Chapter 579: Monday

Feeling the changes in the tapestry of civilization, Leiketon quickly withdrew himself, and the information streams spilling through the city turned into faint white lights that the naked eye could hardly see and merged into his body.

At the same time, an indescribable, awe‑inspiring and powerful gaze pierced the barrier between illusion and reality, descending from an incomparably lofty height.

The surrounding light suddenly dimmed, the rustling wind fell silent, and the gaze that had fallen from the lofty height also vanished.

Leiketon, thoughtful, looked up at the sky; he could clearly see the sun unblocked by clouds, though the light was less intense, as if the whole sky were draped in a heavy veil of shadow.

Hu~ he gently exhaled a cloud of foul breath, turned his head toward the north of the city near the Pas River, and his gaze easily pierced the surrounding houses and trees, spotting the Red Rose Church on the outskirts of Yinsinisi City.

He bowed slightly toward the newly built church and said, "Thank you for your help."

The spire rose, dominated by dark tones; within the church whose walls bore red rose patterns, an almost imperceptible sigh echoed in his ears.

After only a moment, all the surrounding anomalies vanished; the sunlight remained blinding, the wind rustled, and the pedestrians on the street seemed entirely unaware of the earlier change, continuing their own business.

After this brief episode, Leiketon no longer thought about observing the progress and history of "civilization"; thick green pea vines dropped from mid‑air, swiftly engulfing his figure.

Beikeland Time, 3 p. m.

Leiketon, seated on a long bench woven from green vines, suddenly had dense gray mist surge before his eyes, and deep‑red light rose like a tide, quickly drowning his sight.

He sighed lightly, suppressed his instinct, and let his spirit body follow the pull into the ancient palace above the gray mist.

Strands of deep‑red light sprang up, then contracted rapidly, freezing into vague human silhouettes.

Justice Aodaili quickly looked around, then turned toward the head of the weathered long table, lifted her skirt slightly and bowed, saying:

"Good afternoon, Mr. Fool~"

Following Justice Aodaili's lead, the members of the Tarot Society saluted in turn, completing their mutual greetings.

Seeing the temporary quiet, Hermit Jiadeliyia pushed up the glasses on her nose, inhaled deeply, turned her body, and bowed to Mr. Fool at the head of the weathered long table, saying:

"Esteemed Mr. Fool, I'm sorry, I did not collect the diary this time."

Just as Kelei'en was about to speak, he hurriedly retracted, nearly biting his tongue, kept a relaxed tone and corrected himself: "It's fine."

All Tarot Society members except Leiketon averted their gazes to varying degrees, scrutinizing Jiadeliyia with surprised looks.

Justice Aodaili stared at the silent Jiadeliyia, and question after question flashed through her mind. How could the Hermit lady have no diary? Aren't her diaries all from the Mysterious Queen? Did the Mysterious Queen refuse to provide a diary? Why? Others sharing the same doubt included Hanged Man A'erjie—this week the Mysterious Queen didn't supply a diary; what happened to her, preventing her from contacting the Hermit? No, that shouldn't be; for such an important matter the Mysterious Queen would surely have prepared in advance, and there have been no major incidents at sea lately.

The Mysterious Queen actually didn't provide a diary—has she already found the answer? As thoughts turned, Kelei'en looked at the silently stunned Tarot Society members, said nothing more, and, leaning back leisurely, said:

"Go ahead."

Hearing Mr. Fool's words, Justice Aodaili swept her gaze half‑round and said, "I have an investigative task to commission."

Magician Foersi, somewhat surprised, glanced at Justice Miss and proactively asked:

"What investigative task?"

In her impression, Justice's commissions are exceptionally generous, and the client is also in Beikeland, so the chance of receiving the commission is high.

Justice Aodaili composed herself and said, "I would like someone to investigate a wealthy merchant named Daoen Tangtais, who arrived in Beikeland only in the past two months and has just donated shares worth over ten thousand pounds to the Night Church, attempting to set up a scholarship fund for the poor."

"The preliminary investigation fee is 500 pounds; if danger is encountered, or any unforeseen complications raise the task's difficulty, I will add extra reward."

Magician Foersi's eyes brightened; just as he was about to raise his hand to accept the commission, he saw World, seated at the far end of the weathered long table, lift a hand.

