Evil Gods Don’t Save People

"In the Tarot Club, there's a writer. Her name is Fors Wall. She is the disciple of Dorian Abraham and also from the Door Pathway. She has a lazy personality, is introverted and affected by ravings on Full Moon nights. Her codename is the Magician."

Miss Magician, Fors Wall.

"There's also a noble lady. Audrey Hall, called the Jewel of Backlund. She is rich, kind, and possesses a strong sense of justice. Her codename reflects that—she is Miss Justice."

Miss Justice, Audrey Hall.

"After that, there is a member of the Rose School of Thought's Temperance faction. She is quiet, prefers observing, and has an Ancient Bane as a teacher. Her name is Sharron and her codename is Temperance."

Miss Temperance, Sharron.

"…And a Red Glove named Leonard Mitchell, codenamed the Star. His goal is to take revenge on Ince Zangwill. He is usually a bit too relaxed."

Mr. Star, Leonard.

"There's Derrick Berg, living in the City of Silver in the Forsaken Land of the Gods. From the Sun Pathway, his goal is to bring his city out of the darkness, and his codename is the Sun."

Mr. Sun, Derrick Berg.

"As well as a female pirate from the Hidden Sage's Pathway named Cattleya. Her codename is the Hermit. There's also another pirate named Alger Wilson, from the Church of the Lord of Storms—his codename is the Hanged Man. He often makes conspiracy theories."

Madam Hermit, Cattleya.

Mr. Hanged Man, Alger Wilson.

"Lastly, there's a vampire sacrificed by Lilith. His name is Emlyn White, his codename is the Moon, and he spends all of his money on dolls. Did I say Miss Magician was my believer?"

Mr. Moon, Emlyn White.

Mr. Fool, who had already mentioned the Tarot Club during their previous conversations, finished the official introduction of all His organization's members to the Evernight Goddess.

Since He didn't have much to say, He would usually speak about who advanced recently or what happened during a meeting, but due to having come down to the real world, He now had more to tell.

"I decided to leave Sefirah Castle and descended as Gehrman Sparrow. I made someone become my believer…"

In front of the silent Evernight Goddess, the Fool continued to explain His recent adventures, telling Her how He scammed a pirate named Danitz into getting drunk, spilling out his secrets and reciting His honorific name.

"I also met Miss Magician's teacher to talk about the Abraham family's curse and offered them shelter during Full Moon nights. Now the Abraham family has started to believe in me and even offered Grade 0 Sealed Artifacts."

As well as the Abraham family's affairs.

"I met an Ancient Bane in the middle of the streets. She felt her arm on me—which was gifted by the Life School of Thought—and stopped me, then we signed a messenger contract."

How He met Reinette Tinekerr.

"I also killed the 'Sea God'. Now I can hear his prayers."

After reporting what he did one by one, He concluded.

"…And I met Roselle's daughter. We hunted cultists together. Later, I learnt she did it because she was searching for clues about me."

The Evernight Goddess, who had listened to His tales of leaving the Sefirah He had been bound to for so long without interrupting, put down Her teacup.

"Then, why did you lock yourself up in the first place?"

Was it because of divinity? The question rang clear, Her voice soothing yet the emotions of the speaker unreadable.

The Fool, who had already told Her the answer in the past, simply repeated it.

"I sealed myself in Sefirah Castle to not hurt my believers any longer."

Amanises inquired again, "Then why did you leave it?"

The Fool was silent for a moment, reminiscing the past, before smiling.

Somehow, the Tarot Club members came to mind.

"…I decided to move on."

Now, maybe it was alright to move on.

Seeing the Fool's expression, the Evernight Goddess stared at Him, Her thoughts unknown.

"…I see."

***

Soon after, the Evernight Goddess left as it was time for the Tarot Club's meeting.

The Fool stared at the cup left behind, next to His chair, and made the item's projection disappear. Then, the clock reached 3 p.m. and the Fool summoned the members above the gray fog.

"Good afternoon, Mr. Fool~."

The god watched the members greet Him then trade between themselves, the Fool Himself selling some Beyonder Characteristics He got by hunting pirates. Finally, they reached the free exchange segment.

Alger looked towards Little Sun and said, "Are you still in Afternoon Town?"

"Yes, but we will be returning to the City of Silver soon. The new expedition team arrived today." Derrick not only answered Mr. Hanged Man's question seriously, but he even offered a tidbit. "I've already told the Chief that while clearing out the Afternoon Town monsters, I obtained the potion formula for Priest of Light."

The Hanged Man nodded slightly and said, "What was his attitude?"

"He only said 'very good'," Derrick carefully recalled what had happened.

Alger chuckled when he heard that.

"You can be at ease. Your Chief is very happy to see you grow."

He didn't continue on the topic as he informed all the members of a piece of news:

"Recently, many pirates have been heading to Bansy Harbor. They discovered that it has already been completely destroyed. Even if it's rebuilt, it would take several years."

At that, some members glanced toward the Fool. However, seeing that He showed no reaction, they continued the discussion.

At last, the meeting ended, the Tarot Club members leaving, and silence returned above the gray fog.

The Fool sat there for a while, lost in thought as He stared into empty air, until He spoke up.

"Hound of Fulgrim."

However, there was no answer.

He said it again, a bit louder, "Hound of Fulgrim."

Then, the Fool raised His head, repeating Himself.

"…Hound of Fulgrim?"

Even after a while, nobody came.

"You…"

Feeling the abnormality, the god used His connection with Sefirah Castle to check the space above the gray fog, finally finding the being He was searching for.

"…"

The Hound of Fulgrim was dead.

Surrounded by silence, the Fool sat at the long bronze table, unmoving.