Chapter 007

"Good morning boss" said the bartender as Alvin walked up to him. Alvin nodded at him, and also walked behind the counter.

"Anything interesting going on Frank?" asked Alvin.

"A huge incident happened in east of Backlund. Apparently, some lunatic tried to burn down the town" said Frank wiping a glass.

Frank was one of the vagrants he had rescued in the last year. He kept one eye open when he was posing as Hunt for talent. Frank used to be a petty informant that would do a bunch of menial work for some soli. While collecting information for a mission, he was impressed with his ability to listen for and analyse information. Hence, he visited him later and recruited him as a bartender and information facilitator for the Half Inch Bar that he owned.

Frank did not let his expectations down. He had a low sense of presence, but he quickly leant the things he must do to as a bartender and to keep the information centre in the bar running.

"Everyone and their mother probably know about the crazy riots and fires there. Anything else?" asked Alvin.

"Not anything interesting other than that" replied Frank. Alvin nodded, and went into a sat on a chair behind the counter. Frank and some of his other employees could manage the bar quite well, so he didn't need to do anything most of the time. Cheryl took care of the accounts, and her divination would make sure to keep any dishonest ones in check. Plus, he paid them generously, and they were quite loyal to him.

He mostly stood behind the counter and made plans for what he would do next, and ocassainaly participate in some discussion or accept a bounty or task that piqued his interest. Today, unless there was something else, he would take it easy, and try to recall everything about the Lord of the Mysteries story he could remember. When he woke up yesterday, his memories were a bit of a mess because of the fusion, and now that he had some time to adjust, he should be able to recall the story calmly.

"I remember that the giant mechanical ship was inaugurated sometime after Klien Morretti was replaced by a transmigrator, somewhere in June of the year 1349. There is no news on such a ship being unveiled, and there is massive propaganda about the latest creation of the Loen Kingdom which is going to debut soon. It's still 2 weeks away from June of 1349, hence it is at least two weeks before The Fool arrives in Tingen City. An unexpected Blood Moon arose during his arrival. I can use that as a reference point for now. And after I become a Beyonder, I can try to get some items to help me recall" thought Alvin.

Alvin kept trying to recall the contents of the story, but he then started frowning.

"I can remember all of Klien's adventures in Tingen City quite clearly. It's no surprise, considering while I did not have a stellar memory in my previous life, I read the book many many times. But I still can't remember who the manipulator behind the scenes of the incident was. Heck, I remember names like Hannas Vincent and Sirius Arapis. Why can't I remember more? And the story I remember is full of holes. It's not like a vaguely forgotten memory, but looks like the pieces of memory were ripped out of my mind. Is this some residual damage from transmigration? And how the heck did that happen anyhow? Rosselle and Klein came out of the Sefirah Castle. I can't have come from there too right?" thought Alvin confusedly.

He then calmed down and decided to list of the things he was going to do.

1. Gain access to the Beyonder gatherings of Backlund, and join them.

2. Try to gain familiarity with the three tarot club members in Backlund, Miss Justice, Miss Judgement, and Miss Magician.

3. Teach the acting method to Cheryl, gather ingredients for Naomi to become a Planter, and try to make some other subordinates Beyonders, while simultaneously striving for a path to advancement.

4. Keep all their heads down and become as low key as possible and wait for the storyline to start, while gaining as much money as he possibly could.

5. Gain access to the Tarot Club, and become an important and valued member there.

With these objectives in mind, he could work in the next few months. There were still 2 weeks till June, and Klien would spend 3 or so months in Tingen before coming to Backlund. Before that there was very little chance of them intersecting.

"I should try to establish a preliminary friendship with the three in the Tarot Club before they join. That way, they will be far less suspicious if they see through my eagerness to befriend them" thought Alvin, as he simulated the possible scenarios he could meet them.

"Miss Judgement should be easy. I remember that she is a frequent visitor to the bar. I could help her out in finding bounties, and give her a few favours to show my goodwill. Miss Magician will be a bit more difficult, but I remember she was a good author. Naomi likes to read. Maybe I can encourage them to be pen pals and meet. As for Miss Justice, she will be the easiest and the most difficult" though Alvin.

Easy because he still maintained correspondence and friendships with his peers back when he was a noble heir. One of them happened to be Viscount Glaint, who he remembered was a good friend of Miss Justice. But it was also difficult, as meeting with current nobles like them would significantly increase his chance of being recognised, and prematurely alerting the enemy.

"Well Miss Justice is a maybe. But I definitely should get acquainted with Miss Judgement and have Naomj be acquainted with Miss Magician" thought Alvin.

The bar was now starting to become filled with patrons. Alvin lazily regarded them all. He then subconsciously turned to the door, after hearing loud and heavy footsteps.

"Well speak of the devil" thought Alvin as he looked at the short girl with blonde shoulder length hair and malt coloured skin.