Chapter 32: Legends of the Ancient Gods

Chapter 32: Legends of the Ancient Gods

Above the boundless gray fog, the majestic palace stood silently.

The Moon Emlyn White, who had arrived here once again, had only just regained his vision when he saw Miss Justice across from him look toward the seat of honor at the end of the mottled long table. In a bright tone, she greeted, “Good afternoon, Mr. Fool~”

Justice Audrey greeted them one by one, beginning with The Fool and ending with The World.

This order was not based on the seating arrangement, but followed the rules of the Tarot cards. The Fool was the beginning that contained all possibilities, while The World was the ending of perfect sublimation.

This was a small obsessive habit of Miss Audrey, mysticism enthusiast, that had appeared after the Tarot Club gained more members and became more complete.

What a well-born, carefree girl… Emlyn pretended to be deep and made an inward judgment, politely returning the greeting.

During this process, the corner of his eye swept over The Sun seated nearby, and he could not help recalling the past few days he had spent studying the detailed history of the Blood Clan at “Baron” Wimandy’s home.

There really are many details I did not know. Professional researchers and amateur enthusiasts are indeed different. But starting this week, I, Emlyn White, will be a professional researcher… Baron Wimandy has not mentioned anything related to the City of Silver, and I cannot ask directly. As a savior of the Blood Clan bearing secrets, I must be sufficiently cautious in matters like this… Half the day attending lessons, half the day going to the church, and spending the evening with my dolls. Such a life seems quite pleasant… Emlyn’s thoughts gradually drifted.

Suddenly, he frowned, discovering a very important problem.

“Why am I still going to Harvest Church every day?”

Mm, as a noble member of the Blood Clan, one must finish what one starts. Recently, there have been quite a few more patients as well. Sigh, spreading one’s reputation is not a good thing… The Moon Emlyn’s brows gradually relaxed and softened.

Seeing that Miss Justice had finished her greetings, he reached out to tap the table and looked at her.

“The items you need…”

Justice Audrey pressed down with her right hand, making a gesture to stop him, then smiled faintly and said, “We can discuss that during the transaction segment.

“This is Mr. Fool’s reading time.”

Judging from Mr. Vampire’s tone, there is at least one of the fruit of the Tree of Elders or the blood of a mirror dragon… Audrey, you are about to become a Psychiatrist! You will soon be a mid-Sequence Beyonder! Audrey’s mood became even brighter, laughter showing in the corners of her brows and eyes.

She looked toward the figure within the thick fog and said, the ending of her sentence rising, “Honorable Mr. Fool, I have obtained three more pages of Roselle’s diary~”

Only four pages left… she thought with pursed lips.

With Miss Justice as an example, The Magician Fors also spoke.

“Mr. Fool, I have three new pages of Roselle’s diary as well.”

She was likewise full of anticipation for this Tarot Gathering, because the digestion progress of her second Apprentice potion had been much faster than expected. The day before yesterday, she had thoroughly resolved that hidden danger.

The Sun Derrick followed immediately after.

“Great Mr. Fool, I have copied down some legends of the ancient gods.”

Then he said to The Hanged Man, “I have also organized the list of monsters in the surrounding region.”

What an honest child. He does not need others to remind him… Klein, who had gained quite a harvest, sighed leisurely.

Honestly, no improvement at all… Although this makes it easier for me to gain benefits, it also hides the risk of losing the City of Silver’s resources… Exposure is a problem that must always be guarded against… The Hanged Man Alger shook his head almost imperceptibly.

Roselle’s diary pages and the legends of the ancient gods quickly manifested and flashed into Klein’s palm.

He swiftly skimmed them and discovered that two of the six diary pages were duplicates he had seen before. For example, one of the pages Miss Justice had contributed matched one The Hanged Man had submitted last year.

This is unavoidable unless I can make them truly learn Simplified Chinese… Klein inwardly sighed and, with a thought, moved the two repeated diary pages to the end.

The remaining four pages of the diary did not record anything especially valuable. Most belonged to the period when Roselle had lost his ideals and sunk into obsession with money. They were filled from beginning to end with lines such as “what I invented today,” “what I plan to invent tomorrow,” “how many gold coins I sold it for,” and “how much investment I received.” Klein nearly failed to control his expression, wanting only to slap these diary pages onto Roselle’s face.

At this moment, Justice Audrey also keenly noticed that the “Black Emperor” card had returned and was quietly covering the side of Mr. Fool’s hand.

As expected, was it bestowed upon His Blessed to help him complete a mission? Hmm, there is also another possibility: this is a new Card of Blasphemy, not the original one! Audrey guessed with keen interest.

After flipping through the diary, Klein resisted the urge to inhale and calm his emotions. He turned his gaze to the legends of the ancient gods provided by Little Sun.

This was a relatively rough account. It divided the eight ancient gods of the Second Epoch into three factions. The Giant King Aurmir, the Elven King Soniathrym, and the Vampire Ancestor Lilith were allies, standing against the Dragon of Imagination Ankewelt, the Phoenix Ancestor Gregrace, and the Mutant King Kvastir. Meanwhile, the Devil Monarch Farbauti and the Demonic Wolf of Destruction Flegrea were existences that wished to overthrow all order and corrupt every living creature.

