The simple answer emanated through the grand hall, dissipating into the fog, but kept resonating in Audrey's and Alger's hearts, stirring up one ripple after another.
The designation perfectly embodied the image of someone mysterious, powerful, and bizarre.
After a few seconds of silence, Audrey stood up and slightly bent her knees, curtseying to Klein. "Honorable Mr. Fool, would you please permit me to take the liberty of requesting you to be the witness of our trade?"
"It's nothing." Klein's mind whirred as he answered in a way that matched his status.
"It's our honor, Mr. Fool." Alger stood up as well, benting his back slightly with his right palm over his chest.
Klein gestured with his right hand. "Continue, the both of you."
Alger nodded and sat back down before looking at Audrey. "If you can obtain the Ghost Shark's blood, get someone to send it to the Warrior & Sea Bar at Pelican Street in the White Rose Borough of Pritz Harbor. Tell the boss, Williams, that it's what the 'Captain' wants.
Once I acknowledge receipt, will you be giving me an address where to mail the potion formula, or do you want me to tell it to you here directly?"
Audrey thought for a moment. "I will choose the more secure method. Let's do it here, although it will be a test of my memory."
Since Mr. Fool had agreed to bear witness for the trade, it also hinted that there would be a similar 'gathering' the next time.
With this in mind, she turned to look at Klein with sparkling eyes, and with a tone of interest, she suggested, "Mr. Fool, do you intend on making a few more 'gatherings' like this?"
Alger listened to her suggestion calmly and was tempted by it as well. "Mr. Fool, don't you find such 'gatherings' interesting? Although your powers exceed our imaginations, there have to be certain domains that you don't understand or excel in.
The person across from me is obviously a young lady of lofty stature. I also have my own unique set of experiences, insights, mediums, and resources. Perhaps there will come a day when both of us can help you complete something trivial."
The fact that I had been pulled into this space without any warning or means to resist meant that the mysterious Mr. Fool was in control. Participating in the 'gatherings' was not necessarily something I could refuse. Therefore, it was better to reap the benefits of this encounter as much as I could in this passive and disadvantaged state.
The trio at the long table had different backgrounds, resources, information channels, and comprehension of the mystical domain. If they interacted and enjoyed some limited cooperation, they could produce unpredictable effects.
The resource trade that had just been negotiated was one example. Another example would be if he wished to assassinate someone, he could request the gathering's members who would not appear to be related to him, both on the surface and in reality, and perfectly misdirect any investigators.
A young lady of lofty stature... Was my behavior and accent that obvious? Audrey stared blankly, but she soon jolted back to her senses. "Mr. Fool, I think it's a very good suggestion. As long as these 'gatherings' become regular, you can leave certain things that you find inconvenient entirely to us. Of course, it must be something within our capacities."
From the moment he heard the suggestion, Klein was already weighing the pros and cons. More gatherings would allow me to learn more of the secrets of the Beyonders or other mystical knowledge. For example, it was likely that the Spectator' potion formula would appear in the next gathering, and similarly, the information I'll gain was bound to be helpful for my present life.
However, more gatherings meant it was also easier to expose myself.
Indeed, regardless of the world, there is no such thing as a free lunch. Klein extended his right hand again as he rapped the side of the long table.
Considering the fact that I am in control of the gathering's summoning and dismissal, any threat of exposure will be within the confines of my control. The pros clearly exceeded the cons, so Klein quickly made a decision. He stopped his rapping as he smiled at the anticipative and perturbed gazes of the duo.
"I'm a person who likes a fair and equal exchange.
Your help will not go unrewarded.
Every Monday at three in the afternoon, you will be summoned here, so try your best to be alone. After I figure out certain things, perhaps you can apply for a leave of absence ahead of time and will no longer need to worry of being summoned during inappropriate situations."
This was Klein's form of agreement to Alger's and Audrey's suggestions.
Audrey had just turned seventeen. Having been taken care of her entire life, she had the character of a young girl. She could not help but clench her fists when she heard The Fool's reply, and without waiting for Alger to say a word, she spoke. "Then, shall we give ourselves code names? After all, we can't use our real names to converse."
Although I might not be able to deceive Mr. Fool regarding my true identity, the person opposite me poses some danger. I must not let him know who I am.
"Good idea," Klein said in a simple and relaxed manner.
Audrey's mind immediately began whirring as she aired her thoughts. "You are Mr. Fool, which is derived from tarot cards. Then, as a fixed, long-term, and secretive 'gathering,' we should be uniform in our designations, and I'll also choose one codename from the tarot cards."
