Your Majesty, I always knew your morals were in the negatives, but you couldn't even hold back for a single day? That's way too fast! And with a succubus… Do you really not fear losing control to desire?
Then again, according to Feast of Blood, some ancient gods with mixed characteristics would breed with the opposite sex to expel conflicting traits…
Since "succubi" are demons infused with the Witch pathway's traits, if one of them had a child with Roselle, expelling the Witch characteristics… would she turn back into a man on the spot?
If that happened, Roselle's expression would be priceless.
Too bad the emperor definitely wouldn't let her have a child…
While ridiculing internally, Klein flipped the parchment in his hand and looked at the last page.
It was an early entry from Roselle's diary, containing nothing significant—just a record of how he transformed from someone who only fantasized but never acted into a playboy who actively pursued his desires.
The transition happened astonishingly fast. According to the dates, it only took five days for Roselle to undergo this change!
I guess that's why he's the Emperor… Truly a natural talent!
After musing for a moment, Klein made the four pages of parchment disappear, then looked at the members seated around the long table with a faint smile. His voice remained steady as he said, "You may begin."
As soon as he finished speaking, he had "The World" turn toward "The Fool" and say in a deep voice, "I request a private conversation with Mr. 'Tower.'"
Another private exchange? Mr. 'World' seems to have frequent dealings with Mr. 'Tower'… I really want to know what it's about. I wonder if, for a price, Mr. 'World' and Mr. 'Tower' would allow me to listen in…
No, Audrey, put away your curiosity! This is their legitimate privacy. You have no right to pry. Trying to buy access would only make them feel insulted!
"Justice" Audrey wrestled with her thoughts for a moment but ultimately said nothing.
She maintained a graceful smile on the surface, though under the shroud of gray fog, no one else could see it.
Meanwhile, "The Hanged Man" Alger once again started forming his own assumptions:
"The World's" identity as "The Fool's" Blessed has become obvious over the past Tarot Meetings, while "Tower" has been working toward that goal since the very first meeting…
Now, they're in constant private communication… Has Mr. 'Tower' almost succeeded? Or has he already become a Blessed?
At this thought, Alger felt a wave of bitterness. He was one of the founding members of the Tarot Club, a true veteran!
Regardless of what others were thinking, "The Fool" remained unaware. He didn't immediately agree to "The World's" request but instead turned to "Tower" and asked calmly, "What do you think?"
Ebner had his own matters to discuss privately with Klein, so he didn't hesitate to agree. Immediately, the other members' perceptions were temporarily blocked.
"Mr. 'Tower,' I have three questions I'd like to ask you. What kind of payment do you require?" "The World" asked in a hoarse voice.
"What three questions? Let's hear them first," Ebner replied cautiously.
Given how much Klein's storyline had diverged from the original, he couldn't guarantee that he knew the answers for sure.
"First, where is the entity known as 'Three Light'?"
"Second, who currently possesses the 'Arbiter' card that 'Three Light' was guarding?"
"Third, what treasure is hidden deep within the Daniel Maze?"
"All of these questions are related to the Daniel Maze, so I suspect you might have some knowledge… Of course, if you prefer not to answer, I won't press the matter."
"The World" carefully chose his words.
Klein actually knows about 'Three Light'? And even the 'Arbiter' card? Did he learn about them from Sharon's diary? What did that diary say? I want to know too… But if I ask Klein for it, I'll expose the fact that I can read Chinese…
Wait…
I can trade him these answers for the diary!
He might just hand over the pages Miss Sharon submitted…
As his thoughts raced, Ebner quickly considered the three questions and decided that telling Klein wouldn't be an issue. He then said, "I want three pages of Roselle's diary in exchange."
Pausing for a moment, he then added, "It'd be best if you materialize them so I can take a look. I need to transcribe them for Miss 'Judgment'… You understand."
To prevent Klein from pulling a stunt where "The Fool" simply nodded and said, "Received," not allowing him to handle the pages at all, Ebner had no choice but to use Xio as an excuse.
