Lord of Mysteries: Starting As A Reader

"The Ocean Songster potion formula... It looks like Mr. Hanged Man has already advanced to Sequence 6 and become a Wind-blessed.

Together with the already mid-sequence Mr. Tower, the likely mid-sequence Mr. World, and Miss Judgment, it seems only Fors might be weaker than me in the Tarot Club now...

Audrey, you have to work hard. Don't fall behind.

While Miss Justice silently encouraged herself, Alger the Hanged Man subtly directed his gaze toward Mr. Tower. After all, the latter had once shared information about the ritual for becoming an Ocean Songster, which suggested he might possess the formula.

Ebner, naturally aware of Alger's thoughts, shook his head regretfully.

"I don't have it, but I can help you search for it."

This referred to trying his luck at the Beyonder gatherings he organized in Bayam.

However, success seemed unlikely. That gathering was practically under the Storm Church's watchful eyes, and no sane person would challenge the wrath of the Mandated Punishers.

Alger was somewhat disappointed but still nodded in acknowledgment.

At that moment, Klein manipulated the World to speak in a hoarse voice.

"I'll keep an eye out within my circle."

He's referring to me, isn't he? Sharon, the Temperance, tilted her head slightly, then quickly returned to a neutral posture.

As for the Human-Skined Shadow's Characteristic Klein had long sought, he didn't bring it up this time.

That was because, while explaining the Tarot Club to Sharon earlier, she'd mentioned that she had ways to obtain it—though the price would be high.

As Klein's thoughts shifted, the World looked back at Alger.

"Are you interested in selling a Beyonder characteristic on my behalf? I'll give you a 20% commission."

"What characteristic?" Alger asked calmly, though a hint of surprise flickered in his eyes.

After all, this wasn't his first time dealing with such transactions. Mr. Tower often approached him with similar deals, and each time he'd made a tidy profit.

"A Sequence 7 'Werewolf' of the Prisoner pathway," the World replied in a low voice.

Alger thought for a moment before responding. "Beyonder characteristics at Sequence 7 generally fetch over a thousand pounds, but it's not easy to find a buyer for something at that level.

"Moreover, characteristics from the Prisoner pathway are cursed and even harder to sell."

"I can wait. And I'm fine with handing it over to you first."

Fors, the Magician, felt envious as they casually agreed on a transaction worth over a thousand pounds. She couldn't help but recall how, during previous Tarot meetings, she'd sought advice from Mr. Tower on how to earn money quickly. His suggestion had been to hunt wanted Beyonders.

Turns out Mr. Tower was right. Hunting Beyonders really is the fastest way to make money... But I don't have the skills for that, Fors sighed, realizing that writing books was still the most reliable path for her.

At that moment, Sharon, the Temperance, spoke in a dreamlike voice.

"Keep it sealed with spirituality at all times. Do not touch the residual spirit within."

Her words drew everyone's attention. Besides Tower and the World, only the Hanged Man showed both intrigue and faint suspicion.

"Is there a problem with the characteristic?" the World tilted his head toward Sharon, asking in surprise.

Sharon gave a slight nod. "Carrying it is fine, but touching the residual spirit could lead to unexpected consequences."

Ebner recalled the werewolf characteristic he'd previously forged into a scythe for Jane. That one had come from the Rose School of Thought as well but hadn't carried any such dangers—likely because the Queen of Mysteries had already handled it.

"The Rose School of Thought?" Alger asked, testing the waters.

"Yes." Sharon glanced at him and calmly confirmed.

As expected, Miss Temperance is likely a member of the Temperance faction within the Rose School of Thought. That werewolf must've been someone she and the World killed together... Alger quickly formed a judgment in his mind.

Meanwhile, Judgment Xio glanced back and forth between Temperance and the World, her thoughts swirling: So the case at the dock warehouse was your doing...

After composing himself, Alger organized his words and said, "If that's the case, it'll be even harder to sell. Finding a buyer might take quite some time."

"No problem. I have time to wait," Klein replied indifferently.

Thanks to not spending £10,000 to hire Mr. A, Justice Audrey's compensation for the Fool's favored was double what it had been in the original timeline. Thus, Klein's financial situation wasn't as dire as it had been.

Of course, having bought the Confession revolver and the Nightmare Emblem, he wasn't exactly wealthy either.

As this matter concluded and a lull settled over the gathering, Magician Fors raised her hand.

"Any updates on the blood of the Deep-Sea Tuna I asked for?"

"A Beyonder gathering hinted at having information on it," Alger responded, looking at her. "But I can't guarantee it's genuine. I'll only know for sure on the day of the gathering."

"When is that?" I need to prepare the money ahead of time, Fors thought as she asked.

"Wednesday or Thursday," Alger replied without providing a specific date.

"Alright..." Fors let out a breath and added, "Mr. Hanged Man, please help me purchase it if you come across it. I'll settle the bill afterward."

"Sure," Alger agreed. Having suspected since the previous Tarot meeting that the Magician had ties to the Abraham family, he refrained from charging a commission—he might need connections to that ancient family from the Fourth Epoch someday.

After that topic concluded, Justice Audrey once again expressed her intention to purchase the two main materials for the Psychiatrist potion: the Eye of a Mirror Dragon and the Fruit of the Tree of Elders.

Unfortunately, the only member capable of obtaining them, the Sun, was still under review and had no opportunity to search for them.

After a brief silence, the Tarot meeting entered the free exchange segment.

Once again, Alger was the first to speak, glancing around before asking:

"I heard that a Flesh Abyss ritual case involving the Aurora Order recently occurred in Backlund. Does anyone know the details?"

Through his channels, he'd learned that both Stuart and McConner had faced a bitter struggle while His Eminence the Spellsinger of God had arrived late—again.

As for that notorious ritual, it had ultimately been resolved by the Fool's favored, the thief Black Emperor.

I was just about to mention this... Justice Audrey pursed her lips and organized the information she'd heard from Connors, preparing to speak.

But before she could, the World's hoarse voice sounded.

"That matter was resolved thanks to Mr. Tower's wisdom."

He had previously had the Black Emperor consult Mr. Tower, who gave his permission for the credit to be shared.