Audrey's eyes flickered, her thoughts spreading out, and she quickly pieced together several key insights: "The Hanged Man" had described Zilinger as a solitary wolf, distrusting everyone, with his plans known only to himself. Aside from my early discovery, no one else was likely to know he would be assassinated tonight. I had only mentioned to my father and "The Fool" that I suspected Baron Glarmir to have impersonated Zilinger as the "Storm Commander." Although the Duke of Niggen's estate had telegraph lines capable of timely communication, enabling swift coordination and reinforcements, there was no need to conceal this. My father's bewilderment indicated that the powerful force responsible for Zilinger's assassination had not been anticipated. Therefore, the person who killed Zilinger is almost certainly a member of "The Fool's" circle. Moreover, only our Tarot Circle's unique pattern could generate such an enigmatic situation—where the motive remains obscure. Zilinger is the "Wind-warden" of Sequence 6 and wields the magical artifact "The Thirsting Hunger," enabling him to be swiftly eliminated without a trace—only a high-sequence powerhouse described as half-god, half-man could achieve that, or perhaps someone who has employed a sealing artifact renowned for its significant risks and dangers? Regardless of which scenario holds true, it clearly underscores the exceptional strength of the "Fool's" companions. Truly worthy of the title, the "Fool"! Regardless, I've provided a lead—Sir Hanged Man shall fulfill his promise and deliver me the pituitary gland of the seven-colored lizard dragon. This should mark our Tarot Circle's first formal mission. Zilinger, one of the seven Pirate Generals, has thus fallen. Seeing her thinking with a touch of excitement, the Earl of Hall, a handsome man in his youth, cleared his throat and delivered a more serious admonition: "Audrey, I know you're deeply interested in the mysterious, and I've often allowed you to pursue your curiosity. But this matter—you must absolutely stay out of it. Not even inquire. By the end of the year, you'll be formally introduced to the Queen and taken into the social circles. As an adult, you should understand and remember that a terrifying extraordinary being—or a secret, powerful organization—often equates to danger. Do you understand?" "Yes, Father," Audrey replied softly. "I was just a little curious." "Curiosity alone isn't enough!" The Earl emphasized this, and couldn't help but smile with a touch of resignation. "Yes, yes," Audrey quickly nodded, obediently. After all, I'm far more aware of the whole situation than you are… she mentally rolled her eyes. Count Holbe thought for a moment, then smiled warmly. "Regardless of what happens, you are tonight's hero, the savior of Duke Niggen. At least half of Count Zilinger's death must be credited to you, and so should the reward—of course, if no one else claims to have personally killed Zilinger and takes responsibility for the matter, and comes forward to claim the prize, then the other half will also belong to you. Together, that makes a total of 10,000 gold pounds." "Yes, the rewards established by countries and organizations such as the Republic of Indis and the Empire of Vosak can also be collected by someone else, which should amount to another 20,000 gold pounds." "Duke Niggen had just promised to gift you his seaside villa in the Dici Gulf region, which includes a large stretch of rubber forest. While I haven't yet reviewed the annual returns, I'm certain they will be substantial—he originally purchased it for 8,000 gold pounds, and since then he has built a house and acquired premium tree varieties." Audrey, who already possessed a fortune of thirty thousand pounds, could certainly be considered wealthy—yet a reward approaching or even exceeding forty thousand pounds still represented a substantial income, one that many noble ladies’ dower settlements could not match. At the August marriage alliance between nobles and merchants, Mary Alderbury, daughter of a millionaire, brought a dower of only eighty thousand pounds. "I never even considered the reward," Audrey murmured sincerely. Suddenly, she thought of something: if she were to claim the reward and publicize it, the 'Hanged Man' would easily be able to establish who was truly just. That simply wouldn't do! As a member of the Tarot Circle, I must remain mysterious! Turning to her father, Audrey gathered her thoughts and said, "Father, I'm rather afraid..." "Why? What has happened?" Lord Hall asked anxiously. "If I publicize the fact that I discovered Zinger pretending to be Baron Grammil, I fear his associates will retaliate against me, and I fear the people behind the plot to have Baron Negan assassinated will take notice of me..." Audrey struggled to appear vulnerable, weak, and helpless. "I'll arrange for someone to protect you," the Count replied first, then nodded gently. "But it truly isn't necessary for you to bear this risk. Moreover, the person who killed Zinger took away 'The Thirsting Hunger.' Of course, for someone of high rank, that alone isn't a compelling enough motivation. Hmm... I'll inform Baron Negan to keep this matter confidential and to appoint someone else to claim the reward, while privately compensating you afterward." With that, the Count smiled warmly. "Indeed, my daughter has earned a simple 40,000 gold pounds—more than one-tenth of your current fortune." "The 30,000 pounds were already allocated to his daughter as part of her inheritance, with an additional sum to be added when she married." "Did you ever feel your father was particularly impressive?" Audrey asked with genuine delight. Lord