Issuing Tasks and Accepting Tasks

On Monday morning, since he hadn't been able to locate any Roselle Diary pages last week, Ebner, now indebted to Klein, had no choice but to resume his "fabrication" endeavors.

First, he mimicked Roselle's tone, lavishing compliments on a certain lady's beauty and charm, before taking things to a more intimate level… Although, naturally, Ebner left the specifics unwritten. He believed that no matter how unrestrained Roselle might be, he wouldn't write his own NSFW passages…

On the second page, Ebner introduced some information about the "Aberration" Pathway.

Previously, on his journey to Emmat with Dunn, he had learned that Cohen Lee was still alive due to "Lina's" intervention.

Having already explained the "Law of Indestructibility of Beyonder Characteristics" to Klein through the Source Fortress, Ebner surmised that Klein was unlikely to inquire of Mr. Azik about the "Captain's Cannibalism Incident" as in the original novel.

This would likely leave Klein lacking some insight into "Aberrations," so Ebner planned to fill in the gaps.

After carefully reviewing his "fabricated" diary a few times to ensure accuracy, Ebner then deliberately expanded the handwriting and copied it onto another sheet of paper.

As for the original draft, he burned it to ashes.

After noon, Xio visited once again—though this time, she entered through the door.

She spent some time setting up a disguise in Ebner's study before calling him in, striding in confidently on her ten-centimeter-high heels.

"The balance ability of the 'Clown' is really useful," Ebner thought to himself as he observed her appearance. Then he brought up a separate matter:

"Last night was risky—Fors might not make it through the next full moon…"

Xio nodded solemnly. "I'll lay more groundwork this month, so she'll be more open to accepting Mr. Fool…"

Something about that phrasing struck Ebner as odd, but he kept his thoughts to himself as Xio continued, "Moreover, Mr. Fool is a god who adheres to the principle of 'equivalent exchange.' Though he's willing to help Fors, I can't assume that's a given… There should be something in return… though I'm not sure what Mr. Fool might need besides Roselle's Diary."

Money would help… although at this stage, what's probably bothering him the most is the Intis ambassador's threat…

Wait, if Klein issues the mission to assassinate the ambassador at the Tarot Meeting later, maybe I'll take it up… That way, I'd have a solid reason to let Klein invite Fors into the meeting.

This would also save Miss Justice the need to hand over ten thousand pounds to Mr. A for a cheaper solution.

As for whether I can handle it? Ebner thought it shouldn't be an issue; after all, the original novel described all the ambassador's techniques quite clearly, giving him a clear advantage.

...

The familiar gray fog and indistinct figures appeared before her eyes as the newly promoted Audrey, now Sequence 8, rose halfway, lifted her skirt slightly, and warmly greeted the Tarot members:

"Good afternoon, Mr. Fool~"

Since last week, she had begun this routine greeting, and neither the "Hanged Man" nor the "Tower" had objected… after all, Miss Justice's cheerful disposition was contagious, and they had no complaints.

As for "Judgment" and "Sun," they paid no mind to such details.

Already in Spirit Vision, Klein glanced at Miss Justice and chuckled softly:

"Welcome, our 'Mind Reader'."

Audrey gave a restrained smile, responded modestly, then turned to face the opposite side:

"Mr. Hanged Man, it's time to submit your six pages of diary entries for the week."

Maybe Mr. Fool would reflect on them afterward and share a bit more "common knowledge" with us… She tilted her lips in anticipation.

Alger nodded and began to manifest six pages of Roselle's Diary with Klein's assistance.

Previously, he had considered whether to ask Mr. Fool if he could submit the remaining entries directly through a sacrifice ritual, but since Mr. Fool didn't seem too interested and hadn't mentioned it, he abandoned the idea.

This fit his understanding well—Roselle's Diary was of some use to the god-like Mr. Fool, but not of great importance. He would collect them but was never in a hurry.

Ebner also materialized his fabricated diary and said as he waited for Mr. Fool to take it, "After this, I still owe you two pages."

"Very good." Mr. Fool, Klein, nodded slightly and let the eight pages flash into his palm.

Instead of reading the diaries, he looked up at the five members on either side, tapped the ancient long table with his fingers, and said with a low chuckle:

"I have a task to assign."

With Klein's growing knowledge of mysticism and the Beyonder world, and with him gradually experimenting with some of the abilities of this space above the gray fog, he no longer felt as guilty as before when facing members like "Justice." He had stopped always trying to maintain an air of mystery just to prevent the more perceptive "Tower" and "Hanged Man" from seeing through his facade.

He now understood that although the gods in this world were incredibly powerful and mysterious, they weren't omniscient or omnipotent.

Simply put, gods had limitations, and they, too, could encounter difficulties.

Thus, in recent Tarot Meetings, Klein had consciously added "character traits" to gradually mold himself into an almost god-like being hindered by certain constraints—much like the "ancient god in revival," as Tower might interpret it.

In this way, even if he occasionally showed a lack of understanding on certain matters or sought assistance, it wouldn't arouse the suspicions of the Tarot members.

Of course, the foundation of all this was that through his previous efforts, Klein had firmly established his god-like image in their minds with Azik's powerful display as his "blessed follower." Even the worldly-wise "Tower" had been convinced, unable to see through the charade.

A task? Miss Justice's ears pricked, her eyes widened, full of surprise, expectation, and nervousness.

She distinctly remembered that this was the first time Mr. Fool had officially issued a task!

At the same time, as a "Mind Reader," she keenly observed that although the "Hanged Man" appeared unchanged, he was actually highly tense, and Miss Judgment was also visibly excited, as if she had long anticipated a commission from Mr. Fool… whereas the "Sun" regarded this as a normal occurrence.

Well, only Mr. Tower remained as calm as ever, showing no hint of surprise… perhaps this was the confidence of the strong?

"You may choose to accept or decline," Klein said lightly, using the "Clown" ability to keep his tone casual. "One of my followers has arrived in Backlund and wishes to accomplish something but is unable to act in person."

Another follower… The "Hanged Man" nodded as if contemplating this, showing no surprise.

Wonder what Sequence this follower is… Hmm, I still owe payment to Mr. Fool's previous follower… Although the "Hanged Man" covered the costs, and Mr. Fool wouldn't value money, I did call on him for help. Plus, the "Hurricane Lieutenant" was killed by his follower… Maybe his follower needs some funds? Miss Justice thought, feeling a twinge of guilt.

Miss Judgment, meanwhile, resolved to give her utmost to any task Mr. Fool might assign, as gratitude for his promised help for Fors.

And Mr. Tower was just barely containing his laughter, trying not to let Mr. Fool notice he knew this was all an act.