The aqueous light that illuminated the whole room recedes.
Before her was the boundless fog, churning and twisting, appearing ancient and lofty.
Selina turned to see the mysterious man, still heavily concealed by this hollowing mist. With the habit of mannerism, she performed a courteous bow.
"Good afternoon Mr. Fool", Justice Audrey lifted the hems of her skirt and proceeded with a greeting as well.
Augmented with a blurry effect, the lady smiled. "It is unfortunate that there is no wine here; otherwise, we could have a toast to your successful trial."
She was referring to the ritualistic magic.
"You are more powerful than we imagined," Alger Wilson praised as well.
Selina nodded, "Deeming for a lofty figure."
Surrounded by the thick fog as usual. The Fool pressed down with his right arm and spoke with his normal tone, replying as though it was natural.
"Great, this means that we are on the path of excellence. If you have any matters to tend to that leave you unable to attend the gathering on Mondays, conduct the ritual and inform me. All you have to do is change the line in the incantation 'I pray for a good dream' with the reason."
"Alright," Audrey quickly agreed. "Mr. Fool, I obtained another page of Emperor Roselle's diary. I believe I still owe you one page."
Hearing this, Selina began considering the notes being held by Old Neil. It was unfortunate that she did not have the chance to carefully memorize them, but next time will surely come.
"I was away from land this week and haven't found any new pages." Alger placed his right hand near his chest and bowed in apology.
"No matter. I expected my request to take a long time." The Fool leaned back into his chair and tapped the armrest with his index finger.
He looked at Miss Justice and said, "You can express the contents of the diary now."
Audrey bowed slightly and said, "As you wish."
A pen suddenly appeared before her. She recalled the symbols that she had memorized and tried her best to transcribe them.
In seconds, she saw that the goatskin was already filled with content. The strange symbols neatly covered the entire page.
After checking the contents, she put down the fountain pen and said, "It's done."
The Fool raised his hand and the goatskin parchment appeared in his palm.
This session continued for awhile. Selina could not help wander gaze into the gray fog, thinking maybe there's a limit. However, she failed in the end.
It's still mystical as ever...
Returning her gaze back to the lofty figure. Her expression slowly fades.
Roselle... Why couldn't you just use an international language? How inconsiderate of you to not think of the transmigrators that might come after you!
She sighed regrettably. Brooding over her situation, she tried to placated herself, Thankfully Mr. Fool is here or I might not have any hope of returning home...
Hmm... perhaps if I contribute enough and divulge that "me", the ally of Miss Lovers, is also a transmigrator, I can request a tutoring from Him!
It's worth a shot... Yes! Selina faintly smiled for herself.
From her side, Justice Audrey noticed her fellow female member had a shift in mood. It was from her hand unknowingly twirling her dress rhythmically and her chin lifting.
Miss Lovers is happy? Audrey assumed this and felt her mood becoming better as well.
She confirmed this and out of habit turned for the seat of honor, where Mr. Fool lies reading.
Her field of vision was immediately obscured by the intensifying grey fog.
Momentarily taken aback, Audrey snapped back to her senses and turned her head frantically to look at the other illusory dark red star.
I was too reckless, too insolent, too foolish in trying to observe Mr. Fool... I was lucky, lucky that he isn't angry. Audrey stuck out her tongue secretly and pretended to admire the scenery. She was just short of humming a lively tune.
Alger sat silently, his gaze never leaving the long bronze table. He knew his place, as if he was in the presence of a true god.
Right... I still haven't had any clues regarding the Psychological Alchemists... In silence. Selina suddenly recalled.
My followers should have intel about the whereabouts of other secret organizations right? After all, they're apart of a larger one themselves as a faction...
"I apologize for the wait."
The Fool's voice spoke across the mottled bronze table, fading into the grey fog.
"It is our honor." Audrey was still shocked, forgetting that she was a Spectator.
She looked at The Lovers and organized her words.
"Miss Lovers... Uhm, if I may ask. How was the clues about Psychology Alchemists going?"
Selina prepared for this and calmly said, "Unfortunately, the search is still underway."
Because I kept forgetting it... she sighed.
"However, once I have clues regarding them, expect that by the next gathering you have your reward as promised."
"Miss Justice", The Hanged Man Alger cut in. " I don't think there's any rush in seeking out the Psychology Alchemists right away. What you should focus on now is completely digesting the Spectator potion."
