During the previous Tarot meeting, when Ebner had asked "The Sun" Derrick to demonstrate his value, he had been pondering how to "teach" the upper echelon of Silver City the "Perfect Restoration Method of Vaolite." That was when the idea of "video instruction" had occurred to him.
In fact, there wasn't a significant technological gap between the camera and the camcorder. Even without relying on "scientific" methods, Ebner could temporarily imbue a camera with the "Distortion" ability of the "Lawyer" pathway, distorting the intervals and enabling it to take "continuous" photos.
It's just that its lifespan would probably only last about eight months... he muttered inwardly, then handed the completed project proposal to Helene for her to study. He himself put on his coat, hat, and copper-rimmed glasses, and left the villa.
Shortly after his departure, a girl in a black-and-white maid outfit rang the doorbell of No. 28 Kingster Street. It was Wendy, Emma's personal maid.
After entering the living room, Wendy maintained a calm exterior, though she glanced suspiciously at Helene, who was reading documents across the room, before handing Emma's handwritten letter to Mrs. Scard.
At the same time, "Lion" Leon, crouched in a corner of the room, wrinkled his nose and sniffed the air. He looked at the maid who had delivered the letter, then extended his right paw and plucked a hair from the "mane" around his neck, flicking it toward her.
Immediately afterward, a transparent little bug appeared in his paw.
Meanwhile, in the Viscount Horatio's villa in the Empress Borough, Emma, who was sipping afternoon tea, suddenly heard a pained groan in her ear.
"What's wrong?" Emma put down her teacup and asked calmly.
"Who exactly did you have your maid look for?" Flora's voice was weak.
Emma raised an eyebrow and chuckled softly. "Did you tamper with Wendy to bypass our contract, only to get burned by Bryan?"
She quickly guessed the gist of the situation. While she felt a bit of lingering fear, she was also shocked that Bryan had managed to crack a demigod's covert technique—even if that demigod was in poor condition and mentally unstable.
Flora fell silent, but that silence itself told Emma she had guessed correctly.
At the same time, she sensed signs that the "Cryptologist" potion was being further digested.
Unlocking secrets at the demigod level really brings substantial feedback... Emma raised her teacup again and took a sip of black tea.
At that moment, she also gained a deeper understanding of the contract her teacher had given her.
Even a demigod this sly and cunning couldn't escape the contract's restrictions... What tier is this item? Or rather, what level of power created it? And how did "Teacher" come to entrust such a formidable object to me?
....
South of the bridge, in the kitchen of the Church of Harvest.
Wearing an apron and constantly stirring a potion in an iron pot, Emlyn White casually instructed Freya on how to mix the herbs while reflecting on his recent first Tarot meeting.
"Other than Mr. Fool, 'The Tower,' who presented the traits of the Demoness of Despair, is undoubtedly a powerhouse at the demigod level... Although he said he borrowed the power of an angel, the fact that he could borrow such strength means he's not much weaker than one himself.
"After 'The Tower' came 'Judgement' and 'Temperance'—both of their Sequences can't be low. Even if they're not demigods, they should be no weaker than Sequence 5... Especially the former. If she could participate in the battle against the 'Dusky Saint,' then even if she relied on powerful mystical items, her combat strength is at least comparable.
"As for the latter, needing a demigod-grade mummy but not its characteristic... That should be a ritual requirement. She's either Sequence 4 or Sequence 5... Either way, much stronger than me.
"Next would be 'The World' and 'The Hanged Man.' I don't particularly like the former. He talks as if there's always phlegm stuck in his throat. Someone like that, I wouldn't even bother drinking his blood. He has a filthy aura... Hmph, he's very reclusive, good at concealing emotions, and could casually present a Sequence 6 characteristic. He's no weakling.
"Mr. Hanged Man is a mature gentleman, very knowledgeable, with a noble character. He's willing to answer questions for new members and provide help and information. Clearly, he's popular—both The Sun and The World seek his guidance or assistance... Of course, The Tower also fits this category, though they seem to focus on different kinds of questions.
"Miss Justice is from Backlund, extremely wealthy. Is she the daughter of a major banker or the heir of a great noble house? Maybe she's a banker or a titled noble herself...
"Miss Magician looked at me oddly. She must admire the noble Blood Clan. She didn't say much or reveal much about herself, but she could get a Sequence 5 potion formula from 'Teacher'... She's probably an apprentice raised by a prominent supernatural family.
"She and Justice aren't particularly powerful. Like me, they must've joined the Tarot Club through special backgrounds...
As expected, only those of noble birth like us can truly appreciate one another. Not like that rude kid 'The Sun'—just looking at him, you can tell his background is lacking. His strength isn't high, he doesn't know anything, and all he does is ask 'The Tower' and 'The Hanged Man' for help.
