Monday, September 3rd 1349
Amanises had just finished her midday nap, waking up to a disheveled hair and messy bed covers.
She quickly left for the bathroom to make herself look presentable, brushing her hair, applying some light make-up and putting on decent wear.
It seemed as, with each increased sequence, her eyebags became even more pronounced than ever before.
Great! Just great!
After denying her current appearance in front of a clear mirror for 20 minutes straight, she went to the small kitchen to grab a bite.
That bite became a full on five course meal soon after.
Patting down her fattened stomach in glee, Amanises made her way back to the study desk that was placed in a room adjacent to her bedroom, taking a seated position and resting her face in her fist as if taking a nap after a long session of paperwork.
One minute, two minutes...
Five minutes was all it took for her vision to blur, and soft whispers to begin echoing in her aching ears.
That was not a problem as she was already used to it after-all.
Opening her eyes, Amanises found herself back at the familiar bronze mottled table, which was surrounded by twenty-two high-back chairs, with only a handful of seats being occupied.
She quickly scanned each of them, making sure there was no new member, before Miss Justice's delightful voice officially started the gathering.
"Good afternoon, Mr Fool~"
It seems like she's happy today. Well, she seems happy all the time, so there's that.
Amanises quickly took note of Justice's happy mood from the tone of her voice.
The Fool said nothing but smiled with a nod of his head, the rest of the members took that as a cue to take their seats.
The gathering had begun.
"Honorable Mr. Fool, I wonder if your adorer has received the compensation of 300 pounds?" Audrey asked, holding back her urge to talk about Qilangos while she showed concern over her leader's adorer.
The Fool smiled and said, "I didn't pay close attention to this matter. But as my adorer didn't request for additional help, I suppose he has already received it."
"That's great!" Audrey relaxed and looked across her. "Mr. Hanged Man, there's been progress regarding Qilangos."
Amanises and The Sun watched as Miss Justice and Mr Hanged Man discussed over the Qilangos matter, with The Hanged man even requesting slight assistance from Mr Fool.
This Qilangos matter is no joke! That mystical artifact makes him look incredibly scary. Amanises could only watch as panic rose through The Hanged Man, unable to do anything, she simply shifted in her seat.
Well actually I could help... Mr Azik is one whistle blow away in Backlund, I could really help…
The Hanged Man's worried expression could penetrate even the gray fog.
Eh, they're good without me. Worst comes to worst the Charm should come in handy!
Amanises wasn't stingy with her help, obviously she would offer to aid Mr Hanged Man to catch that Qilangos, and that could probably fetch a good price too.
However, Azik Eggers was still an unknown danger she didn't want to risk, and the demigods of The Arcanists shouldn't be aware of her Tarot Club matters.
The World switched his gaze on her for a moment then sighed, due to his far away position, no one even noticed his movement.
The Hanged Man Alger looked at The Fool and spoke once again, "I'm about to receive a batch of pages from Emperor Roselle's diary. I believe that I can present them to you in the next gathering, or the gathering after that."
The Fool allowed joy to color his tone, as he said with a gentle nod, "Very good."
God dammit! I forgot about them pages again! Amanises became annoyed at her own forgetfulness while Derrick was quite sad since he had no way of even acquiring them.
The majestic palace was silent for a few seconds before Audrey spoke, "I need the complete pituitary gland of a Rainbow Salamander."
One of the main ingredients of the Telepathist potion? Hanged Man Alger nodded slightly as if he was contemplating.
"I don't have it. To be honest, I've only seen this creature in textbooks." The Sun, Derrick, heard the term automatically translated to him as Phantom Netherdrake.
At that moment, Alger looked at The Fool, then retracted his gaze. He then looked opposite him and said in thought, "I might have a way of obtaining the complete pituitary gland of the Rainbow Salamander."
Without waiting for Audrey to speak, he added on, "But it's under the premise that Qilangos is found. When the time comes, the complete pituitary gland of the Rainbow Salamander would be equivalent to the extra compensation that I owe you. Miss Justice, you might not know, but these creatures are nearly extinct, and we can only find traces of them in primitive islands in the Sea of Fog, the Berserk Sea, or the Sonia Sea. Not many people have the coordinates to these Islands. Heh, if you're interested, we can make a deal, for I am one of the few who knows how to get there."
