Chapter 681: Chaotic Situation

"Magician" Foersi leaned forward slightly, pressing both hands hard against the edge of the table; she felt especially conflicted inside at this moment.

On one hand is the feud with the teacher's family, on the other the commission could offend a member of the Tarot Society, who is also a very powerful member.

There shouldn't be any danger, right? With Mr. "Fool" present, Mr. "White Tower" certainly won't do anything to me as a fellow Tarot Society member; at most he'll give Brutus an early warning to be cautious.

But as long as that "Secret Saint" remains active on the Southern Continent's battlefield, there will always be a chance to hunt him, even disguising as an official Extraordinary of Inditis to frame them. Yet the battlefield is equally dangerous for others, and with "White Tower" present, likely no one will want to take this commission.

While pondering, she instinctively glanced at the "World" GerMan Sparo, who bears the title of a mad adventurer.

Sensing the "Magician" lady's gaze, Kelei En made the "World" speak in a hushed tone:

"I'll be staying in Beckland for a while; there are some very important matters to handle here."

Foersi nodded regretfully; the "World"'s refusal was expected, but the reason surprised her, making her seriously suspect that another major event is brewing in Beckland.

Could there be another round of air raids on Beckland by Vusak? Yet with the Ruen church and military prepared, such a move would be of little use and might walk into an ambush.

Foersi's thoughts scattered uncontrollably, and she again entertained the idea of leaving Beckland for a safe place to peacefully play the role of a "traveler".

As the thought lingered, she heard Leiketon across the mottled long table let out a light laugh, as if intrigued by their topic, and said:

"If any of you are willing to take on the "Magician" lady's mission, I can offer some assistance—such as distracting the True Creator's gaze, or helping with the retreat at the mission's end."

"Star" Lunnade looked at Leiketon with some surprise, then, as if recalling something, added:

"I can also provide some help—a powerful talisman, and some strategic advice and references."

Your alliance is truly fragile. Should I also intervene? Since A Meng and the True Creator's father‑son conflict has eased, He is now my enemy.

She silently sighed in her mind, then Kelei En looked at Leiketon and, controlling the "World" GerMan Sparo, said:

"I can also provide some help—powerful magical items, talismans, and strategic references."

"Um, I don't know why you're willing to help, but thank you."

After thanking them, "Magician" Foersi was still a bit stunned, but she could see that with the added support from "White Tower", "Star", and "World", "Chariot" seemed somewhat swayed.

"Hermit" Jiadeliya gave the group a deep look, offered no comment, and said, "The queen is right; the factions forming the new Southern Continent regime are merely a façade, bound together by profit rather than shared ideals."

As a "spectator", "Justice" Odailei observed from Leiketon, Lunnade and others that Foersi's posting of this commission was likely linked to her teacher; "White Tower" and "World" seemed eager to see the True Creator's forces weakened, while "Star" appeared driven mainly by hatred and disgust.

While the others pondered with varied expressions, "Chariot" Anderson leaned back in his chair, raised his right hand and said, "Alright, your continual incentives have caught my attention. I'll gather information, and if success seems possible, we'll discuss the next steps."

"Magician" Foersi nodded and immediately relayed all the information she knew about Brutus to Anderson.

After their exchange, "Moon" Emulin looked around, fixed his gaze on "Star" Lunnade and asked, "If you are official Extraordinary beings, how would you handle a clergy member of an opposing force within your jurisdiction during wartime?"

"He hasn't, nor does he intend to do anything bad."

Although he is no longer in Beckland, after long interaction his impression of Father Utterafsky remains decent; learning that Finebort also joined the war, he has been worried about the safety of this priest who evangelizes in Beckland, and also concerned whether the priest might pose a security risk to Beckland.

Does this guy really think he's part of the Earth Church? Is a vampire's destiny to worship the "Earth Mother"? What about the pride of your bloodline? Lunnade glanced at the "Moon" Emulin who had been staring at him, paused two seconds, then said:

"Protective detention."

He knew exactly who was being referred to, and didn't believe Emulin's supplemental remark; for a divine kin, a fanatic, the standards of good and evil may differ from ordinary understanding.

