The room fell silent for a moment.
Then, "The World" spoke in a hoarse voice: "Miss Fate, that is… far too much like Fate."
Alice pondered for a moment before raising her head with a serious expression.
"How about… you design a ritual for me?"
"The World" countered, "Why don't you just let me come up with a divine name for you while we're at it?"
"Because," Alice rested her chin on her hand and replied, "someone already came up with one for me before."
"The World" twitched slightly. "Fine. Whatever you say."
After a brief pause, he asked, "Who gave it to you?"
Alice blinked playfully and said, "You've met them—the 'Mercury Snake'."
Klein, seated above the gray fog, fell into deep contemplation.
Alger, sitting at the bronze table, also sank into thought.
…Since when did high-sequence beings get their divine names from their enemies?
Audrey glanced at Alice and found that, although unexpected, the answer somehow made perfect sense—Miss Fate seemed like the kind of person who would let her own followers decide her divine name.
Cattleya, however, had another concern. She looked at Alice and asked, "Miss Fate, do you have… a holy book, doctrines, or anything similar?"
Alice blinked twice.
Cattleya saw the answer in Alice's expression before she even spoke. Still, without much hope, she asked, "Then… are there any stories or myths about you that could serve as material?"
Alice blinked again.
Cattleya finally understood the pain The World had just gone through. She took a deep breath and said, "If that's the case, the results might not be what you expect."
Alice frowned in frustration and muttered under her breath, "Why is this so troublesome… There are so many things to take care of?"
Cattleya suddenly felt a pang of sympathy—not for Alice's future followers, but for herself. Then she realized she should probably be more worried about her own situation first. With a resigned sigh, she said:
"I will do my best."
Alice immediately brightened. She flashed Cattleya a cheerful smile.
"Then I'll leave it to you, Miss Hermit~
"By the way, when do you need that mythical creature's blood?"
Cattleya found a small comfort in this reward and smiled faintly. "No rush for now."
At that moment, Alger glanced around and took the initiative to say: "I need the formula for the 'Ocean Singer' potion."
Alice tilted her head, recalling Klein's divination on the Eternal Blazing Sun. Suddenly, a rather dangerous thought popped into her mind.
"I can keep an eye out for you," Cattleya responded.
Seeing this, Alger smoothly asked, "Madam, is there anything you need?
"I can start gathering information in advance to trade for the potion formula later."
Cattleya immediately noticed the hidden test in his words. She quickly adjusted her expression and replied with a smile, "I need a demi-god level artifact, one with manageable side effects."
Alger was momentarily surprised, but he quickly realized that she was subtly mocking his earlier probing. Regaining his composure, he said: "I will keep an eye out.
"But you must know, Madam, that even a valid lead on such an artifact could be worth as much as the 'Ocean Singer' formula."
When it came to scaring or mocking people, Miss Fate was the real expert… Even if she probably wasn't doing it on purpose.
Alger's gaze flicked toward Alice. Alice blinked and suddenly raised her hand, calling out to Cattleya:
"I have a lead!"
For a brief moment, Cattleya thought of the "Sea God's Scepter" that Alice had been playing with like a toy. But Alice's next words shattered her expectations:
"I am the demi-god level artifact you're looking for!"
Cattleya swallowed hard.
Alger pressed a hand to the table.
Audrey's smile froze on her face.
Alice looked at them in confusion, then thoughtfully added: "Though I might not be demi-god level. I could be angel level… or maybe even higher?"
Klein finally couldn't take it anymore. Controlling The World, he reminded her: "Miss Fate, I don't think you fall into the category of 'manageable side effects.'"
Alice fell silent.
Cattleya silently praised The World and the Fool in her heart before replying with a composed smile: "Miss Fate, I don't think you can stay by my side permanently, can you?"
Alice quietly shrank back into her seat.
Seeing this, Cattleya turned back to Alger and nodded. "All I need is a lead."
After this exchange, the room gradually fell into silence. Alice glanced around and realized that this was the natural progression of the Tarot Club.
As the members' sequences increased, the trades would inevitably shift from frequent but low-cost transactions to rare but high-value exchanges—primarily centered around information.
While Alice was deep in thought, Derrick suddenly spoke up before anyone else could: "Elder Lovia has been released. I ran into her at the library."
Alice had to think for a moment to recall who that was. Curious, she asked, "Did your Chief verify that she was safe?"
"I—I think so?" Derrick said uncertainly. "The Chief just returned to Silver City not long ago."
fors seized the opportunity to speak and raised her hand. "Mr. Sun, could it be something like this?
"Your Chief took an exploration team and that boy, Jack, to search for a path to the outside world. But they discovered that this required the power of the 'True Creator.'
"Hehe, this isn't something I'm making up—it's a logical deduction based on facts. Jack's father was a member of the 'Aurora Order,' and they were led to Silver City while searching for a sanctuary dedicated to the 'True Creator.'
"So, for the sake of Silver City, your Chief returned and decided to release Lovia the 'Shepherd'?"
"If that's true, then Mr. Sun will be in great danger," Audrey said worriedly, making Derrick's heart sink.
Alice, however, objected: "I actually think this will make things safer."
"I also agree with Miss Fate," Alger added, shooting Alice a glance, a flicker of surprise in his eyes.
"Why?" Audrey looked between Alice and Alger, starting to doubt her own judgment.
Alice studied them curiously before explaining:
"In a gamble where the outcome is still uncertain, if you want to win and become the final victor, betting on both sides is just common sense."
Alger's movements briefly paused. He resisted the urge to glance at the head of the table—
Was the Fool also one of Miss Fate's bets?
Alice turned to Derrick and smiled. "Congratulations, Mr. Sun.
"You now have the qualifications to become a chess piece."