"Just as I thought."
Klein sighed inwardly, feeling somewhat helpless but not surprised by Ashes' sudden request.
Since the other party could understand Chinese, he would undoubtedly ask for these diaries, just like Klein did.
This was something Klein had already considered.
The problem was, if Ashes also read these diaries, then the next time Klein used the content from the diaries to show off, there was a risk of being exposed.
This would make the identity of 'The Fool' extremely awkward.
Thus.
Klein made a 'great decision'—
He would read the diaries first, and if there was any particularly important content that he could use to show off, he would give Ashes some diaries with key details redacted, or outdated ones.
After all, everything above the gray fog was his manifestation. Audrey's content written on the parchment would be invisible to Ashes.
If he secretly made some 'minor' modifications, Ashes would definitely not know.
What if the modifications were too much and aroused suspicion? Well, in that case, Klein could just make up some content to complete the diaries, making it foolproof.
Perfect.
"Lover... Mr. Lover."
Audrey, driven by strong curiosity, overcame her shyness and asked, "Can you understand Emperor Roselle's diaries?"
"I can understand a little."
Ashes nodded modestly.
"Being able to understand even a little is already impressive!"
Audrey said softly, amazed, "Mr. Lover must be a very skilled linguist, right?"
That was, after all, a script invented by Emperor Roselle, one that no one had been able to decipher so far.
Except for 'The Fool,' but he was a deity and couldn't be compared to mortals.
"Linguist?"
'The Fool' Klein couldn't help but want to interject, "He doesn't even know the common Ruen language, what kind of scholar is he!"
From their last meeting, Klein had already determined that Ashes didn't understand Ruen.
In reality, Ashes must be relying on some beyonder item for communication—
It could be some special tool from the Dark Souls world.
As for what it was, Klein had his guesses.
He recognized all the rings on Ashes' fingers, except for the 'eye' pendant on his neck, which he didn't know.
So, it's likely the magical effect of that eye.
Last time, it was probably worn on the body, which is why the soul above the gray fog couldn't understand Ruen.
This time, bringing it directly above the gray fog meant communication was no problem.
This was good too, saving Klein the trouble of acting as a translator.
"I'm just an ordinary apprentice."
Ashes shook his head, denying Audrey's praise.
"Is that so."
Audrey couldn't help but respect Ashes even more.
From his demeanor, Mr. Lover must be a scholar, but he remained so humble.
"Perhaps this is what Emperor Roselle meant by 'a true master always has the heart of an apprentice'?"
Audrey sighed softly again.
"Emperor Roselle?"
Ashes looked puzzled.
Did Roselle really say that? Don't lie to me, my memory is fragmented.
"You can obtain Roselle's diaries."
Klein, seeing the situation, quickly knocked on the table, changing the topic, "But only if you pay a sufficient price."
'The Fool' spoke calmly and evenly, revealing nothing unusual.
"What price do I need to pay?"
Ashes asked again.
'The Fool' smiled without answering, turning his gaze to Audrey.
"Uh~"
Audrey hesitated, then said softly, "I've already exchanged these diaries with Mr. Fool. If Mr. Lover wants them, you can trade with Mr. Fool."
After all, she had already given the diaries to Mr. Fool and couldn't just trade them to someone else on her own.
Saying this, Miss Justice became curious. She exchanged the diaries with Mr. Fool for 'knowledge.'
If Mr. Lover wanted the diaries, what would he have to give Mr. Fool in return?
"The diaries don't belong solely to me."
'The Fool' Klein knocked on the table and spoke slowly.
In other words, he encouraged Ashes to trade with others for the diaries rather than with him directly.
Firstly.
No matter who Ashes traded with, it would have to be through the Tarot Club and 'The Fool' would present it.
This way, Klein could manipulate the content.
Otherwise, if Ashes didn't want to trade with 'The Fool' and searched in reality, 'The Fool' would be out of luck.
Secondly.
If Ashes could only get the diaries from here, it would violate the principle of equivalent exchange and be too domineering.
Though being domineering wasn't necessarily bad for a deity, it wasn't good for the Tarot Club.
"Eh?"
Miss Audrey blinked, understanding The Fool's meaning. After hesitating for a moment, she made a request, "Mr. Lover, do you know about the Psychology Alchemists?"
"I don't."
Ashes shook his head slightly.
"Don't know?"
Alger raised an eyebrow, starting to speculate about Ashes' identity.
The Psychology Alchemists weren't exactly a secret organization. Even if one didn't know their location or members, they should have at least heard of them.
Of course.
This was true for Beyonders, but not necessarily for ordinary people.
Could Ashes be just an ordinary person or a weak wild Beyonder? Then what was that 'invisibility' earlier about? Or was it a situation similar to Miss Justice?
It was possible.
Asking what price he had to pay implied confidence in his own 'value,' believing he could afford it.
"Eh."
Miss Audrey looked visibly disappointed.
"Miss Justice, I think you don't need to be so anxious about finding the Psychology Alchemists. Your current focus should be on digesting the spectator potion."
Alger spoke slowly.
"I just want to have enough time to prepare."
Audrey said softly.
"You don't lack time."
Alger spoke slowly, "Without the Acting Method, the general principle is to wait at least three years, ensuring there are no symptoms of mania, auditory or visual hallucinations. A simple method to confirm this is to push yourself to the limit. If you still don't hear crazy whispers or see strange things, it means you're ready to advance."
"As for using the Acting Method, sorry, I have no reference since I've just come across it."
"Three years..."
Audrey puffed out her cheeks, not wanting to wait that long.
"A month."
Ashes spoke calmly, "Low sequences only need a month."
"A month?"
Audrey looked thrilled, then turned to Mr. Fool for confirmation.
"How should I know! Why are you looking at me?!"
'The Fool' Klein felt like crying, he hadn't learned this yet!
He gritted his teeth and could only slightly nod, tacitly agreeing with Ashes' words.
"You better not be tricking me."
Klein's heart was bleeding, now just praying Ashes was reliable and not making things up.
"That's great!"
Audrey was excited, only needing a month! That meant she could soon fully digest the potion.
But soon, she felt a bit down.
Because it also meant she only had a month to find the Psychology Alchemists.
(End of chapter)
50 Power stones = Extra Chapter