After answering Emulin's question, Lunnade glanced at the "World" at the far end of the mottled table, then turned his gaze to Leiketon, asking curiously:

"Are there any major hidden events in Beckland lately?" Leiketon seemed to understand Lunnade's real question, paused two seconds, then chuckled and said:

"Of course there are, but they don't concern you. You were left in Beckland mainly to attract A Meng, or other high‑level beings belonging to those three paths, so they can form a balance and mutually restrain each other."

Seeing this, Kelei En, controlling the "World", added:

"The leader of the Secret Cult, Sequence One's Charatu, is currently staying in Beckland."

"The 'Diviner', the 'Thief', and the 'Apprentice' belong to the three adjacent paths."

In Foersi's mind, an image flashed subconsciously—the scene when she last saw her teacher, a strange crow perched on a street gaslamp pole; sometimes knowing little is a kind of luck, as it can avert many silent, extremely lethal dangers.

The group took turns sharing their doubts and the information they had gathered, and soon the discussion returned to the war.

"Hermit" Jiadeliya looked around the hall and sighed, "All the kingdoms on the Northern and Southern continents, the Holy Church, and the vast majority of secret societies are embroiled in war, yet they mutually restrain themselves, not interfering with each other."

"It's inevitable," the "World" GerMan Sparo sighed, then added:

"Everyone is waiting for those at the heart of the conflict to decide the outcome. Until then, they will each have their own inclinations but won't fully commit, at least not before the final Divine War erupts."

"Divine War?" "Justice" Odailei, "Hermit" Jiadeliya and others fell silent together, the same thought flashing through their minds—from the end of the Fourth Era to the end of the Fifth Era—Is the Divine War finally arriving? That would mean the Fifth Era is nearing its end! After a long silence, "Sun" Dairike broke it: "The Six‑person Council of Silver City has passed the resolution and is preparing to set out to explore the Giant King's Court."

"Hanged Man" A'erjie and the "World" GerMan Sparo gave some advice to the little Sun, and today's Tarot Society drew to a close.

At the signal of the "Fool" Kelei En, everyone rose and bowed; streaks of deep crimson light rose, dissolving their bodies and carrying them away from the palace above the gray mist.

After "Justice", "Moon", "Hanged Man" and others had left, Kelei En let his little "World" also vanish.

He looked at the relaxed Leiketon lounging in the high‑back chair, and at Azuk, who sat upright like a professor in the Tingen university office, and said calmly:

"I have already obtained from "Red Light" Er Moria the spirit‑realm coordinates where the "Fugen's Dog" frequently appears; I plan to go check it out in a moment."

"Facing the demi‑gods' intimidation on the battlefield and the newspaper's sensationalizing of the horror stories I created, my "Trickster Mage" elixir digests quickly."

In the western district of Beckland, beneath Saint Samuel Church, inside a private lounge reserved for the captain of the Red Glove Squad.

Half‑reclined in his seat, Lunnade suddenly opened his eyes, instinctively glanced around, then lowered his voice: "Old man, the Secret Cult's leader Charatu is staying in Beckland. Also, the church seems to intend to use you to lure A Meng and other high‑level beings of your three paths to Beckland."

The aged voice of Parles echoed in Lunnade's mind: "That's no surprise; I guessed it when you were left in Beckland."

"I have received the protection of "Black Night", and naturally must pay a price for that protection, sigh~"

After a two‑second pause, Parles continued:

"It seems "Black Night" does not intend to let the Ruen royal family's scheme succeed; by drawing A Meng, who already obtained the final "Time Worm" trait from me, He will inevitably lie dormant to complete the "Error" ascension ritual."

"Perhaps "Black Night" already leans toward the "Black Emperor" position; no one knows what this hidden mother contemplates or plans, or perhaps He is confident of blocking A Meng's ascension through the "Error" ritual."

"Error?" Lunnade sharply caught the unfamiliar term and asked curiously, "Is that the name for Path Sequence 0 of the Thief? It's odd—what ritual does it require?"

"Exactly, everyone knows it's Sequence 0."

Parles gave an insincere compliment, then said:

"The "Error" ritual is both simple and complex; it replaces Him in another's divination ceremony."

(End of Chapter)