Mystery: Mr. Witch and Ms. Hunter

Chapter 4 Tarot Society without Fools

"There is no news about the Hidden Sage yet."

Cattleya nervously pinched the sapphire brooch in her hand.
"The members I sent to the Moss Ascetic Order have not been in regular contact. But what is certain is that since the awakening of the Hidden Sage, the actions of the Moss Ascetic Order have become increasingly irregular. It is possible that some of the senior members have directly received the Hidden Sage's oracle."

"The situation of the Abraham family has gradually stabilized. Without the influence of the Full Moon Curse, they can safely train low-sequence members. Although this takes a lot of time, they have finally escaped the dilemma of almost exterminating the family."

Magician Fors looked relieved. She added a little embarrassedly, "The first novel based on Mr. World, The Moriarty Mysteries, has been published. If you want to read it, I can bring it to you after the Tarot Club."

There was good-natured laughter around the long table.

This seems to be the fastest novel Fors has ever written? Audrey smiled, and couldn't help but think of his famous work "Storm Heights", which is a work that combines a series of elements such as love, mystery, and supernatural into one book. Because there are so many elements, it is still on Audrey's desk, because she has been reading it for two years and couldn't force herself to finish it...

"The church has recently carried out several small-scale operations and seized a certain number of magical items related to the Mother Tree of Desire. However, since these items are too sensitive, I was unable to produce samples under the supervision of the Church of Evernight. However, I will make a detailed list of the functions and characteristics of some of these items later."

Leonard the Star looked a little frustrated. Of course, it wasn't because he failed to take out the magical item.

"As for my personal mission, I found some down-and-out poets and hired them to write some short poems and have them sing them everywhere." Leonard scratched his nose with his fingers. "Well, as for me, I am currently studying the poetry collection of Emperor Roselle..."

This time the laughter was even louder than Fors's, and the voice of a certain vampire was particularly loud.

After laughing, the short "Judge" Hugh Dilcha said, "I am currently investigating the "Conqueror" extraordinary characteristic of the Soran family. However, even with the power of MI9, it is not an easy thing to understand. Perhaps it is precisely because the people investigating are MI9 that it is not so easy. The only news we have learned so far is that the Iron Cross is currently eyeing this extraordinary characteristic, but we don't know whether they have succeeded."

At this point, there was a brief silence among the Tarot Club members.

Although the descriptions seemed to be on the right track, however, their respective core tasks - except, of course, writing books - had made almost no progress.

If it were peacetime, no progress would be fine. However, the doomsday prophecy was like a mountain pressing down on everyone's head, making everyone anxious.

Audrey noticed the change in the mood of the Tarot Club members. After thinking for a while, she cleared her throat and said to the members of the Tarot Club, "I have also been trying to use the help of the Psychological Alchemy Society to improve my sequence recently. However, Hermes's defenses are very strict, and I haven't been able to catch him yet. However, compared to this, I have a new attempt that I would like to discuss with you."

Everyone perked up at once and looked at Audrey.

"As for the True God mission, our progress is relatively slow. This is because our sequences are too high, and our subordinates have gained a certain degree of fame. We are not suitable for infiltration and the like."

Everyone in the Tarot Club nodded. Sometimes being famous is not a good thing, and the Tarot Club is currently in such a state.

Although their strength has not yet reached the level of being able to compete with the Orthodox Church or other forces, their reputation has become so great that other forces are wary of them. It is obviously not so easy to bribe informants.

"My father, Earl Hall, once said something to my brother," Audrey said slowly, "If you are commissioned to do something and you don't know how to do it, your best option is to use half of the salary to hire someone who can do it for you."

"Why only half the reward?" Fors Wall, the exploited low-level writer, asked weakly.

"That's not the point, Ms. Magician." Audrey was interrupted and looked at the other person with a bit of a smile. "And I just happened to meet such a guy."

After saying this, she gave the parchment in front of her the idea of ​​painting, and Altaïr's portrait appeared on the parchment in front of other people's tables.

"This is an 'instigator' of the 'Assassin' Path Sequence 8, who has just completed the assassination of the Conservative traitor Baron Sinderas."

"Very resourceful." Cattleya praised.

It is not an easy task to assassinate a baron with real power and financial resources. Although they do not always have Beyonder bodyguards, their identity itself is a kind of protection.

They have the priority protection of the church and are guarded by a large number of ordinary people. The damage of the steam rifles is difficult to be ignored by the mid- and low-sequence Beyonders, and the high-sequence strongmen will not attack such a mere baron-level person. To complete this task at Sequence 8 is indeed a good Beyonder.

"I gave him the formula for the subsequent potion. The Witch Cult is different from other organizations. They are a group with extremely single members. On the other hand, a wild 'witch' is also an object that they need to fight for as they are eager to expand their power."

Audrey continued to explain.

"You mean, we should develop some downlines first, and then have them contact the corresponding organizations to upgrade their sequences, instead of bribing members of other organizations?" The Hanged Man Alger reacted immediately.

"Yes, that's basically the situation. I will do some guidance behind the scenes so that the members of the Witch Cult will have the opportunity to contact this guy. What happens next will depend on his performance."

Audrey nodded.

Miss Audrey has really changed a lot... Compared to before when she entrusted us with the work and handled everything behind the scenes, she now prefers to operate it herself and control all the puppets on the stage... Fors and Xio looked at each other and felt that Miss Audrey seemed to be fundamentally different from the innocent and naive young lady before, but they couldn't explain it.

