"Are you from Loen?" asked Alger and without waiting for an answer continued.
"If you want to become a Beyonder, join the Churches of either the Evernight Goddess, the Lord of Storms, or the God of Steam and Machinery.
The majority of us will not meet a Beyonder our entire lives. This has caused Churches, and even some clergymen within some of the biggest Churches, to suspect the same. While this is the case, I am certain to tell you that Beyonders still exist in courts, tribunals, and execution agencies.
They are still fighting against the dangers that grow in the dark, only that their numbers are much fewer as compared to before and during the early days of the Iron Age"
Audrey replied after letting out an audible sigh.
"Mister, I know all about what you just said; I even know more than that, including the Nighthawks, the Mandated Punishers, and the Machinery Hivemind, but I don't want to lose my freedom"
Alger gave a low-sounding laugh, and said vaguely,
"You can't become a Beyonder without sacrifices. If you don't consider joining Churches and accepting their given challenges, you can only seek the royal families and the few nobles with family histories of more than a thousand years. If not, you can rely on your luck to search for clandestine evil organizations"
Arthus listened to their banter while waiting for the trade between both of them to begin.
"Are there no other solutions?" asked Audrey in a hopeful tone.
The room was again enveloped in a pregnant pause. This one is significantly longer than the previous one. Arthus found these pauses very awkward. It made him worry whether or not he was contributing enough. What if Klein kicked him from "The Tarot Club" because he saw him as a useless waste of spiritual energy.
Fortunately the silence ended after about half a minute before Alger responded hesitantly, "I have two sets of Sequence 9 potion formulas"
"Wou-"
"Rea-"
Arthus and Audrey spoke at the same time interrupting each other and then waiting for the other to continue.
"Ahem… My apologies for interrupting you my lady. It was not intentional, please continue" even though it was. Arthus did this to be involved in the conversation. He felt like he was just watching from the sidelines.
"It's no problem at all, I insist you go first!" replied Audrey nervously.
Alger just nodded his head disapprovingly. Perhaps he saw through me? Or maybe he thinks that I snatched this opportunity from Audrey and wanted to have a go at purchasing the more desirable formula? That seems more inline with his thought process. Unfortunately that's not the case. I already know what formulas you have and want none of them!
"Then I shall go first since you insist" then he turned to face Alger and asked "Do those potion formulas happen to be either the Savant or The Mystery Pryer?"
Alger seemed to be a bit surprised but then recovered and replied "No, the formulas that I have are not either of these" Arthus noticed he didn't mention the names of the potion formulas. He didn't blame him after all, if he were in his shoes he'd come to the same conclusion. This confirmed his previous statement and he got the hint to not ask for the potion names.
"I see that's a shame. Could I ask you to please keep a lookout for either of these potion formulas? Whatever price you name, I'll pay it!" Arthus made a bold claim.
He did this because he knows Alger knows a beyonder from the savant pathway and their relationship isn't so bad. There's just one problem, Arthus doesn't remember when they became acquainted. I guess if I'm lucky enough I should be able to get the potion formula for Savant. Money isn't an issue for him.
Alger didn't respond but nodded in confirmation and looked towards Audrey's direction.
Unlike Arthus who was bad at reading social cues, Audrey immediately got the cue and asked excitedly,
"May I ask which two sets they are?"
Alger leaned back slightly, and replied unhurriedly,
"As you know, humanity can only depend on potions to become real Beyonders, while the names of potions come from the 'Blasphemy Slate.
After constant translations into Jotun 1, Elvish, ancient and modern Hermes, and ancient Feysac, they have undergone changes to match the day and age of that era.
The essence is not in their names, but whether they portray the 'core characteristics' of the potions.
I have a Sequence 9 Potion named 'Sailor.' It enables you to have excellent balancing capabilities.
Even if you were on a boat in a rainstorm, you will be able to walk about freely as though you were on land. You will also gain immense strength and illusory scales under your skin. They will enable you to swim like a fish and be difficult to catch. You will move agilely underwater just like marine animals.
Even without any equipment, you will be able to easily submerge underwater for at least ten minutes"
"Sounds great... the 'Keepers of the Seas' from the Lord of Storms?" asked Audrey curiously.
"It was called by that name in the past." Alger did not pause and continued.
"The second Sequence 9 potion is called 'Spectator.' Although I am not sure what it was called in the past. This set of potions enables you to have an exceptionally sharp mind with acute observational abilities. I believe you can understand what 'spectator' means from watching operas and plays. Just like an audience, spectators judge the 'actors' in the secular world, catching a glimpse of the real thoughts of them through their emotions, conduct, and mantras"
At this point, Alger emphasized and explained generously, "You must remember, regardless of whether you are at an extravagant banquet or a crowded street, spectators can only be spectators forever"
Audrey seemed to be contemplating which formula to choose but Arthus already knew her choice. Sure enough, after a while she asked "Why? Alright, this is a follow-up question. I-I think I have fallen in love with this feeling-of being a 'Spectator.' How can I get this potion's formula? What can I use to trade with you for it?"
Alger looked like he was already prepared as he said in a deep voice, "The blood of Ghost Sharks, at least 100 milliliters of it"
Audrey nodded excitedly, but subsequently asked worriedly, "If I can get it-and I'm saying if-how do I hand it to you? How can you promise me that you can give the potion's formula to me in return for the Ghost Shark's blood, as well as the authenticity of the formula?"
Alger said calmly, "I'll give you an address. I'll mail the formula to you, or tell you directly here, once I receive the blood of the Ghost Shark"
"As for promises, I think that both you and I can feel assured under the witness of the mysterious sir"
As he said this, he swept his eyes towards Zhou Mingrui who was sitting up straight at the Seat of Honor.
"Sir, the fact that you brought us here shows that you have tremendous strength unimaginable to us.
Neither one of us would dare violate a promise with you as a witness"
"That's right!" exclaimed Audrey.
Arthus looked towards Zhou Mingrui and nodded as earnestly as he could. Then realised how awkward it must have looked to Zhou Mingrui and blushed slightly from the embarrassment directed his gaze on the bronze table.
Audrey half-turned her body and looked at Zhou Mingrui earnestly.
"Sir, please be the witness of our trade"
At that moment, she then realized that she was all too impolite, having forgotten all along to ask a particular question. She asked hurriedly, "Sir, how should we address you?"
Alger nodded slightly, and echoed the same question in a serious manner, "Sir, how should we address you?"
This… Can you guys leave something for me to say as well? I want to butter him up too! What does one even say in this situation? Do I just repeat what they said? In the end he couldn't bring himself to repeat the same sentence as the both of them and just looked at Klein, waiting for him to respond.
Zhou Mingrui gently rapped his fingers on the bronze table.
He leaned back, withdrew his right hand, and crossed his ten fingers, placing them below his chin. He gave the trio a faint smile.
"You can address me as..."
Upon saying this, he paused for a moment. He said amiably and calmly, "The Fool"