Chapter 5: The Growing Tarot Club

Chapter 5: The Growing Tarot Club

Under the scrutiny of one gaze after another, The Moon Emlyn immediately felt somewhat at a loss. Vaguely, he realized that he seemed to have asked a question he perhaps should not have.

Why are they all looking at me? Am I not allowed to have a Blood Clan friend? Should I explain a little… No, what is wrong with the Blood Clan? I am Blood Clan. There is nothing shameful about admitting it! We Blood Clan possess an ancient history, long lives, and deep accumulations. We are a noble race! It is not as though all of you are particularly impressive. The things you traded just now were, at most, at the level of Sequence 6! As his thoughts flickered and shifted, Emlyn White lifted his chin and added proudly, “Yes, I am a pure-blooded member of the Blood Clan.”

No one asked whether he was… Mr. Moon is feeling a little guilty, and so he reacted too strongly… Justice Audrey interpreted Emlyn’s behavior.

He really is Blood Clan… The Magician Fors asked with curiosity, “Mr. Moon, did your Blood Clan imitate humans and create ranks such as duke, marquis, earl, viscount, and baron to mark powerful figures of different levels and status?”

“No. It was you humans who imitated us Blood Clan!” Emlyn straightened at once. “Long before the Cataclysm, as early as the Second Epoch, we Blood Clan already had the ranks of duke, marquis, earl, viscount, and baron. Those who have not yet fully grasped their own powers are underage members of the Blood Clan. Someone like me is an adult. One step further, and I will obtain the title of baron. After that, the ranks continue upward until duke. Above dukes are queens and princes. At that time, you humans were still under the rule of the Giant King’s Court. There was no possibility that you could have invented noble titles!”

The moment he finished speaking, The Sun Derrick, seated nearby, blurted out, “There are no such records in the history of our City of Silver.

“The Blood Clan’s divisions use the emergence of the Blasphemy Slate as the dividing point. Before that, they were very broad and vague, with titles such as clan chief of different families and leaders of different regions. At the very top was the Ancestor Lilith. Afterward, the divisions strictly corresponded to the potion system and were named according to different Sequences.”

The Moon Emlyn replied disdainfully, “The history of us Blood Clan was written with long lives. It cannot be overturned by the chaotic records of a small, ordinary City of Silver.”

Wait. They keep mentioning the City of Silver. Where exactly is the City of Silver? Why have I never heard of it at all… Only after finishing his rebuttal did Emlyn realize he seemed to have overlooked an important issue.

“Our City of Silver does not fabricate history. Our records all come from verifiable ancient texts or ruins of other city-states,” The Sun Derrick emphasized, sounding a little wronged.

If no one stops them, I feel they could argue about this until the gathering ends… Little Sun may be honest, sincere, and reserved, but he is also very stubborn and has his own convictions. Mr. Moon, on the other hand, seems to care particularly about the history of the Blood Clan… Justice Audrey observed with interest, carrying out the daily sample analysis of a Telepathist.

At that moment, The Hanged Man Alger spoke, interrupting the discussion between The Sun and The Moon.

“I know how the Blood Clan can increase their strength.”

Emlyn’s attention was instantly diverted.

“Uh, Mr. Hanged Man, what payment do you require? I can exchange some lost history known by the Blood Clan.”

The Hanged Man Alger smiled.

“No. We are all members of the Tarot Club. Such exchanges of information are free.”

Mr. Hanged Man truly is a generous and noble person… Emlyn made an initial judgment inwardly.

“Thank you for your kindness.”

Alger considered for two seconds, then said, “The Blood Clan can likewise advance by consuming potions, but they must be the corresponding and correct kind. Within the major Churches, certain experiments have been conducted, and the results prove that this method is feasible. As for the specific information, I have no way of seeing it.”

“But the main ingredients of those potions are my kin!” The Moon Emlyn rejected the method.

The Hanged Man smiled.

“Never speak in absolutes. For example, I have a clue regarding a characteristic left behind by a Blood Clan baron. He died in a sudden conflict and had no time to find an inheritor. Through the method of a potion, you could receive this inheritance and prevent the Blood Clan’s power from being lost.”

This item was in the possession of a great pirate Alger knew. Because no one knew what Sequence or potion it corresponded to, it had never been sold. And the newly established Artisan channel was not very interested in it either.

“Receive an inheritance by way of a potion, and prevent the Blood Clan’s power from being lost…” Emlyn suddenly felt that Mr. Hanged Man’s words made a great deal of sense. He changed his question. “What price must be paid?”

The Hanged Man Alger chuckled.

“Between four and five thousand pounds. I will only know the exact amount once I find the owner.”

He had not yet communicated with that great pirate, but he believed the other party would accept as long as the price was not absurd. To pirates, selling something meant profit, especially when there had not been much initial cost.

“Five thousand pounds?” The Moon Emlyn exclaimed in astonishment.

With that much money, I could bring home several dolls I have been admiring for ages, and even prepare several sets of new clothes for every one of them! Emlyn’s first reaction was to abandon such a transaction. But then he thought of the Ancestor’s favor, the glory of the Blood Clan, and his identity as the savior of his race. For a time, he became extremely conflicted.

Alger did not press him. He smiled lightly and said, “I know this is a difficult decision. You can think it over slowly. There is no need to rush.”

“Very well.” Emlyn let out a breath of relief.

Mr. Hanged Man really is… Justice Audrey muttered inwardly, then turned to look at The Moon Emlyn and addressed all the members.

