Capítulo 223: Chapter 223: Why Does This Sound Like Something I’d Do?
That statement wasn't entirely the truth.
Alice hadn't expected the Eye of Mystery Prying to reveal anything unusual about her. Mainly, it was because she'd encountered a demigod on the "Hermit Pathway" before—Bernadette.
Alice speculated that the Eye of Mystery Prying had only recently started detecting something amiss about her.
However...
For the first time realizing that the Eye of Mystery Prying wasn't fully under her control, Alice thought about certain "monstrous" beings who, in a way, shared her predicament. Half-sympathetic, she turned to Klein in the gray mist, tapping the table and asking:
"Can you seal her eyes?"
Audrey and Alger suddenly recalled how Alice used to keep her eyes tightly shut.
At some point, they realized, Miss "Fate" no longer wore the glasses that had appeared on her face—she could now look directly at Mr. Fool.
Thinking about Cattleya's earlier distress, their hearts twinged, and they quickly averted their gaze.
Everyone else was lost in thought—some pondering what Cattleya meant by "light."
It was clear that Alice hadn't fully known what was happening to her and had only found the answer just now. But… what could "light" signify?
Klein was also considering the question, regretting that Cattleya hadn't looked at him instead. He was curious too, after all.
But… his focus might have been different. He remembered that everyone who had looked at him—well, technically one and a half people, as Alice hadn't truly looked—was on the "monster" pathway. Could the Eye of Mystery Prying see him? He wasn't a stranger to "Hermit Pathway," after all.
While Klein's thoughts wandered, Alice's question brought him back. He chuckled lightly and nodded at Alice.
"I can."
He then turned to Cattleya, saying, "You could try manifesting a pair of glasses over your eyes."
With the Eye of Mystery Prying handled, Cattleya finally raised her head, ready to rejoin the Tarot Club, glancing around and introducing herself in response to Audrey's questioning look:
"The Hermit."
After the introductions, Audrey looked toward the head of the bronze table and addressed him, "Mr. Fool, I was out of town, so I could only find one page of Roselle's diary."
Hearing this, Alice instinctively glanced at Cattleya, eager to see her shock—every newcomer went through this.
But Cattleya's reaction was a bit too pronounced.
As the famed "Admiral of the Stars" and an adept "Seer," Cattleya might have been surprised at first, but she wouldn't be that astonished.
After all, even Old Neil had figured out Roselle's notes were likely diaries.
"The Magician" Fors also raised her hand. "Mr. Fool, I got three pages."
"Sun" Derrick followed, saying, "Mr. Fool, I've transcribed new legends of the ancient gods."
As Klein began reading the diary with satisfaction, Alice watched Cattleya's expression, her brow gradually furrowing.
The shock Cattleya felt upon hearing of Roselle's diary had initially subsided, but as Klein read, a look of deeper dread and horror spread across her face.
Watching this, Alice recalled her first encounter with Bernadette, frowning thoughtfully.
After Klein gave the go-ahead, "Moon" Emlyn spoke up, "Mr. Hanged Man, I'm ready. When can you secure that vampire baron's inheritance? You mentioned last time it's in the hands of a pirate?"
Trying to contain his excitement, Emlyn spilled everything, along with Alger's involvement, frustrating Alger, who had hoped to keep his identity hidden.
Alger, well-versed in such situations, quickly regained his composure, his expression unchanging as he asked, "Have you secured the cash?"
"Of course!" Emlyn said proudly.
Alice cast a sympathetic glance at both Emlyn and Alger.
To her surprise, Alger didn't seem bothered by Emlyn's lack of discretion. He simply said, "I'll have it for you by week's end. Lastly, let's confirm the price—4,500 pounds. Sound good?"
Alice looked at Alger suspiciously, finding his calm demeanor reminiscent of how Song Shu looked when he agreed to her painting for him—just, more reserved.
… He was clearly making a profit!
Unaware of anything unusual, Emlyn hesitated briefly before asking, "Can't it be a little cheaper?"
… He looked like he planned to pocket part of the money.
Keeping his expression neutral, Alger replied, "That's not up to me, but I'll try to negotiate. And don't forget my commission—how about 300 pounds?"
Alice, watching the unruffled Alger, began to doubt her previous impression of him. Had she judged "The Hanged Man" too harshly? Maybe he wasn't charging a commission at all?
"Alright," Emlyn agreed without question, even seeming relieved.
After they completed their transaction, Alger turned to Alice, noting her uncovered right eye, and asked, "Miss Fate, your monocle is off?"
"Yes." Alice shot him a look of mild resentment.
Despite knowing the "innocent girl" persona hid a far more dangerous being, Alger allowed himself a faint smile, saying casually, "So, no luck bonus for me?"
The offhand remark didn't seem important, but Alice noticed that Cattleya frowned slightly when she heard it.
So Alice smiled and turned to Cattleya. "Miss Hermit, what were you thinking just now?"
Cattleya froze, recalling the fear she'd felt earlier. She looked at Alice warily, choosing her words carefully. "I just thought of some rumors."
Alice watched her with a curious gaze.
"They're just rumors—nothing to be taken seriously," Cattleya said weakly, clearly reluctant.
Alice kept watching her with curiosity.
After a moment, Cattleya hesitated, then explained:
"There's a rumor that high-sequence beyonder on the 'Wheel of Fortune Pathway, with the ability to bestow luck, often have their results turn out… less than ideal.
"Some say people experience a backlash—one that's random, varying in frequency and severity—after their wishes come true.
"Some believe this backlash is due to the influence of a certain high-sequence beyonder on the 'Wheel of Fortune Pathway."
As she listened, Alice's smile faded bit by bit. Finally, she lowered her gaze, her lashes casting shadows over her eyes as she murmured,
"Although I have no such memories, for some reason…
"I can't shake the feeling that the high-sequence beyonder you're talking about might just be…
"…me?"
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