Would revealing too much to the True Creator matter? Alaric didn't care. Some secrets were hard to hide, already exposed when he summoned the Ancient Sun God. He was fine trading certain information for benefits.
No matter what, his ability to take the world down with him was real. As long as that held, others would tread carefully.
Even the mad True Creator, at his core, wanted to protect this world.
Pity about Grisha… and maybe Sasrir too, Alaric mused, thinking of the fusion of Adam and the True Creator into Amon's creator, a touch of sentiment stirring within him.
Xio and Fors, unaware of Alaric's unspoken deal with the True Creator, nodded in instant understanding at his words, plagued by their own financial struggles.
If they were buying heaps of spiritual materials, they'd haggle fiercely too.
The gathering, already winding down, ended soon after Alaric's return.
Following Xio and Fors out of the house and onto a carriage, the trio discussed the next Beyonder gathering.
"I can't confirm the exact time yet, but within a week, I should have details. I'll let you know." Xio said, then looked at Alaric curiously. "Since you can divine, can you predict anything about it?"
"I might get a rough timeframe, but without specific details, it's hard to divine anything precise." Alaric said with a shrug. "Divination isn't all-powerful."
"Oh, by the way…" Alaric added, as if struck by a thought, looking at Xio and Fors. "You two are pretty seasoned Beyonders in Backlund. If possible, I'd like to hire you to look into something for me."
"What is it?" Xio sat up straight, her bounty hunter instincts kicking in.
"I want information on an entity called the Fool. They might be tied to the Antigonus family... a hidden existence." Alaric said, pausing as he noticed their expressions shift. "I don't need you to take risks. Just ask around in your circles to see if anyone knows of the Fool."
This was, of course, preparation for claiming the Fool's honorific name and joining the Tarot Club naturally.
A transmigrator suddenly knowing the Fool's name would be suspicious.
Hmm, would Mr. Fool hesitate to pull me into the Tarot Club, fearing I'd expose him as a fellow transmigrator? If so, don't blame me for unmasking him… Alaric mused, wondering which scenario would be more entertaining. Either way, it promised fun.
Naturally, Alaric had a thorough plan for joining the Tarot Club.
Xio and Fors, oblivious to his schemes to tease Mr. Fool, exchanged a glance, weighing the task's danger.
Anything involving hidden existences was risky in this world, but simply gathering information usually wasn't too hazardous.
Like the True Creator or the Primordial Demoness, they were infamous evil gods. Many Beyonders, even ordinary people, knew of them. As long as you didn't chant their true names or meddle with related matters, the risk was minimal.
"What's the pay?" Xio asked after a few seconds.
"10 pounds upfront. If you find useful information, I'll pay more based on its value." Alaric said straightforwardly. He kept the price modest to avoid spooking them.
"Deal. I'll ask around." Xio nodded decisively. 10 pounds just for inquiries was a solid deal.
"Why are you interested in the Fool?" Fors asked, her writer's imagination already spinning scenarios.
"Originally, a friend was curious about it. Then I checked my family's old texts and found the Fool might be… tied to my ancestors." Alaric said, shrugging. "You know how it is... connections to hidden existences aren't good news. Even if it's a distant ancestor, I need to investigate to ease my mind about any lingering curses." He sighed, feigning concern.
At his words, Xio and Fors instinctively leaned back. In this world's worldview, ties to hidden existences were dangerous.
But they quickly calmed down. Per Alaric's story, only his ancestor was linked, so he was likely fine.
Fors, plagued by full-moon ravings, empathized. "Curses are a hassle."
"Troubled by one, Miss Doctor?" Alaric asked, looking curious.
"I…" Fors hesitated, then, considering the Trickmaster formula she'd bought and Alaric's likely ancient Beyonder lineage, decided to share. "Due to an accident, I hear ravings during the full moon. It's been a long-standing issue."
She kept it vague, cautious about revealing too much.
Alaric, unsurprised, put on a thoughtful look, pausing before saying, "Full-moon ravings… I think I read about that in my family's texts. An ancient family called Abraham had members plagued by such a curse."
He looked at Fors, his gaze surprised yet probing. "Miss Doctor, are you an Abraham?"
Fors started. She didn't know about the Abraham family yet, but Mrs. Aulisa had mentioned her husband's family... an ancient lineage tormented by full-moon ravings.
Could Mrs. Aulisa's husband be from the Abraham family?
Guessing as much, she faced Alaric's curious look and shook her head. "I'm not an Abraham. Just unlucky enough to be cursed like this."
***
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