Chapter 96: Plans from Different Angles

Chapter 96: Plans from Different Angles

After several seconds, Sharron calmly responded to Klein’s question:

“Not bait. Drawing out.”

Just as Klein wanted to ask what the difference was, Maric opened his mouth and explained—in detail:

“When we were being pursued by the Rose School of Thought in the past, we discovered many of their members in Backlund. It was only because our strength was insufficient, because we feared traps, and because we did not wish to attract the attention of the major Churches, that we took no action against them.

“This time, we plan to choose one of the more important people among them and act against that target, intentionally leaving behind certain omissions so that several hidden members can quietly escape and pass the news to the Rose School of Thought’s person-in-charge in Backlund.

“In the shadows, a Sanguine demigod will watch them. Through the chain by which the news is passed along, they will find that person-in-charge, who must be an important member of the Rose School of Thought.

“After killing or even capturing him, we will then use the key intelligence pried from interrogation to decide on the next step.”

That is much more reasonable. They are mainly using their understanding of the Rose School of Thought to formulate the plan rather than using themselves as bait. The scale can be effectively controlled, and it should not destroy Backlund… Klein gave a light nod.

“If that is the case, I can participate.”

He did not say he needed to consider it first and return to determine the danger level, because for Sharron and the Sanguine, this matter was not something that absolutely had to be done recently. If he divined a problem, he could completely call it off in his capacity as a participant.

“What kind of remuneration do you require?” Maric’s standing posture relaxed slightly as he asked.

Klein smiled.

“If there are no accidents throughout the process, I hope to receive one free instance of help from Madam Reinette Tinekerr. If I have no choice but to act, then on top of that condition, I want the right to choose spoils first.

“You can discuss it with Madam Reinette Tinekerr first and write me afterward with the answer.”

In truth, he still had some doubts. Since the plan was like this, they could completely avoid asking him. With Miss Messenger hidden in the shadows, that should be enough to guard against any accident Sherlock Moriarty could handle.

“No need,” said Sharron, whose appearance was exquisite and whose complexion was pale like a doll, gently shaking her head. “We can agree to that now.”

Have they already discussed it with Miss Messenger? Klein thought for several seconds before asking frankly,

“Then why do you not directly ask Madam Reinette Tinekerr to help prevent accidents?”

Sharron’s pale-gold hair seemed to be tightly bound by her small soft hat, without the slightest sway. Her voice was ethereal and airy as she replied,

“She does not wish the Sanguine to discover Her existence.”

So that is why… Klein deliberated briefly and then raised another question:

“You advocate Temperance. Why are you taking the initiative to seek out a key member of the Rose School of Thought?

“Is revenge not included within the scope of Temperance?”

Sharron’s blue eyes looked at him.

“Over the past few decades, the Rose School of Thought has been working hard to make the Mother Tree of Desire descend into reality. This will bring unimaginable disaster.

“In addition, Teacher yearns for the completeness of Her body.”

If the Mother Tree of Desire truly descends into reality, that will be an unimaginable disaster for me as well… But what does this have to do with Miss Messenger’s complete body? Was her former body split apart and held by different key members of the Rose School of Thought? Or can the body or characteristic of a high-sequence Beyonder of the same pathway be turned into part of Her body through some ritual? Klein muttered inwardly a few times, then probed:

“Is Abomination Sequence 1 of the Mutant pathway?

“And what are Sequence 2 and Sequence 3 called?”

He had once asked Miss Sharron the first question, but at that time, he had only received a rather vague answer.

Sharron answered without hesitation. Her speed was not especially fast, and the ethereal, inhuman quality remained:

“Previously, I was not very certain. Now I can confirm that Sequence 1 is Abomination. Sequence 2 is called Ancient Evil. Sequence 3 was called Cursed Object in ancient times, and is now called Silent Disciple.”

Meaning, when I asked last time, you were not yet certain? In other words, only after you summoned Miss Messenger did you reunite with Her and learn more secrets? Klein nodded in understanding.

“Then I have no further questions. Once you have settled the time of the operation, write to me.”

“Thank you.” Sharron once again floated upward weightlessly and curtsied.

Maric placed a hand on his chest and bent slightly.

“No need.” Klein rose from the tall stool and, smiling, put his hat back on.

This time, there was no snap. Scarlet flames rose all at once and swallowed him.

Under the night sky, countless lights burned quietly across Backlund, like a starry sky concealed by layers of clouds descending to the ground.

As several “stars” flickered in succession, Klein returned to the rented room near the edge of the East Borough.

He had just changed his clothes and was preparing to return to Böklund Street in the North Borough when illusory, layered prayers sounded beside his ear.

They came from a man.

Nodding thoughtfully, Klein immediately took four steps counterclockwise and arrived above the gray fog. He spread his spirituality toward the crimson star that was continuously expanding and contracting.

As expected, it corresponded to The Moon, Emlyn.

