"???"
It wasn't just Klein—everyone present wore a look of bafflement. Why is it that you're speaking in Loenese, yet I can't understand anything when it's all put together?
"Yes, Mr. Fool," Edward said respectfully. "In truth, this is an experiment of mine. As you all know, I am a Sequence 8 Trickmaster. In the code of acting I've summarized, there are three key principles."
"First, a trick requires an audience. Second, the audience's reaction determines the effectiveness of the roleplay. Third, the quality of the audience also affects the rate of potion digestion."
"So I thought—what if I could perform a trick for a great being? Wouldn't that produce unexpected results?"
Everyone was shocked. Can acting be done like this? And doing that to Mr. Fool...Isn't that a bit disrespectful?
After a short silence, Klein gave a small nod.
"You may."
"Praise be to Mr. Fool."
Edward swiftly manifested the two pages of Roselle's diary with a directed thought. The parchment surfaced, revealing its yellowish-brown hue.
"Mr. Fool, I would like to offer these two pages by way of a magic performance."
"You may."
Klein nodded, leaning back slightly like a talent show judge:
"Then—please begin your performance."
"Mr. Fool, I beg your pardon in advance if what follows may come across as presumptuous."
Edward snapped his fingers. As he muttered an incantation under his breath, a flower bloomed in his hand.
I can use magic here?
This discovery instantly changed his original plan. He stood up, took off his hat, and gave each person a courteous bow. Then, after flipping the hat over twice and placing it upside down, a stream of playing cards flowed out like water, forming a neat pile on the table before him.
He gently blew on the pile—whoosh! A gust of wind scattered the cards, which transformed mid-air into flocks of birds flying off in all directions.
Four of them flew toward the others seated at the table.
One landed in front of The Sun Derrik, transforming into a warm, glowing light.
Another flew to The Hanged Man Alger, transforming into a pirate hat.
A third landed before Audrey, transforming into a delicate blue flower.
The last soared straight toward Mr. Fool, morphing into a sheet of parchment.
Edward didn't pause. He produced several colorful balls and began juggling like a clown, catching and tossing them with great speed. After thirty seconds, he flung the balls high into the air—each exploded into a vibrant flower mid-air.
"Flavideau!"
As the petals fell, they blossomed and branched into sprawling vines that spread rapidly across the bronze table and chairs, as though draping the furniture in a layer of natural ornamentation.
Snap.
Edward snapped his fingers. The vines instantly dissolved into floating Tarot cards, which drifted down, turning into specks of starlight before vanishing completely.
He then bowed deeply.
"That concludes my performance. Thank you all for watching."
Audrey was the first to start clapping. "That was amazing! So fun! I felt like that wasn't just sleight of hand or stage magic—it was actual magic!"
Of course you don't know yet~
In truth, the performance had far exceeded Edward's expectations. His original plan was to perform some minor illusions using his Trickmaster skills—like a simple "three cups and a coin" routine—but upon realizing he could use actual magic here, he'd changed course.
What he didn't expect was that his magic seemed several times stronger above the gray fog.
Why?
Could it be that the Apprentice Pathway enjoys special privileges from the Sefirah Castle?
The Hanged Man and Little Sun also applauded.
Little Sun genuinely found it entertaining—especially the vines at the end. He thought to himself, If I could use those to bind monsters while others attack, it'd save a lot of time and energy.
As for the Hanged Man, he was quietly speculating about the Tower's pathway.
And Mr. Fool—though internally filled with astonishment—maintained his usual calm expression. He gave a slight smile.
"A very interesting performance."
Then, he looked down at the content of the diary pages.
March 2nd.
My recent words and actions seem to have drawn suspicion from those around me. Looks like I need to be more careful, or I'll get burned alive by these "natives" who'll think I'm a demon.
March 3rd.
Yesterday, while using the restroom…
March 4th…
March 5th.
Miss Marti is really pretty.
Klein quickly skimmed the first page. It was largely useless. The gray fog barely concealed the twitch at the corner of his lips.
This guy wrote down literally everything…was he just that confident no one would ever decipher this?
He flipped to the second page:
sigh. So boring. There's nothing here.
Why did I suddenly end up here? I just took a nap.
I really want to go home. sob sob
So boring, so boring, so boring. Not writing anymore, I'm going out for a walk!
After a moment of confusion, Klein's heart skipped a beat.
His shock was so strong that the gray fog almost failed to conceal his reaction.
This page wasn't written by Emperor Roselle!
Not only was the writing style different—the tone and word choice were clearly not from the same person!
How can that be?
Did someone crack the Chinese language?
Or…is there another transmigrator in this world?!
Although Klein only lost his composure for a few seconds, Audrey noticed.
Even Mr. Fool was shocked by that page?
"Very well."
Klein dissolved the parchment in his hand and rested his chin on his palm, looking at Edward.
"Mr. Tower, what were the results of your attempt?"
Edward bowed respectfully, his face glowing with excitement and fervor.
"It worked!" he exclaimed.
"My potion is now only a sliver away from complete digestion!"
"Praise be to Mr. Fool!!!"
A rush of emotions swept through the others—surprise, confusion, envy.
And then a thought quietly took root in each of their hearts: Could I also accelerate my current Sequence's digestion by doing something like this?
The once lofty and mysterious Mr. Fool…had suddenly become a resource that could be milked.
Edward's nonstop praise and gratitude gave Klein a twinge of bitterness.
Sure, you managed to complete your digestion by performing for Mr. Fool—but who's Mr. Fool supposed to perform for?!
But outwardly, he kept his composure. "Congratulations."
"Praise be to Mr. Fool! Thank you, thank you, Mr. Fool…"
Edward offered another flood of free compliments.