Her tone slowly turned joyful. "I've decided. My designation shall be 'Justice'!'"
'Justice' was one of the twenty-two Major Arcana's tarot cards.
"What about you, Mister?" Audrey cheekily smiled at her 'partner' sitting across from her.
Alger frowned slightly before relaxing. "The Hanged Man."
"Alright, then we can be considered as the founding members of the Tarot Club!" Audrey was the first to blurt it out, looking fearfully at the fog-concealed Klein. "Will that be alright, Mr. Fool?"
Klein shook his head in amusement. "Alright, you can decide on such trivial matters by yourselves."
"Thank you!" Audrey said then looked at Alger. "Mr. Hanged Man, can you repeat the address again once more? I'm afraid that my memories will fail me."
"No problem." Alger was very pleased with Audrey's seriousness as he repeated the address once more.
Audrey silently repeated it to herself three times and asked. "I heard that tarot cards were invented by Emperor Roselle as a game, and that they don't actually come equipped with divination abilities. Is that correct?"
Alger took a glance at Klein, and seeing no response from him, he refuted Audrey's claim. "Not entirely. Most of the time, divination stems from one's self. Everyone has a bit of spirituality within themselves, which allows you to attune to the spiritual world and connect to information about yourself at an even higher level.
It's just that ordinary folks aren't able to notice this, let alone interpret the 'signs' they receive. The information in question will present itself with the help of divination tools. A simple example would be: dreams and dream interpretation.
So, it's not that tarot cards are equipped with the ability; it's that they're a tool to perform divinations. They just use more symbolism and logical reasoning to help us easily and accurately interpret these 'signs.'"
Although Klein appeared indifferent, he was listening very carefully. It was at this point that his empty mind slowly became heavy as he began to feel a throbbing pain.
Audrey nodded in agreement but emphasized. "That's not what I meant. I'm not doubting the tarot cards, but I heard that Emperor Roselle had actually created another set of cards, more secret and mysterious. They were paper cards that symbolized a particular unknown power—a total of twenty-two cards that he completed. Later on in life, he referenced them to create the twenty-two Major Arcana tarot cards, which are used as a tool for games. Was what I said correct?" She looked at Klein as though she was attempting to get an answer from the mysterious Mr. Fool.
All Klein did was smile without saying a word and cast his gaze at The Hanged Man as though he were putting him to the test.
Alger straightened his back and said. "That's right. It is said that Emperor Roselle had seen the Blasphemy Slate, and that set of paper cards contains the profound mysteries of the twenty-two paths of the divine."
"Twenty-two paths of the divine..." Audrey repeated with a longing tone.
At that moment, Klein's headache intensified, and he felt that his invisible connection with the crimson stars and grayish-white fog was beginning to falter. "Alright, that will be all for today's gathering," he said, making a decision.
"By your will." Alger bowed his head respectfully.
"By your will." Audrey mimicked The Hanged Man, although she had several questions and thoughts and was unwilling to have it end so soon.
Klein said before severing the connection. "Let us look forward to the next gathering."
The 'stars' brightened once more as the crimson light receded like water. Everyone's figures turned into a blur phasing away, and the 'projection' shattered as the gray fog restored its silence.
As for Klein, he felt himself turning heavy. His surroundings turned fleeting as his eyes met darkness before changing into dazzling sunlight, and he found himself standing in the middle of his apartment.
Everything felt like a dream... What the heck was that foggy world? Who or what sort of power created the changes that just happened? Klein sighed softly. He was completely puzzled as he walked towards the study desk as though his legs were filled with lead.
He picked up the pocket watch to determine how much time had passed. "Time flowed at the same pace." He made a rough judgment.
After putting down his pocket watch, he found himself unable to endure the splitting headache any further. He sat on the chair and lowered his head. "From the looks of it, I won't be able to return." He tried his best to refocus his solutions and plans so as to purge the negative emotions in him.
After witnessing such a fascinating event and learning about the situation regarding the Beyonders and the mysterious world, he no longer dared to rashly try the luck enhancement ritual using ancient Feysac or Loen language.
Who knows what else could happen? Perhaps something more bizarre, horrifying, or even a living hell.
At the very least, I should attempt only when I have a deep mastery of mysticism. Klein thought helplessly.
Thankfully, the so-called gathering could provide me with help.
The 'gathering' that just happened sure is fascinating. People who reside in different places across the world could breach the distance of hundreds of kilometers and discuss face-to-face while supplying each other's needs. Uh, speaking of which, this does sound a little familiar...
Klein jested under his breath, "Wasn't this just like a social networking platform?"