Uh… she agreed just like that? Klein had prepared a whole lot of arguments, yet now none of them were needed.
"I mentioned before that after becoming a demigod, I need occasional indulgence to maintain my sense of self. It's part of the act," Sharon said, speaking more words in one breath than usual.
Acting as Mrs. Daly counts as "indulgence"? Miss Sharon, I think you might have a slight misunderstanding of that word.
Just as Klein was secretly complaining in his heart, he suddenly saw Sharon slip into her "puppet" state. Her voice grew calm and mechanical—more lifeless than even Horamick's automatons—as she began to narrate a fragment of the past:
"More than nine hundred years ago, the 'Son of God' Sia was born. The Roselle School changed from within—unrestrained desires and bloody rituals gradually became the mainstream.
"My teacher managed to hold things together for a while, keeping the Faction of Restraint intact. But as time went on, the influence of the Mother Tree of Desire grew stronger, and Sia succeeded in ascending to a true 'Godspawn.'
"War broke out. My teacher sheltered us, leading us to flee from the plateaus, the valleys, and the steppes. I watched as He fell under the siege of Sia and the other high-ranking members.
"Yet, He did not truly die. He had prepared for this. In the Spirit World, He revived in a special state, yearning for the restoration of His complete body."
At this point, she paused, her sapphire eyes flickering faintly as she looked toward Klein and said softly, "I need you to exchange from Mr. Tower the Extraordinary characteristic of the 'Cursed Object' and give it to my teacher."
So that's the condition for Miss Sharon agreeing to play my… no, Dwayne Dantès' wife? The 'Prisoner' pathway characteristic in Mr. Tower's hands—wasn't that from the Bizarro Sorcerer demigod he killed on the first floor of the "Dream Labyrinth Tower"? But I remember Mr. Tower calling it "Silent Disciple"…
Thinking this, Klein simply voiced the question.
Sharon calmly met his gaze, her tone airy and ethereal, almost inhuman.
"To them, it's 'Silent Disciple.' To us, it's 'Cursed Object.'"
Ah, I see… Sharon had once said that the 'Prisoner' pathway was essentially a road from indulgence to restraint—or rather, to bondage.
The "indulgent faction," having given in to their desires at lower Sequences, only reached the level of "Silent Disciple" at Sequence 3, barely learning the meaning of restraint…
But for the Faction of Restraint, this Sequence had no acting difficulty, so they named it simply after its ability traits—"Cursed Object."
After mentally translating Sharon's words, Klein's face showed sudden realization. Then, he began considering what he could trade to obtain that characteristic from Ebner.
After some thought, Klein excused himself to the washroom, then took four steps backward to enter the world above the gray fog and rummaged through his pile of odds and ends.
The "Sea God Scepter"? Its value was equivalent to that of the "Cursed Object" characteristic, but without it, the "Sea God" would vanish again, and the believers in the Rhosid Archipelago would lose control, leading to countless deaths… No, can't do that.
The upgraded "Creeping Hunger"? Though only Sequence 4, its price at auction would easily surpass the Cursed Object's value. But first, I still need it myself, and second, Mr. Tower already has similar items—he wouldn't trade for this. Also no.
The "Death Knell" and "Undying Bird"? Both were only Sequence 5—and the latter was sold to me by Mr. Tower in the first place… pass.
"Admiral of Hell"? Worth a lot, yes, but Mr. Tower isn't short on money. Pass again.
After searching for a while, Klein's gaze finally landed on the "Embers" gloves contaminated by the True Creator's whispers.
The Embers may only be Sequence 6, but the True Creator's pollution is of the highest level. It's practically useless in my hands except to scare Miss Hermit—but in Ebner's hands, it might serve some purpose!
Even if he doesn't agree, it's worth trying.
With that thought, Klein simulated the feeling of falling and returned to reality.
Stepping out of the washroom, he told Sharon, "I can try, but I can't promise anything."
"It doesn't matter. I'll fulfill my part first," Sharon replied with a faint nod.
Why do I feel like Sharon's just using this as an excuse to help me? The thought flashed through Klein's mind, but he quickly shook it off. It was baseless anyway.
Afterward, the two discussed a few details until the Tarot Club meeting was about to begin, and then they separated to return to their own rooms.
Before leaving, Klein remembered something and reminded her, "During the Tarot Club, remember to order a mystical item from Mr. Tower—something that can change your appearance."
"Alright." Sharon responded with a small "mm."