Audrey glanced at The Fool and noticed that he didn't have any intention of adding to the conversation. She nodded in disappointment and said, "All I want is to have plenty of time to prepare so that I can approach them more naturally. Alright, then when can I digest the Spectator potion and stop acting? Is there a standard that indicates when I can? I'm almost at the point where I no longer feel frustrated, nor do I hear the constant murmuring anymore."
Alger looked at The Fool in the fog but saw that he didn't have any intention of speaking. He then deliberated before saying, "If you don't use the acting method, the typical rule of thumb is to wait three years and confirm that you no longer feel restless or receive any auditory or visual illusions. There is one simple test to determine when you can. That method is to exhaust your body to its limit. If you still don't hear any maniacal murmurings or see any strange things at that point, that would mean that you're ready to advance."
"With regards to the acting method, I have also just come into contact with it. It feels good, so I don't think it'll take three years."
That wasn't useful at all... Three years, that's too long... Audrey criticized inwardly.
Hearing this. Selina have thought herself as well.
Three years? Well, I have a five year contract so I guess it's enough time... Digesting...
She suddenly recalled her state after the chase. Her mind and tendency to end her life if it meant halting Deimsfel's schemes and the descent of an evil goddess was being replaced by a sense of valuing life.
Thinking about it now, just before she passed out, she felt a mysterious essence disintegrates into her body. Contrasting it to how she felt while acting, it became safe to assume.
Perhaps it's an indication...
With this in mind, Selina collected herself and tried her best to explain, "I believe that when you acted long enough, you would suddenly feel an unusual essence being digested by your body. It's honestly difficult to explain."
At this moment. The trio around the mottled table suddenly heard an armrest being tapped.
Each of them turned their gaze.
"For Low-Sequence Beyonders, as long as you strictly stick to acting, you should be able to digest the medicine in half a year. It's even possible to do it in a month", said The Fool with a normal tone.
He looked at Justice and added, "As for the signs of digestion, you'll know it when it comes. It doesn't need to be taught."
I see... Selina reevaluated her perception.
"One month... Great! Thank you, Mr. Fool, Miss Lovers!" Audrey exclaimed while brimming with joy.
"Half a year..." Alger repeated softly.
Audrey sensed joy, relief, and intense doubt in his tone.
What is he suspicious about? Audrey thought as she asked, "Mr. Fool, have you considered adding more members?"
The Fool leaned back casually.
"This started as a trial, so I didn't spend much time thinking about extending our meetings.
"But now, as a regular gathering, we must choose our members carefully. Secrecy is our motto."
Selina had mixed feelings about this. Perhaps this is due to a possible chance of her plan to disclose her existence to Mr. Fool being leaked out from amongst the members.
She sighed inwardly.
Audrey nodded gently and said, "That is to say that we have to follow a process of observation, recommendation, and testing process. Yes, a process."
"You can interpret it that way", The Fool affirmed.
At that moment, realizing that Justice temporarily had nothing else to say, Alger took the initiative to speak, "I've heard that a Listener from the Aurora Order is searching for traces of the True Creator, which is the holy residence they advocate."
"True Creator?" Audrey asked, puzzled.
"It is an ancient entity worshiped by numerous secret organizations and cults. They believe that the Creator hasn't completely perished. The Core he left behind is the True Creator." Alger gave a rough explanation. "Since the Fifth Epoch, the True Creator has appeared in many forms, such as The Hanged Giant or the Eye behind the Shadow Curtains. Heh heh, many people believe that Emperor Roselle referenced the imagery of the True Creator when he was creating the tarot cards; hence, there exists the card of The Hanged Man."
At this point, he looked at Klein and said, "Mr. Fool, there's nothing with what I said, right?"
Selina acutely noticed this subtleness and turned for the seat of honor.
True Creator...
In one of the entries from the archives she read during her time with Old Neil. The True Creator is a malicious entity being worshiped by many secret organization, most prominent of them are known as The Aurora Order. These are composed mainly of Sequence 9: Listeners but cannot be ruled out of the possibility of having multiple pathway beyonders.
This, along with The Rose School of Thought and The Demoness Sect are categorized as malevolent organizations and should be proceeded with high caution by the Dioceses of the Holy Cathedral.
Resounding from the seat of honor, a chuckle escaped The Fool's lips.
He sighed afterwards before saying, "I'm more inclined to call him.
"The Fallen Creator."