Taking a soft sip from her cup of tea and feeling the taste of the finely selected leaves and the softness of the milk caused a small smile to grow on her lips.
Sitting back in her chair, her emerald green eyes gazed at the lively talk in front of her calmly.
"Did you read the newspaper? Mr. Holmes did it again and attacked a Dead Shot hideout in the middle of the night!" a noble girl said in astonishment speaking to a young noble who nodded and added.
"The 27 guards who were there were killed, and according to the witnesses he did it alone!"
A brown-haired girl dressed in a fine green dress heard this and also added something.
"Not only that, he even killed the gang leader by burning him alive!"
"It's obvious that he's a Beyonder! And a powerful one! Could it be some secret member of the Churches who is in charge of protecting the streets of East Borough?" the first girl asked excitedly.
The noble boy shook his head and said seriously.
"Churches would never allow one of their members to be so famous, is certain that he to work alone."
The girl who was corrected instead of getting angry about it smiled brightly and said excitedly.
"But doesn't that make it more amazing?! Not only does he protect the East Borough but he also avoids the clutches of the Churches!"
The girl's face filled with realization.
"He's like the Robin Hood from the famous Emperor Roselle stories!"
Several gasps of astonishment sounded, they then began to discuss how the man had been able to do this and his similarities to other heroes from the Emperor's stories.
The corners of her lips twitched slightly.
'James Holmes...' she thought a little curious about the man.
'Is it certain that he is a Beyonder though I wonder which sequence he is, 7 or 6?'
A young man with ash yellow hair turned to look at her somewhat confused, a bit of concern danced in his eyes.
"Audrey, don't you have something to say?"
The corners of her mouth trembled slightly again and she unconsciously came out of the Spectator State.
"Sorry Glaint, I was a little distracted." she said apologetically as she lowered the ceramic tea cup.
Glaint's expression creased slightly in concern but he immediately recovered and covered that with a small formal smile.
But in the eyes of a Spectator, he was an open book.
Knowing that she could no longer act, she could only sigh and skilfully joined the conversation.
This was enough for Glaint that the smile he wore was less forced.
Audrey only said what was necessary, throwing out the odd comment or opinion...
...
After chatting for a long time, the party came to an end and Glaint dismissed every member who had attended until only he and Audrey were left.
Returning to the room they had used for the party, he closed the door and let out a tired sigh.
Sitting down in his chair he raised a hand to his head in disbelief.
"How did the Occult Club go from talking about Mysticism and looking for opportunities to become a Beyonder to the Holmes Fan Club?"
"It's been a long time since anything this interesting has happened, give them about 2 months and they'll put this behind them," Audrey calmly comforted Glaint who nodded weakly.
It was obvious that he was sad about how his Club had fallen.
Audrey would be the same or even more upset than Glaint if it weren't for one fact.
'Now I'm in a real Beyonder Club! Not some poor noble children's attempt to imitate that!' she thought proudly, a small smile forming on her face.
'Not only that but I've become a Spectator! A true Beyonder!'
Thinking of that made her remember the reason for her visit which made her smile tremble a little.
She still hadn't made any progress with Mr. Chariot's payment...
She had been so busy with her piano, etiquette, dance, and writing classes that she hadn't had time to contact Glaint.
'Tomorrow is the Tarot Club! If I go and tell Mr. Chariot that I haven't made any progress with his request, the only thing I will get is to be teased by him!' she thought with a chill going up her spine.
She still hadn't finished recovering from the last time...
Not wanting to waste any more time, she deliberately sighed a little loudly.
This caught Glaint's attention and he stopped wailing and turned to look at Audrey curiously.
Seeing how his friend's face had a sad expression, he got worried, he went and quickly sat down in front of her.
"Audrey, what's wrong? Is there something bothering you?"
'Sorry about this Glaint but I don't want to feel Chariot's wrath!' Audrey mentally apologized but outwardly she just made her expression sadder and sighed heavily.
"It's nothing Glaint, it's just that my parents will most likely be mad at me when they find out what I did and they will punish me." she said sadly.
She looked at her friend's face and her performance almost broke.
Glaint's mouth hung in disbelief.
It was so obvious what the man was thinking that even a normal person would notice.
'Audrey? The innocent Audrey did mischief?'
