Chapter 251: Consultation

Chapter 251: Consultation

Prince Edessak Augustus? What dangerous matter, one that might lead to tragedy, could he be connected to? And this matter seems to have already drawn Mr. Fool’s attention! Justice Audrey instantly matched the name to the person, and great worry and confusion welled up within her.

In her understanding, anything that could draw Mr. Fool’s attention was either extremely dangerous, profoundly secret, or far-reaching in influence. It could never be simple. For example, the True Creator attempting to descend upon Backlund through Lanevus and the poor conditions in the East Borough and Factory District; Emperor Roselle’s Black Emperor card; or Duke Negan’s death and the Twilight Hermit Order.

Drawing a comparison with these examples, Audrey had every reason to believe that if the matter involving Prince Edessak was not handled well, or if it was not given sufficient importance, it would inevitably bring about a very, very, very terrifying “storm”!

Mm… Prince Edessak has not bothered me for a long time. I merely felt relieved and did not think too deeply about it. Looking at it now, that seems a little problematic… At the earlier ball, he enthusiastically stopped me to talk about some boring subjects, playing with clumsy humor he thought was clever. Yet only two or three days later, he became quite cold, even deliberately avoiding me… I must find an opportunity to ask Father about him, but I cannot appear too curious. Otherwise, he may very well agree to the royal family’s marriage proposal… Audrey recalled certain details and suddenly felt her shoulders become heavy.

She had always disliked Prince Edessak, including his two older brothers, and had never once thought of becoming a princess consort. The reason was very simple: as a believer of the Evernight Goddess, she could not accept generations of Augustuses who believed in the Lord of Storms. That meant arrogance, conceit, contempt toward women, and extremity had seeped deep into their bones, making change very difficult. And that was something Audrey absolutely could not tolerate.

The moment she imagined herself becoming a princess consort and being placed inside an ancient, rigid, extremely conservative environment, Audrey felt certain that she would go mad because of it and flee at any cost. Therefore, when facing the princes’ fairly attentive courtship, she had not felt the slightest bit moved. She had even felt rather repulsed.

Edessak Augustus… Judging from the surname, he is a member of the royal family. I vaguely remember he is a prince? What dangerous thing is he going to do? I have no way to come into contact with him at all… Right, I can ask Miss Audrey and Viscount Glaint for help, but I must think of the reason in advance and not let them grow suspicious… Magician Fors frowned slightly, interpreting Mr. Fool’s words.

The Hanged Man, Alger, was very interested, but did not dare ask Mr. Fool, who had clearly only offered a hint. After two seconds of thought, he could only say to Justice, Magician, and the World, “The atmosphere on the sea is not calm either. Perhaps it is linked to Backlund—like those machines.”

That sentence had no basis whatsoever. He merely wanted to exaggerate the degree of danger and make the three Tarot Club members in Backlund investigate actively.

…One has to say, Mr. Hanged Man really does cooperate well… Klein, watching from the side, immediately abandoned the idea of having the World say something similar.

The reason he only mentioned Prince Edessak, without mentioning the lady suspected of possessing a Grade 0 Sealed Artifact—the one wearing the sapphire ring—or speaking of Sealed Artifact 0-08 and Ince Zangwill, who might also have become involved, was because he did not understand the circumstances surrounding those top-grade Sealed Artifacts that could even destroy a nation. He could only make guesses based on faint clues, guesses he did not dare fully affirm. He feared that if he directly told Miss Justice and Miss Magician the critical points, then the moment they began a targeted investigation, they would be discovered by the target.

This was also why Klein had not found an opportunity to tell the Machinery Hivemind what he himself had encountered. Based on certain guesses concerning Sealed Artifact 0-08, he suspected that if he left Minsk Street with such thoughts in mind and took a carriage to the Leverage Church or Cathedral of Steam, he might encounter a sudden attack he absolutely could not resist—for example, a great riot among the Sealed Artifacts in the underground region, or a lethal strike from a High-Sequence powerhouse.

Only the shielding of the gray fog allowed Klein not to worry about similar problems, and to inform Miss Justice and Miss Magician of the matter to a certain extent. Through them, he could deliver a softer, more roundabout warning that would be less likely to be discovered ahead of time.

Aside from this, Klein had another plan: as a supporting actor among supporting actors, he would fade from the stage. After “leaving” Backlund, he would change his appearance while no one was paying attention, quietly return, and contact the Machinery Hivemind outside the line of sight of the Grade 0 Sealed Artifact!

I hope this can succeed. I hope there will be a chance to drag Ince Zangwill out! Mm, the premise is that he truly is involved in this matter… Wait. During Mr. Azik’s pursuit of Ince Zangwill, he came into conflict with MI9 and was secretly wanted. And MI9 has always been regarded as the pro-royalist faction within the military… Around Prince Edessak, there has been a whole series of coincidences. This resembles the characteristics Sealed Artifact 0-08 displayed before… This seems to indirectly confirm Ince Zangwill’s existence…

Klein closed his eyes, and inside his mind flashed again those bright leather boots and pale palms.

