Lord of Mysteries: Starting As A Reader

The towering stone pillars, the lofty dome, the mottled and ancient long table, and the mysterious presence hidden in the gray fog at the head of the table...

Although Audrey Hall had witnessed this scene many times, every visit to the gray fog still evoked a deep, reverberating sense of awe.

She cast a quick glance and saw no new members. Looking toward the head of the table, she habitually led the Tarot Club members in greeting,

"Good afternoon, Mr. Fool."

The other members also rose one after another, and the "Magician" Fors, now familiar with the process, managed to follow the rhythm this time.

After exchanging greetings, Audrey noticed something unusual. A card with intricate and ornate patterns on its back was quietly lying on the table near the "Fool's" right hand, as if it were an ordinary item.

That… is the "Blasphemy card"? The card containing a divine pathway?! Audrey immediately understood. After Mr. Fool responded with a slight nod, she instinctively looked around at the "Hanged Man," the "Sun," the "Tower," the "Judgment," the "World," and the "Magician," observing their reactions.

The "Hanged Man" and "Judgment" both displayed visible surprise and inevitable curiosity. A card placed so casually beside the inscrutable Mr. Fool could never be an ordinary object.

The "Sun" and "Magician" appeared more puzzled. The former likely knew nothing of Roselle's legends, while the latter had joined the Tarot Club too recently to have heard the previous discussions about the "Blasphemy card" by Mr. Tower and the Hanged Man.

Hmm, Mr. World's reaction is odd—he hasn't looked at it at all. Is he hiding it too well, or is he truly the nemesis of both "Spectators" and "Telepathists"?

Most striking was Mr. Tower. Though his gaze was directed at the card, his attention seemed elsewhere, as if his thoughts had nothing to do with the card itself. Moreover, he appeared somewhat mentally fatigued.

After reading these surface details from the others, Audrey withdrew her gaze, feeling a tinge of pride: That card being placed beside Mr. Fool... I contributed to its discovery.

Klein, shrouded in the gray fog, was keenly aware of the changes in the members' emotions. Apart from the still "idle" Mr. World, everyone else reacted as he expected. Even Mr. Tower, usually brimming with "joy," seemed unusually thoughtful today, exuding a faint "blue" indicative of contemplation.

Satisfied, Klein nodded under the cover of the fog, thinking: That's more like it. So, it was indeed Mr. Tower's unusual reaction earlier that was the anomaly... Maybe he was in a poor state back then, affecting his observations?

At that moment, Ebner was indeed deep in thought, but it had nothing to do with the "Blasphemy card." Having spent the past few days grinding for points, he hadn't had time to review or select Roselle's diary entries. Right now, he was debating which entries to present.

After much deliberation, Ebner decided to offer a page from "Roselle's Romantic Escapades."

However, just as he finalized his choice, Audrey raised her hand and said,

"Respected Mr. Fool, I have something to report privately."

Privately? The "Hanged Man" Alger frowned slightly, instinctively speculating about the matter but coming up blank.

The "Sun" Derrick and "Magician" Fors were curious but not particularly concerned.

"Judgment" Xio, however, had a good guess. Audrey likely wanted to report her follow-up investigation involving the Psychology Alchemists. During this investigation, she had discovered that Islant Osisleka, the psychologist she was tracking, had visited the Duke of Negan's sister, Lady Norma of Horatio—who was none other than Emma's mother.

The same Lady Norma had invited Audrey for tea just the previous afternoon.

Ebner, with his additional knowledge, could easily deduce the general context, even with the Tarot Club's significant deviations from the original narrative.

As for Mr. World? He remained "idle."

Klein, ever indulgent toward Miss Justice's requests, nodded gently and said,

"Go ahead."

As predicted, Audrey privately reported the details of her contact with the Psychology Alchemists to Klein. She received a promise of "protection" during future interactions and a reminder about the potential presence of official spies within the organization.

Mr. Fool is so considerate, willing to offer protection and even cautioning me about spies, Audrey thought, her lips curving into a soft smile.

"In the future, the Psychology Alchemists will have a Tarot Club informant," she remarked lightly.

Miss Justice, you haven't even joined them yet, and you're already planning betrayal… Klein silently sketched an invisible crimson moon in honor of the Psychology Alchemists.

Then Audrey added, as if remembering something,

"By the way, Lady Norma's daughter Emma has a close relationship with the renowned hero detective in Backlund. Could that detective also be part of the Psychology Alchemists?"

Mr. Tower truly has a wide social network! Klein thought, glancing subtly at Ebner while speculating: Mr. Tower disclosed the Psychology Alchemists' details during his first Tarot meeting, showing familiarity with the organization. Could he have obtained that knowledge from Miss Emma?

However, his dismissive attitude toward the group suggests he isn't a member.

"It's unnecessary to pay him any attention," Klein tapped the long table and replied vaguely.

Unnecessary? Does that mean the detective is not a concern? Audrey immediately interpreted Mr. Fool's response as a reassurance.

Her earlier mention of the detective stemmed from a concern that Fors might inadvertently reveal Tarot Club secrets due to her connection with him. However, if Mr. Fool deemed it unnecessary to worry, there was no need to overthink it.

Moreover, Mr. Fool's familiarity with the detective suggested he might even be under consideration for future membership in the Tarot Club.

Audrey then produced two pages of Roselle's diary, which she had noted during her visit to the "Roselle Memorial Exhibit."

Klein accepted them with a smile, but as his gaze fell on the first line, his smile froze.

"March 6th: Damn it, the food here is making me constipated!"

Controlling his expression, Klein forced a smile and said,

"Would you prefer your payment to be deducted from the yet-unpaid pounds, or would you like something else in return?"

Please don't deduct too much, or I'll be short on funds for purchasing materials later... Klein silently hoped.

Audrey, however, didn't hesitate. She inquired about the divine pathway contained within the "Blasphemy card."

So indifferent to money... Klein lamented inwardly before replying with a smile,

"That is the 'Black Emperor' card.

"It corresponds to Sequence 9: Lawyer."

Satisfied with the answer, Audrey felt deeply content.

Their private conversation ended, and the "Magician" Fors eagerly addressed the head of the table,

"Mr. Fool, I've collected two pages of Roselle's diary."

"Excellent. What would you like in return?" Klein asked with renewed enthusiasm.

"N-No need. I merely wish to express my gratitude for your protection," Fors replied sincerely.

If not for Mr. Fool, I'd have been on the verge of losing control again last night under the full moon...

"Protecting you was my promise. No further exchange is required," Klein replied with a soft laugh.

Besides, both Mr. Tower and Miss Judgment have already covered for you before. Especially Mr. Tower—if he hadn't been generous enough to overlook the loss of the "Fallen Morning Star," Mr. Fool would still be broke... Klein thought wryly.

"In that case... I'll follow Mr. Tower's example and accumulate contributions for now," Fors said after a moment of thought, accepting Mr. Fool's goodwill.

At this moment, Ebner also materialized a sheet of parchment and said,

"I've also obtained a page of Roselle's diary. I'd like to accumulate contributions as before."

"Very well," Klein nodded slightly.

He then transferred the three diary pages to himself. Picking up one, he almost failed to maintain his composure upon reading:

"March 6th: Damn it, the food here is making me constipated!"

Great. It seems all the Backlund members visited the Roselle Memorial Exhibit... Perhaps this is the first "team-building" event in the Tarot Club's history, even though no one encountered each other.

After silently griping for a moment, Klein picked up the page submitted by Mr. Tower. This one was filled with the names of numerous Misses and Ladies, along with Roselle's glowing praise for Karen's health potion.

(End of chapter)