Chapter 42: Joint Operation

Chapter 42: Joint Operation

Moon Emlyn unconsciously clasped his hands together, lifted his chin slightly, and looked toward Miss Magician diagonally opposite him.

“I have confirmed that the matter of the abandoned castle in Delaire Forest was a test directed at me from within the Sanguine. Very crucial information was concealed.”

Once he said this, it was as though a weight pressing down on his heart had been removed. He no longer seemed as hesitant, conflicted, or embarrassed as he had been over the past few days.

Following the momentum, he looked around, observing Madam Hermit and Mr. Hanged Man’s reactions. He discovered that they seemed to have expected it long ago and were not surprised in the slightest.

Looks like when Miss Magician said there was a problem with the intelligence last time, they already suspected something… Emlyn nodded inwardly and, before Magician Fors could respond, added two more sentences:

“I am very sorry. I will refund the three hundred pounds you paid for the intelligence. In addition, I will compensate you another three hundred pounds. Also, I will punish the Sanguine who deliberately provided incomplete information.”

Although Mr. Moon always appears arrogant, when facing a mistake, he is quite sincere and does not look for excuses to shirk responsibility… Still, I already obtained the ancient wraith’s cursed object and residual spirituality. The matter has also passed. He did not intentionally try to harm me and Xio. There is no need to demand excessive compensation… Magician Fors remembered Xio’s warning. Without meeting her gaze, she spoke on her own:

“This was only a mistake. There is no need for compensation. Refunding the intelligence fee is enough.”

The moment she finished, she suddenly thought of something: since the information about the abandoned castle had originated from a Sanguine test, had she and Xio been targeted by members of the Sanguine?

Fors finally could not help turning her head to glance at Xio. She saw Miss Judgement shake her head slightly, indicating that she had not discovered anyone monitoring the two of them.

This… Fors felt puzzled and found it difficult to understand.

Her thoughts then scattered as she recalled the situation back then.

“We waited quite some time before going to explore. Did the Sanguine lose patience and stop waiting?

“Did the innkeeper in the town know about the abandoned castle because he was a Sanguine in disguise? No. Quite a few people in the area knew about it. It’s just that the place is too remote, and nothing valuable remains there, so unless one happens to pass by while hunting or gathering, no one normally goes there.

“No, that abandoned castle is so dangerous. Why did the people who once took shelter from the rain there suffer no problems and merely say it was gloomy and a little frightening? Mm, do the Sanguine normally seal the path underground and only opened it in advance for the test? That means there really was monitoring…

“Uh, because the castle is too dangerous, the monitor was in the forest outside rather than inside? Xio and I got lost, circled around the monitor, and weren’t discovered?

“Mr. Fool gave no reminder, so there should not be any major problem… I’ll pay attention when I go back!”

While Fors’s thoughts raced, Moon Emlyn deliberated briefly before saying,

“…All right.”

He did not insist on doubling the compensation for the intelligence fee, because he believed the best compensation was to punish Ernest Boyar, not to give money.

Then he waited for Miss Magician to ask how he would punish the other party. He planned to use the opportunity to consult the other members of the Tarot Gathering and see whether he could obtain a decent suggestion.

Magician Fors, however, considered that this was an internal matter among the Sanguine. Although she was a victim, since Mr. Moon had not proactively offered a plan, she still had to take his dignity into account and not ask too many questions. She could simply wait for the result and then see whether she was satisfied.

The palace that resembled a giant’s residence consequently became quiet, and the atmosphere briefly turned a little strange.

Justice Audrey looked across the table, glanced beside her, and pursed her lips slightly. “Curiously,” she asked,

“Mr. Moon, how do you plan to punish that Sanguine?”

Whew… Moon Emlyn silently breathed out and subconsciously glanced at The World, Gehrman Sparrow.

“He was also acting under orders from higher-ups. I believe his mistake does not need to be repaid with his life.”

The implication in Emlyn’s words was: Mr. World, you do not need to intervene. This matter does not need to become that intense.

Seeing that The World at the very bottom of the bronze long table did not refute him, Emlyn turned his gaze toward the opposite side.

“I plan to lure that Sanguine into a certain Earth Mother Church in Backlund.”

After attending so many Tarot Gatherings, even if Emlyn disdained some detailed problems, he already knew to conceal his circumstances in the real world. Therefore, he did not specifically mention Harvest Church.

The Earth Mother Church only has one church within Backlund city, and that is Harvest Church! The rest are in the suburbs and surrounding villages… Star Leonard held back his laughter and raised his head to glance at the high dome.

“You intend to have the Earth Mother Church’s Beyonders purify that Sanguine?” Magician Fors blurted out in astonishment.

In her view, that was no different from directly killing the other party!

“Uh…” Moon Emlyn momentarily did not know how to answer.

Just then, The Hermit Cattleya took the initiative to interject.

“The Earth Mother Church has a habit of drawing Sanguine into the faith, making them change their beliefs and become priests or bishops.”