Seeing how he was being watched by Audrey's sad eyes, Glaint put his thoughts aside and focused on his friend.
"Your parents adore you, I doubt it's something big enough for you to have to worry about that much!" Glaint tried to comfort the young lady but Audrey looked away with some embarrassment.
This made Glaint's expression crack again.
"Audrey, what did you do?"
Audrey took a few seconds to answer.
"I took some things from the family vault to try to create a Charm according to the instructions in a Mysticism book I managed to obtain... But all I did was make a mess and waste the materials..."
"And the materials are ones that took my parents a long time to get..." she added, the tone of her voice dropping with each word until it ended just above a whisper.
"Why would you do something like that?!" Glaint asked stunned.
Audrey continued her act and looked away in embarrassment.
"I was very excited and wanted to test if the information in the book was real!"
She then turned her head to Glaint and making the most helpless face she could do, she spoke desperately.
"Please Glaint! I don't know what to do!"
Glaint put a hand to his forehead and caressed it stressed.
After a few moments he sighed, he lowered his hand and looked at Audrey.
"I think I can help you, tell me the materials you took, I'll check my personal vault and see if I have them."
Audrey's face lit up with true joy, she clapped her hands together and said gratefully.
"Thank you very much Glaint!"
Now she would not suffer the wrath of Mr. Chariot!
"Yes, yes, yes, you owe me one." Glaint accepted the applause but also reminded Audrey who nodded with a smile.
"Now tell me the materials you used, I'll go get them now and I'll give them to you in a basket before you leave."
Audrey was even more glad to hear this and happily said what she needed to.
"A matured Manhal Fish's eyeball and goat-horned blackfish blood!"
Glaint's brow furrowed for a few moments but he immediately recovered. Audrey noticed this change but did not comment on it.
Glaint sighed and scratching his cheek with his finger, he answered.
"I still have a container with the blood so it won't be a problem but I don't have the matured Manhal Fish's eyeball..."
Audrey's face filled with despair.
'I don't have anyone else to ask this of, what am I supposed to do now!? Does that mean I will suffer Mr. Chariot's wrath?'
She did not trust any other noble besides Glaint to obtain the ingredients.
The reason why she didn't ask another noble was quite simple.
She didn't want to attract the attention of the Psychology Alchemists!
Every time she felt the urge to do that she reminded herself of Chariot's words about this organization...
She started playing with her fingers to calm down, she tried to find other options to save herself...
Glaint who was looking at Audrey was very surprised by this abrupt change.
'It seems that the punishment she will receive is quite terrifying...for her to be like this...'
Not wanting his friend to suffer such severe punishment, Glaint considered something for a few seconds before sighing.
'Maybe Dutch has one left...'
"I can get you the Manhal Fish's eyeball but you will have to wait a few days. How long do you think it will take your parents to realize it's missing?"
Recovering from her episode, Audrey took a few seconds to respond.
"Every Wednesday, they do an inventory check in the afternoon."
This was a lie, the inventory review was done every 2 weeks on Saturdays.
'Sorry Glaint but the faster I can get Chariot the materials the better!'
She was only willing to put up with bullying from the man once.
She didn't think she could handle two...
Hearing the answer, Glaint just nodded and took a pensive pose.
'Dutch hasn't answered any letters to me this whole month, nor has he attended any other party that I know of. I'll have to visit him this time...'
He had free time on Tuesday morning.
'I will write him a letter to let him know that I will visit him...'
Already with the decision made, he looked at Audrey seriously.
"I'll let you know on Tuesday."
Audrey nodded faintly at this.
Above the gray fog, in the divine palace.
A figure was seated at the end of a long antique bronze table.
Two crimson flashes and a torrent of crimson fire with black spots appear.
As they receded, three figures appeared seated in their respective seats.
"Good afternoon Mr. Fool" Audrey curtsied, she then smiled and said.
"It is unfortunate that there was no wine here, otherwise we could toast your successful attempt."
"You are more powerful than we imagined" Alger praised the same.
Adryan didn't say anything, he just nodded with a small smile in Klein's direction.
The smile that was on Klein's face turned tight.
'Mr. Chariot's gaze is much more terrifying than the monster Ray Bieber...' Klein thought, suppressing a shudder.
A few days ago he had had his first fight in this world and had also seen the terrifying monster that Ray Bieber had become.
