Chapter 22: Chapter 22: A World Without Oil
Chapter 22: A World Without Oil
Alice quickly learned from the captain that Antigonus had been temporarily designated as a "Level 1" Sealed Artifact and was being transported to the Saint Samuel Cathedral. This meant that her initial request was denied; she wasn't even allowed to glance at it from a distance, let alone flip through or touch it, to attempt divination.
Despite this, Alice felt an inexplicable sense of relief, as if a weight had been lifted from her heart, though many more burdens remained suspended within.
To ensure her membership fees weren't wasted and to find a place to relax, Alice headed to the divination club.
There, no one sought the services of the obscure Miss Kingsley for fortune-telling, so Alice enjoyed her leisure time, sipping drinks and reading magazines in the club.
…
On Monday, above the grey fug, Miss Justice, filled with worry, unease, and confusion, finally asked after several attempts to phrase her question, "Honorable Mr. Fool, always helpful Mr. Hanged Man and kind Miss Wheel of Fortune, I have a question. What can a pet with extraordinary powers do for its owner? Simply put, what role can it play?"
The question evidently led to an awkward silence; no one spoke, only giving Audrey peculiar looks.
Amidst Audrey's deep regret and embarrassment, Alice spoke up, "…I too would like to have a pet with supernatural abilities. Perhaps you have some experience you could share with me, Miss Justice?"
Unfortunately, Audrey's reaction made it clear to Alice that Miss Justice had no intention of sharing such experiences.
So, Alice regretfully ceased speaking, and the respected Mr. Fool… Observing Mr. Fool's forehead-pinching gesture, Alice thought Klein must be at a loss for words at that moment.
"It depends on the extraordinary abilities of the pet. For example, if it's an 'Audience,' it could observe and eavesdrop on your behalf in certain situations. You know, people are wary of their own kind but are less likely to suspect a pet of eavesdropping, even if it's sitting right at their feet," said the only one who seemed willing to seriously answer the question, Mr. Hanged Man, albeit with a strange expression and tone.
In the unspoken silence that followed, Audrey finally realized that her experiences had probably been guessed by the members of the Tarot Club.
After Klein finished reading the diary and announced the start of the transaction, Audrey was the first to propose a trade: "I'd like to know if there's a potion sequence named 'Arbiter,' and also, what kind of Beyonder can pass directly through a wooden door or make a lock ineffective?"
"I need you to investigate something for me in exchange for the answer," Alger said, successfully outbidding Klein in this business war.
"What is it?" Audrey asked, intrigued yet puzzled.
"I want to know if the king intends to retaliate against the Fossac Empire this year or before June next year, starting a new war on the Byron eastern coast," Alger mused.
Audrey agreed to the request and made her first-ever bargain.
The generous Audrey seemed unaware that there was a third person at the Tarot meeting, prompting Alice to remind them both, "Hey, if you're going to exchange such paid information, you shouldn't let me overhear it, right?"
"Oh!" Audrey realized, having overlooked the usually quiet Alice, "Mr. Fool, may I request a private conversation with Mr. Hanged Man?"
Klein readily agreed, and they quickly completed the information exchange.
Alger then turned his head towards the bronze long table and asked, "Honorable Mr. Fool, I have a question. Is the 'True Creator's Sanctuary' preached by the Aurora Order the same as the legendary 'Land Abandoned by God'?"
"That's not something you should know right now," came Klein's calm voice from the head of the bronze long table.
Unlike Alice, who guessed that Klein probably didn't know, Alger immediately bowed his head in apology, "Please forgive my slight presumption."
As the atmosphere fell silent again, Audrey felt compelled to speak, "Mr. Fool, if, I mean if, I have the chance to join another organization, like the Psychology Alchemists, may I?"
Klein, leaning back, chuckled lightly, "No problem, my only request is that you don't reveal the existence of the Tarot Club."
"If you become a member of another organization, the materials and information you can exchange will certainly be enhanced."
"I understand," Audrey said, excited once again, then thought of a question, "Mr. Fool, if I find a gentleman or lady suitable for the Tarot Club, may I guide them to join? How should I guide them?"
Mr. Fool, out of spiritual energy, hesitated to speak.
Alger, not noticing Mr. Fool's embarrassment under the grey mist, followed up with a question, "Mr. Fool, what are the criteria for future members to join our gathering? How do we judge?"
Alice, with a light laugh, tapped the table, "About that, Mr. Fool has already told us."
Audrey and Alger looked at Alice, puzzled.
"It's up to Mr. Fool to decide," Alice reminded with a smile, "And remember, secrecy is our principle."
"I see! Thank you, Miss Wheel of Fortune," Audrey said, reminded by Alice's hint, "Then, if I find suitable attendees, may I refer them to you, Mr. Fool?"
Compared to Audrey, Alger sensed something more—Miss Wheel of Fortune's relationship with Mr. Fool seemed unusual?
"Without my permission, do not recite my name."
With that closing remark, Mr. Fool ended the Tarot meeting, and it was time for Alice's private chat with Klein.
Alice took the diary handed to her by Klein and immediately understood why Klein had kept her behind—the mere fact that this world lacked oil was shocking enough, without mentioning that ancient, secretive organization that covertly influenced global affairs.
Alice understood what oil represented; even a high school student knows it's called the "blood of industry." Without oil, industry would come to a standstill here—Alice suddenly realized why, after Emperor Roselle pushed for the Industrial Revolution, this world's technology had not advanced any further.
Moreover, the absence of oil also indicated a deeper issue—was the oil buried in areas inaccessible to humans, or had this world simply not had enough time to produce oil?
Alice's interest in the history of this world grew intense.
(End of Chapter)
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone