Miao Miao held a glass of clear, plain water, while Klein sipped his red wine with an air of profound gravity. In the midst of this mismatched yet friendly conversation, Mrs. Stelyn Sammer suddenly appeared. Her golden hair and silver earrings seemed to signal an approaching storm.
With a playful tone, she stepped forward and said, "I have a feeling you two are already quite well-acquainted."
Both Miao Miao and Klein nodded mechanically. They had no idea what danger this small admission would invite. Stelyn smiled broadly and added, "Well then, it seems I don't need to introduce either of you to anyone else."
Klein set his glass down and asked with some hesitation, "Madam, what exactly do you mean by that?"
The notorious glint of a matchmaker shone in Mrs. Sammer's eyes. She announced, almost as a declaration, "In my opinion, you two would make a very good... couple."
The moment she heard this, the water in Miao Miao's throat went out of control. In an instant, the water sprayed from her mouth like a fountain, landing directly on Klein Moretti's face.
"Pffft—!"
Detective Klein stood frozen like a stone statue. The red wine glass was still in his hand. Water dripped steadily from the lenses of his glasses. His perfectly trimmed beard and ironed shirt were quite soaked. Although Klein's 'Clown' abilities helped him control his external emotions, his closed eyelids and wet nose seemed to scream silently—Is she really that desperate to play matchmaker!
Losing all presence of mind, Miao Miao quickly pulled out her silk handkerchief and approached Klein in a state of utter embarrassment.
"Sorry! I... I'm truly sorry, Mr. Moriarty!" Miao Miao kept whispering.
This Mrs. Sammer has nothing better to do than talk nonsense. She probably doesn't know that Mr. Moriarty—meaning Klein—is only interested in money, not in any woman.
She moved closer to Klein and began to wipe his glasses and wet cheeks with her soft handkerchief. Miao Miao's hands were still trembling. Klein stood perfectly still, maintaining his signature expressionless face.
Miao Miao handed the handkerchief over to Klein.
Noticing that many eyes were now on them, Miao Miao said to handle the situation, "Mrs. Sammer, you've misunderstood, and that was far too direct."
"Oh, it seems there has been a misunderstanding," Klein added.
"In that case, let me introduce you to some others," Mrs. Sammer said, seemingly unwilling to give up.
...
"This is Mr. Jurgen Cooper, a senior solicitor. He earns at least three pounds a week, plus commissions from cases. His annual income easily exceeds two hundred pounds. He is young, stable, and has the potential to become a barrister in the future."
Jurgen gave a slight nod, but a trace of self-satisfaction was evident at the corners of his lips.
"And this is Mr. Sherlock Moriarty, a well-known detective. His income isn't fixed, but each fee is significant—ten pounds, sometimes even fifty."
Klein bowed politely with a measured smile. However, internally, he thought coldly, "Madam, are you introducing people or reading a product catalog at a market?"
Beside him, Jurgen visibly frowned; the phrase "uncertain income" likely didn't sit well with him.
But Staelen noticed none of this, or if she did, she didn't care. She continued in the same rhythm.
"Miss Sarah Taylor—her parents are grammar school teachers. An educated family, raised in a refined environment."
Sarah bowed modestly.
"Angelina Watson—her father is a civilian employee in the Backlund Police Department. A stable family."
Stelyn paused slightly. Then, with a bit of a dramatic flair, she said—"And this is Miss Arya Nightshade. She was once the daughter of a grain merchant. Her elder brother currently resides in Lenburg. Furthermore…"
She looked at Miao Miao with a small smile, "She is a highly skilled fashion designer."
Miao Miao bowed her head slowly. On her lips was a measured, practiced smile—neither too much nor too little.
Even though Mr. Dont Night had been a bankrupt grain merchant, he had owned many estates in Winter County; two-thirds of that property had been lost due to the Grain Acts.
But Mr. Dont Night was very clever. Having lost everything to bankruptcy once before, he had preemptively transferred one-third of his property into the names of his wife and child.