What do you mean, 'I understand'? This is just you trying to impress a girl. My relationship with Miss Sharon is completely different, okay? Klein ridiculed inwardly while contemplating how to proceed.
When he first heard Mr. "Tower's" request, he had indeed considered having "The Fool" acknowledge receipt of the diary pages and pocket them for free. But since Mr. "Tower" had a need for the physical copies, Klein had to produce actual pages this time.
"Alright… I was actually planning to submit a few pages to 'The Fool' privately. In that case, I'll transfer them to you first." As he spoke, "The World" looked toward "The Fool" and respectfully asked, "Is this acceptable, 'Fool' sir?"
"The Fool" chuckled lightly and replied, "Yes. I abide by the principle of 'equivalent exchange.' As long as it's fair, your transactions are yours to conduct freely."
"Praise Your magnanimity, 'Fool' sir." "The World" stood up, bowed, and reverently offered his praise.
Witnessing this, Ebner forcibly controlled his emotions to avoid appearing too pleased. Taking a deep breath, he also stood up and saluted, saying, "Thank You for Your fairness. Praise Your justice."
After that, Ebner took a moment to organize his thoughts before providing concise answers to the three questions:
"First, 'Three Light' is Emperor Roselle's pet. It should currently be with Jane and is scheduled to meet me in Feysac next week.
"Second, the 'Arbiter' card should currently be in the hands of Roselle's eldest daughter, Bernadette.
"Third, the greatest treasure within the 'Daniel Maze' is a ticket to the 'Ghost Empire.'"
Hearing Ebner's answer, Klein subtly furrowed his brows, pondering to himself:
"'Three Light' is Emperor Roselle's pet? And it's with Jane… Jane—she's the one who 'live-streamed' that naval battle, right? The lady in the black robe who appeared in 'Tower's' bedroom in the middle of the night with those other women?
"I recall she and Miss 'Judgment' secretly dealt with the corrupted 'Baron Conva' behind Mr. 'Tower's' back… Hmm, she seems to be a Beyonder from 'Admiral of Stars' ship.
"Secondly, Bernadette has the card? Bernadette… Could she be the woman sitting on the pea vine in the museum back then?
"I previously speculated that anything Roselle left behind would end up in Liu Bo's reincarnation's possession… Could it be that this time, Liu Bo directly reincarnated as the emperor's daughter?
"It's not impossible, but it doesn't quite add up… Hmm, needs confirmation.
"Lastly, what exactly is the 'Ghost Empire'? Is it a ship?"
Having never embarked on a maritime adventure, Klein was unaware of the famous legends surrounding certain treasures. He had no knowledge of the "Ghost Empire," but he couldn't ask outright, so he decided to look into it later.
Since they were still in a private conversation, Klein didn't spend too much time dwelling on it. Instead, he directly materialized three pages of Roselle's diary and had "The Fool" assist in transferring them to Ebner.
To avoid exposing the fact that he could read Chinese, Ebner didn't scrutinize the contents too closely. He only skimmed them, pretending to memorize the characters.
The first two pages were packed with valuable information, covering the frequent downfall of the Evernight Sun Church's angels, as well as Roselle, Three Light, Isabella, and the whereabouts of the Blasphemy Cards. These were clearly the two pages Miss "Temperance" had just submitted.
However, when he glanced at the third page, Ebner nearly lost his composure.
Because apart from the date at the top, the entire page contained a complete copy of Inscription on a Humble Abode…
It was obvious Klein had made this up on the spot to fool him.
"Apologies… This is the passage I remember best from my literature class… I couldn't think of anything else in the moment." Klein didn't notice Ebner's silent frustration. Instead, he merely "repented" in his heart before justifying his actions with confidence:
"Anyway, it's all being 'offered' to The Fool in the end. The actual content doesn't matter… At worst, I'm just fooling myself!"