Chapter 114: Standards for Members

Chapter One Hundred Fourteen
Standards for Members

No oil?

Was it that they had been unable to find it for some special reason, or did this world truly have none at all?

More than a hundred and fifty years had passed since Emperor Roselle was assassinated. And even now, there was still no trace of oil appearing…

Klein’s pupils contracted. The hand holding the diary almost trembled.

The absence of oil did not only mean that the internal combustion engine would become an unknown possibility. It also meant stagnation in the chemical industry, and that Earth’s modern industry in the truest sense could not be established.

In other words, Klein could no longer predict how this world would develop next.

His original plan had been simple. Though he knew only a little about everything and could not invent or create anything himself, his advantage was precisely that he knew a little about everything. He could foresee the direction of change and the tide of the age. Once he had saved enough salary and accumulated his first pot of gold, he would make venture investments in industries he was optimistic about, never placing all his eggs in one basket.

Klein had believed that, in time, this would inevitably bring him considerable wealth. At that point, he would find white gloves to act as his public agents, then establish an international charity foundation: on the surface, it would relieve the poor; in secret, it would fund laborers in various nations to resist oppression. Through this, he would bargain with society’s upper class and improve the lives of the people at the bottom.

If he found a way to return to Earth, he would divide his assets into three parts: one third for Benson, one third for Melissa, and one third for his foundation.

Unfortunately, that beautiful vision of the future had just shattered by half in an instant.

“Fortunately… fortunately, this world has electricity and magnetism, and there is already the successful precedent of the telegraph. In the future, I should focus my investments in that direction…”

Klein settled his mind and moved his gaze line by line downward.

“December 21st. No more thinking about oil. Raising my Sequence rank is the true path!

“December 22nd. The environment in the old district of Trier is filthy beyond acceptance. Had I not gone incognito to inspect it, perhaps I would never have known that it still retained the appearance I saw when I was young. I must summon my ministers and draw up a ‘Capital Sewers and Public Toilets Improvement Plan.’ Mm, and we must correct residents’ mistaken habits: have them boil water before drinking, wash their hands, wash their faces, stop throwing garbage around, stop relieving themselves anywhere, and use condoms as much as possible. Haha, I have thought of what to name this matter: the Patriotic Health Campaign!

“So the invention of condoms must also be placed on the agenda. Masks and paper cups too. Mm, the most primitive versions will do for a trial. Thank this world—it still has rubber trees.

“December 23rd. Perhaps I should consider that suggestion and leave myself a way out beyond the Church of the God of Craftsmanship. For instance, by joining that ancient, secret organization hidden in the shadows and influencing the world situation…”

Klein reached this point and suddenly discovered that there was nothing below.

His mood became indescribable.

“Emperor, what exactly is the name of that ancient, secret organization hidden in the shadows and influencing the world situation? Is it something I do not know?

“How can you stop here? Could you not write two more lines?

“This is just like reading a novel in the past, reaching the end, then discovering the author had abandoned it halfway…

“And the Patriotic Health Campaign. The Emperor really knew how to play…”

“The contents of this diary page should come from after he became Consul of the Intis Republic. Perhaps he was already calling himself Caesar by then.

“I need to go back and flip through some books—foreign history textbooks too—and see what year Intis’s ‘Capital Sewers and Public Toilets Improvement Plan’ appeared.”

After ten or so seconds of silence, Klein collected his thoughts and allowed the diary in his hand to vanish directly.

“You may communicate.”

Audrey breathed out softly, adjusted her state, and became a Spectator once more. With a faint smile, she said, “I would like to know whether there is a Sequence potion whose name is Arbiter. Also, what sort of Beyonder can directly pass through wooden doors, or make locks cease to matter?”

I know this…

Klein, hidden within the gray-white fog, was just about to speak when the Hanged Man beat him to it.

“I need you to help me investigate something in exchange for the answer.”

“What matter?”

Audrey asked, both curious and puzzled.

Alger glanced toward the Fool. After a brief silence, he said, “I want to know whether the King intends to retaliate against the Feysac Empire within this year or before June of next year and begin a new war on the eastern coast of Balam.”

The Tarot Club’s current common language was Loenese, determined from the accents of the three participants during the first gathering. Thus, Alger knew Miss Justice was a noble of the Loen Kingdom, and he believed Miss Justice knew he too was a Loenese man.

As for the Fool, Alger believed that the Loen traits He displayed were merely a disguise, a disguise for convenient communication.

Ever since that ritual magic, Alger had unknowingly begun using “He” to respectfully refer to the Fool.

Audrey recalled what she had seen and heard in various social occasions during this period. With a bit of confidence, she nodded.

“No problem. But this will require enough time to confirm.”

“I can wait,” the Hanged Man, Alger, said with a smile. “With Mr. Fool as witness, I believe you will not go back on your word.”

Audrey looked toward the silent and mysterious Fool within the gray fog, then curled her lips slightly.