Um—Mr. World is also interested in such a commission? To him it's merely a time‑consuming, low‑pay small order. Foersi stared blankly for two seconds, his expression gradually stiffening.

Justice Aodaili, who posted the commission, was likewise taken aback, looking at World; she had expected Mr. Moon or Miss Magician to take the commission.

After a brief daze, she looked at World with veiled expectation and asked, "Mr. World, you want to take this commission?"

"Heh," from opposite the weathered long table, Leiketon lowered his head and chuckled softly.

Seeing the Tarot Society's eyes turn to him, he quickly waved his hand and said, "I just thought of a joke, just ignore me."

This guy knows Daoen Tangtais's identity? I never told him! Kelei'en glanced at Leiketon in puzzlement, then averted his gaze, manipulated his avatar "World", cleared his throat twice, drew everyone's attention and said:

"Daoen Tangtais is an identity, a shared identity."

"Sometimes it's me, sometimes it's someone else."

At that point, his gaze, devoid of feeling, swept over Magician Foersi.

Magician Foersi froze for a moment, then suddenly recalled the earlier mission protecting Daoen Tangtais—clearly I and Xiu were working hard on that task, why does it feel like we've been handed free money? Um, this shouldn't require a refund, right?

Justice Aodaili also froze; she never expected the wealthy merchant Daoen Tangtais's true identity to be like that.

At times, Daoen Tangtais is equivalent to Mr. World; for example, during the previous charity gala, that explains the expression the other party gave me then, and the guard against Su Xi. Su Xi's existence isn't a secret in the Tarot Society; although no one knows what animal it is, all I have is that one dog.

After a brief silence, Moon Aimilin asked directly, "What is this public identity used for?"

Both one and two have recently returned to Beikeland; is there another major event about to happen here?

Besides Mr. World, who else has returned to Beikeland? Justice Aodaili curiously sized up Moon Aimilin, then turned her head toward World at the far end of the table, awaiting his answer.

The rest of the Tarot Society also fixed their gaze on World at the far end.

"You talk too much," Kelei'en said, glancing at Aimilin, then, controlling World, said, "I don't know, the investigation is paused; I'm about to leave Beikeland."

"Why?" Chariot Anderson raised his hand, asking curiously.

World gave a low chuckle and said, "Because A Meng has arrived."

A Meng has come to Beikeland; I need to temporarily leave Beikeland and hide for a while? This is the shared sentiment of all Tarot Society members staying in Beikeland.

At the head of the weathered long table, Kelei'en glanced at the few members looking worried and chuckled, saying:

"Don't worry, his target isn't you."

"It's not us; he came because of the matter concerning Mr. World's investigation?" Justice Aodaili and Magician Foersi thought simultaneously.

Moon Aimilin didn't overthink; since A Meng's target isn't herself, she needn't worry. Her tense expression vanished instantly, and she leaned back leisurely.

Seeing the topic conclude, he again controlled World and said:

"Who among you knows any leads on Karde Long City?"

"Karde Long City?" Justice Aodaili muttered it twice, recalling the cities she knows, confirming none is named Karde Long.

Is it a city hidden or nonexistent in reality? With that thought, her curious gaze turned to World at the far end of the table.

"You'll have to ask the Seven Lights of the Spirit Realm," Chariot Anderson said with a scoff.

"Why?" Magician Foersi asked, curious.

Anderson glanced around at everyone, then lightly laughed and said: "Because that is a city existing within the Spirit World, the 'City of the Dead'; aside from a few extraordinary individuals on certain paths, most people only gain the ability to enter the Spirit World after becoming demigods—just finding it is already extremely difficult, let alone making it out alive after exploring."

The Seven Lights of the Spirit World? Indeed, they ought to know everything that happens in the Spirit World, but because the Seven Lights' status is too high, and their overly friendly attitude, I always overlook the option of seeking their help.

Thinking this, Klein, manipulating 'World', lightly nodded toward Anderson and said:

I understand.

What do you understand? You really plan to go ask the Spirit World's Seven Lights for clues about Caldelon City? Although the Seven Lights are relatively friendly toward humans, isn't this too bold, too crazy? Anderson gazed doubtfully at 'World' Gehrman Sparrow, his mind short-circuiting.

(End of chapter)