"Oh?"
"I grew up with Olivia—we were childhood sweethearts. But during the years I served in the military, her father became addicted to gambling and lost everything the family had. Worse, he racked up a massive debt."
"Olivia had no choice…so she agreed to become a mistress to a nobleman from Loen."
"When I was discharged and returned to Backlund, finding out about all this was utterly devastating. I spiralled into a long period of despair. It wasn't until I saw one of my old comrades living in utter misery after retiring that I got the idea to start a security firm."
Aldrich spoke slowly, as if recounting something carved into his soul.
"Then one day, during an assignment, I saw Olivia again. And from there…well, we rekindled things."
Klein's mouth twitched slightly. And to think you spoke so righteously when deciding what to do with Olivia…saying you weren't a policeman, nor a churchman, blah blah blah.
Aldrich went on, "After that, we stayed in touch. Right up until the assassination incident—Olivia found me through Miss Akasha's 'recommendation' and asked me to escort her and her companions to the Desi Bay."
"My plan was to finish this escort job, then hand over my firm to a trusted brother and join her in Desi Bay. But then…everything went sideways."
Klein said coldly, "So you knew she was a vampire all along?"
"…Yes."
Aldrich quickly added, "But that lady's death must've been a misunderstanding! I'd prepared more than enough blood for her. There's no way she would've gone mad or lost control from lack of it!"
"But she confessed to it herself."
"I—I don't know why either. I asked her again and again, but she just wouldn't say."
Klein frowned slightly. So Olivia likely took the blame willingly. She must've known who the real 'culprit' was, but chose to protect them.
Could it be…that Olivia knew about the existence of that witch from the start? That she insisted on coming to Bansy Harbour despite knowing the danger—because she had no choice?
Then…what exactly does that hidden witch want? Could it be tied to that demigod witch who later appeared on the pirate ship?
Forget it. This whole affair is way beyond my level. Who knows what kind of filth is buried underneath it all? I really did my best—and nearly lost my life at the hands of a demigod. That's already more than enough.
With that thought, Klein said in a deep voice, "In any case, I did everything I possibly could. I even crossed paths with a demigod for this. So I expect the full 2,500 pounds and one pence—not a penny less."
Aldrich immediately nodded. "I understand. I understand. I'll go get the money from my room right away. But…"
He looked at Klein pleadingly.
"Mr. Sparrow, is there really…truly no way to rescue Olivia?"
"…"
"I—I can offer more money."
Klein frowned, ready to decline—but then a thought struck him. The new Tarot Gathering is happening this afternoon. Maybe I can bring it up there and see if someone else can help. I could even make a cut as the middleman…
He changed his tone to a mild one.
"Wait for now. I'll think it over."
"But—"
"No buts."
Klein cut him off.
"Let's just settle this payment first."
When Klein returned to his room, expression cold, with a bag full of cash in hand, his face instantly lit up with joy. He grabbed a large wad of banknotes and took a deep whiff.
A pungent, almost nauseating stench of money.
And I love it!
If any of you can't stand this smell—give your money to me!
Time to offer it up—offering, offering, up to above the grey fog. That's the safest place for it.
———
At the edge of the Sonia Sea, in waters far from any major sea routes, Alger stood on the deck with a monocular telescope in hand, gazing at a massive, mist-shrouded island in the distance.
From afar, he could already see multiple shadowy blue raptors circling in the sky above the island. He knew those were Blue Shadow Falcons—one of the main ingredients he needed to advance to Sequence 6: Wind-blessed.
Though these creatures roughly matched Sequence 6 in terms of strength, their actual combat ability was somewhat inferior. After all, they were still beasts, relying solely on instinct to fight.
Even so, Alger didn't command the ship to approach. He wasn't afraid of one or two of them, but Blue Shadow Falcons tended to flock together. He had to wait patiently for the right moment.
If…if I had a teammate as strong as Mr. Tower, we could explore this entire island and harvest far more valuable materials.
But…I just can't accept that.
After a long silence, Alger turned and returned to the captain's cabin.
To avoid leaking the coordinates of this island, he had taken special precautions in advance—he'd purchased a drug from Mr. Tower that could put everyone on board into a deep sleep. As a result, he was the only one awake on the ship right now.
I'll wait a bit longer. Mr. Tower isn't rushing me for repayment anyway…If possible, it's best for this island to remain under my sole control.
He glanced at his pocket watch, then took a sip of beer and leaned back into the sofa.
"Ten more minutes."
———
Fog Sea.
On the deceptively calm yet perilous waters sailed The Dawn, the flagship of the Queen Mystic—one of the Four Kings.
