For a moment, Klein felt thoroughly shaken.
Compared to that, he—a true transmigrator with a cheat, the person destined to save the world from the apocalypse—felt utterly ashamed!
On impulse, he controlled the World and said, "Mr. Moon, I will also contribute 2,000 pounds to purchase supplies and support you."
As soon as he said it, Klein felt as if his heart had been sliced open.
But at a time like this, he couldn't afford to fuss over money.
Bernadette followed calmly, "I happen to have a considerable amount of food and weapons on hand. I'll arrange for them to be delivered to you as soon as possible."
Priscilla raised her hand.
"I can also obtain food and weapons from the Aurora Order!"
Little Sun said with embarrassment, "I'm sorry. There is nothing at all in the City of Silver…I probably won't be able to help."
Klein seized the opportunity and said, "Mr. Sun, we all know the City of Silver's circumstances. In fact, you are someone who needs our help as well. Not long ago, I asked a…'wonderful' friend to research a type of mushroom. If it succeeds, it might solve the City of Silver's food shortage."
Derrick's spirits lifted instantly. "Really? Thank you so much, Mr. World!"
Alger actually had no interest whatsoever in what Mr. Moon was doing in the Southern Continent.
But now that more than half the members had expressed their support, he knew he couldn't be the odd one out.
Thus, he said stiffly, "I will also use my abilities to assist."
That left only Fors, Lilith, and the newcomers Xio and Leonard.
Lilith was a child and, unlike Miss Death, not particularly special. No one expected her to contribute anything.
Which meant…
Fors was utterly lost: Wait, wait, wait! Why did the popcorn I was eating suddenly roll onto my own head?!
I'm just a broke, failing author!
I really have no money!
I'm the one who needs financial aid!
After a long moment, she forced out a stiff smile. "I…I'll go back and ask my teacher. He…might be able to help."
As for Xio and Leonard, their thoughts were identical: I feel like I've joined some kind of scam organisation. All that talk earlier was just paving the way to trick us into donating money.
I—I should report this to the authorities!
…Wait.
I AM the authority.
(Red Gloves and MI9.)
Everyone's sudden declarations of support left Audrey surprised and flustered. She had only offered funding because she felt guilty—so how had she accidentally inspired everyone else to donate?!
I'm not like you people! I have nothing else—I only have money!
It's all Mr. World's fault! Why did he have to join in?!
Klein also realised this and coughed, quickly forcing the conversation in another direction:
"Well…Miss Death, may I ask if there is any news from Mr. Azik?"
Priscilla shook her head.
"No~ But he should be back soon."
—Lilith had told her that, though she had no idea how the girl knew. Still, Lilith wouldn't lie to her.
"I see."
Klein knew the Tarot Gathering was nearing its end. He leaned back slightly and said with calm authority, "All right, today's meeting ends here."
The members immediately rose and saluted toward the head of the bronze table before taking their leave.
This time, Leonard did not appear as slow-witted, but after a brief hesitation, he said, "Mr. Fool, may I speak privately with Mr. World and Miss Magician?"
Fors froze.
Huh? Who are you? Do I know you? Why do you want to talk to me?
Klein, too, found it strange.
He naturally understood that Leonard had been trying to match identities throughout the entire meeting, and it wasn't surprising for him to guess that the World was Klein himself—but what did any of that have to do with the Magician?
"You may."
He waved a hand. The other members dissolved into streaks of deep crimson light, leaving only Leonard, Fors, and his own marionette, the World.
Feigning ignorance, Klein asked, "What is it, Mr. Star?"
Leonard asked in a low, solemn voice, "Are you…Klein?"
"I…"
Klein was just about to pretend ignorance—but suddenly realised Leonard wasn't talking to him.
Leonard had turned toward Fors.
Then he looked at the World and asked, "And you're Edward, right?"
"…"
Leonard, you absolute idiot.
— — —
Southern Continent.
As the crimson light in his sight faded, Emlyn returned to the room.
He was currently in a small city at the northwestern edge of West Balam—the very place where Roselle had first opened maritime routes and begun Loen's colonial expansion into the Southern Continent. For years, it had been the first stop for colonisers setting foot on this land.
Now, it had quietly become the Sanguine's headquarters.
Knock, knock, knock.
A knock sounded at the door.
"Come in."
A man and a woman stepped inside—one in tightly fitted leather attire, the other in a sharply tailored suit. They were Akasha and Arlde.
"You're constipated again, Emlyn?"
"I was just sleeping."
Akasha strode forward and wrapped an arm around his neck. "At a time like this, you still have the mood to sleep?!"
"W–What happened?"
Startled, Emlyn hurriedly asked, "Did something go wrong?!"
