Lord of Mysteries: Reawakened

In Sefirah Castle.

Klein sat at the Fool's high-back chair, covered in a thick layer of grey fog.

In front of him were two figures that were standing. Their body language was slightly erratic, as they looked around to examine their surroundings. They were obviously confused, unable to understand where they were.

Then, they saw him.

No, 'Him'.

The man who was seated at the beginning of the table, one who was coated under a thick layer of fog.

A female voice spoke first. An obvious Backlund accent, with a figure that exuded royalty.

"Sir, where is this?"

Then, a male voice spoke along with the female voice. It sounded a little hoarse, a little ragged—like he was around pirates.

"What are you planning on doing?"

"So it's exactly like how it was…" Klein almost sighed as he recalled the memories of his first Tarot Club meeting.

Of course, he was able to see the two figure's faces perfectly. They were Audrey and Alger.

Then, with a deep voice, Klein uttered:

"An attempt."

With some hesitation that couldn't have been seen by Alger and Audrey, Klein had decided on keeping the original version of events.

And, just like how it played out all those years ago, Audrey had asked if Klein may permit their return. Klein had responded the exact same way he did in the past—saying they may leave if they ask a formal request.

Then, Audrey fumbled over her words, finally saying, "No, my point is—what I mean is that, Sir, what can I do to become a Beyonder?"

Like a reader re-reading moments of their favorite character, but almost in a twisted, melancholic way, Klein had experienced a surge of strange emotions that he hadn't felt in a while due to his godhood.

His head began to experience a striking pain, like a migraine had suddenly struck him.

The powers in Sefirah Castle stirred as slimy, terrifying tentacles threatened to squirm out from the bottom of Klein's body.

Both Alger and Audrey shook in fear as they tried to regain their footing due to the rumbling of Sefirah Castle.

Immediately, Klein knew exactly what this meant.

"My feelings towards Miss Justice are conflicting with each other…" Deep down, his memories couldn't help but flash through his head.

Memories of Audrey's naive view of the world…

Of her coming of age, transforming herself…

Of her developing her personality to toughen herself to adapt to the cruel world…

To the point where she even split her personality to protect those who she loves…

At the same time, he thought back on the times they talked to each other, consoled each other, lifted off each other's masks…

Through all of these memories, all sorts of questions flashed in his mind: "What if Audrey never became a Beyonder? What if she never entered the mysterious world, being naive and fully enjoying her youth?"

"Would she truly have been happier?"

For what seemed like an eternity inside his mind, these questions hung in Klein's head like cocoons.

But it was also in that moment that other memories came to him. These were Audrey's own memories that he had seen when she was treating him—when he was a King of Angels.

Klein recalled Audrey feeling her parents' love for her—even when she expressed becoming a Beyonder.

He recalled the excitement she felt when she first became a Beyonder.

He recalled the joy she felt after helping others to change her emotions and emit corresponding fluctuations.

Then, he had especially seen the joy she had felt when she talked to him. Chatting as they were friends, chatting as there were no other issues in the world but mundane political matters and flavors of coffee.

Klein was silent for a while as he 'watched' these memories.

The corners of his lips twitched as he eventually decided to keep his promise—to allow things to play out as they were whenever he can.

But deep down, something within him stirred. He felt that just keeping things the way they were for the timeline wasn't the only reason as to why he had made this decision.

No, it wasn't even the main reason.

Klein's memories once again flashed back to different scenes. This time, it was scene of his past life as Zhou Mingrui.

It was the scene of a student secretly reading novels, laughing under the evening sun without a care in the world but school;

A teenager on his computer playing video games, forgetting that he had homework to do, but still not trying to get in trouble by his parents;

A young adult with a slightly protruding belly trying his best to not be a burden on his parents, especially after everything they've done for him, as he calmed down seeing their white hair, grateful of the memories they've had;

Then, scenes of his life as Klein Moretti, Sherlock Moriarty, Gehrman Sparrow, Dwayne Dantés, Merlin Hermes, even the Fool, passed through his mind.

He cherished all of those memories he made with all of those 'hims' and 'himselfs'.