He leaned back against his chair, the corners of his mouth curling upward.

“Ladies and gentlemen, until next week.”

…

Queen Borough, inside Earl Hall’s luxurious villa.

Audrey stood before the full-length mirror, staring blankly at herself within it.

This Tarot Gathering had brought her both good news and bad news.

The good news was that she was about to obtain one of the main ingredients of the Psychiatrist potion.

Although she was no longer the ignorant young lady who had once spent 1,000 pounds buying foundational common knowledge from the Hanged Man, and although she now knew the approximate prices of many Beyonder materials, she did not mind paying a premium for the Mirror Dragon’s eyes.

After Duke Negan’s assassination, she had developed an urgent desire and motivation to raise her Sequence and obtain the corresponding combat ability. Because of that, she no longer wished to wait and was willing to pay a certain price. As long as a material appeared, and as long as it was not too outrageous, she would immediately accept it to avoid interference from accidents.

It is like a precious piece of jewelry admired by many noble ladies, or a rare horse with special bloodlines beloved by men. A corresponding premium is inevitable and unavoidable. Sometimes, multiplying the original price by two or three times is not impossible… And besides, Fors was busy in the middle, contacting her teacher, so I cannot let her waste time and take risks for nothing. Mm… She also does not know that I am Justice… Audrey thought without much concern.

As for the bad news, there was no doubt that it was the matter of Prince Edessak, which left Audrey unusually troubled.

Thankfully, Mr. World received news, and Mr. Fool gave a reminder. Otherwise, there is no telling how this matter would have worsened… Audrey, with such good conditions, you can definitely solve this problem! Do your best! The young lady drew a crimson moon toward the figure in the mirror, trying hard to make herself optimistic.

Then she gathered her emotions, left the room, and went toward the piano room, preparing to attend the piano lesson that came next as if nothing had happened.

That was because Earl and Lady Hall, as well as Hibbert Hall, would not return home until before dinner. Even if she wanted to inquire about the matter now, there was no one to ask. She could only tell herself to be calm, composed, and patient.

Before the family tutor arrived, Audrey casually played a piece of music, using the beautiful melody to cleanse her heart.

When the performance came to a pause, she discovered that, at some unknown point, the golden retriever Susie had opened the door and entered. She squatted nearby, still wearing the gold-rimmed glasses around her neck like an accessory.

“Audrey, what problem have you encountered? Your piano tells me that you are troubled,” Susie suddenly said.

Mm… Audrey froze at once, not knowing how to answer.

All of a sudden, she felt that having a “mind-reading dog” at home was not necessarily a good thing…

…

Inside the camp where the bonfire burned.

Derrick Berg, eyes closed, quietly recalled what had happened during the Tarot Gathering, confirming that he had not forgotten the memory of repeatedly living through the same segment of life.

After an unknown length of time, filled with anticipation, he opened his eyes and examined his surroundings. However, what entered his gaze was the flame and his teammates, completely identical to his memories.

Just then, Demon Hunter Colin, who was sitting cross-legged against a stone pillar, spoke in a deep voice.

“We set out after fifty lightning flashes.”

…At that moment, Derrick confirmed that everything he had experienced before was not a dream or an illusion.

…

Cherwood Borough, 15 Minsk Street.

Klein descended to the first floor and sat in the living room, feeling the warmth continuously spreading from the fireplace.

Sitting in the armchair, he rocked quietly. He did not read the newspaper, flip through a magazine, or open any books.

Everything was so peaceful and silent, until the ding-ding-dong of the doorbell sounded.

Klein, wearing a house shirt and cashmere waistcoat, rose and walked toward the outside, only to discover that the visitor was somewhat beyond his expectations.

He pulled open the door and gave a low laugh.

“Good afternoon, Emlyn. Aren’t you supposed to be helping at Harvest Church at this hour?”

The visitor was none other than Emlyn White, the vampire with his hair combed diagonally back, handsome in a somewhat feminine way.

Hearing Klein’s greeting, this arrogant fellow’s expression instantly stiffened. Only with difficulty did he recover.

“I have something I wish to consult you about, Sherlock. Moriarty. Detective!” Emlyn spat out each word one by one.

After inviting him into the living room, Klein returned to the armchair and asked with a smile, “What matter? The consultation fee is 1 pound, but it cannot exceed one hour.”

Emlyn White paid no mind to his words. After thinking for a while, he said, “A certain great figure wants me to do something… That thing can indirectly help me resolve a hidden danger, but it also carries a great risk.

“I do not have many friends, and I am afraid of worrying my parents. You are a knowledgeable Beyonder detective… What advice do you have? Should I refuse, or accept?”

Resolve a hidden danger? Remove the psychological cue? Klein considered his words and said, “If the only word you give me is ‘thing,’ I cannot offer any advice.”

Emlyn White fell silent for several seconds. Gritting his teeth, he lowered his voice and said, “It is related to that Fool…”

“Ah?” Klein nearly raised a hand to pick at his ear.