Derrick didn't know how to respond to that statement.
Being a chess piece was far from an enjoyable experience. But being a chess piece in a game between gods—perhaps he should feel… honored?
Derrick clearly hadn't reached that level of acceptance yet. He instinctively clenched his fists, a strong desire for power surging within him.
Alger didn't comment on Alice's words. Instead, he turned to Derrick and provided a more detailed explanation of the "betting on both sides" theory:
**"The dangers of the 'True Creator' are evident to any intelligent being. Your Chief would never place all his chips on Him. He will definitely seek a counterbalance to the 'True Creator's' influence.
"And you, Derrick, who once exposed their schemes and was possessed by 'Blasphemer' Amon, may represent another possibility.
"The more Lovia and her followers wish to harm you, the more your Chief and the other elders will protect you. In doing so, any lingering suspicions they may have had about you will be conveniently ignored."**
Audrey quickly understood the implications of Alger's words. While she wasn't surprised by the difference in their analytical abilities, she couldn't help but glance at Alice in contemplation.
…Why did even Miss Fate understand this so easily?
She wanted to puff up her cheeks in frustration or do something else to express her feelings, but her noble upbringing prevented her from doing so. Instead, she looked down at Alice's legs swinging idly beneath her chair and sighed internally.
Forsi was stunned by Alger's analysis. For a moment, she was at a loss—how had this turned out to be a good thing?
Emlin found the discussion difficult to follow. He wasn't familiar with Lovia's background, but he did know about Jack and the cycle of fate, so he managed to grasp the general idea of what was being discussed.
Meanwhile, Cattleya was deeply shaken. As a high-sequence Beyonder, she had always assumed herself to be more knowledgeable than the other Tarot Club members. But hearing their discussion now, she felt her confidence waver.
After listening to Alger's explanation, Derrick's tense shoulders relaxed slightly. Then, he straightened up again and asked with a tight voice:
"But… won't this lead to Silver City's destruction at the hands of the 'Fallen Creator'?"
"I think," Alice turned to him and said, "if you were to call Him the 'Fallen Creator' out loud, Silver City might not even last that long."
Derrick was stunned for a moment.
Alice chuckled and continued:
"For thousands of years, your people have worshipped your former god. Now, not only have you abandoned Him, but you also insult Him?"
Derrick hesitated, then carefully rephrased: "Would this lead to Silver City's destruction by the 'True Creator'?"
Alice spread her hands.
**"It's hard to say.
"For an existence at the 'True Creator's' level, even something as minor as rolling over in His sleep could wipe out an entire human city.
"And yet, your Chief has chosen to bet on both sides—hah, you should be praising the Fool's mercy right now.
"Because if it were me in His place, I'd destroy my own plans just to ruin the thing that arrogant human valued most."**
In truth, Alice believed she'd take it even further—she would let her opponent see hope before crushing it completely. But after glancing at Derrick's face, she wisely chose to keep that thought to herself.
Even that was enough to make Derrick panic. His expression turned frantic as he looked toward the Fool, sitting at the head of the bronze table. He had just begun to rise when Alice's curious voice stopped him:
"Wait… are you seriously about to start praising Him for His mercy?"
Derrick froze mid-motion, unsure whether to sit or stand. He remained in an awkward half-bowed position until Klein, exasperated, finally spoke:
"Don't joke about things like that."
Alice suddenly recalled Klein's cold remark from before: "That joke wasn't funny."
She turned to Derrick and, for the first time, sincerely apologized:
"I'm sorry.
"I shouldn't have joked about something that matters to you."
After a few moments of silence, Derrick quietly responded, "It's alright. Thank you for your reminder, Miss Fate. And thank you for your forgiveness, Great Fool."
Alice couldn't hold back her curiosity anymore. She asked the question that had been bothering her for a while:
"Why don't you ever call me 'Great Miss Fate'?"
After a brief silence, Derrick replied, "Thank you for your reminder, Great Miss Fate."
Alice, satisfied, turned her gaze away.
…Just like a child asking for candy.
Cattleya watched the exchange and suddenly felt like she understood the dynamic between Alice and "The World" a little better.
She had an idea. Turning to Alice, she asked casually:
"Miss Fate, you seem very familiar with Amon. Are you two… friends?"
Alice looked at her in confusion. "Why aren't you afraid of me anymore?"
Cattleya hesitated for a moment, then smiled and replied: "I've suddenly realized that you're actually quite… approachable for a great being."
Alice's eyes widened in shock. After a long pause, she finally said:
**"You know… I think I finally understand how Amon feels whenever I praise Him as a kind god.
"Yes, I am an approachable great being."**
Cattleya wanted to say something in response, but continuing down this path felt like too much of a challenge.
Alice blinked a couple of times, then smiled and said:
**"It depends on how you define 'friends.'
"Amon and I have fun together, but that's about it.
"The strongest emotion I've ever felt toward Amon was when I wanted to kill Him—after all, even the Fool has never hit me before, so why should Amon get to?"**
Klein, seated above the gray fog, started seriously considering whether he should finally punch Alice.
…Wait. Could he even win against her now?
No, it wasn't worth it. Given Alice's personality, she'd probably start pretending to be pitiful and cry about how much it hurt before he even landed a hit…
Klein sighed deeply.
…So she's never been hit before. Mr. Fool really does have an amazing temper.
That was the shared thought that passed through the minds of the Tarot Club members.
But then, some of them shifted their gaze toward "The World" with sympathetic expressions.
…Maybe the reason she's never been hit is because 'The World' is usually the one suffering instead.
At that moment, Cattleya asked, "Mr. Sun, you were possessed by Amon before?"
"I was!" Alice immediately raised her hand, eager to contribute.
Cattleya hesitated for two seconds before asking, "And… how was that resolved?"