Every time his eyes fell on that monster he couldn't help but compare it to Chariot's true appearance.
Ray Bieber looked like a puppy next to Chariot's demonic appearance, and that was him being nice to the monster Bieber.
'High Sequence Beyonders are terrifying...' Klein held back a sigh, he then smiled and said.
"Great, this means that we are on the path to excellence. If you have any issues that leave you unable to attend the meeting on Mondays, perform the ritual and inform me. All you have to do is change the incantation from the line < I pray for a good sleep> for the reason"
"Alright." Audrey quickly agreed, she continued.
"Mister Fool, I have obtained another page from Emperor Roselle's diary. I think I still owe you a page."
"I've been away from land this week so I couldn't get any pages." Alger placed his right hand on his chest and bowed in apology.
"I have another 2 pages Mr. Fool" Adryan said in amusement.
At that, Klein nodded slightly. Internally very happy.
" That's good." He then turned to Alger.
"Don't worry. I expected this request to take a long time."
Klein leaned back in his chair, tapping his armrest with his index finger. He looked at Justice and Chariot and said calmly.
"You can express the content of the diary now"
"As you wish" Audrey and Adryan said, the lady curtsied while the redhead just nodded.
A parchment and pen appeared in front of them.
They both grabbed the pen and remembered the symbols, the patch was filling up.
When the parchment was filled, they both lowered their pens and said.
"It's done."
Klein raised his hand and made the parchments fly to him.
He shifted his gaze downward, reading without emotion.
__July 9__
I suddenly thought of an interesting question...
__July 12__
I've noticed another fact today...
_July 14__
I have seen that mysterious Mr. Zaratul again...
___
While Klein was reading the pages of the Diary with full attention. Audrey looked over there and started looking at him out of habit.
However, her field of vision was blocked by the thick fog.
Momentarily taken back, Audrey snapped back to her senses and turned her head frantically to look at another illusory red star that stood next to her.
'I was too careless, too insolent, too foolish in trying to observe Mr. Fool... I'm lucky he's not angry.' Audrey secretly stuck out her tongue and pretended to admire the scenery.
"he he~"
She thought that her performance had worked and none of the members had realized what she had done, but a soft chuckle was heard.
Her face paled, she turned her head robotically in the direction of laughter and saw that Chariot was looking at her.
'Oh no'
Chariot didn't say anything, he just held up a finger and shook it from left to right, like he was telling a kid not to make any more mess.
No words were spoken, but Audrey's breathing became harsh and upset.
'It wasn't even 4 minutes...'
Klein, who discreetly looked at what had happened, could only lament internally for Justice.
He could only look down and began to read the pages of the diary delivered by Chariot expectantly.
The page that Justice had delivered was rich in information.
He had confirmed several things by reading the page.
Like that Zaratul is the leader of the Secret Order and that the pathway this organization controls is the Seer.
'I hope the pages delivered by Chariot also contain something interesting!'
'If one page was rich in information then two pages had to be superior right...right?' Klein thought not as confident as before.
His answer came when he read the first line of the first page.
**
_January 27_
I found out that this new body is allergic to shrimp...
**
'Why did I get excited?' Klein thought resignedly.
He could only put his disappointment aside and continue to the second page.
'Maybe this one will be different...'
Klein was unable to complete his thought as he read the next page.
**
_June 4_
Not much to say about today just mentioning that Ameliee is still as dominant as ever...
**
If he had been alone, his face would have puckered up as if he had eaten a lemon with salt.
But since he was in a group, he was forced to keep his normal expression.
He wiped the pages from his hand and looked at the trio in front of him.
He smiled.
"Sorry for the wait"
Alger, who had always kept his head and eyes on the lesa of bronze, was the first to speak.
"It is our honor."
Audrey froze a little, after a few seconds she turned to look at Chariot and spoke a little awkwardly.
"Mr. Chariot, I only need one more ingredient to complete our deal, you should receive everything by Wednesday at the latest."
Hearing those words, Adryan couldn't help but be a little surprised by this, he sighed and spoke quietly.
"No problem Miss Justice, when I receive the materials I will give you the formula, but they have to be before next Monday."
Before Audrey could rejoice that she hadn't been hassled for not getting the materials, Adryan continued.
"Honestly I'm surprised, I thought nobles would be able to get this easily but it turns out they're not as capable as I thought." he said unimportant.
Audrey could feel her blood pressure rising, all she could do to respond was nod shakily and speak, barely containing her annoyance.
"Sorry for the inconvenience..."
Adryan said nothing and just nodded calmly, an amused smile on his face.
There was really no need to rush Audrey to get the ingredients as he still had no one to deliver the potion to.
Putting that aside, he turned to look at the Hanged Man.
"Mr. Hanged Man, how's the pirate auction going? Anything new?"
Alger nodded.
"It will be in a few days, on the 5th of August. Through my contacts, I have almost managed to get confirmation that the Sphinx's brain will be there but I need more time."
A sharp smirk grew on the redhead's face.
"It's good to hear that." Adryan nodded satisfied.
"I want to add a few things to my request Mr. Hanged Man, it shouldn't be a problem for someone like you right?"
A blue brow twitched, but calming down, Alger nodded again.
"First of all, Mr. Chariot, we haven't discussed my payment yet."
"Oh, you're right!" Adryan exclaimed in surprise, slamming his fist into his palm in a hammer motion.
Alger's eyebrow twitched more strongly but before he could say anything Adryan spoke.
"Aside from getting me the Sphinx's Brain, I need you to see if the Conspirator formula is in the auction."
"It's obvious that the Sphinx's Brain will sell for a high price, assuming it's there in the auction, it's easy to expect it to fetch a minimum price of 4,000 pounds."
"The Conspirator formula depending on the seller will sell for a minimum of 2,500 pounds."
"Taking all this into account then a payment of 10 percent is fair."
Alger frowned.
"That's too low, Mr. Chariot. It's going to have to go up to 25 percent if we're going to make a deal here."
Adryan chuckled softly.
"You're quite funny Mr. Hanged Man~"
"Although I think there's something you haven't understood but don't worry, I have no problem explaining it to you"
"We're talking 10 percent of at least 6,500 pounds, assuming the Conspirator formula is there of course, that means at least 650 pounds will be paid."
"If this deal still bothers you, we can do this..."
"800 pounds will be the payment you will receive, it doesn't matter if you get the formula or not, but you have to get the Sphinx's Brain no matter what."
"If you agree to this, the payment will be 800 pounds, not a penny more or less. The payment will not increase and will stay that way."
"What do you think of these deals? Which was the one that scratched you where it itched?" the redhead asked amused.
Alger let out light growls that he tried to control.
After a few moments, he spoke, clearly upset.
"If you want a deal it will have to be at least 1.000 pounds, Mr. Chariot. Otherwise, you can forget about it."
"Wow so scary~" Adryan said amused and this annoyed Alger even more.
The air between the two men became tense, Klein and Audrey watching this uncomfortably.
Audrey turned to look at Mr. Fool for help and the corners of Klein's mouth twitched hard.
Before Klein could do anything to defuse the situation, Adryan spoke.
"No offense Mr. Hanged Man but there's something I've noticed about you."
Alger didn't say anything he just looked annoyed at Chariot.
Adryan continued, not caring that Alger had ignored him.
"You're poor."
Alger could feel his control slowly slipping, he was seconds away from jumping on the man.
The only thing that stopped him was Mr. Fool who was looking at all this impassive and immovable.
Actually, Klein was ready to cut Chariot's connection as soon as he made a move that went too far.
Adryan held up his hands to calm Alger down.
"Don't worry, Mr. Hanged Man, I know what it's like to go through that, after all, if there is something universal in all the Churches, it's the shitty salary they pay us."
"One would hope that with all the donations and offerings they receive one would have the highest salary but sadly that is not the case." Saying that, Adryan laughed in amusement as if he had told a rather funny joke.
The anger Alger was feeling vanished completely and he looked at Chariot in astonishment.
That was the same case with Klein and Audrey looking in disbelief at what the man had said.
'This guy just insulted all the churches without mincing any words! Aren't you afraid of being burned at the stake?!' Klein thought dumbfounded.
'Blasphemous!' Alger and Audrey thought the same thing.
Adryan, not caring about the look he was receiving, spoke between laughs.
"I have thought about how to solve that and I have come up with a solution that will satisfy all of us."
He raised his hand and pointed it at Audrey who was taken by surprise.
"And it's all with the help of our noble lady here!"