This time, he didn't stay silent. With a soft, fluctuating voice, he said inside of his head:

"I've always wished I can go back to my home. Go back to the way things were…see if I could've done anything differently."

"Now, I've went back. And while I may not have the power to ultimately change my fate, I do have the power to make things go differently this time. Perhaps enjoying these little moments more, perhaps indulging in what I shouldn't…"

"Perhaps I have the power to change everything, just this once, allowing me to spend time with them again…"

As Klein thought these words, he let out a soft chuckle.

"I shouldn't."

"Changing their fates, making things go differently…it loses respect for the memories I have built up for and with them."

Then, he answered the age-old question himself.

"If I could go back in time, I wouldn't change anything. Not anything meaningful."

Klein smiled as he felt as if Audrey's consoling would be the most appropriate thing in this situation.

Though, he didn't really need it as of right now, as the slimy tentacles had stopped squirming inside of him. The rumbling in Sefirah Castle also stopped, even though it was brief.

Of course, Klein wouldn't mind being consoled by Audrey once more.

And with this, Klein didn't say a word. After a while, Alger and Audrey finally got back to their positions as they took on a heavy appreciation for the existence before them.

"Was that a signal? To say that such a matter was inconvenient for him and that I should explain it myself…" Alger's mind raced as he tried to control his expression.

Due to this, Alger, in an emotion akin to horror, began to explain to Audrey—who was now shaking off that feeling—how to become a Beyonder. He mentioned the Spectator and Sailor potions, the ingredients for them, how to get them from each other, and also mentioned the grand witness of their trade.

Then, Audrey's soft, gentle, and slightly trembling voice echoed as she asked, "Sir, how may we address you?"

Immediately afterwards, Alger mirrored Audrey's question. He asked with a soft tone, "Sir, you power is too great for us to understand. So, how may we address you?"

Klein chuckled inwardly. This time, he wouldn't be lying, or conning, or lampooning himself.

He truly was who he said he was.

In a deep but relaxed voice, Klein rattled the edge of the long table as he said with a smile,

"You may address me as The Fool."

Klein's words echoed throughout the grand hall. Even though it had already dispersed, Audrey and Alger's minds had already trapped the mysterious man's words—its mysterious tone resounding in their ears.

Even though they never expected such a title, they felt as if this existence was deserving of it.

Then, as The Fool Klein observed their reactions, instead of allowing them to figure out their own method to send the potions to each other, he said, "Don't worry about the hassle of trying to use addresses."

"Once you use my honorific name, I will not only be the witness, but I will also be the sender."

Alger's eyebrows perked up, and Audrey's eyes widened. The mention of an honorific name meant that this existence was at the very least near the level of a deity!

A surge of emotion entered their hearts: worry, fear, awe, shock…

Then, they felt as if the person at the front of the table was looking down on them. He was staid, ancient, and mysterious.

With a slightly trembling voice, Audrey asked, "Mr. Fool—I mean, Honorable Fool—what is your honorific name?"

Klein chuckled as his voice resounded once more.

"The Fool that doesn't belong to this era."

"The mysterious ruler above the gray fog."

"The King of Yellow and Black who wields good luck."

"Whenever you want to make a formal request, just say my honorific name. If you have the corresponding payment, I will grant it."

Alger's heart dropped once more the instant he heard the name of the deity. He then thought quickly:

"That pattern…it resembles that of the orthodox churches! This existence truly is a 'He'…"

"If so, then why is 'He' calling us up here and not those who are more worthy? Are we a part of some greater purpose serving 'Him'? No, I can't be having such thoughts. I can't comprehend the actions of a deity…"

Audrey didn't have such a reaction. She was more in awe instead of horrified. This was because she didn't have the corresponding mystical knowledge to fully understand the honorific name.

Audrey lifted the hems of her dress up. While bowing, she trembled slightly as she said: "Yes, Honorable Mr. Fool. Your will is my will."

After hearing Audrey's comment, Alger mustered up some courage as he asked, "Honorable Mr. Fool, you mentioned a formal request. Does that not mean that there will be further gatherings later on? Even considering your incomprehensible power, I believe that you have goals that you wish to achieve through us."