Miao Miao knew this from the account books. They still had some assets left, but their business had been destroyed by the Grain Acts. The destruction of the business and facing bankruptcy for a second time had caused the Night family to break down mentally.
...
Miao Miao sat in a chair, watching Mrs. Sammer's two children playing from a distance.
She looked at them with a gaze of pity, recalling the accounts of the 1350 World War from the novel. This family was so happy now, but within a year, their joy would be snatched away. Mr. Sammer's Coim Company would be seized by the army, and to provide even a single piece of food for this family...
.....
In the piano room, having finished her practice, Audrey looked at the clock and realized the Tarot Club meeting was drawing near. She began heading toward her bedroom.
Passing by her father Earl Hall's study, she saw the door slightly ajar and a stack of thick papers lying on the desk.
*Those weren't there before...* Her curiosity was piqued. She slowed her pace and gave a meaningful look to her Golden Retriever, Susie—she was becoming increasingly proficient at communicating with her dog using only her eyes.
Having been a 'Spectator' for some time, Susie easily understood what her mistress wanted her to do. However, she sometimes pretended not to understand, preferring to stay still and lie in one spot.
But this time, Susie didn't play dumb. She walked quickly into the study, propped her front paws on the edge of the desk, and stood upright.
After a quick glance at the top page of the stack, she returned to Audrey's side and whispered in a low voice:
"A survey on the living conditions in the East Borough, the dock area, and the factory district."
*Audrey, what does this mean?*
*A survey of the East Borough, docks, and factories? Why is Father suddenly conducting such an investigation? *
Audrey was stunned and didn't immediately answer Susie's question.
Looking around to ensure no one was watching, she quietly entered Earl Hall's study and stepped toward the desk to examine the documents.
The lead report was written by a journalist named Mike Joseph... Behind it were several other investigations conducted from various perspectives.
Some even mentioned the spread of different factions and collusion between certain Beyonder and criminal syndicates... At the very bottom of the documents was the symbol of the Goddess.
*Both the Father and the Church conducted the investigation? Are these compiled reports? No wonder during lunch, the Father and several committee members discussed the Anti-Pollution Act and the Smoke Emission Reduction Act... They must be planning to start by tackling the pollution issues in the factory district and gradually improve conditions in the East Borough and dock area!*
*Hmm... Perhaps Father also wants to use this opportunity to build Hibert's reputation... and the increase in laborers is a result of the repeal of the Grain Acts!*
Audrey looked at the clock hanging in the study with a bit of contemplation and saw it was almost three o'clock. She abandoned the plan to read the documents thoroughly and return them to their original place.
Before leaving, she pulled a book from the shelf so that it would look as if she had entered the study to borrow something to read.
13 Minsk Street, Cherwood Borough
Miao Miao was lying on her bed, reading and trying to learn the Hermes language from a book.
From above the gray fog, a voice resonated: "Prepare for the gathering."
....
Miao Miao appeared in the royal palace amidst the deep red illusory light, manifesting beside the long ancient table in that historic place.
Audrey stood up with a smile and greeted the seat of honor.
"Good afternoon, Mr. Fool~"
After a slight nod in response, she greeted The Hanged Man, The World, The Magician, The Lovers, and The Sun. She noticed that The Sun looked particularly uneasy.
"What are you worried about?" Audrey asked.
The Sun, Derrick, hesitated for a moment, then seeing that The Fool was not stopping him, he described how he had successfully feigned illness and had been sent to the very bottom of the round tower for isolation and treatment. Then he asked if the mysterious object in the round tower could detect the gray fog.
Hearing this question, Justice, Magician, and the others all turned toward The Fool with worried faces, except for Miao Miao —though she was pretending to look very concerned.
*How should I know... I don't even know what that thing is... but so far, nothing strange or powerful has tried to invade this place. Even the Evernight Goddess and the True Creator haven't found this place... so it should be fine...*
Tapping his fingers gently on the edge of the ancient bronze table, Klein replied calmly:
"Normally, it shouldn't be able to detect this place."
