Mystery: A Spark

So, Arthur must have known where the Black Emperor Card was all along, but why didn't he take it...? Even though he's a Hunter, such a valuable item as the Blasphemy Card shouldn't be left unclaimed once its whereabouts are known... Also, when I got that bookmark, it only had the tiny mark from Miss Justice's test, which means Arthur knew it was a Blasphemy Card without any testing. How did he do that...? Klein became more and more confused, feeling that this fellow countryman was full of mysteries.

In addition, Arthur said he had basically guessed the identities of the members of the Tarot Club, except for one person.

Needless to say, Klein knew that this person was a "world" dummy.

Since it is not a living person, it is naturally impossible to obtain sufficiently useful information through observation.

Everyone except the "world" dummy is a real person who exists in this world. They have their own personalities, feelings, and habits.

Therefore, if Arthur deduced the approximate identities of the members through his observations and probing during the Tarot gathering, then Klein actually believed it.

After all, there's a saying that everything that exists leaves a trace, and his fellow villager did indeed demonstrate considerable wisdom in the previous tarot meeting and in the matter of Qilingus.

However, even I, the organizer of the Tarot Club, could only barely guess the identities of the members. This guy could do the same thing. His observation skills are even better than Miss Justice, a legitimate audience member... Klein sighed and finally resigned himself to his fate.

Now that Arthur has already guessed his first identity at the Tarot Meeting, there's no need for him to continue hiding it.

Klein wasn't entirely opposed to confronting Arthur; in fact, he had been mentally prepared for it for some time.

Of course, he could reveal his true identity, but only part of it. He absolutely could not reveal the identity of "The Fool" under any circumstances, because it concerned his image.

Even if Klein dies, even if he dies outside, there will be absolutely no way anyone will know that he is "The Fool".

Furthermore, even if he were to admit it, he couldn't just say it so easily, since Klein still had to be wary of Arthur bluffing him.

So Klein didn't speak, and his expression became serious.

He slowly reached into his pocket while staring intently at Arthur, like an American swordsman ready to draw his gun at the slightest provocation.

However, despite his seemingly unpredictable and potentially hostile demeanor, Arthur remained completely unfazed, maintaining a relaxed smile.

"Aren't you afraid I'll pull out a gun and kill you?" Klein said with a hint of helplessness as he pulled a tarot deck from his pocket.

"I'm not afraid," Arthur chuckled.

Why aren't you afraid?

"I'm not afraid, I'm not afraid."

Klein sighed. He had wanted to scare Arthur and take control of the conversation, but it was clear that Arthur wasn't buying it.

With no other option, Klein placed the tarot cards in his hand on the low table, and like the God of Gamblers in the movies, he spread the cards aside and placed the "World" card in front of him.

Then, he looked at Arthur and said:

"Pick one."

Without hesitation, Arthur took a "Chariot" card and placed it in front of him.

At this point, the two had completed exchanging identities.

Arthur leaned back on the sofa and asked with a curious expression:

"Speaking of which, how did you get chosen by that person?"

"Well, I'm not entirely sure either. Sometime after I arrived in Backlund, I was suddenly pulled up by that mysterious being." Klein shrugged, indicating that he was also confused.

"I see. So the matter of the Blasphemous Card was a task given to you by that being?"

"Yes."

Arthur nodded, as if he believed him.

Klein secretly breathed a sigh of relief; letting Arthur know that he was "the world" was acceptable to him.

After all, Arthur even knew about his resurrection and was reliable enough, so as long as he didn't reveal his identity as "The Fool," it would be fine.

"Oh, Arthur is on the third level, thinking I'm on the first level, but actually I'm on the fifth level..." Klein thought with a little smugness.

However, there was one thing he still didn't quite understand.

"How did you know it was a blasphemous card? When I got it, it should have been disguised," Klein asked, puzzled.

Logically speaking, without any testing, no one should know that the seemingly ordinary bookmark is actually the Blasphemy Card, which has immense value in the Extraordinary World.

Even he only confirmed the bookmark's special nature after asking Miss Justice to test it.

Arthur smiled and said:

"In fact, the day after you took that bookmark, the Steam Church had already realized that it was a blasphemous card."

"I knew earlier that there was a blasphemous card in the form of a bookmark, but I knew it was definitely not the card I needed, and for some special reasons, I didn't deliberately look for it."

"But after those two bookmarks were stolen a few days ago, I saw the blasphemous card appear at that extraordinary gathering. Combining this information, I deduced that you might be a member of the Tarot Club."

Klein paused for a moment, then said:

"Are you sure that's not the card you need? Does that mean you know where the corresponding Desecration card is in the Hunter's Path?"

“Yes,” Arthur nodded.

"Then do you know the whereabouts of the blasphemous card corresponding to the Diviner's Path?" Klein asked further.

“I don’t know, but according to the Law of Extraordinary Characteristics, the secret society that has mastered this extraordinary path is likely to have clues. It is said that they have high-sequence extraordinary individuals with the Diviner path.” Arthur shook his head and then said.

