Chapter 382: Two Questions

The Hermit Jia Deliya silently sized up the Fool at the head of the table. As expected, the Great Emperor's diaries were not that important to the Fool; what he needed might be just a certain page or a few pages containing key information.

She quickly gathered her thoughts, then asked the Fool for help, materializing the diary she had memorized and handing it to Ke Lai En.

Without waiting long, Ke Lai En waved his hand casually, causing the diary to vanish from before him—these were all diaries written by the Great Emperor in his later years, and at this moment he seemed to sense that many important details were left within them.

Heh, this must have been screened once by Beiernadai; although she could not decipher the diary's contents, she could judge the Great Emperor's mood from the handwriting and roughly identify which parts were more important.

While pondering, his gaze fell on the Hermit Jia Deliya, and he chuckled, "Two questions, or something else—what do you want to trade these diaries for?"

Jia Deliya opened without hesitation, saying:

"I would like to ask some questions."

The Fool Ke Lai En, seated at the head of the weathered long table, gave a slight nod, leaned back gently against the chair back, and waited calmly for the Hermit lady's questions.

Jia Deliya, as if she had already prepared her questions, murmured and began:

"Fool, sir, are you familiar with the Great Emperor Luo Sai Er?"

The roommate in the next bed—unfortunately, Ke Lai En was still unaware of this—Lei Ke Dun, sitting nearby, twitched a smile at the corner of his mouth, and his thoughts began to drift.

Ke Lai En was momentarily stunned; he hadn't expected such a question, and he hesitated, weighing his words, his voice carrying a nostalgic calm as he spoke:

"In a sense, perhaps we are the ones who know each other best."

The Fool Ke Lai En's answer left Jia Deliya momentarily speechless; it was entirely different from the answers she had anticipated, and her thoughts began to wander uncontrollably.

Could it be that the Great Emperor Luo Sai Er had once visited this gray mist, but at that time the Fool had not yet awakened, so the Emperor's communication was one‑sided? Yet even while dormant, a great being still retains some perception and response to the outside, so after the Fool awakened he began to gather the Emperor's diaries to seek truth? The more Jia Deliya thought about it, the more her speculation seemed reasonable, and she held back her excitement and asked the second question:

"Honored Fool, did the Great Emperor Luo Sai Er foresee what would happen to him and make preparations?"

Jia Deliya lowered her head shyly; she could consider this question as two questions and hoped the Fool would not mind.

Under the gray mist, Ke Lai En watched the Star Above, whose mouth twitched slightly as he suddenly grew more deferential. "It's truly realistic—more respect when it involves the Emperor. But if one bears a grudge against the Emperor, does that mean one must betray on the spot and become a double‑cross? No, no betrayal needed; she was already a double‑cross."

He muttered a silent insult in his mind, then looked at the Hermit Jia Deliya and, smiling, said, "He did indeed have foresight and made some preparations."

However, it most likely failed, though not entirely; at least there was a chance of revival, Ke Lai En added in his mind, completing the thought he hadn't voiced.

"Thank you for your answer." The Hermit Jia Deliya bowed respectfully toward the figure at the head of the table in gratitude.

On one side, Justice Ao Dai Li withdrew her curious gaze from Jia Deliya, a faint curve appearing at the corner of her mouth. "The Hermit lady really is someone connected to the Great Emperor Luo Sai Er; both of her questions revolved around him, and she seemed eager to know whether that Emperor was still alive—whether she was a relative of Luo Sai Er or perhaps a descendant of some loyal subordinate?"

Luo Sai Er, ah—novels with him as the protagonist would surely blaze across the southern and northern continents, but unfortunately, I dare not write "Magician" Fo Er Si, who likewise sparked thoughts.

The Hanged Man A'erjie's gaze slipped unnoticed over the Hermit Jia Deliya, a faint ripple stirring within him. She was still serving the mysterious queen; the two questions she posed were on the queen's behalf. Had she informed that mysterious queen about the Tarot Society? The Fool certainly knew, yet did not pursue it—perhaps out of respect for Luo Sai Er? As everyone fell into contemplation, Ke Lai En silently surveyed the room and chuckled, "You may begin your discussion!"

Lei Ke Dun turned his head toward the World at the foot of the weathered long table, raised his hand slightly, and laughed lightly,

"I'm about to venture into the book world of 'Chronicles of Groseel'; if you're interested, you can come and see—it has a very interesting spot."

"A book world? What kind of book world?" Justice Ao Dai Li asked, clearly intrigued, and then added,

"Umm, if it involves confidential matters, just pretend I never asked."

She said that, yet her emerald eyes still glittered as she stared at Lei Ke Dun.

Lei Ke Dun smiled lightly, gave Justice a slight nod, and briefly explained what a book world is,

"It's a tome that survived from the end of the Second Era, authored by the Dragon Clan, recounting the tale of a giant named Groseel who journeyed to the Frost Kingdom to slay the ice dragon Yurisan."

"The book world is simply their adventures; it isn't any different from the normal world,"

"If you're interested, you can join; this book is about to be returned to its owner."

Justice Ao Dai Li's eyes brightened, and she replied joyfully,

"If my schedule doesn't clash too much, I'd be delighted to join this expedition!"

The Magician Fo Er Si raised his right hand at the right moment, asking eagerly, "Um, may I join?"

The book world, huh—so it's like my novel becoming reality; no writer could withstand such temptation!

Fo Er Si squinted slightly, already picturing the concrete shape of the book world in his mind.

"Of course." Lei Ke Dun replied with a light laugh.

He scanned the room; aside from the curious Justice lady and the especially inquisitive Magician Fo Er Si, the other members of the Tarot Society showed little enthusiasm.

That fellow Emulin was still basking in the joy of his promotion to baron, muttering an insult inwardly; Lei Ke Dun subtly shifted his gaze to the World at the foot, awaiting Ke Lai En's reply.

The grim‑faced World, under Ke Lai En's control, gave a slight nod, its voice hoarse as it said, "No problem."

Having answered Lei Ke Dun's invitation, Ke Lai En continued to manipulate his avatar "World", surveyed everyone, then raised his right hand slightly and said,

"Who has, or who can obtain, a wondrous item with very high attack power?"

As he spoke, his gaze fell on Lei Ke Dun and Jia Deliya, seemingly awaiting their answers.

All his conjectures about my identity? Is this a probe? The Hermit Jia Deliya was silent for two seconds, then shook her head and said, "If a similar item shows up at the extraordinary gathering I attend, I'll keep an eye out for you."

Lei Ke Dun replied to Jia Deliya's words, "I can forge it, but I lack the requisite extraordinary materials."

"Below Sequence Four, the archetypes of strong attacks are inevitably the Reaper of the Hunter path and the Ocean Singer of the Sailor path; they can unleash terrifying damage in a short time."

"However, if it's just a one‑time item, I can provide plenty."

(End of Chapter)