Lord of Mysteries: Starting As A Reader

Above the gray fog, within the ancient and mysterious palace.

Just as Audrey, "Justice," was about to turn her gaze toward Mr. Fool, she caught sight of a new figure appearing on her side of the long table.

That seat had always been empty before!

A new member? A lady? Miss Justice's eyes flickered slightly as she discreetly observed the figure. Then, she realized something she had previously overlooked—

In the Tarot Club, below Mr. Fool, the women were seated on one side, and the men on the other.

This was clearly an intentional division. I wonder if there's any symbolic meaning behind it… Hmm, left side for ladies, right side for men, and the only one neither left nor right is Mr. World… Haha, does that mean he's neither male nor female, or perhaps not even human? Audrey, you're overthinking this…

Shaking off her strange thoughts, Audrey stood up and led the others in a cheerful greeting:

"Good afternoon, Mr. Fool~"

The moment she arrived in this ancient hall, "Hermit" Cattleya began observing cautiously. So, when the others rose to greet Mr. Fool, she barely managed to follow along.

Afterward, however, she noticed that the young lady who had risen first—seventeen or eighteen years old, clearly wealthy, with the bearing of a high-ranking noble—did not immediately sit back down. Instead, she began greeting each member one by one.

Is this a usual practice, or is she doing it to accommodate me, the newcomer? After all, this way, I can match each member to their corresponding codename…

This noble lady must be highly favored by Mr. Fool. She likely holds significant status within this gathering!

At this thought, Cattleya felt a brief flicker of nostalgia. When I was a child, learning alongside the children of the "Elements Dawn" officers under the queen's tutelage, I was in a similar position… Back then, I was the one most doted upon by Her Majesty…

She quickly snapped out of her reverie and continued scrutinizing the Tarot Club members carefully, following the order in which the young lady greeted them.

The mysterious purple in her eyes flowed faintly, almost imperceptibly. Though she couldn't pierce through the obscuring fog, she could still discern details of their clothing.

"The Hanged Man"… A robust man in his thirties… His hair bears traits of the Sailor pathway… Robes adorned with storm and wave patterns… A member of the Church of Storms?

"The Tower"… Looks to be in his early twenties, but his demeanor is far more mature… His formal attire carries a distinct Trier style… From Intis?

"The Sun"… Young, possibly underage… Wearing simple, combat-ready clothing… Tall… A warrior?

"The Moon"… Black hair, crimson eyes, dressed in a priest's robe of the Earth Mother… That combination can only mean one thing—a vampire!

"The World"… Doesn't feel like a living person, but not quite a "Wraith" either… A pathway I'm unfamiliar with?

"The Magician"… A young woman with a languid air, wearing the latest Intis-style court dress… The daughter of some nouveau riche? Old-money families have their own designers… Her identity seems too ordinary… Which makes her all the more worth watching.

"The Judgment"… Professionally disguised, impossible to discern… Likely an intelligence operative from some organization.

"The Temperance"… Gives off a vibe similar to Senor, but without the barely restrained "desire" and "malice"… Combined with her codename, perhaps a remnant of the Temperance Faction from the Rose School of Thought?

The members of Mr. Fool's Tarot Club are certainly no simpletons. Just from a preliminary assessment, they're connected to at least two major churches and two organizations…

Cattleya withdrew her gaze just as Audrey, having finished her greetings, turned her eyes toward her.

Sensing the unspoken question, she nodded slightly and said:

"Hermit."

She deliberately used ancient Feysacian rather than her more familiar Intisian or Loenish—just as she had when speaking to Mr. Fool earlier.

"Justice," Audrey responded with a soft smile. "Good afternoon, Miss Hermit."

Meanwhile, Alger, "The Hanged Man," was also sizing up the new member. From her attire and accessories, he quickly recalled the "Admiral of Stars," Cattleya, whom he had glimpsed months ago at the pirate gathering!

The astrolabe she wore back then felt eerily similar to that strange weather-vial artifact I once obtained… The one that shattered after the first Tarot meeting… So, it was likely a token for contacting Mr. Fool…

"Is 'The Hermit' Cattleya? Hmm, further observation and evidence are needed. Pity I only saw her from afar—I don't know enough to be sure..."

