LOTM: Paradox Pathway

"Phew, speaking of the outcome, it's not too bad." Snow walked out of the police station under Dunn's complex gaze, his face carrying a faint smile.

Although going to the police station to have a showdown with Dunn seemed rather reckless, careful analysis would reveal that the risks involved weren't as great as one might imagine.

First, Snow had experienced Dunn's dream infiltration probe and hadn't shown any problems. Second, he hadn't exposed any Beyonder characteristics either. Under these circumstances, he was just an ordinary person who occasionally heard some information from the mysticism circles. For such people, the Church wouldn't pay too much attention.

Or rather, if even such semi-informed individuals had to be detained, places like the Bravehearts Bar wouldn't exist.

Therefore, facing Snow, this "ordinary person," Dunn had only two choices—

First, recruit him to join the Nighthawks squad, starting as a clerical worker.

Second, keep him under observation but take no action.

Joining the Nighthawks would be an excellent outcome for Snow, as it would allow him to more easily tear apart Ince Zangwill's script. As long as he didn't expose his mastery of the acting method, he could hide in the Tingen Nighthawks squad as a "Seer" until the end of the world without problems. With some maneuvering, he might even become the Aurora Order's branch president in Tingen, taking the Aurora Order's benefits while selling out the Aurora Order, and in the end, Mr. A would still have to thank him.

Unfortunately, Dunn clearly had no such intention.

This could be because he came from Backlund, or because he didn't meet the recruitment standards for clerical personnel. But none of this mattered, because he had at least achieved his most basic goal—

After registering with Dunn in person, Snow had established a persona as "an ordinary person who learned about the Beyonder world." Whether it was entering the local mysticism enthusiast circles or "coincidentally" appearing at the Bravehearts Bar, it would all seem reasonable. Although he might be dragged away by Dunn for a lecture, at least his future movements would be unproblematic.

Taking out his pocket watch to check the time, Snow turned to find an affordable restaurant to dine. Only when the sun became scorching hot did he return to the inn, waiting for Mr. Fool's summons.

...

Above the Gray Fog, in the magnificent and imposing palace, the ancient and mottled bronze long table sat quietly as if unchanged since time immemorial.

After a tide-like dispersion of radiance, Snow appeared above the long table. Beside him was a male figure whose face couldn't be seen clearly, with only a head of blue seaweed-like hair vaguely discernible.

Across from him, a blonde girl's face was similarly blurred. Just as Snow was eagerly waiting to hear Miss Justice's sweet and innocent voice greeting everyone, Miss Justice was clearly not in her usual state. Instead, it was Mr. Fool who lightly tapped the bronze long table and spoke in a dignified and steady voice:

"This is a new member, codenamed 'Devil'."

"This is Miss Justice, and this is Mr. Hanged Man."

If it were any other time, Miss Justice would certainly have been delighted to observe this new member, then try to speculate why this gentleman chose the codename Devil and what kind of legendary past he possessed.

However, at this moment, her mind was entirely focused on her family's large dog that had suddenly started talking. Instead, it was Mr. Hanged Man who felt somewhat dissatisfied. (Well, please treasure this current Hanged Man who was still a qualified member of the Rampager.)

At this time, Miss Justice finally organized her words:

"Honorable Mr. Fool, Mr. Hanged Man who always helps me, and the newly joined Mr. Devil, I have a question I'd like to ask for advice—

What can a pet with Beyonder powers help its master do? Simply put, what functions can it have?"

The pleasant voice echoed in the great hall. Miss Justice suddenly found the atmosphere becoming somewhat silent. That strange quietness and everyone's gazes made her wish she could find a crack in the ground to crawl into.

Just when the fog could hardly conceal the blush on her pretty face, Mr. Hanged Man finally began to explain.

Although as someone who also kept a Beyonder pet, Snow could obviously steal the spotlight in this area, being too eager to perform might provoke Mr. Hanged Man's resentment. Better to play it safe first.

Listening to Mr. Hanged Man using the "Spectator" pathway as an example, Miss Justice became visibly more flustered. She straightened her back to make herself appear more confident, then forcibly changed the topic:

"Mr. Fool, I found another page of Emperor Roselle's diary. But I'm sorry, this page doesn't contain much content."

"It's fine, your debts are all cleared." With Mr. Fool's status, he obviously couldn't be too particular about the length of the diary. Just as Miss Justice began recording what she remembered on parchment, Snow finally spoke:

"Honorable Mr. Fool, do you need Emperor Roselle's diary?"

"!" ×3

As soon as he spoke, not only Mr. Hanged Man and Mr. Fool, but even Audrey, who was writing, paused slightly. Because when Mr. Devil said the word "diary," it was far too natural, as if he had known it was a diary all along!

"That's right, you can exchange corresponding rewards by providing me with Roselle's diary." Mr. Fool nodded lightly, though he felt somewhat nervous inside. Currently, his mysterious being's prestige was entirely supported by the knowledge from Emperor Roselle's diary. If someone appeared who could decode the diary, he'd have to be careful when putting on airs.

However, recognizing it as a diary wasn't actually that difficult. After all, even Old Neil had discovered the pattern of dates...

While Mr. Fool was consoling himself, Miss Justice, who had finished copying a page of Emperor Roselle's diary, looked up and curiously asked:

"Mr. Devil, you know that Emperor Roselle's notes are diaries?"

'Good question!' Mr. Fool silently applauded Miss Justice's question, not knowing that Mr. Devil was also applauding in his heart—

"Yes, Pan... um, notes left by an elder in my family mentioned this point, but that elder didn't leave behind the corresponding decoding method, so what I know is limited to this."

Snow imperceptibly added some presence to his so-called family, but appropriately stopped there, allowing Mr. Hanged Man and Miss Justice to fill in the blanks themselves, then left the time for Mr. Fool.

In the Tarot Club, Mr. Fool's reading time was sacred and inviolable. Snow naturally wouldn't violate this rule. He silently repeated his planned procedures in his mind, waiting for Mr. Fool to utter that long-awaited line—

"You may begin your exchange."

Author's Note: People say that Political Commissar Dao and Master Luo are exchange students, but looking carefully, you'll find that in the early stages, Alger was super brave. When Mr. Fool pulled Little Sun onto the gray fog, Alger actually showed dissatisfaction! At this time, he already understood Mr. Fool's three-part honorific name and had received responses after praying, basically confirming Mr. Fool's status close to that of a true god. Under these circumstances, he actually showed obvious dissatisfaction. From this point alone, he's indeed a proper hot-tempered big brother.

(End of Chapter)