Even for a major Beyonder organization like the Rose School of Thought, members at Sequences 6 and 5 constituted their core strength.
Audrey was well aware that Raphael's plan had high feasibility. At the very least, it could eliminate one Sequence 7 'Werewolf' and one Sequence 6 'Zombie' from the other side.
She pondered for a moment before asking, "If this plan is implemented, what benefits do you hope to gain?"
"A Werewolf characteristic." Raphael replied unhurriedly.
He was eager to advance to Sequence 7. Upon reaching it, a qualitative change would occur, granting him strong offensive capabilities and running speed far beyond ordinary people.
While lacking overly bizarre abilities, 'Werewolf' was a formidable combatant among the 22 Pathways at the same Sequence.
Audrey didn't give an immediate answer, instead saying, "I'll consider it."
Raphael stood up, "Well then, Miss Hall, it was a pleasure to have you as our guest at the Mafia. But it's getting late now. I think it's time to escort the noble Miss Hall back home."
Audrey was caught between amusement and exasperation, "A guest?"
Raphael didn't dwell on that point. Instead, he called out loudly, "Carter, get a rental carriage to send Miss– to send our guest back to Empress Borough!"
...
(A little over an hour later...)
~Empress Borough, Earl Hall Villa~
After returning, Audrey first met with her father and mother. Earl Hall and his wife, Caitlyn, didn't seem overly worried. Instead, they scolded their daughter a little.
During yesterday's kidnapping incident, Audrey had left a letter with her personal maid, Annie, for her parents, informing them she wasn't actually kidnapped but was handling a very important matter.
To make the act more convincing, Audrey had hypnotized Annie so that once she left the carriage, the maidservant would immediately return to the Hall residence and deliver the letter to either parent.
The police didn't know about the letter, so they followed normal procedures. Upon discovering it was a Beyonder-related incident, they promptly transferred the case to the Nighthawks.
Thus, at the scene, only the coachman and carriage were found, but not Audrey's personal maid.
Knowing their daughter was a Beyonder, Earl and Countess Hall weren't overly concerned for her safety. But from a noble's perspective, such actions were too reckless.
With a sweet smile, Audrey placated her parents in a few words, then returned to her room. She had Susie stand guard while she prayed to The Fool, reporting that her observation was complete.
A dozen seconds later, her vision was covered by gray fog as she arrived at the venue where the Tarot Club convened; the magnificent palace hall with towering stone pillars.
At the head of the bronze mottled table, behind the rolling gray fog, sat the mysterious and lofty Mr. Fool on the bronze seat.
Audrey stood and curtsied, "Good afternoon, Mr. Fool."
The Fool, Klein, nodded slightly, then said, "Describe your observation process and final conclusions."
"Yes." Audrey sat down and began recounting Raphael's entire kidnapping process.
When Klein heard that Raphael would pet a cat while receiving petitioners, he almost couldn't suppress a twitch at the corner of his mouth: 'Does this guy really think he's the Godfather?'
Audrey's account was detailed, taking over twenty minutes to reach the part about Raphael's proposed cooperation. She then inquired whether Mr. Fool wished to use Raphael to strike the Indulgence Faction.
Klein thought to himself: 'Miss Sharron would certainly be very interested in this...'
However, Raphael's desire to break free from the Indulgence Faction slightly relieved Klein. He had been worried this 'Lunatic' might be connected to the Mother Tree of Desire, another arrangement by that Outer Deity targeting him.
Thinking this, he spoke leisurely, "Discuss this matter with The World."
The great and mysterious Mr. Fool naturally wouldn't concern himself with such trivial matters, but The World, who hated evil, would be happy to strike at these evil madmen.
Audrey already had a way to contact Mr. World in the material world. So she smiled and agreed.
Then she began stating her conclusion, "The madness Raphael displays has much to do with his potion, but he makes excellent use of the potion's influence, which is quite rare. Most Beyonders try to minimize the potion's influence... few leverage it."
Klein thought: 'That's spot on. The application of the concept of fortune and misfortune are intertwined... It's no surprise for a transmigrated Beyonder to understand such wisdom...'
Audrey continued, "Although Raphael is somewhat radical, he is highly intelligent and seems perpetually ready to abandon everything he has. This makes his behavior and train of thought difficult to judge. Fortunately, he has been sufficiently friendly towards me. As an enemy, he would be quite a headache. Overall, he is a very contradictory individual, mad yet rational, kind yet evil. But he manages to find a delicate balance amidst these contradictions."
Klein nodded, "You have completed this task well. As an equal transaction, you may state your request."
He inwardly thought: 'Miss Justice holds a rather high opinion of Raphael...'
Audrey had long since decided what she wanted in exchange, "Respected Mr. Fool, I wish to know the origin of Raphael's special qualities. Why does he possess such uniqueness?"
Klein thought to himself: 'If I knew, I wouldn't have asked you to investigate!'
But as the unfathomable Mr. Fool, he certainly couldn't say such a thing. He maintained his calm tone, "Raphael's peculiarities stem from struggles between certain Hidden Existences."
He naturally wouldn't explain which existences specifically, but he was certain it must involve powers or beings of a very high level; otherwise, they wouldn't have triggered the power of the mysterious space above the Gray Fog.
Mr. Fool's answer made Audrey think: 'Hidden Existences that can draw Mr. Fool's attention must be of a very high level!'
She then thought of many possibilities, but couldn't grasp the crux.
Finally, Audrey concluded: 'Mr. Fool didn't provide further explanation. It seems my current level doesn't grant me the authority to understand the full picture of this matter...'
Feeling disappointed, she completely failed to realize this was actually Mr. Fool's typical charlatanry at work.
With official matters concluded, Audrey returned to the material world.
Over ten minutes later, a man wearing a top hat with a stern expression appeared at the door of Audrey's room. This was Klein in his Gehrman Sparrow guise.
He politely knocked before entering and asked, "Mr. Fool informed me you have obtained leads regarding the Indulgence Faction?"
...
~Backlund Bridge, Calvin Street~
Raphael looked at the letter that had suddenly appeared on the table before him and couldn't help but marvel at the wonders of the Beyonder world.
He had heard of spirit messengers before, but this was his first time seeing one.
Only, this messenger holding four heads in its hands that looked quite powerful was demanding a postage fee of one gold coin!
'Who knew that Spirit World creatures also liked gold...'
This was a letter from Audrey. After reading it, Raphael immediately called out, "Carter! Didn't you say a friend who sells munitions got his hands on a 'repeating firearm' a few days ago? Go ask about the price."
The so-called repeating firearm was a submachine gun designed and produced by Loen a few years ago, still rare on the market...