What right does he have to be chosen by Mr. Fool and join the Tarot Club?
Still, the Silver City he mentioned and the endlessly repeating experiences sound bizarre. I should find a chance to ask Lord Nibais. No—first I should ask Kasimi, and my father and mother, to see if they know anything about Silver City. Hmph, how dare Silver City's historical records distort the deeds of our Blood Clan!
As all these details flashed through his mind, Emlyn felt that the Tarot Club ran deeper than it seemed. And Mr. Fool hadn't interfered much in the progression of the gathering.
He seems only interested in that so-called Roselle's Diary… but he's willing to grant the members miracles in return. At this thought, Emlyn couldn't help but feel a bit of pride in his identity as "The Moon."
But then he remembered the Blood Clan relic worth four to five thousand pounds and fell into a fierce inner struggle over whether to "become a baron" or "buy clothes for his doll."
Just then, Freya reminded him, "Priest White, your ten minutes are up."
Hearing this, Emlyn snapped back to reality, stopped his thoughts, poured the potion into individual bottles, and carried them out of the kitchen.
As soon as he entered the prayer hall, he saw Hazel speaking with a stranger in front of the pulpit.
Seeing this, a sudden idea came to him:
That iron-armed woman seems to come from a well-off family, and the Tarot Club is constantly trading various materials… Maybe I could help her purchase the potion formulas and ingredients she needs next and earn a bit of profit and commission?
Having recently profited from helping Detective Sherlock Moriarty buy ingredients, Emlyn immediately thought of replicating his success.
Just as he finished distributing the potions and casually walked toward Hazel, he suddenly heard the stranger say with a smile, "I'll keep an eye out for the Cryptologist formula for you."
Emlyn's alertness spiked instantly, and his eyes were filled with hostility as he looked at the man.
The man speaking to Hazel was, of course, Ebner. He also noticed Emlyn's approach and clearly sensed his hostility.
Ebner's expression turned a little strange. If it weren't for his "mind-reading" ability, he would've thought Emlyn had feelings for Hazel…
But what the heck is "the great nemesis of new doll outfits"? You want to buy clothes for your doll—what does that have to do with me? After a brief round of internal grumbling, Ebner quickly figured out Emlyn's thoughts: He was probably short on money, hoped to earn some commission through Hazel, and now thought his business had been stolen?
It wasn't hard to guess. After all, everyone who joined the Tarot Club and became a follower of Mr. Fool was more or less strapped for cash… even someone as rich as "Justice" had been financially tight at one point.
While he mocked Emlyn internally, Ebner waited for Hazel to introduce him to this vampire—although they'd already "met" several times.
Emlyn, meanwhile, had withdrawn his hostility. Maintaining the prideful demeanor of the Blood Clan, he formally reported his name to Ebner, then gave him a serious once-over and asked uncertainly, "Have we met before?"
"Yes, Priest White. Because of Mr. Little Heidi's case, I saw you once at the police station in the Chovard District," Ebner reminded him with a smile.
"I remember now—you're that detective friend of Aitris!" Realization dawned on Emlyn's face.
Since Freya's entire family had been helping out at the church lately, Aitris had been visiting more frequently, and Emlyn had become familiar with her.
As for Ebner's fame as a "hero detective," Emlyn had no idea. Being a long-lived species, he rarely paid attention to ordinary human newspapers.
"Yes, Priest White." Ebner nodded.
"What were you two discussing just now?" Emlyn asked casually.
"I was asking Hazel for a favor…" Ebner had a pretty good guess what Emlyn really wanted to ask, but he deliberately changed the subject and instead asked mysteriously, "Priest White, are you short on money?"
Emlyn heard the all-too-familiar question and gave Ebner a strange look as he replied, "Do all you detectives like using that line?"
Sherlock asked me the exact same thing back then.
He grumbled to himself, then added, "Go on, don't keep me in suspense."
"Well, it's like this. I have a new investment project and I'd like you to be the 'streamer'..." Ebner gave him a wide, formulaic smile.
"What's a 'streamer'?" Emlyn asked curiously.
"You can think of it as an 'actor,'" Ebner explained.
Hearing that, Emlyn's expression turned even stranger. He was reminded of another conversation he'd had with Sherlock on the very same day he was asked, "Are you short on money?":
("Mr. White, the profession most suited to you isn't apothecary—it's actor."
"I am a profound and noble Blood Clan member. I do not make a living off my appearance."
"No, I mean, you have a real gift for comedy.")
Remembering this, Emlyn looked at Ebner darkly and asked, "Don't tell me you think I have a 'talent for comedy'?"
"No, I mean, you have good looks. Whether male or female, audiences would enjoy watching you…"
(End of Chapter)