…
On the Future, the ship sailed smoothly over the swelling waves. Admiral of Stars Cattleya stood by the window, gazing into the endless horizon. From the front deck came Nina's furious voice as she scolded Frank Lee for breeding a bunch of rapidly multiplying, fish-eating, beef-flavored mushrooms—an idea Klein had planted in him before disembarking.
Cattleya sighed silently, pushing up the heavy glasses on her nose, muttering inwardly about how "the World" always brought her trouble.
At that moment, her intuition stirred. Looking down at her desk, she noticed several yellowed sheets of paper that hadn't been there before.
Roselle's diary… she finally sent a messenger.
Excited, Cattleya turned and reached for the few sheets—clearly just a small test batch.
But before she could touch them, she saw a familiar figure standing beside the desk.
"You… you're willing to see me?"
…
In Backlund, inside what used to be Mr. Surrey's workshop—
After a full hour of "friendly" communication, the sealed item Despairing Nightingale finally gave in, agreeing to cooperate with Ebner's experiments and begging him not to use "Mind Extraction" or "Psychic Detonation" on her again…
Satisfied with his "negotiation skills," Ebner resealed the medal containing the Nightingale and returned to the villa's living area, waiting for the Tarot Club to begin.
At three in the afternoon, as the illusory crimson radiance surged over him like a tide, Ebner's "Insight Eye" avatar appeared at one side of the ancient bronze table.
Across from him, Miss Justice rose gracefully and, in her bright tone, led everyone in greeting the figure at the head of the table:
"Good afternoon, Mr. Fool~"
Audrey's mood had been excellent lately. Since returning to her family's castle, she'd successfully helped her mother, Lady Caitlyn, resolve several psychological issues caused by age and health, earning heartfelt gratitude. It gave her deeper insight into the "Psychologist" pathway.
The most important lesson she learned: to help others heal their hearts. She suspected that was why the potion was named Psychologist and not Psychiatrist.
Moreover, after today's Tarot Club, she'd be going with Mr. Tower to the City of Miracles, Liveseyd. Just thinking about it made her heart flutter with excitement.
Miss Justice seems quite happy today… but tonight, once she arrives at the Hall of Honesty… Klein couldn't help smiling faintly, returning the greeting with a nod.
During this, he noticed that Mr. Hanged Man seemed troubled and hesitant, as if struggling to make a decision.
Miss Hermit, meanwhile, looked as though she'd recently cried—but her mood was strangely good.
Mr. Fool Klein withdrew his gaze calmly after surveying the group.
When Miss Justice finished her greeting, Miss Hermit was the first to raise her head and address the figure at the table's head:
"Honorable Mr. Fool, I have collected three pages of Emperor Roselle's diary."
They're here… I wonder if the pages the Mystic Queen personally selected will contain any valuable information—perhaps clues to the "Blasphemy Card" corresponding to the Diviner pathway? That could offer me a new possibility. But Argel, Will, and Ebner all said I must go to Saint Samuel's Cathedral, so my chances are slim.
Klein's heart was torn between anticipation and resignation, though his expression remained serene.
"Very good. You may make a request."
"Yes, Mr. Fool." Cattleya responded respectfully, then requested to project the diary's contents.
Her demeanor was impeccable. Comparing this to how she used to behave in her dreams, Klein felt an odd sense of pride—like a teacher watching a once-wayward student finally mature.
"Miss Hermit's first time offering Roselle's diary… could it be from the Mystic Queen?" Miss Justice thought to herself, deducing that the Queen—Roselle's eldest daughter—must have quite a collection.
At the same time, she noticed that Mr. Hanged Man looked off today, clearly troubled, which piqued her curiosity.
Soon, three pages materialized before Klein.
All the other members fell silent as "Mr. Fool" began to read.
"February 9th. Today is Bonova's birthday. He is a healthy, strong, honest, and kind young man—so pious that he's already gained the Church's attention.
Everyone congratulated me, saying Bonova would surely become a Blessed, a Holy Spirit, praising his faith as pure and unblemished.
I should be proud, yet my heart is filled with an inexplicable sadness. I wish my child could be more human, more emotional, more himself—not merely a servant of the gods.
But nearly everyone around me truly believes Bonova's current state is ideal—Matilda thinks so, Charles thinks so, and all my nobles and ministers think so. Only Bernadette shares my sentiment; she told me privately that people should be more self-aware, as long as it harms no one.
It's worth noting that Liu Bo said if I dislike Bonova's state, I could try praying to him—believing in him.
But I rejected that immediately… As if I don't know what becomes of those who worship you wholeheartedly?
The former Pope inside the 'Magic Mirror' was someone I personally sealed away!
Compared to him, Bonova's condition is actually not that bad…"
(End of Chapter)