Upon hearing "Tower's" words, "The Hanged Man" Alger was shocked that the other party seemed to have already found a stable method of entering and exiting the Forsaken Land of the Gods. At the same time, he subconsciously began to consider ways to prevent "Sun" from accepting the proposal.
After all, once "Sun" left the Forsaken Land of the Gods, it would mean losing the Silver City channel. The "investment" he had made in the other party would effectively go down the drain…
But Alger immediately recalled "Sun's" trust and gratitude toward him and could not help but feel a trace of shame for his own "despicable" thoughts.
"Mr. 'Tower,' you can bring people out of the Forsaken Land of the Gods now?" Even the gray fog could not block the look of surprise and joy on "Sun" Derrick's face.
"I indeed can." Ebner looked at him, first smiling and nodding, then changing his tone. "But I can only bring one or two people at most."
He naturally understood what Derrick was thinking. However, in a place like the Forsaken Land of the Gods, coming out still depended on the will of the True Creator.
With the "tacit understanding" between himself and that existence, bringing one or two people in and out was no big deal. But if he wanted to "relocate" Silver City as a whole, he would likely have to wait until the great door of the Giant King's Court was opened.
"I see…" Derrick was somewhat disappointed, but his gaze quickly firmed as he asked again, "Then after I advance, can I still return to Silver City?"
If not, he would rather attempt other, more difficult and complex methods.
The outside world was wonderful, but if he could not bring all his companions from Silver City out with him, then it would have no meaning at all… As the only medium of contact between Silver City and Mr. Fool, he could not abandon them and go alone to enjoy life in the normal world.
Right… with 'Sun's' character, there's no way he would just stay in our world with a clear conscience. He would definitely go back… I was using the mindset of a despicable person to speculate about the actions of a noble one… "The Hanged Man" Alger mocked himself inwardly and felt even more ashamed of the thought that had just arisen.
Hearing Derrick's question and recalling his consistent character, the other members easily deduced what he was thinking and could not help but feel admiration.
At this moment, Ebner smiled and replied, "Of course you can return."
"That's good…" Derrick let out a breath of relief, stood up, and bowed to Ebner in gratitude before bringing up the matter of compensation. "Mr. 'Tower,' I wonder what you require?"
Ebner calmly accepted "Sun's" bow. Upon hearing the question, he waved his hand. "No need to rush. You still have more than a month before you finish digesting the 'Notary' potion. We can talk about it then."
"Yes…" Derrick nodded obediently, already thinking about returning to discuss with the Chief and see whether they could prepare in advance a list of high-level items Silver City could offer.
After this topic passed, "Justice" Audrey picked up the thread, looked around, and said:
"Last week, I met Hvin Rambis, a council member of the Psychology Alchemists."
She paused slightly, glanced at "Judgment" Xio, "Magician" Fors, and "Tower" Ebner opposite her, then turned her gaze toward Mr. "World" at the end of the table and continued:
"He attempted to give me psychological suggestions, asking me to interact more with Baron Ebner Bryan of Beldan and use that to gather intelligence on Gehrman Sparrow… Fortunately, Mr. Fool arranged for an angel to bless me, so I was not actually affected. Mm, what should I do next?"
Slander! This is slander! I never gave you any 'suggestion' at all—that was just your own psychological reaction! Ebner defended himself inwardly when he saw the scrutinizing look Xio cast his way.
There can even be an angel's "blessing"? Leonard looked around in astonishment and realized that none of the other Tarot Club members showed surprise. They were all listening carefully. Clearly, he was the only one who had not known about such "benefits."
"Klein's letter introducing the situation didn't mention this…" Leonard cast a faintly resentful glance at "World" at the end of the long table.
Of course, he was not at all surprised that there were angels beneath Mr. Fool's divine throne. After all, the old monster Rein seated at the head was essentially an angel, and the newly advanced angel of the Abraham family, Alvin, was obviously also under Mr. Fool.
He was simply astonished that Tarot Club members seemed able to frequently pray for assistance of this level, and he regarded this secret organization even more highly.
"Hermit" Cattleya, upon hearing the name "Ebner," could not help but frown and ask in confusion, "Why would approaching Ebner Bryan yield information about Mr. 'World'?"
She knew that Ebner and Gehrman were acquainted—this had been mentioned when the latter traveled on the "Future"—but she did not believe Ebner knew Gehrman's true identity.
—Cattleya's understanding of Ebner still remained at the time of last year's incident involving Baron Conva. She did not know that "Tower" was Ebner and could hardly connect the two.
In her eyes, "Tower's" real-world identity was "Professor."
"The Hanged Man" Alger shared the same doubt. In the entire Tarot Club, only he and Cattleya did not know that "Tower" was the "Hero Detective." Even "Sun" Derrick had seen Ebner's appearance.
As for this question, "Justice" Audrey did not know how to answer for a moment.
