finally choked.
"Cough..." Klein coughed twice, not even bothering to wipe the coffee he had accidentally spilled. He looked at Lynn and confirmed, "You want to pray to The Fool? Are you kidding me?"
Klein didn't worry that his reaction would raise suspicions. After all, anyone with basic knowledge of the Beyonder world would react this way to Lynn's words.
"It's not me, it's my friend." Lynn retorted without changing his expression.
"Alright, it's not you, it's your friend." Klein didn't dwell on this point. He looked at Lynn with puzzlement and surprise, asking, "But why would your friend suddenly want to pray to The Fool? Doesn't he know how dangerous it is? The Fool could be an unknown hidden existence, possibly even an evil god."
When it came to self-deprecation, Klein didn't hesitate when necessary.
"He knows it's dangerous. In fact, he knows very well that after praying, he might end up like Miss Audience's friend, falling into the abyss with no chance of rescue..." Lynn put down his coffee, his eyes drifting as if lost in memories, his voice growing softer.
"Then why are you still praying to The Fool?" Klein asked again. He didn't need any intuitive sense to guess that this likely had something to do with his angelic fellow countryman.
"I... not me, because someone offered my friend an irresistible condition..." Lynn seemed to wake from his memories. He drank his coffee again, as if convincing himself, "Some things are more important than my own life."
Klein was momentarily speechless. He didn't know what conditions were offered to Lynn or what situation could drive Lynn to risk his life despite knowing the dangers.
Klein could tell that Lynn had already made up his mind. He might be somewhat hesitant, but he mainly wanted to confide in someone, not really seeking advice.
(End of chapter)