Bernadette sat quietly in the captain's cabin, flipping through the Chinese self-study "bible" Edward had left her. From time to time, she would take out a few pages of Roselle's diary, reading them with a frown, a smile, or a moment of contemplative silence.
Just then, a thick grey fog surged before her eyes. Within it, a mysterious figure seated upon a bronze throne gazed down at her with calm eyes:
"Lady Power, I forgot to tell you last time—I host a weekly gathering for those who believe in me, held every Monday at 3 PM. They call it the Tarot Club. Would you be interested in attending?"
Bernadette was momentarily stunned, but then nodded.
"Of course, esteemed Mr. Fool."
Her father had also once participated in a mysterious gathering. There, he had met many legendary figures whose existence defied common belief—it had broadened his horizons like never before.
However, he had never told her what kind of gathering it was, nor the true purpose behind that assembly of extraordinary individuals.
Mr. Fool's invitation stirred a peculiar feeling in her—like she was retracing her father's footsteps.
Of course, she knew very well that this gathering was not the same as the one her father had joined. Mr. Fool hadn't awakened yet during her father's lifetime.
"Mm." Mr. Fool's tone didn't shift in the slightest. "Let me make it clear in advance—most of the other Tarot members are only mid-to-low-sequence Beyonders. To avoid affecting them unnecessarily, please continue to attend using the method you employed last time."
"I understand," Bernadette replied with composure.
Mr. Fool allowed a faint smile to rise on his lips:
"Then…I hope you enjoy their company."
As the grey fog and the mysterious figure both faded away, Bernadette found herself once again sitting alone in the captain's cabin, as if what she had just seen had been nothing more than an illusion.
"Tarot Club?"
She closed her book and murmured, "Monday, 3 PM…So last time, Edward must have been attending this very gathering when he was inside the tent?"
But then—why had this mysterious Mr. Fool chosen a group of low-and mid-sequence Beyonders to be his believers and form a gathering?
Just as that question formed in her mind, she suddenly recalled: back when her father first became involved with that mysterious organisation, he hadn't been a high-sequence either.
Perhaps…it's because those who grow from lower sequences are more trustworthy? Or maybe Mr. Fool sees unique potential in these members? Or is it something else entirely?
As the clock in the cabin neared 3 PM, Bernadette drew a line through the air and retrieved from a secret compartment the Sage Frontlet, composed of tiny diamond-like crystals. She placed it on her forehead.
In that moment, both her body and soul transformed into a stream of pure information, composed of knowledge and data. After a brief moment of stillness, a flood of deep crimson light and boundless grey fog surged forward, completely enveloping her.
The next instant, Bernadette stood once again inside that majestic, giant-like palace.
Compared to her last visit, this time there were many indistinct figures seated around her—not just Mr. Fool on the highest bronze chair.
Which one is Edward?
She had just begun to look around when a cheerful and lively voice broke the eternal silence of the grey fog:
"Good afternoon, Mr. Fool~!"
Miss Justice's bright, upbeat voice immediately lifted the atmosphere, even allowing Klein to momentarily set aside the heavy matters plaguing his mind.
"Good afternoon, Mr. Tower~! Good afternoon, Mr. Hanged Man~! Good afternoon…"
She greeted every member one by one, and finally turned toward the new faces, saying sweetly, "Good afternoon, to the two newly joined ladies~!"
Mr. Fool then said calmly, "These two are the newly joined Lady Strength and Miss Empress."
Audrey had already heard from Edward that Bernadette and Lilith had joined the Tarot Club, so she smiled naturally and greeted them, "Good afternoon, Lady Strength, Miss Empress~"
Bernadette nodded calmly.
"Good afternoon, everyone."
Her gaze swept across the group, pausing briefly on Edward and Lilith before landing on Miss Death.
A child? I can understand Lilith's presence—but who is this other child?
She simply couldn't believe that a mysterious and powerful deity would allow a random little girl to attend a gathering of his followers without good reason.
Unlike Bernadette's composure, Lilith was far more confused. Although Mr. Fool had given her a brief explanation about the Tarot Club, she hadn't quite understood what it all meant. One moment later, she found herself surrounded by all these people.
But remembering Edward's instructions, she dutifully greeted them, then stole a glance in the direction of Mr. Tower, and softly murmured, "Good…afternoon."
Then she fell silent.
As for Lady Strength, most members couldn't quite get a read on her. Judging from her attire, she appeared to be a woman of rather…unique taste.
But Miss Empress?
Another child?
———
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