Lord of Mysteries: Starting As A Reader

"What happened?" As the "best straight man" personally designated by "The Fool," "Justice" Audrey asked curiously.

"The Hanged Man" Alger didn't beat around the bush and replied directly: "The heavily wounded 'Sea God' Kalvetua, who had been hiding for years, is on the verge of collapse and has gone mad searching for ways to prolong its existence.

"Its followers have been launching attacks everywhere, seemingly searching for someone. Some fanatics have even prepared for 'burial sacrifices,' ready to perish alongside their god.

"In response, the Church of Storms' 'Sea King' Jahn Kottman has arrived in Bayam and suppressed that evil spirit, blockading Blue Mountain Island. He'll likely locate Kalvetua's hiding place within a day or two."

This aligns with my assessment... On one side is a collapsing "Sea God" now at most Sequence 3 level; on the other is the fully operational "Sea King" who can deploy sealed artifacts at any time. The outcome is obvious—Jahn Kottman can absolutely suppress Kalvetua's madness indefinitely, preventing Bayam from being submerged and stopping Blue Mountain Island and its cities from becoming lost underwater ruins...

Once Kalvetua's final frenzy passes and it completely disintegrates, the matter will be resolved. This is the simplest and most effective solution, causing no panic. Most people in Bayam won't even notice anything unusual...

Though I've heard Jahn Kottman's primary role is as a senior deacon of the "Mandated Punishers." The archipelago's remote location necessitated unifying authority, hence his additional appointment as cardinal. His methods likely lean more toward the "Mandated Punishers"... Still, even for him, locating Kalvetua's hideout won't be easy...

A day or two? That's probably an optimistic estimate. I still have time.

Recalling his morning ritual of offering cigarette cases to "Sea God" Kalvetua, Klein—who was about to claim his "inheritance"—felt revealing some insider details wouldn't hurt. It could also serve as another opportunity to probe "The Tower."

Manipulating "The World," he feigned seeking "The Fool's" permission before rasping:

"The incident was triggered by members of the 'Moses Ascetic Order' entering the deep jungles of Symeem Island under the guise of exploration or archaeology. They discovered ancient elf ruins and retrieved the Book of Calamity.

"The Book of Calamity is linked to Kalvetua's origins... which drove it to lose control and approach collapse.

"Notably, a 'Pillar' of the 'Moses Ascetic Order' orchestrated this operation."

He then projected an image of the rather attractive female adventurer he'd encountered.

"The World's" explanation drew the Tarot Club members' gazes toward the yellowish-brown book beside "The Fool's" hand.

So this book caused such chaos... But how did it end up with "The Fool"? Did "The World" capture that "Moses Ascetic Order" adventurer or repel their "Pillar" before offering the Book of Calamity to "The Fool"?

Still, what's a "Pillar"? Such a title must correspond to at least a high-sequence individual... "Justice," "The Magician," and others felt minor puzzlement but lacked deeper context.

In contrast, "Temperance" and "Judgment"—who understood the significance of a "Moses Ascetic Order Pillar"—had more elaborate theories. Especially the former; Sharon was certain Sherlock couldn't have repelled a "Pillar" alone. There had to be more to the story.

"Leticia Dolera..." Alger recognized the woman in the projection. A realization struck him:

No wonder that self-proclaimed "Sea God" evil spirit—quiet for over a century—suddenly neared collapse...

After all, long ago, it was defeated by two cardinals and military elites wielding sealed artifacts, barely escaping to hide...

So the "Moses Ascetic Order" engineered this...

Hah, "The World" did go to Symeem Island... Which means his "scandal" with "Ailment Maiden" might've been a cover. His real target was likely the Book of Calamity?

Or perhaps "Ailment Maiden's" rebellion wasn't as simple as it seemed!

That said, "The World" is almost catching up to—or even surpassing—that "hero detective" who attracts incidents at every banquet or gathering...

First the Great Smog of Backlund, then the anomaly at Bansy Harbor, now Kalvetua's death throes and the "Moses Ascetic Order's" schemes...

Does this mean wherever he appears, major events are brewing or imminent?

No, more accurately: wherever major events brew or loom, "The Fool's" blessed arrives! He follows "The Fool's" directives, tracking the activities of secret organizations and evil gods!

This is "The Fool's" will!

Amid his conjectures, Alger naturally arrived at the critical question:

How did "The World" obtain the Book of Calamity from a "Pillar" of the Moses Ascetic Order?

"The World" is strong but no match for a demigod... Unless he had backup from other blessed of "The Fool"—or that "Pillar" never intervened...

His thoughts were interrupted by "Justice's" puzzled voice: "Who is Leticia Dolera? The lady in the image?"

Snapping back, Alger opted not to dwell further and explained: "The person in the image is Leticia Dolera, an archaeologist and adventurer.

