"Selling 'Witch' potion formula, price negotiable."
Seeing the fishing information appear again on the blackboard behind Mr. A, Angel withdrew her gaze and observed the gathering members around her, trying to find hidden members of the "Witch Sect" among them.
Based on the situation at the last gathering and the experience of being tracked after leaving, she could confirm that Mr. A had spies from the "Witch Sect" here—perhaps they came to trade materials and earn money, or perhaps simply to monitor the Beyonder gathering.
Because before attending this gathering, Angel had burned the small dog mask that had earned her the name "Dog Lady," she could only wear the iron mask she had used at the "Eye of Wisdom" gathering. Although it only covered the upper half of her face, with the cooperation of the "Ring of Madness," she was confident no one would recognize her.
The number of members attending Mr. A's gathering this time was fewer than last week. She guessed it was related to the "Aurora Order's" terrorist attack and assassination of the neighboring country's ambassador. After all, there were quite a few Beyonders who knew Mr. A belonged to the Aurora Order, and after learning that the Aurora Order "was responsible for the terrorist attack that killed the ambassador," some Beyonders who feared trouble probably wouldn't attend gatherings for a while.
Even now, quite a few members on site were secretly casting glances toward the center of the venue, at Mr. A sitting in the single sofa. He kept his head lowered, hiding his expression under his hood, seemingly dozing off, but Angel always felt something was off about him—he seemed more dangerous, more insane than before.
Perhaps this is psychological...
She consoled herself.
After all, the "Aurora Order" had made such a big terrorist attack and announced responsibility so publicly—their methods were somewhat too extreme, giving her the impression that all the cultists were lunatics.
Of course, Mr. A himself probably wouldn't do such things, otherwise how would he dare to continue staying in the Queen's District, sandwiched between Sivellaus Field and St. Samuel's Cathedral, frequently hosting Beyonder gatherings?
Wasn't he afraid that the Nighthawks, Mandated Punishers, or Machinery Hivemind elite would burst through the door with a shout, trap him in the room, and cut him into irreparable mincemeat?
"Miss, there's a trade request for you, regarding the potion formula you're trying to sell."
An attendant approached with silent steps, bending to hand Angel a note.
Pretending she couldn't see in the darkness, Angel turned her body slightly toward the weak lamplight and looked at the note.
"Buying 'Witch' potion, face-to-face discussion."
It's here!
The contact from the "Witch Sect" that Angel had been waiting for.
Following the leading attendant to the door of the adjacent study, Angel straightened her hood and mask, then pushed open the door and entered the room.
A young man also wearing a hood but no mask was already standing in the study. He revealed half his chin, appearing mysterious and eerie in the shadows.
Seeing Angel enter, he nodded as a greeting.
From his build and height, he didn't seem to be the "Instigator" who tracked me that night and fled after I injured him... It looks like the "Witch Sect" has plenty of personnel, having arranged more than one person at just this one gathering of Mr. A's.
Of course, it's also possible that fellow is still not recovered after I cursed him using his blood, so they switched to a different scout.
Angel pretended not to know the other party's identity and asked eagerly:
"Are you the one buying the 'Witch' potion formula?"
"No, I'm not planning to buy the formula," the man didn't disguise his purpose. "I just want to confirm whether you know about the 'Witch Sect.'"
"Who are you? Why are you asking this?"
Taking a sharp breath, Angel stepped back in surprise, her eyes glancing at the room's exit, her tone carrying a trace of panic as she questioned.
"Hehe, don't get excited. I'm just giving you a chance—a chance to return to the organization."
The refined-looking man's lips curved up, his tone relaxed as he answered.
"No matter what you did before, as long as you pass the test, you can continue approaching the 'Primordial,' gain salvation, and escape the final apocalypse."
This sounds like what Madam Sharon said to Tris too...
Angel confirmed once again that the other party indeed came from the "Witch Sect." She nodded hesitantly, and even through the mask, put on an expression of not knowing what to do, asking:
"Pass the test? What should I do?"
The man fumbled under his robe for a moment, then handed over a note. Angel took it and looked down. It had an address written on it, located in the West District, on a street she had never heard of.
"The day after tomorrow, Wednesday evening at seven o'clock, arrive on time to accept the test. Only then will you have a chance to return to the 'Witch Sect.' Otherwise, who knows what unhealthy things might happen to you."
After giving his threatening instructions, the man tightened his hood and was the first to walk toward the door.
Seeing his light footsteps and relaxed demeanor, Angel, holding the note, couldn't help but mock:
"I'm curious—do you know that after entering Sequence 7, you'll become female?"
The man's footsteps stumbled.
In the boundless gray fog that seemed never to dissipate, deep crimson lights flashed one after another in the mysterious palace. The Tarot Club members appeared successively beside the bronze long table, appearing in their own high-backed chairs.