I'm also interested in those primitive islands… Amanises silently listened to their conversation.
The Sun Derrick was already confused by the terms "Sea of Fog,""Berserk Sea,""Sonia Sea,""primitive island," etc.
He felt more and more certain that Miss Justice and Mr. Hanged Man belonged to a different world than he did.
The discussion of the pituitary gland continued for a while, with Justice wanting more clarification, and Mr Hanged Man wishing to secure the deal.
I wonder if my organization is able to access those primitive islands... Lady Death became very interested in this matter.
After the end of the transaction discussions, The Fool looked around, then turned to The Sun. He asked in a gentle tone, "Does the City of Silver still believe in gods?"
Derrick replied in a respectful tone, "We still believe in the Lord that created everything, the omnipotent and omniscient God."
Huh? Who? Justice, The Hanged Man and Death all had the same question in their heads.
An omnipotent and omniscient God?! Especially The Hanged Man Alger.
Omnipotent and omniscient? Such descriptions could only be heard by a Christian's proselytizing on the streets of London! Amanises silently exclaimed in her heart.
The Fool wasn't surprised at all. He chuckled and asked in reply, "Even though He abandoned you?"
Finally it clicked for Alger. The Forsaken Land of the Gods!
Mr Fool is able to pull someone from a place that only exists in name in ancient records?!
He became appaled.
Justice was still clueless, while the question only confirmed Amanises' guesses that she kept to herself for a long time.
Alger looked at The Fool who was seated in the seat of honor at the end of the ancient long bronze table in horror. He could only see that he was leaning back in his chair in silence, engulfed by the thick fog.
The City of Silver has the legend about being abandoned by the Creator… Huh, Mr. Hanged Man seems to be deeply affected… What is he amazed and afraid of? Audrey nodded in puzzlement as she remembered the details of the moment.
"Yes, we believe that we will regain the Lord's favor in the end. Perhaps, it will be on the day the sun rises again," Derrick Berg answered in an uncertain tone. "We were once ruled by the giants' royal family, and we worshiped the Giant King Aurmir. Later, we were saved by the Lord and we will never betray the Lord again."
Hearing that, The Fool's lips formed a thin line, he stopped His commentary, not wishing to delve deeper into The Creator's affairs.
You really have no dignity left do you? He joked inwardly, calling out to his former friend.
Justice noticed the slight change in The Fool's expression. He seems disappointed. Perhaps the omniscient and omnipotent creator will never come back, but he doesn't have the heart to tell Little Sun.
Mr Fool is a nice man, he pulled The Sun here to help him grow and doesn't wish to shatter his dreams! Audrey analyzed.
Everything seemed to halt, as everyone finished telling what was on their hearts. Well, except for two people.
Since The World wouldn't speak up unless he had something important to say, Justice and the rest turned their heads to Miss Death, who was quietly observing all this time uninterrupted.
Owh come on, it's my turn to speak? What is this? A grade school ice-breaker?
She was thinking about what to speak up, her week was quite eventful.
Amanises cleared her throat and chose one of the safest options.
"There has been a Sequence 6 Demoness of Pleasure in Tingen City, together with my friend we managed to take her down in a trap."
A sequence 6 Pleasure?! Alger was baffled. Aren't they known for being incredibly strong and skilled? You managed to take her down just like that?
Alger was well aware of the dangers brought by the Demoness Sect, Audrey—not so much.
However—Lady Death, aren't you just a sequence 8? Have you advanced again? What kind of friend do you have to take down such a beast?
Derrick didn't have much to say. He was aware of the demoness pathway description, but didn't know just what kind of calamity it left in its wake.
I'm glad Miss Death is strong enough, and that she has such a reliable friend.
The Fool only smiled and said. "Well done."
That praise made Amanises' heart freeze in place for a second.
Sheesh! Please never do that again! A gentleman's demeanor coupled with well-timed praise would make a lady's heart stop!
Amanises only gave an awkward laugh, opting to stay quiet and not add anything else, lest she might receive more praise.
I don't want that! I truly don't!