Chapter 865: Playing with the Tiger

Are they giving birth? Anthony suddenly had a strong sense of dread.

He immediately abandoned the "Knight of Swords"'s preset second question and asked directly:

"Who's giving birth?"

The servant answered, bewildered yet tinged with fear:

"Everyone is!

"Women are giving birth, and men are too!"

Men are giving birth… Anthony's scalp prickled, and he nearly cast a "Calming" spell on himself.

He pulled another gold coin from his pocket and smiled at the procurement servant:

"Didn't you forget you still owed me one gold louis?"

The procurement servant instantly felt the glow of the gold louis reflected in the man's pupils.

He assumed the man was trying to bribe him and nodded frantically:

"Yes, yes, I forgot."

As soon as he spoke, the servant's thoughts blurred, as if he'd heard something—and yet heard nothing at all.

When he came to his senses, he had forgotten everything that had just happened, and the gold louis in his hand was gone.

Two streets from the market, in an alley, Anthony saw the reflection of the "Knight of Swords," Marich, in the puddles left by last night's downpour.

Before the "Knight of Swords" could speak, Anthony swiftly relayed the information he'd gathered and added:

"The Lust Sect merely indulges desire—surely they don't use childbirth as a marker of their path, do they?"

The "Knight of Swords"'s suppressed tension had eased slightly; he replied gravely:

"Occasionally, the 'Primitive Moon' devotees within the Lust Sect do—but not to the point where men are giving birth."

Anthony said in a low voice:

"Based on the behavior of those Lust Sect followers, based on the fact they brought a highly important item to Trill, based on the Vortex Plan's brewing, and based on the fact its orchestrators are the 'Brokers' who worship the Dark God, I suspect the Lust Sect's 'Mother Tree of Desire' and the Night Strollers' 'Great Mother' have begun cooperating on something—and that something is a vital part of the Vortex!"

Since the "Knight of Swords" had come to Trill, he naturally knew of the Vortex Plan from his Major Arcana card; he replied in a low tone:

"Your suspicion warrants caution. I will immediately report this to the 'Hermit' Lady and our Temperance Faction's high command. If necessary, we will act decisively."

Anthony nodded:

"You should also notify the authorities—in Trill, no one is better suited to handle this."

"I need to return to my companions and warn them to prepare for the Vortex's arrival!"

With that, Anthony turned to sprint out of the alley.

"My companion will take you to the 'Seven of Wands'—it'll be faster." The "Knight of Swords" called out to stop Anthony. "The agreed reward will be given once the situation stabilizes."

The holder of this Minor Arcana card vanished instantly from the puddle's surface.

He was eager to write a letter to his Major Arcana card, the "Hermit."

…………

In Apartment 702, 9 Aoluosaijie, Memorial District.

Francia and Jianna sat side by side on the long sofa, comparing the Ruin gold pounds in their hands.

"I can feel they're a bit special—but I can't tell how," Francia remarked cheerfully.

She lifted her head and looked at Lumian, who had taken her seat:

"The 'Star' gentleman's reward is this? Hah! Now you're the only one without one!"

Lumian chuckled:

"Did you forget about Anthony?"

"And Lu Jianuo doesn't have one either."

Jianna glanced at Francia, who was leaning on her, then said carefully:

"When I first received the lucky gold coin, I thought it was a divine gift—but once you and Ludwig both got them, I began to suspect they symbolize something—a token or credential. We'll likely face certain events together soon."

"Lumian has so many peculiarities—he'll inevitably get drawn in. He'll get one eventually."

"At least he doesn't have one yet," Francia said, holding up the lucky gold coin and waving it boastfully.

After discussing this for a while, Francia tucked away the lucky gold coin and turned to Lumian's main matter:

"How's Ludwig's 'training' going?"

"He follows my orders well now. Next is sharing experiences with you all to build mutual understanding," Lumian mused. "I'll design specific tasks—since there are so few of us, two or three weeks should suffice."

"I'll likely finish digesting the 'Pain' Elixir before your promotion," Francia said. "The biggest issue now is convincing the 'Black Witch' I can digest it this fast." Over the past two days, Francia's digestion of the 'Pain' Elixir had advanced significantly; she estimated she'd need only about another week.

Jianna fell silent for a moment, then said:

"I've already finished digesting my 'Pleasure' Elixir. Two days of adjustment and I can perform the ritual to ascend to 'Pain Witch.'"

