"Other city-state's traces left behind?" Derrick repeated the request from Mr. "Tower," feeling awkward. After all, that city had been abandoned for a long time. Even if people from other city-states had arrived and left traces, he wouldn't be able to distinguish whether they were naturally part of the city or whether they were left by visitors from other city-states...
Ebner guessed his difficulty and smiled, adding, "What I mean by traces from other city-states is the kind that is vastly different from the civilization of Silver City and that abandoned city, the kind that one can immediately tell apart."
"Ah, I see... I understand now." Derrick, the "Sun," breathed a sigh of relief, then said seriously, "I'll keep an eye out for you."
"Your own safety comes first. Don't forget Mr. 'Hanged Man's' advice for my sake." Ebner reminded him one last time.
For him, it would be great to find what he "predicted," but if not, it was no big deal... After all, it wasn't a necessity.
"Got it." Derrick responded verbally, but in his heart, he had already decided to carefully investigate that ruined city when he explored it.
And this didn't contradict the "trick" Mr. "Hanged Man" shared, as he had said, once entering the temple, "Don't look at what you shouldn't, don't listen to what you shouldn't, don't eat what you shouldn't, and don't touch what you shouldn't…"
The city ruins were not part of the temple.
As for Mr. "Tower's" request for Mr. "Sun," "Justice," "Hanged Man," and the others were curious but didn't speak up, since it was clear from Mr. "Tower's" appearance that he didn't want to talk more about it.
After the topic passed, Arje looked towards the several ladies opposite him, especially "Justice" and "Judgment," and asked:
"I'd like to know about the political changes in Backlund after Duke Negan's death."
"Also, do you think the risk of war will rise because of this?"
When he had just joined the Tarot Society, he had asked Miss "Justice" to investigate whether the kingdom would go to war with Feysac... The result he got was that Ruen wasn't prepared yet and had no war intentions.
—This information had come from Susie's eavesdropping in the Earl's study.
Audrey recalled the recent information she had directly or indirectly heard:
"Duke Negan's death has caused a split in the Upper House. Although his eldest son is about to inherit the title and become a member of the Upper House, his prestige is not enough to quell the disputes."
"Almost ten members of the Upper House jointly proposed that newly ennobled nobles should also have the opportunity to obtain fixed seats."
"Simply put, it means that those who were ennobled through political donations, charitable contributions, and the purchase of corresponding land should become members of the Upper House."
"As for the war… I think the actions of the 'Aurora Order' who took the full blame have already sent out a sufficiently strong signal."
"Judgment" also added, "MI9 failed to capture Bianca, the military attaché at the Intis embassy who was impersonating Mrs. Parnis…"
"But this still doesn't conceal the fact that Baron Larry was funded by Feysac… Although the Envoy Owen repeatedly stated that it was merely the private actions of a defected military officer."
"However, from my judgment, Feysac will probably only send out one more sufficiently 'important' person to 'take the fall,' and this matter will be resolved."
"Given the pressure from Feysac, the kingdom cannot really afford to fall out with Intis."
Upon hearing this, "Hanged Man" Arje sighed with relief, murmuring, "There won't be a war in the short term," before sarcastically commenting on the Upper House's proposal:
"Aren't nobles with a certain history the ones who despise these people who were ennobled through improper means? Their greatest pride and the final glory should be the hereditary and fixed seats in the Upper House, right?"
"Justice" Audrey, however, was not bothered and calmly brought up another topic:
"Fortunately, although the disputes in the parliament have delayed many proposals, including but not limited to raising workers' wages, improving labor hours, and revising the 'Poverty Relief Law,' Mr. 'Fool's' proposal for a unified examination for government employees is still steadily advancing without stopping! Hmm, the investigation into Backlund's air pollution situation is also progressing."
Clearly, the main event of the "Black Emperor" ceremony was what had been delayed! A set of rigorous and complicated rules, yet contradictory to normal circumstances? George III clearly intended to wait until the heavy fog and haze cleared, and when pressured by the church, he would agree in due course… This approach could greatly avoid suspicion from the church… although all the true gods knew perfectly well...
Ebner quietly shook his head, but he felt that George III's "deification" path might not go as smoothly as in the original text... After all, that person who had transmigrated as the "Disaster Seal" clearly knew the plot, and even if Roselle only heard fragments, he wouldn't have failed to make arrangements.
...
After returning to reality, Xio removed her disguise and left the safe house, heading towards the MI9 headquarters at 9 Belotto Street, West Borough.
She intended to report the blond man, who was reported by Mr. "World," to her superior, Princess Vera.
However, just as she entered the yard, she saw Princess Vera talking to a middle-aged man with a white wig from across the lawn.
Xio recognized him.
He had once been her father's assistant and was currently the head of the palace guards, Viscount Stafford.
Before meeting Ebner, Xio had always believed that this was the only viscount who had been promoted in her father's case and might have framed her father. He was likely her enemy.
But now, Xio didn't think so anymore...
After all, could a mere head of palace guards make Ebner wary? Even if he was somehow connected to her father's death, he would at most be a secondary figure.
Thinking this, Xio casually turned her gaze away and walked toward the princess's office, intending to wait there for her return.
Several minutes later, after hearing Xio's report, Princess Vera took out a portrait and said, "This is a new task assigned to us by the higher-ups, brought by the head of palace guards personally... So, other matters must be put aside for now."
Xio glanced at the portrait, noticing that it was of a man with soft features and a bronze complexion.
Below the portrait was a brief description: … History department faculty…
"What about the 'blond man' who's in cahoots with demons?" Xio's eyes swept across the portrait but she didn't give up on the matter Mr. "World" reported.
"You have no evidence... and we can't spare manpower to investigate right now..." At this point, Princess Vera changed the subject, then smiled, "However, I can pass this on to the Prime Minister. I'm sure he'd be more than willing to investigate."
Upon hearing this, Xio relaxed slightly and then carefully studied the portrait, asking, "What crime did this man commit? Why did even the head of palace guards come here?"
"I'm not sure of the specifics... but it seems he broke into Soderak Palace!"
...
In the capital of the Rorsted Archipelago, the City of Generosity.
Arje Wilson stepped out of the hotel and headed towards the underground trading market at the "Fragrant Tree Leaf Tavern."
After the Beyonder merchant "Strongman" Ozil died due to divine punishment, and this Beyonder marketplace changed ownership, its reputation had been growing, and the level of Beyonder items had improved significantly.
This was partly due to the presence of "Appraisers" and "Notaries," but also because the "Sea Serpent" Weaver was particularly good at managing.
This time, the behind-the-scenes "Appraiser" and "Notary" released several pages of "Roselle's Notes" for sale...
This was something Arje absolutely couldn't miss! It was a must-have item to please Mr. "Fool"!
Of course, if any materials that Miss "Justice" needed appeared, he wouldn't hesitate to buy them.
After all, buying on behalf of that lady would never be a loss.
...
In Backlund's East Borough, Ebner left his residence on Black Palm Street, carrying the prepared teaching materials, heading towards the free school just a few meters away from the district boundary.
However, as soon as he crossed the school gate, he saw a familiar face walking towards him.
It was a person dressed in a black robe with a hood, wearing blue eyeshadow and blush, exuding an otherworldly beauty.
It was Ms. Daly.
(End of Chapter)