Hearing Mr. Fool's words, Miss Justice immediately adjusted her mindset, entering her 'Spectator' state. With a light smile, she said, "I would like to know if there is a Sequence potion named 'Arbiter'. Additionally, what kind of Beyonder can pass directly through wooden doors or make locks ineffective?"
Mr. Fool knew the answer. Mr. Hanged Man knew the answer. However, the one who spoke first was neither Mr. Fool, who was maintaining his status, nor Mr. Hanged Man, who intended to exchange the information for intelligence. Instead, it was the newest member--
Mr. Devil.
"I can answer your questions," Snow stated, lifting his head slightly, his voice steady and powerful.
"What reward do you require? I can pay in gold pounds. Hmm, how does five hundred pounds sound?" Miss Justice's money power was truly enchanting. For a piece of knowledge that wasn't particularly rare, she offered a price equivalent to a Sequence 8 potion formula.
"I require two Beyonder materials: a pair of Black-spotted Scale Snake fangs and three Agate Peacock tail feathers. At market price, they total roughly six hundred pounds. Considering the difficulty of collection, there may be a premium. I can compensate for the difference in cash, or you can ask me to answer some other, non-high-level questions."
"No problem!" Audrey was excited--it was her first time buying something and receiving 'change'. She immediately agreed. Snow didn't delay and answered directly:
"The pathway with the Sequence name 'Arbiter' does indeed exist. In fact, it is controlled by the royal families of the Loen and Feynapotter kingdoms: the Augustus and Castilla families. Arbiter is the Sequence 9 of this pathway. Beyond excellent combat skills, it grants a convincing charm and majesty."
Seeing Miss Justice nod slightly, Snow continued:
"As for the Beyonder who can open doors or locks as you described, that would be the Sequence 9 'Apprentice'. This pathway is primarily in the hands of the Abraham family, though the Psychology Alchemists, the Demoness Sect, and the Aurora Order also possess portions of it."
'The Abraham family?' Mr. Hanged Man silently noted this information, which he hadn't known before. Meanwhile, Audrey couldn't help but sigh:
"If I had known the formula for 'Apprentice' earlier, perhaps I wouldn't have chosen 'Spectator'."
Hearing this, Snow chuckled lightly:
"Then I must congratulate Miss Justice on her good fortune."
"Why do you say that?" A look of confusion appeared on Audrey's face behind the mist. Was there something wrong with the Apprentice pathway?
"Because the Spectator pathway is one of the two strongest among the twenty-two Paths of God. Considering the immense risk associated with the other one, it wouldn't be incorrect to simply call it the strongest." At this point, Snow seemed to remember something and immediately turned toward Mr. Fool, bowing respectfully with a hand over his chest. "My apologies, Mr. Fool. I meant no offense."
"It is of no consequence." Mr. Fool high-mindedly pardoned Mr. Devil's rudeness. But inwardly, he was also curious--why did Snow call the Spectator pathway the strongest?
Audrey was delighted to hear Mr. Devil call the 'Spectator' pathway the strongest, but she wanted to know the basis for such a conclusion.
As a newcomer to the supernatural realm, she lacked Mr. Hanged Man's many reservations and asked directly:
"Why so? Oh, this can be settled using that hundred-pound compensation."
'Finally!' Snow had said so much precisely for this moment. He adjusted his tone before speaking, "The Spectator pathway possesses the power to modify fate. High-sequence powerhouses of this pathway can freely alter the trajectory of others' destinies, making everything develop in the direction they desire. If you find a sudden abundance of 'coincidences' appearing in your life, then please--pray to Mr. Fool immediately. Because it very likely means you have entered the 'script' of a high-sequence Spectator."
'Modify fate!' Klein's heart suddenly tightened. Not long ago, he had learned from Mr. Azik that there were inconsistencies in his own destiny. Those numerous coincidences had always troubled him. Was all of this the handiwork of a high-sequence Spectator? But why would such a being target him?
'Change fate? Sounds wonderful!' Audrey had no idea what kind of stormy waves were surging in Mr. Fool's heart. She was busy imagining a scene where she, as a high-sequence being, used coincidences to play pranks on Alfred, and she almost laughed out loud.
However, she managed to remember she was at a Tarot gathering and nodded with satisfaction:
"Mr. Devil, I am very satisfied with your answer. I will find those two materials as quickly as possible."
After the interlude caused by Snow, the Tarot Club returned to its original track until Mr. Fool uttered the words: "Without my permission, do not recite my name." The gathering then came to an end.
...
'Spectator... Modify fate... Script...' Returning to reality, Klein felt a strong sense of crisis.
He desperately wanted to ask Snow for more details about the Spectator pathway, but his status as 'The Fool' made it impossible for him to speak.
'Maybe Mr. Azik would know something? If he hasn't lost his memory...' Klein shook his head slightly. If Mr. Azik had known, he would have told him earlier. But if it really was a high-sequence powerhouse, even if he knew, he wouldn't be able to resist!
'No, if it were a high-sequence powerhouse, there should be no need for them to go through so much trouble to scheme against me. Even if they wanted the secrets above the grey fog, I would have no way to resist. So, the one they are interfering with isn't actually me--or... not just me?' The more Klein thought, the more hair-raising it became. He had only just escaped the trouble of the Antigonus family notebook, only to be embroiled in even greater trouble. No, perhaps even the Antigonus notebook was a part of the 'script'!
'What should I do? Tell the Captain? No, the Captain is only a Sequence 7. And I don't have a sufficient source of information...'
Klein paced around his room for a long while before finally shaking his head with a bitter smile. He realized he had no options.
"For now, the only plan is to increase my own strength..." Klein knew very well that even if he digested the Seer potion, he was still ages away from being a high-sequence Beyonder. He hadn't even obtained the 'Clown' formula yet. But this was currently the only thing he could do!
The carriage entered the Howes District. Klein stepped into the Divination Club. Just as he was about to greet Miss Angelica at the front desk, his pupils suddenly contracted. His spiritual intuition told him that the handsome young man standing before Miss Angelica was dangerous--both the man himself and the cat on his shoulder.
Just as Klein was hesitating over whether to turn and leave, Miss Angelica suddenly spotted him and waved, "Good afternoon, Mr. Moretti! You've come at just the right time. This gentleman wishes to have a divination..."
[Translated and Rewritten by Shika Kagura]