"It's a feasible idea. But how do you plan to ensure that he won't betray the Tarot Club? Using your ability?"

Alger pondered for a while and asked Audrey.

"Before he is promoted to a witch, he knows nothing about us. After he is promoted, I will carefully reveal the honorific name of Mr. Fool to him. Just like the Magician and the Judge."

Fors and Xio were shocked.

Although Miss Audrey had introduced the two of them to Mr. Fool before, this was the first time she made such a suggestion after Mr. Fool fell asleep.

As Mr. Fool fell asleep for nearly half a year, the members of the Tarot Club discovered that some things that originally required Mr. Fool's consent to operate could now be realized after the Tarot Club voted through. Despite this, it was indeed an unprecedented move to bring people into the Tarot Club without authorization.

"Are you planning to let him join the Tarot Club?" Emlyn couldn't help but interrupt. "Isn't this a bit risky?"

Wouldn't it lower my status as the savior of the blood race if I accepted new people so casually? Mr. Vampire thought to himself.

Audrey's expression gradually became serious:

"I know. Although I have been reviewing and arranging for a year, I still don't think all risks have been eliminated. However, when facing that prophecy, we must go all out. The Witch Cult and the Red Priests are already ready to make a move, and the Hidden Sage also wants to make a big move. To this end, we also need to absorb some fresh blood."

"This might be seen as an offense to Him." Cattleya advised worriedly, "Why not let him join the Tarot Club's peripheral organizations first, such as the Church of Poseidon..."

"And let him infiltrate the Witch Cult? Then why don't I just let Danitz infiltrate directly?"

Audrey sneered, "Don't spy on God, let alone despise him. This person is very likely to have a direct conversation with the 'Original Witch' in the end. Apart from the gray fog that is above the true God, what means can we use to deceive the true God? Don't forget, even though He is not recognized by the church, He is also a true God!"

"This also comes with great risks." Leonard interrupted. His expression was no longer as nonchalant as before. Instead, he looked seriously at "Justice" across the long table.

"So, I want to ask for your advice. Mr. 'World' has fallen asleep, and we in the Tarot Club need new possibilities."

Audrey looked directly at Leonard, something glowing in her eyes, like a bright fire.

"For this possibility, I am willing to take the risk."

She raised her head high and looked around at everyone in the Tarot Club. "Yes, this is something Mr. Fool has never explicitly allowed. However, the doomsday we are facing, the tasks we have, the expectations we carry, the future we look forward to, everything, is something that has never happened before."

"In order to achieve unprecedented results, we need people to take risks. I believe that Mr. Fool gave us his authority so that we can use it."

"If you guessed wrong..." Alger whispered. But before he could finish, Audrey interrupted him.

"Then I will bear all the consequences alone. This is my judgment, and I am willing to take this risk."

There was a suffocating silence. Audrey and Alger's eyes collided above the gray fog, almost sparking. After a moment, Alger looked away, and Audrey continued:

"That is all I have to say. Now let us vote. I agree that Altaïr should be placed under observation."

After saying this, she raised her fair and tender right hand, which seemed to become a slender but straight flag.

"Do you want to gamble on the future of the world?"

Emlyn said in a tone that seemed sarcastic but was actually an admonition, "But it's not enough to just have Miss Justice at the gambling table."

"Then add me."

The magician Fors, who had been silent for a long time, suddenly said, "There are two of you now."

"Three of you," Hugh Dilcha nodded, "This way, my mission to investigate the Witch Cult will also make some progress."

"I object to this," said Cattleya, the "Queen of Stars" who was sitting next to Xio, frowning, "I think his background needs to be investigated."

"I object too." Alger Wilson pondered for a moment, and finally looked at Miss Justice apologetically. "A witch's personality may change drastically when she advances to Sequence 7. I'm not sure if the suggestion you gave will work."

"I abstain." Derrick, the "Sun" who had been silent the whole time, said, "I think this is a good idea, but I don't know as much about this place as you do. I can't judge whether this person is reliable."

Next, the crucial vote came to Leonard.

The young poet frowned and remained silent, as if he had turned into a statue.

Because the "world" is gone, new possibilities are needed... Leonard suddenly realized that he originally thought that after "He" fell asleep, the most anxious person was himself, the only one who knew Klein's full identity. However, now he realized that he was once again left behind in determination.

Leonard suddenly felt his face getting hot.

After a long pause, he looked at Audrey and said, "I used to be a cautious person. But you are right. The world is gone. Whether it is to find someone to take over his job or to help him wake up, we do need fresh blood."

"Whether it's at the gambling table or on the battlefield, a true Loen gentleman shouldn't just sit back and watch the ladies charge into battle."

Leonard smiled casually, "Including me, that should be enough, right?"

Thus, with four votes in favor, three against, and one abstention, above the gray fog, without Altaïr's knowledge, the Tarot Club approved the proposal to test Altaïr.

"Then, if he passes the final round of assessment," Audrey pointed to the empty seat on the bronze table. "We might have an extra companion."

I always feel that today's "Justice" seems different from the past... Alger thought carefully, and was shocked to find that "Justice" and the "Judgement" and "Magician" she had pulled into the Tarot Club seemed to form a small circle.

And now that Mr. Fool is asleep, does it seem that having more people means having the right to speak? Alger's mind drifted to other places, and he didn't recover until the Tarot Club was over.

(End of this chapter)