"So fast?" Francia blurted out in surprise.

Jianna gave Francia a complex look but said nothing.

Francia froze, then let out an "Oh."

She understood why—and her emotions grew tangled: bitterness, heaviness, sorrow, joy, and pride all mingled.

"I've already given Jianna all the elixir ingredients and the remaining ice-lime fish slices," Lumian added smoothly.

"Mm," Francia adjusted her mood instantly.

Feeling Jianna leaning against her, smelling her scent, and watching Lumian across from her, mimicking her posture in her own seat, she suddenly felt these past two days had been surprisingly pleasant and secure—despite occasional waves of pain and sorrow, everything else was good. Lumian had even begun to show some of his care, though sparingly.

Since her transmigration, this was the first time Francia had felt this way.

"Forget it, forget it—I'll just pretend I've opened a harem," Francia sighed inwardly.

She hoped this peace would last longer, hoped the Vortex and the apocalypse would never come.

At that moment, Lumian turned his head and gazed toward the side door of the living room.

Anthony's figure swiftly took shape there.

"Important information," Anthony said without preamble.

Lumian rose from his armchair and nodded for Anthony to continue.

Anthony quickly recounted the information he'd gathered from the procurement servant and his own suspicions.

During this, both Jianna and Francia, the two "Witches," felt a danger warning from their own spirituality.

Lumian said without hesitation:

"I'll inform the 'Magician' Lady first, then immediately meet up with Ludwig and Lu Jianuo to relocate to a new safehouse. After that, we'll see what tasks the Major Arcana cards assign us."

…………

Above endless gray mist, within an ancient, towering palace.

Along a weathered bronze table, eight shadowy figures—blurred as if stained by gray mist—swiftly formed.

There were eight of them.

The chairs at the very top and bottom of the bronze table remained empty.

The "Justice" Lady rose and looked around:

This is an emergency gathering approved by Mr. "The Fool".

Lady "The Magician" wasted no time; as soon as Lady "The Justice" sat down, she asked the man across from her, Mr. "The Star":

"Was it your idea—or a hint from the Church of Night—to send the 'Two of Cups' to fetch water from the 'Woman of Samaria's Spring'?"

Mr. "The Star" sat up straight this time:

"It came to me in a dream."

"Dream… Is the 'Goddess of Night' warning us about Harrison's issue? Yes, she must know he's entered and exited the 'Woman of Samaria's Spring' multiple times and learned its pattern…" The "Magician" Lady didn't press further; she turned to the "Hermit" Lady beside her. "Has the 'Mystic Queen' sent any feedback?"

The "Hermit" Lady first shook her head, then recalled:

"She hasn't contacted me for a while. I tried reaching out two days ago—no response…"

As she spoke, the "Hermit" Lady suddenly fell silent, foreseeing a scene.

Then she saw Mr. "The Hanged Man", Mr. "The Moon", Mr. "The Sun", and Lady "The Judgment" all turn their gaze toward her—eyes heavy, brimming with unhidden vigilance.

…………

The "Dawn" struggled to maintain balance, tossed high into the air by storms, then slammed into oceanic vortices like a toy thrown into the sea.

No sailors remained on its deck; the sails and ropes moved on their own, as if guided by invisible hands.

After an unknown length of time, the storm finally calmed, and the "Dawn," belonging to the First of the Six Sea Kings—the "Mystic Queen"—soon steadied.

Ahead of it, an island covered in vast, deep green to nearly black trees gradually emerged beneath the blue sky and white clouds.

"Mystic Queen" Bernadette stepped out of the cabin, wearing a flower-patterned shirt and a brown captain's coat, walking to the bow.

Her eyes were blue as the deep ocean, her eyebrows elegantly arched, her naturally falling chestnut hair reached her waist, and she wore practical long pants and leather boots.

The "Mystic Queen" stood with empty hands, gazing at the island, her gaze darkening, her face expressionless.

As the island drew nearer, another figure emerged from the cabin.

She was also a woman, with black hair and brown eyes, beautiful and distinctly Ruin in appearance, dressed in a dark robe embroidered with multiple pockets and various flowers—the favored attire of ancient merchants.

"Overseer" Perle!

This follower of a Dark God, the initiator of the Vortex Plan, stood aboard the "Mystic Queen"'s ship!

Perle walked to the bow and stood beside "Mystic Queen" Bernadette, gazing at the island with a clear smile on her face.

(End of Chapter)