Just as she was hesitating over whether to request a private conversation to ask Mr. "Tower" whether his identity could be disclosed, "World" Gehrman suddenly spoke and resolved her difficulty:
"Ebner Bryan is my friend… When I clashed with Hvin in Pritz Harbor before, I may have inadvertently leaked some information that caused him to suspect Ebner…"
Hearing this, "Hermit" Cattleya frowned again. "In that case, wouldn't that detective be in danger?
"The Psychology Alchemists might seize him to coerce you…"
The reason she cared about Ebner's safety was mainly because Jane, who was still in Nas preparing to advance to Sequence 5, depended on him.
Before she could finish speaking, however, "Moon" Emlyn suddenly let out a snort of laughter.
In "Moon's" view, with Ebner's background and strength, if the Psychology Alchemists dared provoke him, the unlucky ones would definitely be them.
Hearing the derisive laugh, "Hermit" Cattleya swallowed the rest of her words and looked over in confusion.
But Emlyn had no intention of explaining. He merely leaned back steadily in his chair, completely ignoring Madam "Hermit's" scrutiny.
In the end, it was "Star" Leonard who kindly offered a reminder: "With Ebner Bryan's strength, if Hvin went to trouble him, the one who would suffer losses would definitely be the Psychology Alchemists!
"That's why that royal advisor suggested that Miss 'Justice' approach him."
Are you sure you're talking about Ebner Bryan? Isn't he just a 'Polymath'? Why does the person you're describing seem completely different from the one I know? "Hermit" Cattleya looked around blankly at the others, only to find that not only were "Justice," "Magician," and "Judgment" full of agreement, but even the usually expressionless "Temperance" gave an almost imperceptible nod.
This discovery left Cattleya inwardly clicking her tongue. At the same time, she became certain that the detective Jane had taken a liking to was definitely also a believer of Mr. Fool. Otherwise, he would not be acquainted with so many Tarot Club members.
The Queen is in Backlund. When I write next time, I'll ask her what exactly is going on with Ebner… Cattleya thought to herself, but outwardly closed her mouth, ending the discussion.
Originally intending to offer some suggestions, "The Hanged Man" Alger refrained because he was not familiar with the "Hero Detective." He decided to observe further.
"There's no need to pay too much attention to this matter. Hvin Rambis doesn't know you have private contact with Ebner, and on the surface, you can't even be said to know each other well. You rarely have opportunities to meet…
"So the task he gave you to approach Ebner will certainly not be urgent. You are fully capable of dealing with him, providing less important information while safeguarding core secrets, seeking opportunities to obtain potion formulas, or even extraordinary materials.
"After some time, once I am fully prepared, even if Hvin Rambis dies, no one will suspect you." Seated at the very end of the mottled long table, "World" Gehrman Sparrow looked at Miss "Justice" and let out a hoarse laugh.
So Mr. "World" still hasn't given up on assassinating Hvin Rambis… Audrey nodded thoughtfully, then took a small breath and politely expressed her thanks.
"I understand what to do. Thank you all."
After this matter concluded, the gathering gradually approached its end. Seeing that it was about time, "The Fool" Klein lightly tapped the edge of the table.
"That will be all for today."
"Your will is our will!" "Justice" Audrey and the others stood up simultaneously and bowed respectfully.
After their figures vanished above the gray fog, Klein looked toward the only one who had not left—"Tower"—and asked after some consideration:
"Do you know Viscount Lavran?"
Ebner was momentarily stunned, then smiled. "Of course. He even invited me to his illegitimate daughter's coming-of-age ceremony."
So you're going too… For some reason, Klein immediately felt more at ease upon hearing this. Still, he briefly recounted the intelligence he had gathered and finally asked:
"What exactly is wrong with Viscount Lavran's mistress, Windsor Belling? Why was she arrested by the Church?"
In response, Ebner organized his thoughts slightly before answering:
"That Mrs. Windsor is a believer of the 'Primordial Moon.' She once presided over the affairs of a subordinate force of the evil god in Backlund.
"The 'doctor' who brought the corruption of the 'Primordial Moon' to the 'Demoness of Affliction' Rey was an outer member she developed.
"And the 'Desolate One' squad that applied to enter Backlund a year ago was also aiming to capture her."
A believer of the 'Primordial Moon'? Klein tapped his fingers on the edge of the long table and asked, "Then could she and the Viscount's illegitimate daughter have been corrupted by the 'Primordial Moon' as well?"
"Not at all… You should trust the Church of the Earth Mother's professionalism in such matters!
"Since Windsor has been confirmed as a cultist, how could her daughter not undergo strict examination? If she had also been corrupted, how could she still enjoy her freedom?" Ebner asked with a smile.
"Phew, so that young lady has no problem?" Klein exhaled.
He decided to perform a divination later. If there was no danger, he would agree to MP Macht's request.
"No, the problem is huge!" Ebner shook his head.
Huge problem? Were you just spouting nonsense earlier? When Klein looked over with a puzzled expression, Ebner continued with dramatic cadence:
"That young lady is now Amon!"
(End of Chapter)