Chapter Forty-Four: Selris Plans to Sell the Curiosity

As the representative of the Tarot Society, Audrey spoke first as usual. Aside from Susie's matter, what concerned her most was the Vicount Fors: “Everyone, is there such an extraordinary ability where someone can obtain fragments of ‘traits’ from several people, piece them together into an entirely new person, and then implant this creation into others’ memories so that everyone believes he truly exists?”

This ability was peculiar. Klein felt a slight chill, though above the gray mist he lacked such sensory perception.

“Based on your description, it sounds more like possessing multiple abilities. I do know someone like that—his extraordinary powers share many similarities with what you described,” Alger thought immediately of his childhood friend, Zelinger.

“Miss Justice,” Selris interrupted Alger, causing him to frown slightly. Although the current Hanged Man was far more temperate than other enraged souls, he still dared to express dissatisfaction with the Fool’s behavior.

Selris ignored Alger’s displeasure and raised a finger to his lips, signaling silence to Audrey.

“Miss Justice, once a falsehood is suddenly exposed, it loses all value in existence.”

Audrey tried to comprehend Selris’s words: so, if she were to expose this false identity—say, by revealing whose traits were borrowed for each part—then Vicount Fors would vanish?

As an observer, Audrey grasped the idea immediately. Her eyes widened in delight; she felt she had finally stepped into an extraordinary event she had long yearned for.

So that was why Mr. Demon asked me to guide the noble youth and upper-class individuals to invest in him?

Audrey quickly shifted the topic.

“Then, what kind of extraordinary person can pass directly through a wooden door, or render a lock ineffective?”

I know this... Cloaked in gray-white mist, Klein was about to speak when the eager-to-prove-himself Hanged Man cut in first: “I need you to help me investigate something, in exchange for an answer.”

Klein instantly flushed with warmth, thinking, Finally, a chance to show off!

[You’re doomed—offending the petty Germann. Prepare for payback.]

“What matter?” Audrey asked, both interested and puzzled.

---

Alger glanced at the Fool and pondered aloud, “I want to know if the king intends to retaliate against the Fursack Empire within this year or before June next year by starting a new war on the Byron coast.”

The common language of the Tarot Society was Runic, established based on the accents at their first gathering. Thus, Alger knew Miss Justice was a noble from the Rune Kingdom, and he trusted she understood he was also from Rune. To Mr. Demon, the language spoken was of little concern.

As for the Fool, Alger suspected that his Runic traits were merely a disguise for easier communication.

It was like this: Klein upfront needed only to appear inscrutable, but the Hanged Man behind had more to consider.

Since that ritual magic, Alger had unconsciously begun referring to the Fool with a reverent “He.”

Audrey recalled the snippets she had heard and seen at various social events and nodded with some confidence:

“No problem, but it will require sufficient time to confirm.”

[Detective Susie and her assistant Audrey, ready for deployment!]

“I can wait,” Hanged Man Alger smiled. “With Mr. Fool as witness, I trust you won’t renege.”

Audrey glanced at the silent, mysterious Fool within the gray mist and smiled faintly, “But I believe this matter holds greater value than the two questions I asked combined.”

Having grown, Audrey had mastered the art of bargaining.

Bargaining Level: lv0 → lv1.

[Gold Pound: “Heh, growing up.”]

“Once you have the answer, I will provide compensation accordingly,” Alger replied as if he were prepared.

Never having encountered a blowhard before, Audrey quietly exhaled, internally cheering herself for learning to bargain.

---

Alger began answering Audrey’s earlier questions, adding a bit of intelligence from the Spiritual Knowledge Society.

Audrey instantly felt she had struck gold.

After Audrey finished, Selris picked up the conversation.

“I have a batch of curiosities I wish to sell. Is anyone interested?”

“What are curiosities?” Alger asked.

“They are similar to extraordinary items but not exactly the same. They do not possess the extraordinary properties of the alchemical system.”

“You mean, there are extraordinary systems beyond alchemy?” Alger’s tone was filled with astonishment. He was not one to easily believe others, but the Fool, who was close to divinity, showed no reaction.

Klein immediately thought of the Star God—could this imply an energy system from another planet? So these curiosities might be alien technology? True, the universe is vast; alchemy cannot be the sole means of acquiring extraordinary powers. Perhaps another system, granted directly by a deity, might suddenly emerge.

“Of course,” Selris paused, “but we’ll discuss this matter later.” He planned to wait until Little Sun appeared to talk about destiny-related topics. There were too few people present now.

Although interested in this new extraordinary system, Audrey was clearly more intrigued by the curiosities available for immediate purchase.

“Mr. Demon, what functions do these curiosities have, and how do you plan to sell them?”