Capítulo 5: The Fool
There was a moment of silence before the man, who appeared to be the one who summoned the three of them, let out an odd chuckle.
"It was an attempt."
An attempt, Kiyotaka repeated internally, dissecting the statement. Did the ritual work?
His gaze briefly shifted to the other two individuals. Their reactions, though restrained, indicated that they were just as taken aback as the circumstances demanded.
Audrey Hall stared at the mysterious figure veiled in the grayish-white fog. The scene was somewhat absurd, funny, horror, and plain bizzare.
Not long ago, she was standing at the dressing table in her bedroom, entirely immersed in a mundane routine. Now, by simply turning around, she found herself in a space enveloped by an endless gray fog!
How inconceivable!
Drawing a measured breath, she aligned herself with the unfamiliar dynamic, affixing a practiced, courteous smile to her face. "Sir, is the attempt over? Might you grant us permission to return?"
Alger Wilson, by contrast, seemed content to observe. His posture, coupled with the steady discernment of his eyes, implied a seasoned individual unwilling to act impulsively. There was no dramatic questioning from him—only a silent analysis of their mysterious host.
The figure's response came with a mild nod, his attention returning to the blonde. "Of course. If you formally request it, you may leave at once."
Detecting no malicious intent in his tone, Audrey's relief was visible. She believed someone capable of orchestrating such extraordinary phenomena would remain consistent with his promises!
With her mind partially settled, she hesitated to seize the opportunity to leave. Her emerald-green eyes glimmered with barely constrained fervor. She evidently had no intention of departing immediately.
"This is such a remarkable experience," she began, her voice picking up momentum. "I've always hoped for something like this. I mean, I've always been fascinated by mysteries and supernatural miracles. What I'm trying to say is—what must I do to become a Beyonder?"
Whatever tales or notions of wonder she had been harboring, they now drove her inquiry, unapologetically shaping her next steps.
What is a Beyonder...
Kiyotaka was at a loss, but he refrained from questioning immediately.
In comparison to the three of them, he deduced that his knowledge was most lacking.
The irony wasn't lost on him. On Earth, he had believed his knowledge superior to most people. Here, it seemed unlikely that he even grasped the basic knowledge of the world.
Maintaining silence was the optimal choice for now. Any misstep risked influencing their perception of him—a variable he preferred not to contend with at present.
Kiyotaka turned his attention briefly to Audrey. Whatever this "Beyonder" might be, the broader implications merited further observation to his current condition.
Before Audrey could elaborate further, however, the gray fog shifted violently, its formless mass converging into vortices. The disturbance rippled through the space with an unnatural cadence, leaving the three of them visibly startled.
The fog dissipated, revealing a vast space encircled by towering stone pillars. Above them, an immense dome spanned the entirety of the structure, casting an imposing presence over the scene.
The architecture was monumental—regal and forbidding, reminiscent of a mythological palace constructed for titans.
Beneath the gray fog still lingering under the dome, a long bronze table took form. Its proportions were precisely symmetrical, with ten high-backed chairs evenly distributed on either side. Two from the front and the back. A total of twenty high-backed chairs. The backs of each chair emitted a faint crimson glow, outlining constellations that bore no resemblance to any star charts Kiyotaka had encountered in the past.
Audrey and Kiyotaka sat across from each other near the table's Seat of Honor. To his right, Alger occupied the adjacent chair, his posture composed but alert.
The girl surveyed the chamber with a subtle motion of her head, her emerald-green eyes absorbing the strange setting. Under her breath, she murmured, "How fascinating..."
Fascinating indeed, Kiyotaka mused internally. Let's just hope this mysterious man didn't just try to trick us and outed us in the most miserable way possible— Confronting that kind of scenario with only reasoning as my tool is, unfortunately, inadequate if supernatural elements come into play.
The mysterious figure at the table extended a hand, lightly brushing the edge of the bronze surface with an absent-minded gesture.
Alger, who had been quietly surveying the area, broke the silence that hung over them. His steady voice answered Audrey's earlier inquiry.
"Are you from Loen?" he asked. Without waiting for her response, he continued, "If your aim is to become a Beyonder, the safest path is to align yourself with one of the Churches: the Evernight Goddess, the Lord of Storms, or the God of Steam and Machinery."
His tone carried an air of inevitability as he continued.
"Most people will never encounter a Beyonder in their lifetime. That has led to speculation, even within the clergy of the great Churches, that they might as well be myth. Still, Beyonders do exist—hidden within courts, tribunals, and agencies tasked with combating the encroaching dangers of the dark. Their numbers, however, have dwindled greatly compared to the early years of the Iron Age."
Kiyotaka listened without comment, filing the details away for later examination. The reference to the "Iron Age" aligned with fragments of knowledge he had managed to piece together. Based on Kael's historical framework, it marked the Fifth Epoch, which had commenced approximately 1,349 years prior.
Audrey absorbed Alger's explanation, her expression shifting subtly before she exhaled. When she finally spoke, her voice was quiet but firm.
"Mister, I already know everything you just said. I'm well aware of the Nighthawks, the Mandated Punishers, and the Machinery Hivemind. But..." Her words hesitated momentarily, as though struggling against an internal conflict. "I don't want to give up my freedom."
Alger chuckled faintly, his response laced with an ominous undertone. "There is no path to becoming a Beyonder that doesn't involve sacrifice. If you refuse to join the Churches or take on their trials, your alternatives are limited. You could seek out the royal families or ancient noble houses with lineages tracing back over a thousand years. Failing that, you can gamble on luck and delve into the underworld, hoping to find one of the clandestine, and often dangerous, organizations."
Audrey puffed her cheeks briefly, but her expression quickly shifted, her gaze darting to the others. After confirming no one seemed to notice her lapse in composure, she sighed in relief before pressing on Alger. "Are there no other solutions?"
Alger fell into silence. Nearly half a minute passed before he shifted his gaze to Kiyotaka, who had been quietly observing the exchange.
When Alger noticed that Kiyotaka made no indication of wanting to comment, he returned his focus to Audrey. His tone was deliberate as he said, "I have two sets of Sequence 9 Potion formulas."
Sequence 9? Kiyotaka perked up.
Audrey's eyes lit up with understanding. "Really? Which two sets?" She clearly grasped the significance of Sequence 9 Potion formulas.
Leaning back slightly, Alger responded at an unhurried pace. "As you know, humanity's only path to becoming true Beyonders lies through potions. The names of these potions are derived from the 'Blasphemy Slate.' Over the eras, as they were repeatedly translated—into Jotun, Elvish, ancient and modern Hermes, and ancient Feysac—their names adapted to fit the periods they passed through. Yet, their essence remains unchanged. It's not the name that matters, but how accurately they embody the 'core characteristics' of the potion itself."
Pausing briefly, he continued, "The first is a Sequence 9 Potion called Sailor. It grants remarkable balance. Even in the midst of a storm at sea, you'd walk across a rocking ship's deck as easily as solid ground. Beyond that, you'd gain extraordinary physical strength, alongside illusory scales beneath your skin. These scales improve your defense, allow you to swim like a fish, and make you nearly impossible to restrain. Underwater, your movements would rival marine creatures, and you could submerge for over ten minutes without the need for any equipment."
Is he from the seas? A follower of the Lord of Storms? No, I guess it's pretty clear. Kiyotaka briefly thought. Either to a believer like Kael or just anyone, the association came naturally. It was a conclusion anyone should reach.
"It does sound impressive," Audrey remarked, her expression contemplative. "The 'Keepers of the Seas'... servants of the Lord of Storms?"
"It's been called that in the past," Alger confirmed. Without pausing, he pressed on. "The second formula is for the Sequence 9 Potion known as Spectator. I can't say what it was named in earlier times, but its capabilities are clear. This potion sharpens your mind and enhances your observational skills to an almost frightening degree. The name is fitting—you understand what it means to be a spectator if you've ever watched an opera or a play. Much like a member of the audience, you'd learn to 'judge' the actors in the secular world, deciphering their true emotions, intentions, and thoughts from their expressions, actions, and subtle cues."
Here, Alger's tone became more measured. "Remember this well: no matter where you are—be it a resplendent banquet or a bustling street—a Spectator must remain just that. They are never meant to act, only to watch."
Audrey's eyes sparkled with a mix of intrigue and yearning as she absorbed his words. After a prolonged silence, she finally spoke. "Why? Why must it be that way? Oh—never mind. That's a question for later." Her cheeks flushed lightly as she quickly added, "I... I think I'm beginning to fall for this idea—the idea of being a Spectator." Her gaze locked onto Alger. "How can I obtain this potion formula? What do you want in exchange?"
Alger seemed fully prepared, responding immediately. "The blood of Ghost Sharks. At least 100 milliliters."
Audrey nodded eagerly, but moments later, her expression clouded with hesitation. "If I can acquire it—and I emphasize if—how do I hand it over to you? And how can you guarantee that I'll receive the potion formula in exchange? How do I know it's authentic?"
Alger leaned back, his demeanor calm and unflustered. "I'll provide you with an address. Once I receive the Ghost Shark's blood, I'll either mail you the formula or deliver it directly here."
Throughout the exchange, Kiyotaka had stayed silent, absorbing the details they said. Eventually, he adjusted his posture and broke his silence, "Are there Sequences specifically tied to mystic knowledge?"
For Kiyotaka, the mystic knowledge presented an intellectual challenge—a frontier of understanding he hadn't understood, where logical systems might still be applicable if approached with enough rigor. He viewed the unknown as a gap in his arsenal, a blind spot he could not afford to have. Mysticism often intertwined with aspects of human psychology, culture, and ancient traditions. These systems might appear arcane, but they often concealed underlying patterns or frameworks that, once unraveled, could be incorporated into a logical worldview.
It was this calculated curiosity that drove his question. Mystic knowledge provided an opportunity: to dissect the unknown, to strip away the veneer of mystery, and to extract principles that could be wielded with precision. In expanding his understanding of mysticism, Kiyotaka sought not transformation or enlightenment but dominion over something the majority either feared or revered without comprehension.
