"Tower" once speculated that the "Night Emperor" most likely completed his ritual and ascended to True God status with the aid of the surviving ancient god—"Dark Side of the Universe," Farbauti.
So it was quite normal that there was a connection between them… I remember that when I traveled by ship from Backlund to Bayam, we passed by Damir Island, where there was a rumor that it was the fief of a demon from the "Andariel" family… Perhaps it was the very place once bestowed by the "Night Emperor."
And the "Succubi" could actually be divided into two kinds—"Demons" and "Demonesses"? Did Old Huang deliberately point that out just to brag that he had tried both kinds?
Klein made a silent jab at that, then continued to think:
Besides, the "Primordial Demoness" only obtained her final Sequence 1 characteristic during the "War of the Four Emperors"… that's much later than I expected.
I had thought she became a True God during the Age of Strife or even earlier. After all, her ascension ritual required a divine war and the complete breakdown of the boundaries between the real world, the spirit world, and the astral plane—returning the area to a "Primordial" state…
When I obtained the "Demoness" card, I thought she had completed her ritual somewhere in the "Forsaken Land of the Gods," since neither the Northern nor Southern Continent has a place that could return to such a "Primordial" or "Chaotic" state…
Hmm, maybe it was just hidden away… Wait, the "Demoness's domain" mentioned earlier in the diary when speaking about the "Ghost Empire"—could that actually refer to this?
The "Mirror World," a collection of "Doors"… Could that region have been sealed by a high-ranking being of the "Door" pathway? Perhaps the "Mr. Door" before he was banished from the world?
A series of thoughts flashed rapidly through his mind. Klein didn't waste time and made the three diary pages vanish, then smiled toward "Hermit" Cattleya.
"Have you decided what to ask for?"
Cattleya gave a formal bow as though she had already prepared her question, and spoke:
"I wish to know how Emperor Roselle was contaminated in his later years."
Audrey the "Justice," sitting in the same row, blinked in disbelief, thinking she had misheard. She hadn't expected the "Hermit" to start with such a weighty question.
Wait, Emperor Roselle was contaminated in his later years? What kind of contamination could affect him? I remember "Tower" once mentioned that the Emperor was preparing to ascend to True Godhood by then!
And also, the "Hermit" only contributed three pages of diary, yet she's asking something at this level—doesn't that go against the principle of equivalent exchange? Various thoughts surged in Audrey's mind as she waited, strangely excited, for "The Fool" to respond.
The "Hanged Man" Alger, "Moon" Emlyn, "Magician" Fors, and "Judgment" Xio all held their breath and turned their gaze toward the head of the long bronze table.
"Temperance" Sharon's blue eyes also shifted ever so slightly.
"Tower" Ebner glanced between "World" and "Hermit," guessing that Klein must have spoken to Bernadette earlier, which led to a question different from the original story.
And with the 'Seal of Calamity' involved, the later parts of Old Huang's diary must be completely different from the original version… After this meeting, I'll have to ask Klein for a look at it, Ebner thought inwardly.
As for "Sun" Derrick, although he had often heard the name Roselle, he couldn't quite grasp the man's true significance, so—like "World"—he didn't pay it much attention.
"The Fool" Klein pondered for a moment. After reminding "Hermit" Cattleya that he was not "omniscient and omnipotent," he chuckled softly and said,
"Perhaps it was related to his journey to the moon."
None of the Tarot Club members found anything strange about "The Fool's" modest disclaimer—after all, none of the current True Gods or Evil Gods bore the honorific of omniscience or omnipotence.
Instead, they began contemplating the meaning of his answer.
Journey to the moon? Did he mean literally landing on the moon? Could a human even do such a thing? Had Emperor Roselle truly reached a level so close to that of a True God before his assassination?
"Justice" Audrey was both stunned and awed. For a moment, she imagined that grand act of lunar exploration—it must have been so romantic.
The "Hanged Man" Alger was equally shaken, though his thoughts went further. He speculated that the moon might be the domain of a certain True God, ancient god, or evil god—and that Roselle's contamination stemmed from that.
In his mind, the names of the Evernight Goddess, the ancient god Lilith, and the evil god Primordial Moon flashed by—only for him to quickly banish them.
Matters involving the divine made him both thrilled at the secrecy he was glimpsing and fearful of knowing too much and bringing calamity upon himself.
"Hermit" Cattleya also pondered over what could have been so wrong about "journeying to the moon." After more than ten seconds, she nodded thoughtfully, expressed her gratitude, and withdrew her gaze.
However, "The Fool" then added casually,
"Tell Bernadette not to attempt to go to the moon. The danger there is beyond what she can withstand."
Even Liu Bo refused to go… that alone speaks volumes about how perilous it must be! That girl of Old Huang's is bold to a fault—it's best to warn her, Klein muttered inwardly.
Even though "The Fool's" tone was light, Cattleya still felt a chill run down her spine. Any place deemed dangerous by such an existence was beyond terrifying!
When I return, no matter what, I must persuade the Queen not to attempt going to the moon! Cattleya resolved in silence.
Seeing her express solemn thanks once again, Klein said nothing further. He leaned back in his chair and looked around the table.
"You may begin."
After saying that, he noticed the "Hanged Man" Alger glancing a few times toward the lowest seat where "World" sat, then turning to face the head of the table.
"Honorable Mr. Fool, I request to speak with 'World' in private."
The Hanged Man wants to talk to me? Klein thought with mild curiosity. Is he planning another joint operation against a pirate? He felt a spark of anticipation—after all, the money for his future "rich man disguise" would have to come from his own pocket.
Once he had isolated the others' senses, Alger waited two seconds, then turned toward "World" Gehrman Sparrow and said,
"I want to exchange one condition with you for the coordinates of an undiscovered primitive island.
"Hmm, that island is home to many Beyonders that are extinct on both the Northern and Southern Continents. It also hides ancient ruins of an unknown era…
"…There are traces of high-level Beyonders—possibly Demigods—on it. To you, this should be of great value.
"I can swear to Mr. Fool that I am not lying.
"As for my condition, I hope that when you explore that island for the first time, you take me as your companion. With Mr. Fool observing, you have no reason to worry that I harbor any malicious intent."
After listening to "Hanged Man's" proposal, Klein was indeed tempted by the offer but grew cautious about the "condition." The value of such an island was undeniable—whatever Alger wanted in exchange would surely be significant.
"What do you need?" Klein had "World" ask in a deep voice.
"I've discovered the location of an Obnis sea monster… It's near Sonia Island, under the control of the Feysac military…
"I want your help to capture that sea monster."
(End of this chapter)