In the records of the City of Silver, all eight ancient gods were described as violent, evil, cruel, and terrifying. Even the Vampire Ancestor Lilith, whose outward appearance was the most normal and who was called the “embodiment of beauty,” had a disgusting and savage side. For instance, She could transform into a mass of flesh comparable to a mountain range, covered in every kind of reproductive organ, spewing dense black fog and continuously creating all kinds of bizarre creatures. Any powerful being that drew near Her would be dominated by desires of mating and reproduction, becoming a walking corresponding organ.

As for any living creature that saw this scene, apart from the other ancient gods, all without exception lost their reason, either mutating on the spot or becoming mad. The City of Silver’s records originated from the classics of the Giant King’s Court—at least, that was what they claimed.

It cannot be ruled out that this is slander against an ally… This behavior is quite close to the loss of control that happens after the Blood Clan prays to the Primordial Moon… Is this one of the final characteristics of the Moon pathway? Thinking to this point, Klein almost raised his head to sweep a glance at Emlyn White.

In the legends of the City of Silver, the Vampire Ancestor Lilith did indeed hold dominion over the crimson moon. If She wished, She could make all 365 days of the year blood moon days, allowing feminine powers to rampage across the earth, letting the spirit world and reality interact for long periods and releasing countless indescribable monsters and evil spirits.

This is the power of a deity… I wonder whether ancient gods and the current true gods differ. Why do all of them look like evil gods… In the legends of the Blood Clan, Lilith is not like this. Between them and the City of Silver, is one side lying? Or did some change occur in the middle, with Lilith transforming from the version recorded by the City of Silver into the version spoken of in Blood Clan legends? Klein withdrew his gaze and noted down these details.

He made the papers in his hand disappear, leaned back slightly, and said, “You may begin.”

Justice Audrey immediately spoke, her bright eyes fixed on Emlyn White.

“Mr. Moon, is there any information regarding the fruit of the Tree of Elders and the blood of a mirror dragon?”

Emlyn lightly lifted his chin.

“A total of seven hundred and fifty pounds.

“As long as you pay this sum, they will belong to you.

“Of course, there is also my remuneration: one hundred pounds.”

Audrey did not calculate the total price at all and responded happily, “Deal!

“I hope we can complete the transaction today or tomorrow.”

“No problem.” The Moon Emlyn, who was about to earn one hundred pounds, could not refuse Miss Justice’s request.

Wonderful! Audrey lowered her right hand, clenched it into a fist, and lightly shook it twice.

At this moment, The Hanged Man Alger turned to glance at Mr. Vampire.

“Do you still want the legacy of that Blood Clan baron? Four thousand five hundred pounds. That is the best price I have obtained for you.”

In reality, that pirate was willing to sell it for 3,200 pounds.

Emlyn’s expression immediately became somewhat twisted.

If it were only one thousand pounds, I would definitely want it, but… he answered inwardly.

Although his whole family were quite good apothecaries and doctors, with not inconsiderable annual income, and although they had lived long enough that they should logically have saved a sizable fortune, ever since becoming fascinated with dolls, Emlyn had never been able to keep money. Occasionally, he even had them custom-made.

Even including the hundred pounds he had yet to receive, his personal savings still did not reach five hundred pounds. Among that, the great detective Sherlock Moriarty had contributed 150 pounds.

“I—I will think it over some more.” The Moon Emlyn spoke with difficulty, suddenly feeling that he should find some way to quickly save money.

Emlyn is making the sound of poverty… Seeing this, Klein cheerfully teased him inwardly.

In reality, as a friend of Mr. Vampire, he had heard him mention that, over the years, the money spent on dolls had exceeded seven thousand pounds. This had left Klein deeply sighing over both the expense of dolls and Emlyn’s extravagance.

“No problem,” The Hanged Man said without pressing him.

He then turned toward Justice Audrey.

“Honorable Miss, the Artisan has already finished the creation and produced a rather mystical item.

“It can allow you to truly change your appearance. It also grants you three Beyonder abilities: manipulating flames, transferring damage, and danger intuition. It enhances your balance and agility. It is a silver-white mask, but also a hat and an earring; it can change its own form. You may give it a name.

“Of course, it has a small flaw of its own. When you wear it, your emotions will be amplified. You must learn to control yourself, or problems may easily arise.

“Its price is five thousand five hundred pounds.”

At this point, The Hanged Man gave a soft laugh and said to The World, “The Beyonder characteristic you provided is valued at four thousand five hundred pounds. The Artisan’s creation fee is one thousand pounds.”

Four thousand five hundred pounds. Better than I expected. Although fifteen percent—675 pounds—must be given to Mr. Hanged Man… Klein immediately controlled The World and nodded in agreement.

“No problem.”

My emotions will be amplified? According to Teacher Escalante, after I advance to Psychiatrist, I will have the ability to influence other people’s emotions and mental states. I should be able to influence myself as well… Mm, that flaw is not a problem! Justice Audrey lightly nodded.

“I will pay within two days of receiving that mystical item.”

To avoid exposing the secrets of the Tarot Club, she had to wait until she had truly obtained the item before asking her father, Earl Hall, for reimbursement.

“Acceptable.” The Hanged Man had not the slightest concern regarding Miss Justice’s creditworthiness.

So rich… The Moon Emlyn and The Magician Fors were stimulated at the same time.

Whew… Klein quietly let out a breath of relief. This meant that he would soon receive more than three thousand pounds.

Thank you, Miss Justice! he silently drew a crimson moon in his heart.