Above the gray mist rose towering stone pillars, supporting an imposing temple. Suddenly, two deep red forms appeared beside an ancient, weathered bronze table, blurring and stretching into ethereal human silhouettes. "Good afternoon, Sir Fool," Audrey, with a soft, hazy effect, bowed lightly and smiled, "Unfortunately, we don't have any fine wine here—otherwise, I'd be delighted to raise a toast with you." She referred to the ritual magic. "Your strength far exceeds our expectations," added Aljer Wilson, also expressing his admiration. The gray mist still enveloped Kraine with an intense density. With his right hand lightly pressed, he spoke as though responding to something ordinary and routine: "That's excellent—this shows we're progressing well. Should you have any matters requiring my attention on Monday afternoons, simply inform me in advance and, well, just modify the phrase 'pray for a good dream' in the incantation to reflect your specific reasons." "Understood." Audrey nodded briskly. "Mr. The Fool, I've just obtained another page from the journal of Emperor Rossel. I should still be owed one more." "This week, I've been away from the land and haven't managed to find any new ones," said Aljer, placing his right hand on his chest and leaning forward in apology. "Need not worry," said Kline, leaning back against the chair and lightly tapping the armrest with his index finger, turning to the 'Justice' lady. "You may now express the journal right here." Audrey inclined her body slightly. "As you wish." She picked up the steel pen that had suddenly appeared on the table, carefully recalled the symbols she had memorized by force, and conveyed her intended message. Within just a few seconds, she saw the journal entries densely filling the parchment before her—neat, orderly, and well-arranged. After a quick review, she set the pen down. "That's all." Kline gently raised his hand, and the parchment suddenly appeared in his palm. Lowering his gaze, he began to read without any emotional fluctuation: "On the ninth of July, I suddenly thought of an interesting question: since the Sequence Pathways are also known as the Pathways of Divine Grace or the Pathways of the Divine, then why is the stone slab that records the complete twenty-two Sequence Pathways referred to as the 'Disgraced Stone'? 'Disgraced'—what a profound term. Who exactly has been disgraced? Who created the Disgraced Stone? How did they come to possess all the Sequence Pathways? What content does it record? I truly wish to see it myself. On the twelfth of July, today I learned a fact: the Seals are an essential component of the Church's strength, even though some of them are extremely dangerous. Among the seven Churches, the Church of the God of Craftsmen holds the fewest Seals, and thus faces the lowest level of danger. Am I joining an organization with little promise? No—rather, I should think of it this way: only blank paper allows for painting; a weaker organization offers the best conditions for my growth." "On the fourteenth of July, I once again encountered the enigmatic Mr. Chalatu—turns out, he is actually the head of the ancient Order of the Inner Circle!" Upon reading this, Caine's pupils constricted, nearly displaying an unusual reaction. According to the Night Goddess Church's records, the Chalatu family had only a certain connection with the Inner Circle; by the time of Emperor Rosel, Mr. Chalatu was clearly established as the head of the Order. Thus, it is now certain that the Inner Circle holds mastery over the "Seer" lineage path. While Caine was reading his journal, Audrey habitually turned her gaze toward the high table to observe. Yet, her sight, her gaze, was completely blocked by a thick gray mist. Stiffening momentarily, Audrey suddenly snapped back to awareness, turning with alarm to gaze at the one after another of those phantom deep-red stars. "I am truly so impetuous, so bold, so foolish—thinking to observe Mr. The Fool! Fortunately, fortunately, he hasn't been displeased." Audrey gave a quiet flick of her tongue, pretending to be leisurely enjoying the view, only just barely humming a light melody. Aljer sat in silence, his gaze fixed on the surface of the bronze long table, calm and composed as though addressing a true deity. Cain returned to his thoughts and glanced at the final pages of his journal: "Since I became a 'Universal Scholar,' Mr. Charatou told me I had chosen a path destined to be difficult, though relatively secure in its early stages. When I asked why, he only smiled and said there were far more secrets hidden within the sequence pathways than I had imagined. I pressed him, asking which sequence pathway he followed, and he told me his was Sequence 9: 'The Seer.' 