“But I believe this matter is worth more than the two questions I asked combined.”

“Once you confirm the answer, I will provide compensation according to the situation,” Alger replied, as though he had prepared for this.

Miss Justice, Mr. Hanged Man, do you need some virtual currency to measure value?

Klein leaned back with a faint smile, watching the two of them.

Audrey quietly breathed out in relief and cheered for herself inwardly.

Excellent! Audrey, you have learned how to bargain!

She was so excited that she nearly slipped out of her Spectator state. Hurriedly, she picked a random matter and asked, “Oh, right. Mr. Hanged Man, have you received the one thousand pounds in cash?”

“My apologies. I am still at sea and have not yet returned to land.”

Alger clearly did not want to speak much about that matter. He directly answered her earlier question instead.

“A Beyonder capable of passing through wooden doors and making locks meaningless should be Sequence 9, Apprentice. The secret organization known as the Gnosis Society possesses the formula, though I cannot exclude the possibility that it may be obtained through other channels—for example, from ancient tombs belonging to the Fourth Epoch.”

The Gnosis Society, that secret organization tangled in countless ways with the Demoness Sect…

Klein leisurely rubbed his chin.

Seeing that Mr. Fool did not refute the answer, Audrey could not help sighing.

“If I had possessed the Apprentice formula before, perhaps I would not have chosen Spectator.”

That kind of performance was simply marvelous!

Alger paid no mind to Miss Justice’s words. He continued on his own.

“There is indeed a Sequence potion whose name is similar: Arbiter. I believe you should not be unfamiliar with it, because the Augustus family and the Castiya family of the Feynapotter Kingdom jointly control a Sequence pathway whose beginning is precisely this. Of course, in ancient times, low-Sequence formulas were sometimes given as rewards. Certain nobles may have obtained them before.”

The Augustus family was the royal family of the Loen Kingdom, while the Castiya family was the royal family of the Feynapotter Kingdom.

“So the Augustus family begins with Arbiter…”

Audrey suddenly understood. A question that had puzzled her for a long time seemed to finally be solved.

She sighed inwardly.

No wonder that when I am before them, I always want to obey arrangements. I am always not quite at ease, always willing to concede, always unlike myself. I thought it was because I was timid…

“Arbiters possess a convincing charm, sufficient authority, and excellent combat ability for dealing with accidents,” Alger described concisely.

Audrey nodded slowly. Leaning back slightly, she said with elegance, “I have no further questions.”

Alger thought for a moment, then turned his head toward the head of the bronze long table.

“Honorable Mr. Fool, I would like to ask about something. Is the Sanctuary of the True Creator preached by the Aurora Order the legendary Forsaken Land of the Gods?”

Forsaken Land of the Gods?

I have only seen that term once in Roselle’s diary… The Nighthawks’ confidential materials might contain it, but it does not fall within what I can currently access… How am I supposed to answer you?

The corners of Klein’s mouth almost twitched.

He considered for several seconds, then answered in a tone bland and without the slightest ripple, “That is not something you should know right now.”

Alger’s heart tightened. He immediately lowered his head.

“Please forgive my small overstep.”

Audrey had been about to ask what the Forsaken Land of the Gods was, but upon hearing this, she abandoned the idea as well.

Inside the majestic temple above the gray fog, quiet and silence suddenly occupied the mainstream.

At that moment, Audrey somehow felt that she ought to say something. She opened her mouth.

“Mr. Fool, if—if I have the opportunity to join another organization, for example the Psychology Alchemists, would that be allowed?”

Maintaining his leaning posture, Klein laughed softly.

“There is no problem. My only requirement is that you must not reveal the existence of the Tarot Club.

“If you become a member of another organization, the materials and intelligence you can use for exchange will certainly increase.”

After saying this, he suddenly remembered that he himself was a member of another organization too, a genuine Nighthawk. And the Hanged Man was most likely connected to the Church of the Lord of Storms as well.

Could my Tarot Club be the so-called Alliance of Traitors? A gathering of double agents?

Klein sank into deep thought.

“I understand.”

Audrey became excited again, then immediately thought of another question.

“Mr. Fool, if I discover a gentleman or lady suitable for the Tarot Club, may I guide them to join? How should I guide them?”

Alger thought for a moment and followed with a question of his own.

“Mr. Fool, what are the standards for admitting later members into our gathering? How should we judge them?”

They should have ideals, morals, culture, and discipline…

Those four phrases instantly surfaced in Klein’s mind.

He maintained silence for several seconds, and only when Justice and the Hanged Man showed traces of unease did he finally speak.

“Those you believe suitable may be reported to me here. I will decide whether to allow them to join. Before that, you must not give them any hints or guidance. Doing so may expose the Tarot Club’s secret existence. You must remember: toward those who are not members of this gathering…”

Klein paused, then said in a low, solemn voice, “Without my permission, my name must not be spoken.”