He anticipated Alger's reply with the same stoic detachment he exhibited in most situations. A mystic path approached with logic and careful scrutiny—rather than the blind faith so many followed—might hold the key to mastering forces that others merely worshipped.
Understanding must always precede acceptance...
To ignore knowledge, even of the mystic, is to accept a limitation one doesn't need.
In Kiyotaka's mind, exploring the unknown was a necessity, not a luxury, and he intended to approach mysticism as he did all things: with the adherence to logic, strategy, and calculated outcomes. Mysticism could offer tools—not an identity, not a belief system, but a means to an end.
Alger turned to him, studying him briefly before answering. "The Moses Ascetic Order is known to possess potions tied to the mystical—the Mystery Prayer. However..." His tone became cautious. "They tread the fine line between neutrality and outright malice. I wouldn't recommend aligning with them."
He paused before adding, "You can prefer a more orthodox route. The Church of the God of Steam and Machinery would be your best option. Aside from Savant, they're also in possession of at least Sequence 9 Mystery Prayer. They are strict, methodical, and far more predictable than the alternatives, but they may impose restrictions on your personal freedoms."
The Church of the God of Steam and Machinery...
As Kiyotaka processed this, fragments of Kael's memories surfaced once more—specifically, knowledge of one person—Emperor Roselle.
Kiyotaka's brows twitched slightly. Was he a fraud?
Roselle Gustav "invented" the steam engine, improved sailboats, and initiated the Industrial Revolution. His innovations made him a legendary figure, earning him the approval of the Church of the God of Steam and Machinery. Because of Roselle, the Church of the God of Craftsmanship was commanded to change the title 'God of Craftsmanship' to 'God of Steam and Machinery,' marking the first public message from a deity since the start of the Fifth Epoch.
Roselle also led a revolution against the Intis Kingdom, toppling the monarchy and establishing the Intis Republic, where he became its governor. After several successful wars, the Republic transitioned into an Empire, and Roselle declared himself 'Emperor Casar'—or 'Caesar the Great.'
Roselle also created the system of paper-based cards, giving rise to various playstyles familiar to him, such as Upgrade, Fighting the Landlord, Texas Poker, and Quint.
Moreover, his marine expeditions discovered a sea route leading to the Southern Continent through storm-lashed seas, marking the beginning of the era of colonialism.
However, his success was short-lived. In 1198 of the Fifth Epoch, he was betrayed. Assassinated by a coalition of forces from the Church of the Eternal Blazing Sun, the Sauron family—the former Intis royal family—and other aristocrats, Roselle died in the White Maple Palace.
...He was a transmigrator too?
Naturally, Kiyotaka reached that conclusion—or either he or someone close to him had shared these ideas.
Kiyotaka eyed the mysterious figure hidden in the gray fog, skepticism evident. Was he the one orchestrating his... no, our transmigrations? The deduction seemed logical given how things had unfolded thus far. If that was true, then this situation was far more complicated.
Although Roselle lacked originality, replicating his feats required no small amount of skill—on the contrary, it demanded immense ability. His connection with the Church of the God of Steam and Machinery, holders of the Sequence 9 Savant, likely played a key role in facilitating his accomplishments. But the feats he achieved remained undeniably impressive.
What Kiyotaka feared was the possibility that this mysterious figure knew of his uniqueness and had brought him into this world with that idea in mind. Essentially, he was at the mercy of this unknown entity—something he didn't find agreeable at all.
Alger refocused his attention on Audrey. "As for assurances..." He cast a purposeful glance at the figure seated at the head of the table, his tone becoming deliberate. "Both you and I can rest easy knowing the mysterious sir here is our witness---by bringing us here, you've demonstrated strength far beyond our understanding. Neither I nor anyone else present would ever dare break a promise under your watch."
Audrey's eyes lit up with enthusiasm as she added quickly, "That's absolutely right!"
To her, the mysterious man represented an unquestionable authority—someone whose power was beyond their own comprehension. The idea of deceiving him was as impossible as the thought of walking on water.
She turned halfway, her posture now earnest, and addressed the man directly. "Sir, please act as our witness for this trade."
For a brief moment, her expression flickered, as if something she had overlooked suddenly registered. Her tone quickened slightly. "Ah, forgive my rudeness. Sir, how should we address you?"
Alger mirrored her action, his voice becoming more formal. "Indeed, sir. By what name should we call you?"
Kiyotaka remained silent, though his curiosity was piqued. He, too, awaited the answer.
The man drummed his fingers lightly against the bronze table, a casual gesture that contrasted with the tension in the room.
Leaning back, he withdrew his right hand and clasped it beneath his chin, his fingers interlaced. A subtle smile appeared on his lips, radiating an air of composed authority.
"You may call me..."
He paused just long enough to build anticipation, his tone amiable yet unwavering. "The Fool."
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TheGrimGuy
TheGrimGuy Just like the usual, rate it from 1 to 10, with the reason as well, if possible. That'll help me covering what's lacking form the story.
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