Thoughts flashing through his mind, "The Hanged Man" Alger subtly adjusted his posture before glancing at "The Tower" beside him. He once joined forces with the four female pirate admirals to intercept the "Undying King's" fleet... He might have some connection with the "Admiral of Stars." If "The Hermit" really is Cattleya, "The Tower" should recognize her.

Ebner naturally noticed Alger's gaze and could roughly guess what he was speculating about.

With the original plot long since altered, Ebner hadn't been entirely certain whether the new member of the Tarot Club was Cattleya. However, her codename "The Hermit," her seemingly cautious but actually reckless "observation" method, and Jane's earlier letter had all confirmed her identity as the "Admiral of Stars."

So, when Alger looked over, Ebner gave an almost imperceptible nod.

Seeing this, Alger's heart sank. I'll need to be even more careful later... When exchanging information, I must avoid revealing any details about my true circumstances... After all, "The World" is Mr. Fool's Blessed, and "The Tower" likely has an even greater background—the entity behind him is probably Mr. Fool's ally... It doesn't matter if they know my identity... But others pose a risk of exposure...

Damn it, why did I wear my priest robes today?... Well, it could also serve as a disguise, maybe even mislead... Despite these thoughts, Alger's wariness only grew.

"The Hanged Man" became visibly guarded and defensive after exchanging glances with "The Tower"... Did he confirm "The Hermit's" identity from him? How intriguing... Audrey's gaze swept subtly over the two men opposite her before she turned toward the head of the bronze table and said:

"Mr. Fool, this time I only have one page of Roselle's diary."

"The Judgment" Xio raised her hand as well. "Mr. Fool, I've found three pages."

"The Sun" Derrick followed immediately:

"Mr. Fool, thank you for the holy feast bestowed last week. The Chief and the elders are deeply grateful and specifically gathered all of the City of Silver's records regarding the 'Queen of Calamity.'"

Tch, always offering ancient god intel as filler... "The Moon" Emlyn curled his lip, shooting a disdainful glance at "The Sun."

Meanwhile, "The Magician" Fors watched the scene with envy. Teacher mentioned in her last letter that she'd keep an eye out for Roselle's manuscripts... If I were still in Backlund, I might've received something...

Last week's "Blood Moon" was only survivable thanks to Mr. Fool's protection... Since it wasn't the usual monthly full-moon safeguard, I should repay him... Oh! That lion following Ebner was Roselle's pet—maybe it has some diaries? I'll ask later.

Outwardly, however, Fors simply added, "Thank you for the holy feast—it moved me deeply! And also to the Blessed One who presided over it."

As she spoke, she nodded toward "The World" at the far end of the table.

Holy feast? "The Hermit," who had been wholly focused on the term "Roselle's diary," frowned. Do I have to eat some holy meal to join the Tarot Club?

She instinctively recoiled at the thought of consuming food of unknown origin.

Meanwhile, Klein—"The Fool"—recalled that bowl of "Witch's Pasta" and reflexively gulped. Thankfully, the gray fog masked his reaction.

He did, however, glance at "The Tower" to ensure he wasn't "enjoying himself," then sighed in relief.

"What would you like in return?" Klein asked "The Judgment" casually, after transferring the four diary pages and the "Queen of Calamity" materials to his side.

"Mr. Fool, I'd like to accumulate this as credit for now," Xio replied calmly, having already decided.

"Very well." Klein responded indifferently before picking up Audrey's diary page to read.

Mr. Fool isn't deciphering it... He can actually understand Roselle's diaries?! What... what is His origin? Who is He, really?! A surge of indescribable shock and terror welled up in Cattleya's heart.

That reaction's a bit intense... She's shocked I can read the diaries? Klein, who had been observing everyone, pondered this before finally focusing on the diary's contents.

"October 1st: I've decided to construct some 'wonders' before my official coronation. Should I build an 'iron tower' or a triumphal arch at White Maple Square?..."

(End of Chapter)