'I deliberately mocked him, saying, isn't every 'Seer' only half-telling, half-hiding, never quite making things clear? And isn't he clearly a strong holder of a high sequence—someone who no longer needs to pretend to be a 'Seer'?" "Mr. Zarathustra said this was a habit he'd cultivated since he first encountered the 'Seer,' and only this way could he spark my curiosity and secure my collaboration. He wished for my help in stealing a dangerous relic from the Church of the God of Craftsmen—a family heirloom belonging to the Antigonus lineage." "It was clearly necessary that this matter unfold only after I became a core member of the Church of the God of Craftsmen. I then asked Mr. Zarathustra how long it would take to fully absorb the potion using the 'Method of Assumption,' and what standard would determine its completion." "He explained that, at lower levels, as long as one maintains strict consistency in the role, the potion could be fully absorbed within six months—sometimes even as quickly as one month. The standard was simple: once fully absorbed, each extraordinary individual would immediately sense it themselves—yes, when it was yes; no, when it was no." "I pressed him for more detailed and specific information, and he only smiled, remaining silent." "Damn it, don't just smile and wait—when I become a high-tier powerhouse, every time I see a 'Carpenter,' I'll knock one out!" ...Rest in peace, Great Emperor... Kline read it over and over, then turned his gaze back to 'Justice' and 'The Hanged Man': "We've kept you waiting." "It's our privilege," Audrey said, still shaken, having completely forgotten she was the one who had been the observer. She looked at 'The Hanged Man,' gathering her thoughts: "Where can I find the Psychological Chain Gold Society?" Psychological Chain Gold Society... Kline suddenly remembered the man from Tinggen's underground trading market who had purchased the 'Audience' magic material supplies. Perhaps he was one of their members? As Klein considered how to approach the other, "The Turner" Aljer Wilson shook his head: "Madam Justice, first, I don't have any leads myself; second, I don't think you need to rush so urgently to find the Psychological Chain Society. Your current priority should be focusing on absorbing the 'Audience' potion." Audrey glanced quickly at the Fool, noting he had no further remarks, and nodded with a slightly disappointed expression: "I simply hope to have sufficient time to prepare and make a more natural connection with them. Well, then, when can I finally absorb the 'Audience' potion and conclude my performance? Is there any clear criterion to mark that point? I've hardly experienced any restlessness or heard any murmurs lately." The "Turned Card" Aljer glanced at the Fool shrouded in gray mist, noting his lack of response, and then carefully began: "If the 'Method of Acting' isn't employed, the usual principle is to wait at least three years, confirming the complete absence of mania, hallucinations, or visual disturbances. Then, a simple criterion is used: push oneself to the absolute limit. If, under such conditions, one still hears no frantic whispers and sees no unusual phenomena, then the promotion is justified." "As for the 'Method of Acting,' I only just came into contact with it—my impression is very positive, and I believe we won't need three years." It was as if he'd said nothing at all... Three years—how long that seemed! In her heart, Audrey muttered a quiet critique. Just as her thought formed, she suddenly heard a soft, rhythmic tapping. Audrey was first startled, then delighted, and turned to see—the Fool was indeed tapping gently along the edge of the long table. Aljer sat up straighter, poised and waiting for the Fool to speak. Klein spoke as usual: "In the lower sequences, as long as you strictly embody your role, you can fully absorb everything within six months—within a month, it's quite possible." He turned to "Justice," adding gently, "The signs of complete absorption will become clear to you naturally; no instruction from anyone else will be needed." "Within a month... that's wonderful! Thank you so much, Sir Fool!" Audrey's delight was evident. Miss Justice, don't think of yourself as a chosen one—after all, the key point is six months. Klein raised his right hand to his lips. "Six months..." Aljer repeated softly. From his tone, Audrey clearly heard both joy, reassurance, and deep curiosity. What was he wondering about? Audrey thoughtfully asked, "Sir Fool, are you planning to add any new members?" Klein relaxed against the backrest, having anticipated the question. "At first, it was merely an experiment—there weren't many additional considerations." "But now, as a regular gathering, members must be carefully selected, and secrecy is our principle." Audrey nodded slightly. "That is, we need observation, recommendations, and evaluations—yes, procedures." "That's exactly how I see it," Klein affirmed. In his mind, however, he was pondering how to inquire about the Convent of the Minor and the 'Clown' potion. How should he ask it in a way that aligns with his own identity? Klein found himself at a loss. At that moment, seeing that 'Justice' had no further matters, Alger stepped in. "I've heard that a Listener from the Aurora Order is seeking traces of the True Creator—their proclaimed 'Sanctum.'" "The True Creator?" Audrey asked, puzzled. "That's a figure venerated by many mystical organizations and secret sects. They believe the Creator did not die completely, but rather, His enduring core is the True Creator." "Alger offered a rough explanation, "Since the Fifth Age, the True Creator has manifested in various forms—such as 'the Giant hanging upside down' or 'the eyes behind the veil of shadow.' Hah, many believe that Emperor Roscel had drawn upon the image of the True Creator when inventing the Tarot, thus giving rise to the card of 'The Hangman.' " Turning to Caine, he asked, "Does my explanation make sense, Sir Fool?" Was he testing my understanding of the True Creator? Caine recalled the image of the blood-drenched, naked man nailed upside down in the cross that Captain had seen in the dreams of Hinas VanSant. Suddenly, an idea formed. Whether hanging or veiled—didn't both carry a sense of strangeness and otherworldliness? With a light chuckle, he replied, "I would rather call Him the Fallen Creator."