This vampire, now a viscount, prayed devoutly:

“Respected Mr. Fool, I would like to apply for a small-scale gathering. Participants will include me, Mr. Hanged Man, Madam Hermit, Miss Justice, Mr. World…”

In Emlyn’s mind, these are the representatives of intelligence, experience, knowledge, and observation among the Tarot Club… Poor Leonard… Klein laughed inwardly and leaned back in his chair, responding to Emlyn’s request.

…

Above the grayish-white fog, inside the ancient palace.

Five crimson beams of light rose simultaneously on the two sides of the bronze long table, condensing into different figures.

“Mr. Moon, has the Sanguine’s plan been finalized?” Justice Audrey first greeted everyone present, then asked with keen interest.

The Moon, Emlyn, looked around and said frankly,

“Yes. The specific plan is this: through two members of the Rose School of Thought’s Temperance faction who defected…”

He recounted the plan Sharron had described before Sherlock Moriarty from a different angle to The World, Gehrman Sparrow, and the others. At the end, he said,

“If we can obtain effective intelligence, we Sanguine also intend to seize the opportunity to raid the Rose School of Thought’s headquarters once, hoping to take away an important object.”

“What important object?” The Hermit, Cattleya, asked with slight curiosity.

An object that could make an ancient force try to attack a secret organization’s headquarters would absolutely not be simple!

Its importance might even surpass that of ordinary angels, and be greater than certain Grade 0 Sealed Artifacts!

The Moon, Emlyn, did not conceal it.

“It is a sacred object left behind by the progenitor of us Sanguine. Due to a certain accident, it fell into the hands of the Rose School of Thought. I do not know exactly what it is.”

A sacred object left behind by Lilith… in the hands of the Rose School of Thought… highly valued by the Sanguine… Klein, who this time was playing The World, Gehrman Sparrow, with his true body, had one key point after another flash through his mind. Combining them with the many secrets he knew, he swiftly formed an uncertain guess:

That might be the key by which the Mother Tree of Desire corroded and grasped part of the Moon domain’s authority!

This is something Miss Sharron and the others did not mention. The Sanguine are holding something back as well, and their ambition is not small… Mm, perhaps ambition is not the right word. Whether that progenitor Lilith is real or fake, and whoever She truly is, She also seems to have foreseen the chaos of the situation and the arrival of the apocalypse. That is why She is having the Sanguine change their style and become more proactive, seeking more support. They are fighting to seize lifeboards before the apocalypse… Klein said nothing, quietly listening.

The others were likewise pondering the important information The Moon had revealed. The Hanged Man, Alger, was no exception. After several seconds of thought, he said,

“In other words, in this operation, you Sanguine will remain hidden and will not be targeted by the Rose School of Thought?”

“Yes.” The Moon, Emlyn, answered in a relatively relaxed state.

The Sanguine’s plan had been jointly finalized by Duke Olmer, who remained in Backlund, Marquis Nibais, and several counts. Without question, many issues had been repeatedly considered. After all, even a pig that had lived for more than a thousand years would certainly possess sufficient wisdom and experience.

The Hanged Man, Alger, nodded lightly.

“I have one more question. How will you confirm that the Rose School of Thought’s person-in-charge in Backlund is only a Saint and that there are not more demigods, or even angels, hidden there?

“You should be very clear that Backlund’s current situation is extremely complicated. It is not impossible for the Rose School of Thought to have increased its number of powerhouses and be plotting certain matters. If that is the case, you would be like thieves who hoped to steal something small but directly broke into Sivellaus Yard.”

Sivellaus Yard was another way of referring to the Backlund Police Headquarters.

The Moon, Emlyn, became even more relaxed.

“This time, Duke Olmer will personally watch the whole process. Even if an angel of the Rose School of Thought descends, we can easily escape.

“In addition, no matter which side it is, no one actually wishes to create a large conflict in Backlund. Unless one side has an overwhelming advantage or absolute confidence that no great disturbance will be caused, they will naturally stop fighting.”

Hearing his answer, the corner of The Hermit Cattleya’s mouth curved almost imperceptibly. She gave a reminder:

“For Beyonders below the level of demigod, even if angels merely brush against each other once, the aftershock produced is enough to destroy them.”

Emlyn snapped out of the pride produced by witnessing the Sanguine’s formidable strength and, for a moment, did not know how to respond.

At that moment, Justice Audrey’s eyes shifted slightly, as though she were thinking, and she spoke:

“Mr. Moon, in this plan, what do you need to do?”

What do I need to do? The one responsible for monitoring secret Rose School of Thought members and locking onto the true target through the chain of message transmission is Count Mistral… The ones who make the final move are Marquis Nibais, Count Mistral, and the demigods of the Rose School of Thought’s Temperance faction… The one secretly watching everything to prevent accidents is Duke Olmer… I, I seem to only need to contact that Wraith named Maric and maintain communication between the cooperating sides… Hmm… The more The Moon, Emlyn, thought, the stranger his expression became.

It seemed there was nothing much for him to do—at least, nothing especially important…