Banquet Invitation

"Thank you for your help." Ebner stood up and bowed to the figure shrouded in thick gray fog at the end of the long bronze table.

Then, he heard Mr. Fool continue in a calm tone,

"However, the contents of a few pages contain knowledge that exceeds your current level… I'll first dismantle it and safeguard it for you. What do you think?"

The Feast of Blood was a thread-bound book that could be freely dismantled. This method of storing books also came from Emperor Roselle.

Ebner was a little confused. He had read the first half of the Feast of Blood a long time ago. How could there be knowledge that exceeded his limit?

But after some thought, he understood Klein's plan.

Those pages of knowledge that exceed the limits of my tolerance, could it be those pages that record the Primordial Moon? Are they afraid that I will see through the essence of The Fool?

Ebner cursed silently but pretended to be respectful as he replied, "Thank you again, Mr. Fool. I have no problem with it. I can rest assured with those pages in your hands."

Klein heaved a sigh of relief when he heard Ebner's reply. After all, the book was from the Tower. He had to seek the other party's opinion before he could leave those pages behind… If it was the true book of the Feast of Blood, he might not dare destroy it. However, through divination, he knew that it was a copy. Although it was quite old, there was nothing special about it.

And he had just repeated the contents of those pages. Strictly speaking, "Tower" didn't suffer any losses.

"After the gathering ends, I'll return the Feast of Blood to you." Klein smiled at Ebner.

Ebner thought for a moment and knew that according to the so-called "equivalent exchange" principle set by The Fool, he probably owed a favor this time. Hence, he took the initiative to ask, "I wonder what other payment you need other than Roselle's diary?"

Klein, who was waiting for a similar response, smiled again.

"Information regarding the Antigonus family or the Secret Order."

As expected, I want to ask this… Ebner thought to himself, but after a moment of thought, he replied, "I'll gather some information about them and give it to you at the next gathering. Is that alright, Mr. Fool?" I have to spend some time thinking about what I can tell and what I can't say.

Klein was somewhat disappointed, but he still nodded slightly.

"No problem.

"If the information you gather exceeds the value of this appraisal book request, I will compensate you further."

As for what kind of situation exceeds the value of a request, of course, it will be decided by the respected Mr. Fool. If he has the ability to pay additional compensation, then so be it. If he doesn't have the ability, then so be it… Klein added inwardly.

With that said, Klein leaned back in his chair and surveyed The Hanged Man and Justice. "This condition is equally effective for you."

As for the information that The Fool wanted from the Secret Order and the Antigonus family, Alger didn't have any doubts. Ignoring the fact that The Fool had mentioned similar requests at previous gatherings, it wasn't strange for a suspected deity to be interested in ancient family clans and secret organizations.

And more importantly, after many gatherings, he was gradually certain that Mr. Fool's state wasn't perfect in the beginning. "He" might still be in a certain predicament even now. "He" had made all kinds of attempts to free "Him" from "His" restraints and no longer be restricted.

This might even involve the huge secret of the seven deities not descending into the real world after the Fourth Epoch… Alger's thoughts flashed as he trembled. He felt as though he had entered the domain of the gods.

Ignoring Alger's imagination, Audrey's eyes lit up when she heard The Fool's words.

"Mr. Fool, I'll also ask someone."

I wonder if Fors understands these ancient families and organizations, Audrey thought to herself.

After that, seeing that no one was sharing it again, Klein swept his gaze across The Hanged Man, Justice, and the Tower. He said with a smile,

"If there's nothing else to share, let's end today's gathering here."

He still needed to retain some of his spirituality for the "transaction" later.

"By your will," said Ebner and the other two, rising.

…

After returning to his room, Ebner didn't remove the wall of spirituality. Instead, he placed the Pseudo Rage ring, Lawyer Beyonder characteristic, and ten low-level charms on the altar that he had prepared long ago.

Following that, he recited in ancient Hermes,

"The Fool that doesn't belong to this era;

"You are the mysterious ruler above the gray fog;

"You are the King of Yellow and Black who wields good luck."

…

Above the gray fog, Klein looked at the items offered by Tower and sighed. He began to divine them one by one. Since he had agreed to be a witness, he had to do something for his members.

After confirming that there was nothing wrong with the tower, he spread his spirituality to the crimson star representing The Hanged Man and Justice, making them prepare for the bestowment ritual.

After all the transactions were completed, Klein looked at the 1,300 pound note floating in the gray fog and secretly swallowed a mouthful of saliva. Then, with great willpower, he moved his gaze away and extended his spirituality to the red star representing "Tower."

…

Upon seeing the cash drop from the Door of Summoning onto the altar, Ebner first secretly praised Mr. Fool's delivery service before using the Eye of Pure White to inspect it one by one before keeping it close to him.

This way, my total liquidity will increase to 2,800 pounds. If I exclude the 2,100 pounds I spent on buying ingredients tonight, I'll still have 700 pounds left…

As for the other main ingredient of the Polymath, although I still don't know what it is, it shouldn't be less than 1,000 pounds. It might even be more expensive than the Tree of Elders' core… There's still a huge gap in funds.

After making some calculations in his heart, Ebner immediately felt that he still did not have enough money to spend, and working hard to earn money was probably his main mission in the next stage other than acting.

Thankfully, Little Sun will join the Tarot Club in another two weeks. Perhaps the materials needed can be exchanged from him…

At this moment, Ebner sensed that the wall of spirituality he had set up had been touched. He knew that it was Kenny knocking on the door.

Upon seeing this, he hurriedly tidied up the traces of the ritual before removing his spirituality. He sat back behind his desk and said, "Come in."

"Is there another client?" Ebner asked with a smile as Kenny pushed the door open.

"Detective Bryan, it's Member of Parliament Macht."

Ebner was not surprised by his visit. After all, the other party had spent money. How could he not come and confirm the results?

He tidied his clothes and led Kenny to the living room on the first floor. He saw Macht in formal attire.

He did not bring his wife, Riana, with him this time. He was smoking a cigarette in the smoking area in the corner of the living room. When he saw Ebner coming down the stairs, he immediately stubbed out his cigarette and came up to him in three steps. He said warmly, "Detective Bryan, it's nice to see you again."

"I'm just as pleased, Senator," Ebner returned with a polite nod.

After the two sat on the sofa and exchanged a few pleasantries, Macht couldn't help but ask, "Detective Bryan, do you know where Bishop Utravsky is?"

"I've already asked on your behalf. The bishop has already agreed. He would be happy to visit your house." Ebner nodded.

"It's truly my honor!" The slight fatigue on Macht's face vanished. He looked at Ebner with a burning gaze and asked with a smile, "I'll hold a banquet at home on Wednesday night. I hope you and Mr. Bishop can attend."

"I think there's no problem." This time, Ebner agreed on Bishop Utravsky's behalf. After all, he had already considered such a situation when he asked yesterday, and the giant bishop didn't object.

"I'll hand the official invitation to you and His Eminence tomorrow." Macht had been working on his daughter's matter for a few days, and now that there was finally an outcome, he couldn't help but heave a sigh of relief.

…

At seven in the evening, Ebner, who had 2,800 pounds in his pocket, didn't dare to squeeze into the subway. Instead, he took a rental carriage to the Harvest Church on Rose Street in the South Borough of the Bridge.