Arlde frowned. "Akasha, stop scaring him."
"Hmph."
Akasha snorted, flung herself onto the sofa, and crossed her legs.
"I just don't understand why the Ancestor chose him to convey the oracle! It was always me before!"
Arlde's expression darkened. "How many times must I tell you? The one who contacted you back then wasn't the real Ancestor."
"And why not?! Why is my contact not the Ancestor, but his is?! I still think mine was the real Ancestor!"
"And that's why you secretly sacrificed Grandfather's treasured sealed item to it, wasn't it?"
Akasha pursed her lips.
"So what? In that case, isn't it even more ridiculous that the 'Ancestor' let this useless—no, very young Emlyn take charge of the war against the Rose School?"
Arlde sighed. "Anyway, the Dukes of the clan all recognised it. What more do you want?"
"…"
Akasha muttered to herself for a while before finally turning to Emlyn.
"Then tell us, Lord Emlyn—what is our next step?"
Emlyn: "…"
The Ancestor never told me anything.
He thought for a moment, "Well…we'll have to wait for the Ancestor's next instruction. But earlier, I managed to obtain…around thirty to forty thousand pounds' worth of food and weapons from a friend."
Arlde was stunned.
"Didn't you stay inside this room the entire time?"
Emlyn lifted his chin proudly. "That is precisely my special ability. Do you think the Ancestor chose me for no reason? Let me tell you—my skills are far beyond your imagination."
Akasha narrowed her eyes.
"When will the supplies arrive?"
"They w—"
"They won't—" nearly slipped out of Emlyn's mouth.
"No rush. These things will take some time to prepare."
"Fine. Then we'll report this good news to the Duke."
With that, the siblings left the room.
Once outside, they exchanged a look—They hadn't come because Akasha was "unhappy" and wanted to pick a fight.
This had been a test, and the results had surprised them greatly.
"Whew—"
Emlyn finally exhaled in relief and slumped onto the sofa.
After a long moment, he carefully took a suitcase from under the bed, opened it, and climbed inside, entering a small, ten-odd-square-meter space.
It was empty except for a broken rock in the corner.
Emlyn pressed his hand onto the stone, and in an instant, his body twisted violently—
and he and the stone vanished.
Ten seconds later—
Emlyn plummeted straight down from above, landing face-first on the ground.
"Argh! I hate the terrible experience every time I use this thing!"
Tap.
A booted foot appeared before him.
Danitz crouched down, biting into some kind of tropical fruit while grinning. "Yo, Emlyn. Showing me such a big greeting the moment we meet?"
Expressionless, Emlyn pushed himself up.
"Screw your whole family."
Danitz clicked his tongue. "Not bad. You're getting better and better at throwing insults. Seems like you've digested the Provoker potion pretty well."
"If I had really taken the Hunter pathway, I'd already be a demigod by now!" Emlyn huffed. "Unlike you! Useless waste! If I were you, I would've smashed my head into a wall already—dreaming about chasing after your captain? Hilarious."
Danitz raised an eyebrow.
"…So that adult was right. The people most suited for the Hunter pathway are always found in other pathways."
He waved dismissively.
"Enough. I'm not arguing with you. What do you want this time?"
Emlyn extended his hand skillfully. "Give me a batch of supplies. I'll return them in a few days."
Danitz rolled his eyes. "Return what you owe me first. What do you think I am—a colony you can plunder whenever you need something?"
"Didn't the Ancestor say you would be getting strong reinforcements soon? And now that the Northern Continent war has begun, your pressure will definitely lessen."
"Reinforcements? None. I've waited days and haven't even seen a fart."
Danitz spread his hands. "And besides, my biggest headache right now is that Sea King from the Church of Storms. What reinforcements could possibly stop him?"
"I don't care. I'm counting on you to take care of things here quickly so you can bring people to support me!"
"Oh, then you can wait slowly."
"You—!"
Suddenly, Danitz lifted a hand and looked toward the window. "Hm? Someone seems to be coming. Come on, let's go see what kind of 'reinforcements' they are."
He vaulted straight out of the window.
Emlyn had no choice but to follow.
The moment they landed in the small courtyard, they heard footsteps.
A group of around twenty to thirty people walked in. Most wore uniform, loose-fitting trench coats with hoods pulled low, making it impossible to see their faces.
At the front was an enormous man—at least two and a half meters tall.
Beside him walked a slender woman.
Their footsteps were heavy, their aura dense and imposing—clearly not ordinary people.
"Why are buildings these days all built so short?"
The giant scratched his head.
"Every time I enter a house, I bang my head."
"That's because you're too tall, Groselle."
———
[Note]: Don't forget to VOTE. It keeps me motivated.