Chapter 152 - 152: A New Member of the Tarot Club

The little bird quickly switched to a more normal tone and said, "Oh, she also said that as for the commission Sharron owes you, she can help you once—but it'll cost 10,000 pounds." Cancelling a debt…and charging an extra 10,000 on top? Hmm. An angel—albeit a fallen one—charging that price wasn't exactly outrageous. But she hadn't mentioned gold coins? "I understand. I don't have any other messages to send. You can return." "Goodbye!" It chirped gleefully and flew back into the Spirit World. …Was it just Edward, or did the bird's personality seem completely different now? It wasn't just the improved service attitude—it genuinely felt more human somehow. ——— [Backlund—St. George Borough] Klein flushed the toilet and stepped out of the washroom, a joyful expression on his face. Just now, Little Sun had informed him that he'd acquired the True Root and Juice of a Mist Treant. That meant all the ingredients for the Sequence 7 Magician potion were now complete. Tonight, he could proceed with his advancement! Wiping his hands dry, Klein walked over to Leppard. "Sorry, the weather's getting colder and it messed up my stomach." This was Klein's first investment project since arriving in this world—a bicycle design based on Roselle's manuscript, significantly improved and modernised. He had test-ridden the newest prototype earlier today and found it practically indistinguishable from the bikes of his previous life. Negotiations were already underway to move the project into mass production. Leppard chuckled. "That's quite normal—especially at my age. The body just starts to give out." Uh…we do have a significant age gap… Then Leppard straightened up, adopting a more serious tone. "Alright then, let's officially name the vehicle the pedal bicycle." "Sure. It's your invention—I have no objections." As long as it turns a profit, Klein didn't care what they called it. Just as he stepped out of the living room, he suddenly heard an ethereal, layered voice—someone was praying to him. A girl's voice? Could it be Miss Justice? He hesitated, then turned back around. Under Leppard's puzzled gaze, he clutched his stomach again and headed for the washroom. "Sorry...my stomach's acting up again." Leppard opened his mouth, then said hesitantly, "Perhaps my digestion is better than yours." "…" Klein couldn't help but rub his forehead. At this rate, with more and more people getting to know him, it'd soon become common knowledge that "Detective Sherlock Moriarty has a weak stomach." Damn it! He shut the door, took four steps counterclockwise, and entered the world above the grey fog—only to find that the prayer wasn't from any existing member of the Tarot Club. Amid the boundless sea of grey mist, a crimson star was pulsating faintly. Someone outside the Tarot Club? Klein extended his spirituality and cautiously responded to the call. The moment his vision shifted, he saw that same little girl in black with short hair he'd encountered once before. Klein's brows lifted slightly. Her again? Last time, she had abruptly cut the connection and fled before he could get a good look at her. He had tried contacting her afterwards, but couldn't locate her again. Should I try bringing her up here this time? It had been quite a while since anyone new had joined the Tarot Club—Edward had been the last. Since advancing to Sequence 8 Clown, Klein's spirituality had increased, and he could support adding one more member. But...a little girl? Would inviting her to the world above the fog really serve any purpose? Klein hesitated for a moment, then manifested his topaz crystal. On the parchment, he wrote: "Bringing this girl into the Tarot Club is harmful to me." "Bringing this girl into the Tarot Club is harmful to me." "Bringing this girl into the Tarot Club is harmful to me." —— After repeating it seven times, the topaz began to spin counterclockwise—a sign that not only was there no harm, but there might be benefit. He drummed his fingers lightly on the table before reaching out and tapping the corresponding crimson star. A surge of spiritual power flowed into the star like water, and the short-haired girl's figure instantly appeared beside the bronze long table—seated on a chair that didn't belong to any of the current members. Klein immediately activated his Spirit Vision. "Wah!" The abrupt shift in scenery startled the girl. Like a startled cat, she leapt backwards out of the chair. Hm. That's certainly…a unique way to make a first impression. "Who are you?" she demanded, wide-eyed. She glared at Klein, unafraid, from beyond the grey mist. "Are you trying to kidnap me? I'm warning you, Mr. Azik is really powerful! He'll come to save me! He's a super-strong Beyonder!" Mr. Azik?! Klein hadn't expected that name to come out of the little girl's mouth. Wait! A realisation struck him. Back when he last contacted Mr. Azik, the latter had mentioned finding a descendant of his bloodline—a little girl who used to live next door to Edward and had been caught in that meteorite incident… Priscilla? So this little girl…was that Priscilla? "Hey!" The girl tilted her chin up and gave a smug grin. "Scared now, huh? You better behave and send me back! Or else Mr. Azik will definitely teach you a lesson!" "..." Is