"I see." Klein breathed a sigh of relief, not feeling much regret.

After all, he already knew the potion recipes for Sequence Six and Sequence Five, so he didn't have much need for recipes for higher sequences for the time being.

You have to eat your food one bite at a time, and you have to walk your path one step at a time.

"Um... there's one more thing I'd like to ask you," Klein said after a moment's thought.

"You ask."

"Yeah, when did you become a member of the Steam Church? I remember you weren't a member of the Earth Mother Goddess Church before?" Klein asked curiously.

Arthur grinned crookedly and said:

"Ha, because I am now a dual member of the Steam Church and the Earth Church, Pangolin."

Klein: ...

He has now become a follower of the god of steam because it is only a verbal belief, and it doesn't matter how he changes it.

But Arthur said "members," does that mean they can just switch churches at will in this world? This isn't the world they lived in before.

Klein felt that Arthur was treating him like a fool, but he had no proof.

However, since Arthur was making jokes, he didn't intend to pry. After all, everyone has their own secrets.

"Oh right, I almost forgot the important thing I wanted to tell you." Klein slapped his forehead, remembering his original purpose.

"What important matter?" Arthur asked, puzzled.

"It's about the Rose School."

Klein explained Sharon's request and the whole story to Arthur.

“Sharon and Marich only want the Crimson Moon Crown and the Wraith’s extraordinary properties, then we can divide the rest of the spoils.”

“Okay, but they probably didn’t tell you the exact location of the battle, right?” Arthur agreed without much hesitation.

After he agreed, Klein felt much more at ease and said:

"Indeed not, but there are a few scheduled battle locations, and the time is next full moon, which is this Wednesday."

Arthur's agreement to join the battle would not only make his hunt easier, but also, to some extent, prevent Sharon and Marich from having any ill intentions.

Klein could trust Arthur with his back, but he couldn't trust Sharon and Marich with his back.

After all, he had only worked as Sharon's employer and bodyguard for one day, so he didn't really trust either of them very much.

Although these two temperance advocates believe in suppressing and restraining desires, and normally wouldn't betray their allies after achieving their goals, Klein couldn't be sure that "Wraith" Steve, "Zombie" Jason, and "Werewolf" Tyre didn't harbor something they desperately craved.

If a treasure were to appear that would arouse strong malice in even normal extraordinary beings, Klein really couldn't guarantee that the two "alien beings" of the middle sequence would be able to control themselves.

But if Arthur joins, things will be different.

First of all, Arthur himself is a skilled arsonist, and pairing him with the magician can create a synergy greater than the sum of its parts.

Another point is that Arthur possesses the greatsword Salamaine from the Sun Path, which can not only restrain the indulgent faction of the Rose School, but also Sharon and Marich.

Moreover, Klein believed that Arthur possessed more than just this sword; he likely had even more powerful magical artifacts.

In this way, even if he and Arthur joined forces, they might still not be a match for Sharon and Marich, but in the event of a conflict, they could at least save their lives.

Moreover, Klein knew that Arthur had keenly sensed the distrust between him and the two Temperance faction members, because he had just asked:

"They probably didn't tell you the specific location of the battle, did they?"

So having a good teammate is really comforting... Klein's lips curled up slightly.

He didn't hide anything and told Arthur all the information Sharon had given him about the prisoners, along with his own knowledge of how the prisoners were transported.

“I understand. Just go with them when the time comes, and Arthas will lead me to you.” Arthur made his promise after listening to Klein’s explanation.

……

Tuesday morning, 7 Downsend Street.

"Little guy, do you want to come with me to Mr. Bonova's place?" Arthur asked casually as he brushed the little white dog's fur after finishing breakfast.

After this period of research, and with the help of the demons captured by Bernadette, Bonova finally brought good news of success.

So today, Arthur is going to Bonova's place to see what kind of results his original idea has yielded.

“Yes, I also want to see Mr. Bonova’s work,” Arthas nodded his head and said.

"Okay, let's go then."

Arthur picked up the little white dog, put it on his shoulder, and went out the door.

After a long carriage ride, Arthur and Arthas finally arrived at the Cathedral of St. Hillan.

Although it is not a Sunday, there are still many worshippers of the god of steam praying in the cathedral.

Arthur entered the cathedral, not disturbing the worshippers who were praying quietly in the hall, but instead went directly through a side door.

A bishop was already waiting there. Upon Arthur's arrival, he drew a simple steam-powered emblem on his chest and said:

"Hello, Mr. Arthur, please come with me. His Highness Bonova is waiting for you."

Arthur followed the bishop to a door, opened it, and found a downward stone staircase inside.

So it's underground. Well, that makes sense. These kinds of biological experiments really can't be done in the open, and demons are dangerous creatures. Being underground can also prevent these guys from escaping... Arthur muttered to himself silently.

Following the bishop down several flights of stairs, we arrived at a corridor.