"Rumors claim she's a member of either the 'Moses Ascetic Order' or 'Revelation Society.'

"Now it seems it's the former."

...also Governor Ovella's mistress... Ebner silently added this tidbit without voicing it aloud.

After all, if Xio or Fors ask how I know this, I can't very well say I eavesdropped in a dream...

Mentally grumbling, Ebner carefully phrased his question: "If it's Leticia... then the 'Pillar' overseeing this would be Yalolan?"

He'd learned long ago from Cale's "hypnosis" of Lydia that the ancestor of Teenager Terran was Lady Yalolan.

And during his time in the Dream Labyrinth Tower's fifth layer, he'd accidentally overheard that Leticia was Terran's aunt...

So if a "Pillar" were truly overseeing the elf ruins expedition, Yalolan was the most likely candidate.

From the lowest seat, "The World" glanced at "The Tower" and nodded: "Correct."

Meanwhile, "The Fool" at the head of the table mused internally: His tone and emotional response seem genuinely deduced... Doesn't sound at all like someone mentioning an old flame...

Ebner, however, was busy speculating: Yalolan was probably Rhine's "friend." Did she learn about Gerhman's existence from that time-traveler, then use the Book of Calamity as an introductory gift to invest in "The Fool"?

Elsewhere, having just finished explaining the Moses Ascetic Order's basic structure to "Justice," "The Magician," and "The Sun," Alger heard "The Tower" mention "Yalolan" and couldn't help asking: "Mr. Tower, are you acquainted with that 'Pillar'?"

Ebner shook his head, organizing his words:

"Only by reputation, never met.

"Rumors say she's been active since the Four Emperors War, possibly earlier."

These "rumors" naturally came from Cale.

At this point, "The Fool" chuckled and corrected: "One should refer to her as 'Her.'"

Klein had confirmed this through divination above the gray fog.

Her?! That "Pillar" is actually an angel? And from "The Fool's" tone, they might know each other! No wonder "The World" obtained the Book of Calamity!

Alger's mind raced as he imagined Yalolan being "The Fool's" long-planted mole within the Moses Ascetic Order.

Given how He convenes our gatherings, it's entirely possible! Stealing a glance at the imposing figure at the head of the table, Alger felt renewed awe.

Ebner, too, was momentarily impressed by "The Fool's" display—were he not so familiar with the truth, he might have reached similar conclusions as Alger.

After allowing everyone time to digest this information (with varying degrees of personal interpretation), Alger resumed recounting the "Demoness Sect" infighting on Symeem Island.

Compared to the unfamiliar "Sea God" and Moses Ascetic Order, this gossip proved far more engaging for "Justice," "The Magician," and other ladies—especially since it involved a "pirate admiral's" romantic entanglement with an "adventurer."

Klein repeatedly considered interrupting to clarify but wisely refrained—such matters only grew murkier with explanation.

However, when Alger mentioned the Demoness Sect losing one "Witch" and one "Demoness of Pleasure," the members' expressions turned peculiar, with frequent glances toward "The World."

Even "Temperance" Sharon turned to look, finally prompting Klein to have "The World" explain: emphasizing how the infighting stemmed from Tracy's "mother" being manipulated, and how the false rumors likely originated from her as well—possibly to provoke Tracy into revealing herself.

Some accepted this explanation (like Sharon); others remained skeptical (like Fors).

Ebner fell into the former camp—when it came to personal integrity, he trusted "The Fool."

Seizing the opportunity, Ebner shared intelligence gleaned from his earlier investigation at the Red Angel's "grave":

"Tracy's mother, 'Saintess of White' Katarina, has been turned into a 'puppet' by the Intis special envoy Owen Delien using a sealed artifact.

"This envoy also serves on the Psychological Alchemists' highest council under the codename 'Lust.'"

"Lust" from the Psychological Alchemists... controlling a "Demoness of Unaging"... Just the codename alone makes him sound despicable! Why are Intis envoys always such lechers? Audrey felt ashamed to share membership in the same organization.

Then she remembered her own noble status and shrugged it off.

"Can we report his identity to the authorities?" "The World" asked after consideration. His concern wasn't for Tracy, but disgust at Owen's methods.

"The Judgment" Xio shook her head: "Our military knows his identity... but has no plans to arrest him.

"The Delien family's influence is immense, with the Church of the Eternal Sun's protection... Only the Church of Storms might show interest."

Alger calculated the odds and sighed: "Without evidence... it would achieve little."

Powerful families always had skeletons—unless they overstepped drastically, churches typically turned a blind eye.

"Perhaps suggest Tracy inform the Demoness Sect—secret organizations don't require evidence," Ebner proposed.

His designs on the "Sea Monster" characteristic would inevitably clash with the Deliens—any weakening helped.

(End of Chapter)