"The young lady across from me is evidently someone who is wealthy and has a high status. Then, for me, I am also someone who has a plethora of experiences, insights, and resources under my belt."

"Perhaps, through these gatherings, we can both help you complete something that you might consider trivial, but inconvenient."

Audrey almost jumped up, surprised at how Alger was able to figure out her identity so easily.

"I didn't know my accent and behavior gave so much away…" She thought, nearly embarrassed.

However, The Fool Klein paused at Alger's statement, knowing what he meant by it.

Taking advantage of this pause, Audrey echoed Alger's concerns, saying, "Honorable Mr. Fool, I think it's a very good suggestion. As long as this Gathering becomes regular, you can leave things trivial but inconvenient for you to us."

Then, Klein leaned back in his chair casually as he said,

"So be it. I am someone who likes a fair and equal exchange, so your wishes for help will not go unrewarded."

"In that case, we will have a Gathering every Monday at 3 PM, Loen time."

"Remember to be alone while you are praying to me and in the Gathering. It is not in my best interest to clash with the orthodox deities."

Audrey fist bumped, unable to contain her excitement—almost forgetting that she was in the presence of a deity.

She had just turned seventeen, after all.

Her eyes glowed with excitement as she asked, "In that case, how about we use identities from the Tarot? We can't use our real names."

Alger nodded. Then, he glanced at the beginning of the long table.

Klein softened his expression as he said, "Good idea."

Then, he tapped the table, allowing two Tarot cards appearing before Alger and Audrey on the table. They were facing down.

Klein continued. "The Tarot cards before you reveal your identities. Flip them over to see what it holds."

Audrey couldn't contain her excitement. She waited for a second before finally flipping it over to see: Justice.

Her eyes gleamed with passion. "Justice! This is exactly what I wanted!"

Seeing her joyous attitude, Alger was slightly turned off at first. But he immediately focused as he too flipped over his card. It was The Hanged Man.

"Both are Major Arcana cards…" Alger thought as he relaxed his frowning expression.

"Alright!" Audrey looked over at The Fool Klein and smiled involuntarily. "Can we call this secretive Gathering the Tarot Club, Honorable Mr. Fool?"

Klein's smile twitched.

"Sure," He responded.

But before Audrey could express her excitement even further, The Fool Klein continued, "Miss Justice and Mr. Hanged Man. I have requests for you. You can turn them down if you wish, but if you accept them, then I will reward you with a wish."

"A wish?" Audrey's eyes immediately glowed even further as she heard those words.

"A wish?" Chills began to run down Alger's spine as he tried to comprehend Mr. Fool's words.

"Yes, a wish. Of course, it has to be equal in value to the request." The Fool Klein assured them.

"Miss Justice, when you become a Spectator, you will join various secret Beyonder gatherings. Then, you will meet a young lady who is both a Beyonder and an author. This is fine, but my request is simple:"

"When you meet her, find a way for her to say my honorific name. Make sure it's on a full moon. You can also speak to her close friend about it as well."

Audrey's mouth widened as she heard The Fool Klein's words. She could've only thought, "He is speaking…like he's seen the future. It's like he's speaking of a prophesy! As expected of a deity!"

Audrey immediately bowed in response, trying to contain her enthusiasm. "Your will is my will, Mr. Fool."

Alger also thought on The Fool Klein's words. He could've only thought, "Mr. Fool clearly has unfathomable powers of prophesy. Could it be that 'He's' preparing for the turning tides of the times? 'He' is able to see the future, and we are merely helping 'Him' in 'His' preparations…"

Then, Alger almost had a cold sweat as he heard the Fool Klein spoke to him.

"Mr. Hanged Man, I also have a request for you."

"When you go back at sea, a crazy adventurer will soon appear. Once that happens, try to meet up with him. This won't be too dangerous, as the crazy adventurer will be looking for other pirates. My mission is simple—for you to join him in looking for those pirates."

"Like Miss Justice, your reward for this mission is also a wish."

Alger didn't object. He had met crazy adventurers and other pirates before and knew how to navigate around them, so he didn't find this mission too difficult.

He then said softly, "Your will is my will."

The Fool Klein chuckled.

"Alright. Today's gathering ends here."