"Didn't we just talk earlier today? How come you don't understand now?"
"I suspect you're playing me, but I have no evidence!"
Klein felt somewhat helpless, but there was nothing he could do if the other party couldn't understand him.
He could only converse in Chinese.
But would this expose him?
It shouldn't.
He had revealed his knowledge of Chinese in front of 'Justice' and 'The Hanged Man' as well.
No one had stipulated that a local native god couldn't learn Chinese, right? Moreover...
Knowing Chinese would better highlight 'The Fool's' omniscience and omnipotence as a deity, enhancing his mystique.
On this side, 'The Fool' prepared everything.
Meanwhile, on the other side, Ashes...
Still frowned deeply.
Don't I have the 'Eye of Wisdom'? Why can't I understand this?
What a piece of trash, this 'Eye of Foolishness'!
Wait, something's wrong.
Ashes looked around.
He suddenly realized that his current state didn't seem to have the 'Eye of Wisdom' with him.
Got it.
The current him was probably in a soul state, while the 'Eye of Wisdom' was still with his physical body.
No problem then.
The 'Eye of Wisdom' was actually quite powerful.
"Welcome, Mr. Ashes."
Klein adjusted his mindset and began speaking in Chinese with a smile, "You may call me 'The Fool'."
After speaking, Klein continued in a calm and even tone, "You seem to not understand the common language of Ruen, but I happen to have studied your language a bit."
Hmm.
This would both maintain 'The Fool's' mystique and allow him to converse with the other party.
Perfect.
"You people?"
Ashes indeed reacted to 'The Fool's' mention of "you people," asking, "Who else?"
"Many."
Klein relaxed immediately upon seeing Ashes' reaction and continued with a smile, "For instance, Emperor Roselle, he was one of you."
"Roselle? Who's that?"
Ashes raised an eyebrow, another unfamiliar name.
"I..."
Klein's voice faltered, nearly losing his composure on the spot.
What's wrong with this guy?
Is he here to make things difficult for me on purpose? Also, does he know any basic common knowledge at all?!
Wait.
If the other party crossed over at the same time as himself...
He had Klein's memories as a cushion, so naturally, he knew some common knowledge.
But the other party had climbed out of a grave...
Uh.
So, it's normal that he doesn't understand Ruen language and doesn't know about Roselle.
No problem then.
"I think you can ask around after you leave."
Klein spoke in a slightly teasing tone, "He is quite famous in this world."
"I see."
Ashes nodded silently, then turned his gaze to the mysterious figure who called himself 'The Fool,' asking, "Where is this place?"
"The Tarot Club."
Klein continued in an ethereal and profound tone, "A gathering for the fated."
"The Tarot Club? The Fool?"
Ashes raised an eyebrow slightly, as if he had caught onto something.
In fact.
Although his memory of this world was fragmented, it wasn't entirely blank.
Just like how he could associate this world with 'Lord of the Mysteries' based on the Church of the Night, the Goddess of the Night, Anthony, and Arianna.
Based on the existing clues, a few scattered thoughts suddenly appeared in his mind.
But because he lacked key information, he couldn't connect everything together.
"What are you looking for?"
Seeing Ashes fall silent again, Klein couldn't help but feel a bit helpless, so he took the initiative to guide him.
"A Lord of Cinder."
Ashes seemed to respond instinctively to these words, lifting his head to look at 'The Fool,' slowly saying, "Do you know where to find them?"
"..."
Klein's eyelids twitched, and for a moment, he had a 'flash of insight' when looking at Ashes' gaze—
Could he be thinking about burning me?
Klein's mouth twitched slightly, it seemed quite possible.
And who knows what kind of Lords of Cinder exist in this world?
"You should already have clues, right?"
Klein put on a profound look.
"Yes."
Ashes nodded slightly, "He gave me a hint about the Black Emperor."
Who is 'he'? Is it him or her? Or is it 'It'?
Klein's thoughts moved quickly, but he soon collected himself and deliberately chuckled softly, "The Black Emperor, I see."
"Do you know where?"
Ashes seemed to find a lead and pressed on.
"Of course."
Klein smiled slightly, but inwardly, he was still mocking—of course not.
He didn't even know who the Black Emperor was, let alone where to find him.
But based on the history his 'previous self' had known, the Black Emperor seemed to be a common title for every emperor of the Solomon Empire?
But what does this have to do with the Lords of Cinder? Could it be that the 'Black Emperors' of the Solomon Empire are still alive?
"I can tell you the answer."
Klein quickly thought it over, but outwardly maintained a serene smile, "But the question is, what can you offer in return?"
"What do you want?"
Ashes immediately asked back.
"..."
Klein was at a loss for words again, you really put me in a tough spot.
If this really was Ashes, there were many pieces of equipment he wanted from him.
But the problem was, he couldn't ask for them! He didn't know where the Black Emperor was. What if he asked for something and couldn't provide the answer? Wouldn't that ruin his mystique completely?! "I follow the principle of equivalent exchange."
Klein continued in a deep tone, "But unfortunately, it's a price you can't afford for now. However, I can give you an opportunity."
"What opportunity?"
Ashes continued to ask.
"The Tarot Club."
Klein smiled, "Some people like you have requested to establish a regular gathering, and I am the witness. You can't pay the price to get the information from me, but that doesn't mean they can't."
"How about it, do you want to join?"
Klein spoke in a cryptic and profound manner.
"Yes!"
Ashes agreed without hesitation.
But after speaking, he frowned slightly, this scenario seemed familiar, just like a great blessing...
Wait.
Ashes showed a hint of confusion.
What is a great blessing? His mind flashed with inspiration, but because of the severely damaged memory, he couldn't grasp the key points.
Seeing Ashes finally taking the bait, Klein felt relieved.
He tapped his left index finger, making the Tarot cards materialize on the bronze long table:
"They use Tarot cards as their code names, Justice and The Hanged Man already have their spots."
"You can choose one from the remaining Tarot cards."
"..."
Ashes silently scanned the Tarot cards and finally settled on one—
The World.
His intuition told him that he should choose The World.
Not because of 'Za Warudo,' but because it seemed like something interesting would happen.
But.
It wasn't interesting enough.
"I choose this one."
Ashes pointed to one card and said slowly.
Mr. 'Fool' glanced at it.
"The Lovers."
Klein's eye twitched slightly, why did he feel the other party chose this card with a sense of mischief?
"Every Monday, 3 PM, without interference."
Klein briefly introduced the specific time and requirements to 'The Lovers.'
Then, he sent the other party out of the gray fog directly.
Because he already sensed something was wrong and feared that continuing would expose him.
"Did I say too much just now?"
Klein started to review his own actions and couldn't help but self-reflect.
As 'The Fool,' he shouldn't be too talkative.
But firstly, the other party lacked common knowledge, and without more words, the two riddlers wouldn't be able to communicate.
Secondly, he felt a genuine sense of closeness when the other party spoke Chinese, and he couldn't help but say more.
But it should be fine.
After all, he was a 'fellow countryman' who spoke Chinese, 'Ashes' who would save the world.
With his 'status,' he deserved a few more words from 'The Fool,' without losing face.
"Phew."
Klein felt relieved after reviewing and finding no major flaws.
Since he had already pulled Mr. Ashes up into the gray fog.
Then, it was only a matter of time.
"No rush, can't rush for now, everything will come in due time."
(End of this chapter)
50 Power stones = Extra Chapter