"Your birthday is on April 1st?"
That evening, while Ren was still studying at home, he suddenly received a call from Miwako. On the line was an invitation—to have dinner together on April 1st.
"Why are you inviting me to dinner on your birthday?"
"Haven't you helped me so many times already? I thought I'd treat you to a meal on my birthday. And... there's something else. I wanted to ask you about my father."
"...Ah. So that's the real reason for the invitation."
Ren immediately caught on. From the tone of her voice, it was obvious this was the true motive behind the dinner.
"You won't be satisfied unless you get an answer, right?"
"Hehe~ It's just that the answer I've waited for all these years is finally within reach. I'm a little impatient."
Hearing the silly giggle on the other end of the line, Ren shook his head slightly. He was also impatient. But this wasn't something that needed to be concealed.
"Alright. Since you're treating me on April 1st, I'll tell you. But even if you learn who killed your father, you must remain calm. It's been so many years... the evidence won't be easy to collect."
"Yeah, I understand."
Miwako did understand. If there had been any clues, her father's case wouldn't have been shelved for so long.
She also knew that capturing the murderer might require extraordinary methods. Still, she had no hesitation. Apprehending the culprit with as much justice as possible would be the greatest comfort to her father's spirit.
After hanging up, Miwako tossed her phone aside and collapsed onto her bed, feeling an unusual sense of ease.
"The cause of my father's death... the person responsible... This time, I'm going to find him!"
The loss of her father during her childhood was one of the biggest traumas in Miwako's life—and the one thing that weighed on her heart the most.
With Ren's power backing her, she truly believed she could finally find the criminal.
Her current strength came from Ren. Solving the major explosion case was thanks to Ren. And now, even uncovering the truth behind her father's death would be because of him.
When she added up all these debts, Miwako didn't know how else she could repay him.
It seemed like the only thing she could offer now... was herself.
But after her birthday, she'd officially be 28. Would anyone even want an older woman like her? Miwako felt conflicted.
"Forget it. I don't want to think about it right now... I'll figure out how to repay him later..."
While Miwako struggled with her tangled thoughts, Ren continued to focus on his studies.
Many mystical potions were known to enhance memory. And as a Seer and apprentice, with a Telepathist's natural photographic memory, it wasn't impossible to store an enormous amount of knowledge in his brain.
Ren's current goal was to make up for past academic gaps and completely master all the knowledge covered over three years of high school. That way, he wouldn't need to constantly review and could take leave as needed without being scolded by teachers.
More importantly, he wanted to see whether the knowledge he hadn't fully grasped before—or had learned but forgotten—could now be fully reabsorbed.
Suddenly, his spirituality stirred.
A fluctuation from Sefirah Castle… The gathering over there had begun.
Ren didn't enter immediately. Instead, he waited for about fifteen minutes before placing his consciousness into Sefirah Castle.
It was still the same Sefirah Castle gate. But this time, he didn't need to push it open.
The door welcomed him of its own accord.
Step by step, he entered the other side of Sefirah Castle—this time connected to another layer.
At that moment, the Fool, who had just finished reading three pages from Emperor Roselle's diary, looked up at the unfamiliar guest who had eluded his perception last time.
The two others seated at the bronze table also noticed the Fool's movement and instinctively turned their gazes toward the newcomer.
It was the gentleman from last time!
Both immediately sharpened their focus.
"Hmm? You entered in Spectator mode? I don't mind it personally, but let me remind you. It's best not to observe in Spectator mode in front of gods. Your Sequence isn't high enough yet."
Huh?
Audrey's heart skipped a beat. She instantly pulled herself out of Spectator mode.
"Good. Spectators can glimpse too many forbidden things. While you may not be able to read the thoughts of high-Sequence individuals, merely watching them is courting death. Once someone reaches Sequence 4 and attains godhood, they begin to take on mythical forms. A single glance from a low-Sequence Beyonder can drive them insane."
"Also, keep this in mind. The Fool is a Sequence 0 True God of the Seer Pathway. Even if his condition isn't optimal, he's not someone newly-initiated Beyonders should even attempt to observe."
Ren's words struck like thunder in the hearts of the three sitting there.
Eh!? Mr. Fool is... a Sequence 0 True God!?
Audrey froze in place.
She had known Mr. Fool was powerful—but this? This exceeded everything she had imagined.
And she wasn't alone. Alger's eyes widened with the same disbelief.
He had always suspected the Fool was an unknown Evil God, but to think he was the True God of the Seer Pathway's Sequence 0... That meant the Fool was on par with the Seven Gods!
But the most stunned of all was the Fool himself.
Klein nearly bit his tongue from shock.
He had no idea that the name of the Sequence 0 True God of the Seer Pathway was "The Fool." Was he... roleplaying a god? And would the real god come to take him down?
As Ren approached, he calmly took a seat directly opposite the Fool at the bronze table, a smile playing at his lips.
It was clear that the fog of Sefirah Castle didn't blind him in the slightest.
"Pfft~ Judging from your reaction, this must be the first time you've heard the Fool is the True God of the Seer Pathway, huh?"
Ren placed both hands on the table, staring directly at Klein.
"Still, judging by your condition, your recovery will take quite a while. Well, I'm quite interested in your fight. I'm curious whether you'll win... or if He will."
"I will."
Klein snapped out of his shock and placed his hands firmly on the table. He couldn't show weakness now.
(To be continued.)