“Ladies and gentlemen, is there any news of the fruit of the Tree of Elders and the blood of a mirror dragon?”

“Yes.” Emlyn answered without hesitation.

Previously, when he had helped a certain great detective purchase Beyonder ingredients, he had made some money, so at every Blood Clan gathering, he paid quite a bit of attention to similar pieces of information.

Without waiting for Miss Justice to ask in delight, he continued on his own, “The fruit of the Tree of Elders is priced between six and seven hundred pounds. The blood of a mirror dragon does not exceed one hundred pounds. I do not remember the exact amount.”

He honestly gave the original prices marked by the sellers, then calmly added, “But you must pay me an additional fifty pounds—no, one hundred pounds—as remuneration. You know, I must bear risk and spend time.”

This was a method Emlyn had learned from Sherlock Moriarty. He found it excellent and very reasonable, because intermediaries also required compensation!

“Deal!” As soon as he finished speaking, Audrey happily chose to accept.

She knew such matters could be bargained over, but felt there was no need. She was afraid of angering the other party and causing the transaction to fall through.

For me, the most important thing is advancing to Sequence 7… Emperor Roselle once said that problems which can be solved with money are not problems… Audrey’s recently heavy mood improved somewhat.

After the New Year’s ball, she had gained control over the four hundred thousand pounds of property that belonged to her, though she was required to employ several accountants and managers arranged by her father.

At the same time, the jewelry, horses, hounds, famous paintings, and other gifts she had received totaled more than twenty thousand pounds. The vast majority came from her mother, her two older brothers, and other members of the Hall family.

As for cash, there was not much—only five thousand pounds.

The contribution she had made during Backlund’s great smog incident, because she had requested that it remain hidden, had not brought her any reward. Instead, it had all been transformed into political resources for Earl Hall. For this reason, the great noble and banker had expressed that, in the future, if his little angel had any expenses in the field of mysticism, she could submit them for reimbursement.

Of course, Audrey did not dare reveal that she intended to attempt advancement to Sequence 7. She could still only use her allowance and private savings.

Mm. This month, I can repay the final sum owed to Glaint. Next month, I will be able to pay the two thousand pounds owed to Mr. Fool’s Blessed… Very easy… Audrey thought in a rather good mood.

…She is very rich… The Moon Emlyn nearly failed to react. Then he asked in puzzlement, “How should the transaction be completed?”

Audrey explained with a faint smile, “Through the method of sacrificing to Mr. Fool.”

Taking great initiative, she obtained The Fool’s consent and manifested the corresponding ritual requirements.

After Emlyn received those two sheets of parchment, he stared at them in a daze. This method of transaction far exceeded his imagination.

Only at this moment did he truly and deeply realize that the Tarot Club was different from ordinary secret organizations.

Watching the members conduct their transactions, Klein felt rather gratified. As time went on, the channels and resources connected by the Tarot Club were becoming more and more numerous, making each person’s goal much easier to accomplish than before. It was no longer always a case of requests being made with no one able to respond.

Miss Justice represented the Psychology Alchemists, the Loen nobility, and the power of money. Mr. Hanged Man represented the Church of Storms and maritime resources. Little Sun represented the Land Abandoned by the Gods and the City of Silver. Miss Magician represented the Abraham family and part of Backlund’s middle- and lower-level Beyonder circles. And The Moon represented the Blood Clan. All of this made the Tarot Club’s function as a place for trading resources and information increasingly complete… They are all close to advancement as well… As Klein thought this, he manipulated The World into speaking hoarsely.

“I have a clue regarding a characteristic left behind by a Psychiatrist. Miss Justice, do you still need it?”

The reason Klein had not competed with Emlyn for the business just now was that he knew Miss Justice had a pet of the same pathway, so he did not need to worry about the item having no buyer.

“Of course.” Audrey hardly hesitated.

Her thinking was simple: if she encountered an enemy attack, relying on herself alone to create accidents might not be enough. Adding Susie, whom no one would expect, would make things much safer.

“This will require some time. Perhaps a month, perhaps even two,” The World added in a low, hoarse voice.

“No problem.” Audrey felt no pressure at all.

She knew Susie had not yet digested the Telepathist potion.

Whew. It’s good that the transaction has been settled. I hope that Psychiatrist can be released as soon as possible… Miss Justice did not even ask what the price was. In her heart, with The Fool supervising, the price cannot be too unreasonable, and as long as it is not unreasonable, she can accept it? Her financial situation has improved quite a bit recently… Klein had The World turn toward The Hanged Man and laugh softly.

“Are you interested in helping me sell another item?

“The price must not be lower than three thousand five hundred pounds. I will give you a fifteen-percent commission.”

“Happy to cooperate.” The Hanged Man Alger agreed first, then asked with considerable interest, “What item is it?”

He was quite curious about The World, always feeling that the other party knew many things and possessed quite a few good items.

“A characteristic left behind by a Beyonder, equivalent to Sequence 6. Its main effect is allowing one to change appearance and physique, with additional abilities in combat and fire control. Of course, the exact effects it produces will depend on the Artisan’s ideas and skill,” The World said with a light laugh.

Changing appearance and physique… I want it so much… Justice Audrey and The Magician Fors had the same thought at the same time.

The difference was that the latter merely thought about it, while Audrey’s eyes brightened as she spoke.

“Mr. Hanged Man, may I reserve the mystical item the Artisan makes from this characteristic? As long as the effect of changing appearance remains!”

Buying a mystical item whose negative effects are not too serious—Father will definitely agree! Audrey thought with unusual ease.