“I see…” Justice Audrey thoughtfully glanced at Mr. Moon opposite her without letting him notice.

Make that Sanguine become a clergyman, pray at church every day, do volunteer work, cleanse his soul, and be unable to break free for a very long time… Mr. Moon’s punishment plan is so vicious… But I like it! That fellow nearly caused Xio and me to be contaminated by fallen power and become ancient wraiths… Magician Fors immediately became interested and asked,

“Mr. Moon, how do you plan to lure that Sanguine into the Earth Mother’s church? Do you have a mature plan? Perhaps I can provide help. Mm, you yourself must be careful. You cannot, for the sake of punishing him, enter the Earth Mother’s church as well. In that case, in that case, you would only be able to pray to Mr. Fool for help.”

Of course, perhaps that is the result Mr. Fool wishes to achieve—having multiple insiders inside the Earth Mother Church… Fors silently added inwardly after finishing.

Hearing her words, Star Leonard nearly laughed aloud. He was completely certain that Mr. Moon was Emlyn White from Harvest Church. Clearly, this Sanguine was already a priest of the Earth Mother!

This is a little like a drowning person dragging others into the water… Leonard restrained his laughter and glanced at The World, Gehrman Sparrow, discovering that this former colleague showed no emotional fluctuation at all and appeared very deep.

This made him unable to stop himself from thinking:

Is this the Clown’s ability, or has Klein already gotten used to this state?

At the very head of the mottled long table, The Fool, Klein, nearly raised his hand to cover his mouth.

He had not expected Emlyn to be this creative!

This is a little like pyramid selling, but also a little different. After all, Emlyn knows this is not a good thing… Klein leaned back in his chair and looked forward to the following developments with considerable interest.

Last time, during his treatment, Miss Justice had told him not to always wear a thick mask. He had remembered that and was trying to do so when opportunities arose in order to maintain his mental health.

As for Moon Emlyn, after hearing Miss Magician’s words of concern, he mostly felt awkward, because he currently had to enter the Earth Mother’s church several times a day. Even wanting to take a weekend off would make him feel uneasy.

He cleared his throat again.

“I do not yet have a mature plan. I would like to hear your opinions. Mm, I hope to avoid overly intense combat as much as possible. It would be difficult to control the situation that way. I also hope not to directly expose my identity.

“Miss Magician, it is no problem if you wish to participate, but we absolutely must not meet.”

Not directly exposing his identity meant that it did not matter if Ernest Boyar and the other Sanguine could guess that he had done it. That would itself serve as intimidation. But it would be best not to leave definite evidence.

Magician Fors gave an “mm” and imitated the experienced participants of various gatherings.

“First, you need to tell us roughly what Sequence that Sanguine is equivalent to and what he is good at.”

Moon Emlyn had prepared for this.

“He is equivalent to Sequence 5. His combat experience is decent. He is good at creating full moon effects…”

Full moon effects? Magician Fors froze for a moment and opened her mouth, but no words came out.

Only after Moon Emlyn finished his introduction did she laugh dryly.

“I just remembered that I have something else to do. It may not be convenient for me to participate.”

When in a state similar to a full moon, she would hear Mr. Door’s ravings!

And that meant she would be severely injured by the target Sanguine in an instant and lose her ability to fight!

Emlyn frowned slightly, full of confusion over Miss Magician’s sudden change in attitude.

At this time, Judgement Xio, who had been quietly listening, took the initiative to speak.

“I can participate, as long as I receive a share of the corresponding spoils.”

Miss Judgement’s tone is so firm. It’s as though she wants revenge… Moon Emlyn inwardly muttered. He then glanced at Madam Hermit and Mr. Hanged Man, discovering that the two had no intention of speaking for the time being. They seemed to want to see what kind of plan the Tarot Club members in Backlund could discuss.

Because this involved a friend, and because it might become the first mission jointly participated in by Tarot Club members, Justice Audrey was quite interested. After observing for a while, she said in consideration,

“I may be able to hypnotize that Sanguine and have him go to the Earth Mother’s church himself.

“However, if I wish not to expose myself and want a higher chance of success, when I hypnotize that Sanguine, he had best be in a dazed or semi-unconscious state. Mr. Moon, can you achieve that?”

Moon Emlyn was just about to think over his own abilities and items to see what method he might use when Star Leonard beside him suddenly laughed.

“That is simple, but I will only be responsible for making that Sanguine ‘faint.’

“Of course, the prerequisite is sufficiently accurate intelligence, primarily regarding his movement patterns.”

The moment he finished, Judgement Xio nodded.

“I am skilled at tracking and investigation. The intelligence can be left to me.

“Mm, first, Mr. Moon, you need to tell me that Sanguine’s name, address, and appearance.”

“All right.” Moon Emlyn first breathed out in relief, then somewhat blankly said, “Then in this whole matter, what do I need to do? Also, what remuneration do you want?”