Within the gray fog, Klein resisted the urge to cover his face, adjusted his emotions, and controlled "The World" to speak in a hoarse voice:
"Write it down on paper and pass it to me."
Then, "The World" let out a deep chuckle and added, "You truly are a person who keeps their promises. Your character is commendable."
Alice, feeling a bit bored, silently reached under the table, trying to fiddle with the chair.
Alger raised an eyebrow and took the initiative to ask Derrick, "I'm quite interested in this kind of knowledge as well. What can I offer in exchange?"
Having just been praised, Derrick was still immersed in joy. After thinking for two seconds, he responded sincerely:
"Mr. Hanged Man, there's no need. You've always given me advice and helped me through difficulties. Consider this my way of showing gratitude."
Alice was stunned. She lifted her head in surprise, glancing at Alger, then at Derrick, then at "The World," her expression full of confusion. However, her words were anything but polite:
"Mr. Clown."
Under the cover of the gray fog, Klein gritted his teeth. He knew Alice was getting back at him for calling her "Miss Monster" earlier.
For a moment, everyone froze, then quickly realized the remark was meant as mockery. Only Emlyn, oblivious as ever, muttered:
"Clown? Hmm, now that I think about it, this word does seem to—"
Before he could finish, "The World's" icy gaze fell upon him, silencing him instantly. Then, turning to Alice, he questioned:
"Wasn't Amon the first to call you that?"
"Well," Alice pouted, "calling Amon names would only make Him happier."
"The World" suspiciously fell silent for a moment before asking, "Shall we call it even then?"
Alice reluctantly nodded.
Only then did Cattleya hesitantly ask, "The Amon you're talking about... is it the one I know?"
Alice tilted her head in confusion. "Which one do you know?"
Cattleya looked at her and replied, "According to legend, when the original Creator split into various gods and races, two infants were born within His body. One of them was 'The Blasphemer' Amon."
"That's Him," Alice confirmed with a nod.
Audrey, curious, interjected, "Miss Hermit, do you know who the other child of the Creator was?"
Before Alice could answer, Cattleya spoke up, "Adam."
Alice reached up and rubbed her forehead.
"I've never heard of any major figure named Adam..." Audrey hesitated and looked at Alice.
Alice lifted her head and gazed at Audrey with empty eyes as she whispered, "All that is spoken shall be known."
Aside from Cattleya and Emlyn, everyone's heart skipped a beat as they recalled the terrifying implications of that phrase—the entity it referred to, the mysterious force manipulating the tides of history from the shadows!
After taking a moment to steady herself, Alice continued:
"But as long as you're not like I was back then... Uh, in short, just mentioning Adam's name occasionally shouldn't attract too much attention.
"Unless, of course, you decide to formally introduce someone to the Eight Angel Kings..."
"In that case, there's a chance that while you're talking, Adam might just be listening in nearby."
Everyone was unnerved by the image Alice had painted. After a brief silence, Audrey voiced the question that was on everyone's mind:
"Miss Destiny, what exactly did you say about Adam?"
Alice was quiet for a long moment before finally answering:
"I was concerned about His marriage life."
Audrey blinked blankly, her voice filled with bewilderment:
"...Huh?"
Alice turned serious and explained,
"As everyone knows, a person's family life is a crucial factor in shaping their personality.
"Since Amon mentioned that His brother had psychological issues, I attempted to understand His family life. What's wrong with that?"
Audrey hesitated before shaking her head.
Satisfied, Alice shifted her gaze away, only to hear "The World" speak in his rasping voice:
"In that case, if He felt His privacy was violated and wanted to kill you, wouldn't that also be reasonable?"
Alice bared her teeth and glared at him. "I feel violated by you right now!"
"The World" sincerely responded, "Thank you for your praise."
Alice's eyes widened in disbelief. She gritted her teeth and growled, "Just you wait!"
Klein held back and refrained from commenting on how her words sounded exactly like the classic "Just wait till after school!" threats he used to hear in elementary school.
Yes, better to wait until she calms down before teasing her again.
This playful exchange made Cattleya feel increasingly bewildered. Unlike the others, who usually ignored the fact that "Miss Destiny" was, in reality, a god, Cattleya's first impression of Alice had been too strong. It made it difficult for her to understand the dynamic between "The World" and Alice.
She could comprehend the relationship between "Miss Destiny" and Mr. Fool. It wasn't surprising that Alice seemed to treat The Fool as an elder figure—after all, she did indeed give off the impression of a young girl.
But the way she interacted with "The World" was different.
Alice was clearly more unruly around "The World," but she wasn't exactly obedient before Mr. Fool either. Judging by the way the other members of the Tarot Club behaved, "Miss Destiny" seemed like someone who disregarded others' feelings altogether.
Yet, her interactions with "The World" contradicted this. She felt guilty under his scrutiny, and even though she was visibly angry at his provocations, she merely threw empty threats.
From their exchanges, Cattleya could even infer that they might be even more uninhibited in private—"The World" had even dared to mock "Miss Destiny," albeit playfully.
Not even a Blessed would act so casually toward a god. Typically, the devout showed far more reverence.
To Cattleya, the relationship between "The World" and "Miss Destiny" felt more like that of close friends.
But how could a god befriend a mortal?
And not just as acquaintances, but as genuinely close companions—Cattleya didn't think casual banter like theirs could exist in just an ordinary friendship.
By all accounts, "Miss Destiny" was well aware of her identity. She knew she wasn't the same as humans, and she never acted as if she were their equal. Yet, her attitude toward "The World" was entirely different.
Which could only mean one thing...
Cattleya abruptly cut off her own train of thought, almost in terror.
Her face paled as she lowered her head, silently reminding herself—
No matter what the truth was about "The World," if "Miss Destiny" and Mr. Fool said he was "The World," then that was all he could be.
The gods Are Never Wrong. If there was a mistake, it could only be on the part of mortals.