Hall shook his head and smiled. "Far more impressive than I ever was—my first commercial profit amounted to just 60 pounds." Audrey's spirits soared instantly. With the 40,000-pound reward, her father's praise, the sense of achievement stemming from the remarkable event that led to the death of the 'Storm Commander' Zilings, and the pride of being a member of the 'Tarot Circle,' the vibrant, rainbow-hued lizard hypothalamus she would receive from the 'Hanged Man' would bring her not just double, but triple, quadruple, even quintuple joy! She longed to immediately report this to Mr. The Fool and receive his confirmation—no, not yet. The enigmatic, seemingly motiveless force that had slain Zilings must surely be watching me closely, gathering clues. I must remain utterly undetectable. Pfft! I never had any unusual circumstances to begin with, as long as I don't make an effort to mention the noble name of the "Fool"... Well, if indeed it was a relative of the "Fool" who had done this, then surely they would already be aware of the outcome—there would be no need for me to report it again... Hmm... Should I share the reward with that relative? No, no matter how the 20,000 pounds are paid, the mere fact of offering it will certainly draw attention. I can't risk that. Moreover, it has always been the "Hangman" who has been asking the "Fool" for assistance—so it should be he who covers the expenses. And isn't he claiming to possess numerous Rosel diaries! I will keep gathering more diaries. Thank you, the "Fool" for responding to my request—certainly, He wouldn't value ordinary monetary rewards. Audrey quickly determined what steps to take next. ........ Within the private study of the Duke of Negan's estate. The duc, broad-shouldered and robust, sat in a high-backed chair behind the table, smoking a cigar, observing the "Song of the Gods" Eir Snack and the kingdom's prime minister, Agushid Nigen, across from him. "Based on the intelligence we've received sequentially, we still cannot confirm which high-tier powerhouse carried out this action," Agushid said, having just returned from the king's presence. The Archbishop Snack nodded in agreement: "We've also verified this with extraordinary means—neither among the well-known high-tier figures nor among the members of the Spiritual Order." "Indeed, there's strong reason to believe it was a mysterious powerhouse we're not yet familiar with—though we cannot rule out the possibility that he employed a perilous seal." Duke Nigen, holding his cigar, added: "Perhaps it's not merely a single high-tier powerhouse. There may very well be a hidden organization behind him—one we're not yet acquainted with. Otherwise, it would be difficult to explain such precise and effective targeting of Qilin Gs. Indeed, perhaps one of tonight's guests at the ball is already part of that organization." "His brother, Prime Minister Agushid, said gravely, 'Regardless of which scenario unfolds, we must remain vigilant. We need to swiftly identify the identity of that high-sequence powerhouse, determine his purpose in coming to Bekland, ascertain whether he is merely pursuing the Zinglungs and why he specifically targets them.'" The presence of a high-sequence powerhouse beyond the government's control wandering through Bekland is indeed a matter of significant concern worthy of attention from the royal government and the three major churches! While sequence 4 and sequence 3 warriors may not withstand the direct assault of warships and artillery, they need not engage in direct confrontation—they possess numerous unusual abilities. Thus, such a presence is more dangerous than ironclad warships, as evident even from the title of "Half-God, Half-Man!" Immediately, Es. Snack, the "Song of the Gods," stood up and said, "I will immediately arrange this and coordinate with the Church of Night and the Church of Steam." "King陛下 will also ensure that the military and intelligence agencies are fully involved." "The Prime Minister promised. ... In the northern district of Bekland, within a hotel. Azk, with copper-toned skin and a mole on each ear, sat beneath a gas lamp, gazing at a glove placed before him. The glove was exceedingly thin, as if made of human skin—seeming capable of transforming into a hand once filled with flesh and blood. He studied it for a long time, then suddenly his face twisted with pain and distress, and he murmured softly: 'I seem to have... I seem to have collaborated with them...' ... Crane had not slept well all night. He had not received reports from 'Justice' or 'The Hangman,' nor had he heard from Mr. Azk. He remained preoccupied with the outcome of the matter concerning Admiral Zinglungs, who had been caught in the storm. It must have stirred considerable activity, causing 'Justice' and 'The Hangman' to hesitate before reaching out again. Yet why no reply from Mr. Azk? Had he not participated? Or had something gone wrong? Had he been injured by Zinglungs?" Klein reached for his mouth, yawned, and boarded the streetcar heading toward Zothlan Street. "Breaking news! Breaking news! Admiral Stormbreaker Zilings is killed in Bekeland!" "Breaking news! Breaking news! Admiral Stormbreaker Zilings is killed in Bekeland!" ... As the streetcar began to move, Klein suddenly heard the newsboy's voice—originating from the Emperor Rossel's invention. He paused, then quickly pulled out a penny, handed it out the window, and bought a copy of the Tinggen Morning Herald. Several passengers did the same. Unfolding the newspaper, Klein immediately spotted the front-page headline: "The Sea-Duke Zilings Killed in Bekeland by the Duke's Bodyguard" Zilings is dead? Did Mr. Azk do it?