Adrian's voice was odd—since arriving in this world, he'd never heard of anyone daring to sell True Creator-related Beyonder items to Aurora Order members. Even if this "Black Snake" didn't know his identity, it was a remarkably foolish move from any angle.
"Uh… 300 pounds, just 300 pounds!" Black Snake, seeing genuine interest, spoke quickly, fearing the item would stay unsold. Adrian nodded, pulling gold pounds from his wallet and handing them over.
Black Snake counted the coins, then drew a small wooden box from his coat. Bending down, he slid it across the floor to Adrian, avoiding the attendants.
Adrian picked up the box, a faint smile on his face. He opened it gently, revealing an "ear" inside. It looked real, though its skin was blackened, with patches of green rot.
"Not bad."
Adrian praised it, toying with the ear. Likely from a weak-willed Listener, it held the True Creator's mad ravings, which Adrian could sense.
But Black Snake, having sold the item, seemed choked. He stared, stunned, at the man casually handling this "cursed object," an uneasy feeling rising within him. He'd touched it before and knew its mental corruption…
The Eye of Wisdom, watching nervously, relaxed slightly after confirming the Hanged Man pathway Beyonder showed no signs of madness.
Klein, catching Adrian's gaze, seized the silent moment to whisper, "I need a Mist Treant's true root or a Water-Shaped Gem."
After a brief pause, someone spoke: "I have a Water-Shaped Gem. Two pounds, want it?"
Klein nodded. "Fair price."
After their deal, several transactions failed. Klein felt the scarcity of resources among rogue Beyonders—better to ask his Tarot Club members later. Adrian had found Evil-Patterned Black Leopard spinal fluid in the Aurora Order's stores, leaving only the Mist Treant's root and sap for his potion.
With the trades concluded, the Eye of Wisdom clapped. "That's all for today. As usual, leave one by one, three minutes apart. Black Snake, you first."
Black Snake froze, glanced warily at Adrian, and slipped out quickly.
…
Back at the Aurora Order's manor, Adrian spoke briefly with Klein before leaving to rest. Klein, however, planned to study the commission on the gray fog—when it involved his and his family's safety, he got serious.
Passing through layers of whispers to the gray fog, Klein took a deep breath and drew his pendulum.
He prepared to divine!
After careful thought, Klein set his divination statement: "There are other Beyonders influencing this event." Wright's investigation had been thorough, giving Klein enough data to divine.
Ending his chant, Klein opened his eyes:
The pendulum spun, confirming Wright's findings—other Beyonders were indeed behind this!
This shattered Klein's faint hopes…
He tapped the armrest, anxious. Calming himself, Klein prepared to divine the mastermind, checking if the "Intis ambassador" was the cause. He didn't want to waste effort with Adrian on the wrong target…
After a dream divination, Klein opened his eyes, interpreting the visions. Surprisingly, besides Ambassador Beklang, a mid-sequence Seer was involved, and the dream's hazy images placed them near the Aurora Order's manor—meaning the Seer was already here!
Klein, too rushed to question how he divined a higher-sequence Seer, hurried down from the gray fog to warn Adrian of the impending threat!
…
Knock, knock, knock.
The room was dim, lit only by two faint flames. A carpet lent a touch of warmth to the space.
Adrian sat by the fireplace, quietly reading, when he tilted his ear. His Listener ability activated, catching sounds beyond the manor. He snapped his book shut, placing it on the side table.
Taking two steps to the window, his Observer perspective revealed not just the analyzed terrain but, with his status, the spirit threads unique to the Seer pathway. He saw the spirit threads of a Rose Bishop on gate duty gripped, then stilled.
"Honored Kin!"
"Adrian!"
Two voices called out. Adrian turned to see Klein and Mr. Z, startled to find each other equally quick to spot the enemy.
Mr. Z's respect deepened. "Worthy of you, Honored Klein. Sequence 8, yet such insight. Praise the Lord! No wonder He chose you as His kin."
Mr. Z's admiration embarrassed Klein, who coughed twice. "Let's not get into that. Adrian, an enemy's here—likely a powerful Beyonder sent by Beklang."
"I see," Adrian said calmly. "It's a Morionettist. Z, we've lost a comrade."
"…May his spirit rest by the Lord's side."
Mr. Z drew a cross on his chest, praying silently. His eyes then gleamed with fury. "We'll avenge our kin!"
"Honored Kin, permit me to fight."
"Of course," Adrian nodded, his cold demeanor striking Klein as unfamiliar. Turning to Klein, Adrian said, "Klein, the fight may be dangerous. If you're scared, you can…"
Without that remark, Klein might have held back, planning revenge via the Tarot Club. But Adrian's words sparked his resolve. He said earnestly, "I'll fight with you."
A veiled taunt, though underhanded, often worked wonders.
"Well done, Klein," Adrian said, a smile breaking his stern face. "Now, let me outline the plan…"
(End of Chapter)
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