"Justice" Audrey Hall was surprised to discover that one more member was attending the Tarot Club this time. He was draped in a black robe, wearing a hood, his figure illusory and hazy, seated at the very end of the bronze long table, opposite Mr. Fool.
Her first thought was of Hugh Dilcha, whom she planned to develop as a new member, but the height clearly didn't match.
"This is the newly joined member. He has already chosen his card. You may call him 'Mr. World.'"
Mr. Fool at the head of the long table proactively introduced.
"Hello, Mr. World. I'm 'Justice.'"
The hospitable young lady greeted the new member, and following her lead, The Hanged Man and The Sun also offered their greetings.
They all received quite cold responses from The World.
It's a pity that Hugh and Fors haven't passed the examination yet, and a new member has already joined...
Audrey thought with some regret. Her small plan to fill the Tarot Club with her own people had suffered a setback.
Fortunately, The Fool hadn't forgotten her suggestion and soon issued a task exclusive to them, stating it was part of the membership examination.
When The Fool took the Roselle diary submitted by The Hanged Man and entered the reading time fixed for each meeting, Audrey also looked down at the color oil painting manifested before her.
The man in the painting wore round-framed glasses, his black hair combed back to reveal a full forehead. His brown eyes revealed a mocking expression. Below were annotations like "Former name: Lanevus" and other information.
Finding him was the task for Hugh and Fors.
Mr. Fool said the task was simple, which meant this person wasn't a powerful Beyonder, but to receive His attention, his identity must not be simple...
Find a chance to give the task to them, but I can't say it's Mr. Fool's test. Hmm, I'll just say it's a simple task. I might even need to offer a small bounty...
Audrey pondered, her gaze again turning to The World, who remained motionless like a wooden figure.
What kind of test did he undergo to join the Tarot Club?
And he actually chose "The World" card. In Tarot cards, "The Fool" is the beginning and "The World" is the end. Although the magnanimous Mr. Fool certainly wouldn't care about such implications, perhaps Mr. World's identity...
Audrey's thoughts ran wild for a moment.
"Enter free exchange time."
The Fool's low voice sounded, then He looked at Audrey and said in a gentle tone:
"Bakerland has been dealt with. Miss Justice, you did well. According to our agreement, you may choose your reward."
Feeling the surprised gazes from The Hanged Man and The Sun, Audrey felt refreshed. Unfortunately, the new member didn't seem to understand the significance of this matter, or could hide his emotions very well. He remained motionless after hearing The Fool's words, which disappointed her slightly.
Right, I can't keep Mr. Fool waiting!
She gathered her thoughts, organized her words, and answered:
"I should still owe You and Your follower their reward."
She maintained her principles and didn't conceal the fact that "Hurricane Lieutenant General" Qilangos had a high bounty.
The bounties from the Kingdom of Loen and other countries suffering from pirate attacks totaled 30,000 pounds for Qilangos. Audrey would give half to The Fool's follower who killed him, and assassinating Intis Ambassador Bakerland required paying Mr. A 10,000 pounds, so The Fool's follower could receive the remaining 5,000 pounds.
Hearing this amount, Mr. Fool fell briefly silent.
Is He dissatisfied? Indeed, I did nothing yet took half... Audrey, Audrey, how could you have such thoughts!
Her heart jumped to her throat, and she tried hard to maintain her posture. Just as she was about to offer all the remaining pounds to that follower, The Fool nodded slightly:
"Acceptable."
Audrey felt greatly relieved, her whole body relaxing.
"Then may I speak now?"
The World, who had been coldly watching, coughed lightly and inquired.
The Hanged Man seemed somewhat wary of this new member. His gaze lingered on the other for a long time, then he glanced at Mr. Fool. Seeing Him show no reaction, he replied softly:
"You may. As Mr. Fool said, this is now free exchange time."
"Good. I want to issue a commission," Mr. World said extremely quickly, as if he'd been waiting a long time. "Looking for a young female Beyonder. She came to Backlund from a northern city. Height approximately 1.75 meters, purple eyes, currently living in the Backlund Bridge area, by the Tussock River, somewhere. Very likely has means to hide her true appearance."
This, this is...
Audrey's eyes widened, then she immediately entered "Spectator" state, controlling her emotions and expression, making a gesture of interest in the commission by raising her eyebrows.
This height, age, and gender, coming from a northern city—could it be Tingen?
Isn't that Miss Queen's characteristics?
Why is this new member looking for "The Queen," looking for that Tarot Club member who requested a long leave from Mr. Fool and hasn't appeared for nearly a month?
She involuntarily looked toward Mr. Fool at the head of the long table. He remained motionless, as if unconcerned about this matter.