"But some supernatural items possess unusual effects."
Seeing Mr. Fool give an affirmative nod, Derrick felt immediate relief. He nodded in acknowledgement.
He briefly admitted, "I don't know what special effects it has."
"It is one of the top secrets of the City of Silver."
As he spoke, the words of the former captain of the exploration team suddenly came back to him.
He suddenly asked, "Have you heard of a person named Amon?"
Amon? Klein thought for a moment and quickly recalled the source of this familiarity. The Hanged Man had mentioned this name in a previous Tarot meeting; furthermore, after Miss Lover was pulled into this gray fog, she had mentioned the Amon family name regarding her problems, and he had already seen one of them.
This was the third time Klein was hearing the word Amon... If he knew how much trouble this man would cause him in the future, hearing Amon's name would be nothing but an annoyance; you would never want to hear about him with any interest.
*Alger, you explain this to The Sun hidden in the fog.*
While thinking these thoughts, Miao Miao felt Klein looking at her. He wanted to know from her because she had said she had already faced one of them.
Miao Miao gathered her thoughts, remembering what Alger had explained about Amon. She decided she needed to add some information.
Could it be the influence of my previous subtle hints? This should be Alger's explanation... why me?
Miao Miao turned her head to look at The Sun.
"The Amon family—it appeared 1500 years ago or even earlier. They belonged to the Tudor Dynasty, and their surname was Amon."
"Abraham, Antigonus, Amon, Jacob, and Tamara were the five great families that supported the establishment of the Tudor Dynasty and were second only to the Blood Emperor."
"But they have already been mostly distorted from history. The Amon family consists of The Blasphemer; they possess the ability to steal the power of the gods. The Amon family has an Angel of the Marauder pathway. And they claim to be descendants of the Ancient Sun God."
*An Angel of the Marauder pathway? Could the so-called 'mystery of stealing the gods' power' be a high-level manifestation of this pathway? Hmm.*
The Marauder—this is the pathway Miao Miao follows, and the core task of her Sequence 9 is to steal without others noticing.
"The Marauder pathway... is the core theme of this pathway stealing?" Alger asked, nodding.
"Yes. High-level Beyonders of this family can steal anyone's thoughts, identity, and even their destiny."
*Wait, did I say too much?* Miao Miao added to herself.
"Stealing thoughts, destiny, and identity... that is truly terrifying," Audrey added in a fearful voice.
"Meaning my destiny and identity would become his/ her
," Fors added in the same tone.
*Miss Lover is a Beyonder of the Marauder pathway... She said she has already faced someone from the Amon family... Is present she in Sequence 4, 5, or 6?*
*You guys are this scared just by learning about his power; how terrifying the man behind it actually is is beyond your imagination for now...*
Miao Miao spoke no more.
Seeing The Sun remain silent, Alger stroked his stubbled chin and said, "The Amon family is an ancient lineage from one to two thousand years ago. It is practically a part of history. I am very curious; why did the gentleman you met appear near the 'City of Silver'? What is his purpose?"
Derrick shook his head and said, "Thank you, Miss Lover. Mr. Hanged Man, I cannot answer your question. I am also trying to understand this matter."
Alger replied with a bit of disappointment, "Try to communicate more with the former captain in the cell next to yours. See if you can get any more information from him."
He thought for a moment and warned, "However, you must be cautious and discreet. I believe that person is extremely dangerous."
"Extremely dangerous? You think so too?" Derrick asked, somewhat surprised.
"The elders of the Council of Six thought the same thing!"
The Hanged Man took a deep breath, looking toward the high dome.
*Those who don't think so aren't of sound mind.*
Seeing The Sun still confused, he shook his head and said, "He is the only surviving member of that exploration team. That fact alone is enough to prove there is a serious problem with him."
*Should I warn Derrick more... no, after this incident, Klein learned how to use the Black Emperor card well and gained knowledge about the Marauder pathway Sequence 1, 'Worm of Time'.*