adding a little troublemaker like her to the Tarot Club really a good idea? Her greatest asset seemed to be Mr. Azik—but Klein was already well-acquainted with him. Did he really need to go through such a roundabout way? Well…maybe not. Or maybe…just maybe…yes. After all, with how thin-skinned he was, unless it involved matters of life and death, he typically wouldn't trouble Mr. Azik. But with her around… could he perhaps delegate certain important tasks to Mr. Azik through her as an intermediary and essentially "borrow his help" without directly asking? Ah, but wouldn't that be tantamount to scheming against Mr. Azik? No, absolutely not! He had to cast such thoughts from his mind! What he really needed to consider now was: how should he explain the existence of the Tarot Club to Priscilla, and how to persuade her to join? "If I told you I'm not afraid of this Mr. Azik you mentioned, what would you say?" She blinked, surprised. "Huh? Why?" "Because I'm stronger than him." "No way!" "Then go ahead, try calling him now and see if he comes to save you." She scratched her head, then began shouting, "Mr. Big Skeleton! Come out! Take me to see Mr. Azik!" "...." Big Skeleton? She must be referring to that enormous skeletal messenger? As expected of Mr. Azik's descendant. Every time he summoned the messenger, he had to use a copper whistle and act respectfully throughout the process—yet she simply shouted at the top of her lungs. After a few more cries yielded no results, the little girl began to panic. "Are…are you Mr. Azik's enemy?" "No." "Then why did you kidnap me?" Klein said calmly, "This isn't a kidnapping. It's a selection. You've been chosen." "Chosen for what?" In order to maintain the dignity of The Fool, he thought for a moment and replied, "Go ask Edward. He was chosen as well." With that, Klein prepared to sever the connection. The little girl gasped in surprise, shouting, "Big Brother Edward is a member of this organisation too?" So she really was Priscilla. Wait— Did I even say the word "organisation"? "…Yes." Priscilla immediately dropped her prior attitude. She bowed seriously and said, "O great and mysterious being, please forgive my earlier offence." "..." Damn! Klein's lips twitched. This little girl…had been acting the entire time? She even fooled his Spirit Vision? The great Fool was completely taken in by a six or seven-year-old girl?! If word got out about this… One must never underestimate any Beyonder— Even if they're just a child! He exhaled quietly and said flatly, "You're more mature than I expected." She scratched her head, "It's nothing~ May I ask how I should address you, O great being?" "Mr. Fool." She replied crisply, "Great Mr. Fool, I am willing to join this organisation!" "It's called the Tarot Club." "I'm willing to join the Tarot Club!" Klein's lips quirked. "But I've just decided…I don't need you to join anymore." "Eh?" She was stunned. Cough, cough, cough—No, he still had to maintain his mystique. "Even great beings enjoy a bit of humour now and then." Klein tapped lightly with his left index finger, materialising the remaining Tarot cards on the bronze table. "All members of the Tarot Club use Tarot cards as code names. These are the ones left—choose one." Priscilla hesitated for a few seconds, chewing on her finger, then pointed to a card depicting a skeletal figure in a black cloak wielding a scythe. "The Death card." Despite its somewhat grim appearance, the Death card actually conveyed a very positive meaning. It symbolised endings and transformation—letting go of the past and embracing the future. "Our meetings are held every Monday at 3 PM." "Monday? That's tomorrow, right? Okay!" Priscilla raised her hand enthusiastically. "Oh right, Mr. Fool. Could we not tell Big Brother Edward about me joining the Tarot Club just yet? I want to surprise him." How Childish! Klein said calmly, "Fine." Heh, I'd love to see Edward's face when he finds out! ——— [Backlund—Empress Borough] In a quiet villa, only the gas lamp buzzed softly. Lilith lay sprawled on the table, eyes fixed on the door. Occasionally, she'd yawn, roll over, flick her tail in boredom, or glance at the book nearby. Suddenly, her ears twitched, and she sprang up. "Edward, you're back!!!" "Didn't take a nap, Lilith?" "Nope!" She instantly perked up and rubbed against Edward, asking nonchalantly, "You were gone for so long…what were you doing?" "Mm, ran into a few troublesome matters. But it's been handled—for now." "Oh." She wrapped her tail around her legs and sat obediently, as if listening intently. But her eyes clearly said: I don't care one bit. "Sorry, one thing after another lately. You've been waiting long, haven't you?" Lilith shook her head quickly. "Not at all~ Miss Lilith just went out and caught a mouse!" Edward removed his coat, went to the washroom to rinse his face, then rolled up his sleeves as he came out. "Alright then, Miss Lilith, are you ready for your test?" The little one's eyes lit up. "I'm ready!" "Then let's begin." The human and the cat sat facing each other—one with a serious expression, the other even more serious. As if this weren't a preschool-level literacy test, but a battle between titans. Let the challenge begin! ——— [Note]: Don't forget to VOTE. It keeps me motivated.