Klein accepted them calmly and leaned back.
"You may proceed."
Edward was the first to speak again:
"Everyone, a few days ago, I acquired some mystical items. I wonder if anyone is interested…"
"The first is a mystical item with a storage function. Although it's only the size of a wallet, its interior contains a space 80 centimeters long, wide, and tall. You can store anything that fits within those dimensions, and no matter how heavy the item is, you won't feel any weight at all."
The members of the Tarot Club were instantly stunned.
Especially Mr. Fool—he couldn't help but think: So this world really has "storage pouches"…I must get one!
The Hanged Man was the first to speak.
"How much does it cost, Mr. Tower?"
"Hmm, I'm selling it for 8,000 pounds on the market. But for members of the Tarot Club, I'll give you a friendly price—7,888 pounds."
Klein: Goodbye!
Audrey: What a profiteer!
The Hanged Man fell silent for a moment before replying helplessly, "I'm afraid I can't afford that right now."
"I accept installment payments. No interest."
"..."
The Hanged Man pondered deeply again, then shook his head, "My top priority is advancing to Wind-blessed. If I still have funds afterward, I'll reconsider."
"No problem. You're welcome any time."
At that moment, the Hanged Man gave a questioning glance toward Miss Justice. Logically, this well-off noble lady should be more interested in such an item…yet she hadn't even asked about it?
Edward continued speaking:
"The second item is relatively ordinary. It's called the Hand of Glory. Once you place a candle on it, only the person holding it can see the light. Honestly, I haven't figured out its full use yet."
Alger chuckled, "I imagine certain thieves and burglars might find it quite handy."
Edward shrugged, "Unfortunately, I'm neither a thief nor a burglar."
Just as Klein was also contemplating the item's potential use, the usually quiet Little Sun Derrick suddenly raised his hand.
"I…I need it."
Everyone turned to look at him, making Derrick even more nervous. He clenched his jaw and said,
"Ever since Lord abandoned us, the City of Silver has remained in endless darkness. Countless monsters lurk within the dark. The citizens of the City of Silver must find ways to stay in the light in order to avoid being attacked."
Alger perked up immediately. More hints about the forsaken land!
Audrey asked in confusion, "But this Hand of Glory only emits light visible to the one holding it. That means, while you might be in the light, to those monsters, you're still in darkness, right?"
Derrick paused, then answered seriously, "You're right…But anything related to light—I…I want to try."
Edward sighed lightly.
"In that case, I'll let you have it first. If you find it useful, then repay me according to its true value later."
"Thank you, thank you so much, Mr. Tower."
"Don't thank me yet. There's still one issue—how am I supposed to get the item to you?"
The joy in Derrick's heart was instantly doused. "I…I don't know."
"Mr. Fool," Edward turned respectfully toward Klein. "You must have a way, right?"
"..."
Honestly, I have no idea right now!
Thankfully, Klein had previously theorized about using the 'offering' and 'bestowal' concept through this mysterious space above the gray fog to facilitate item exchange—otherwise, he'd have no way out of this situation.
But that was still just a theory.
Internally cursing, Klein lightly tapped his finger on the bronze tabletop, then looked at Derrick and asked,
"Does the City of Silver still worship any deity?"
Derrick responded with reverence, "We still worship The Lord that Created Everything—The Omnipotent and Omniscient God."
Klein wasn't surprised in the slightest. He smiled faintly and asked again,
"Even though "He" abandoned you?"
"Yes…" Derrick's tone faltered slightly, "We…We once received "His" salvation. We will not betray "Him"."
At this point, Alger was convinced: Derrick truly came from that fabled forsaken land of gods. He couldn't help but marvel once more at Mr. Fool's greatness.
Audrey silently sighed. Edward had already shared everything he could remember about the City of Silver. She knew the so-called omniscient and omnipotent god Derrick believed in had long perished—what remained was nothing but a mad, fallen Creator.
If not for Mr. Fool, the City of Silver's centuries of faith would have ended in pure tragedy.
Mr. Fool nodded slightly, then slowly asked in a calm voice,
"Do you still make offerings to that so-called omniscient and omnipotent God?"
"Yes, we still do. But ever since the day we were abandoned, we've never received a response," Derrick said, his voice tinged with pain.
Klein tapped the tabletop again, eyes half-lidded as he spoke,
"Describe your offering ritual in detail."
Derrick immediately began recounting the steps of their ceremony.
Klein quickly analyzed every part of the ritual using his knowledge of mysticism. Finally, he asked, "What prayer phrases do you use? And what language are they spoken in?"
Derrick thought carefully and replied,
"We use Jotun—it's our common tongue. The corresponding prayer is:
'Your faithful servant seeks your gaze;
We beseech you to accept this offering;
We beseech you to open the gates of your kingdom.'"
Klein listened silently, allowing the gray fog around him to swirl slowly. He nodded as if lost in thought.
"I understand."
He looked at Edward and said calmly, "When I notify you, offer the item to me."
Alger was both stunned and thrilled: So Mr. Fool intends for Edward to use the same sacrificial method that the City of Silver once used to communicate with the gods…Does this mean he truly is an ancient deity, now reclaiming his lost authority step by step?
Edward bowed deeply. "As you command, Mr. Fool."
Fool Express Delivery—coming soon.
The crimson haze and mystic fog gradually faded away, and Edward returned to the room with the drawn curtains. The moment he opened his eyes, he saw Lilith sitting cross-legged in front of him, head tilted with curiosity, staring at him as she tried to slap his face with her tiny feet.
"(ｏ‵-′)ノ"
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[Note]: Don't forget to VOTE. It keeps me motivated.