Chương 377: Sharing and Cooperation
"...The God of Luck," Derrick murmured as he combed through his lessons and recollections. Despite his efforts, he could only recall superficial details. Just as Ebner felt a twinge of disappointment, Derrick added:
"There are rumors that during the battle where the Creator conquered the Elven Court, the God of Luck and the Elven Queen did not participate. It seems they left beforehand."
Left before the battle? Ebner's mind raced. In Groselle's Travels, the Elven Songstress's memories depict the Elven Queen as someone unlikely to abandon her duty. Unless... she had a task even more critical than defending the court.
If there was such a task, the God of Luck must have been involved as well. Perhaps the mission required the deity's fortune to succeed.
Ebner pondered the implications further. In the original story, though the Queen of Calamity Cohinem fell, her actions before death were meticulous. She split her characteristics into multiple fragments, embedding part of her spirit into the Book of Calamities.
And the object she instructed the Hanged Man, Alger, to deliver to the Western Continent—possibly extracted from the Book of Calamities—might hold the key to her plans.
But what of the God of Luck? Why did they vanish entirely? Cohinem herself claimed that it's challenging for an angel to truly perish, even if they lose their characteristics.
The God of Luck must have either been erased by another deity—a direct intervention leaving no room for contingency—or assumed a new identity. Considering how the Second Epoch's angels were teeming with hidden identities, the latter seems more plausible... especially for a Wheel of Fortune pathway Beyonder, who would naturally align with the whims of fate.
Ebner nodded at Derrick with satisfaction, impressed by how a casual question had sparked new insights into the intertwined mysteries of the Queen of Calamity and the God of Luck.
Derrick, however, felt embarrassed. He resolved to scour Silver City's library for additional details to satisfy Mr. Tower's curiosity.
Klein, the silent observer, was equally pleased. Gaining knowledge of two more angelic titles was a welcome addition to his mental library.
After Ebner, Judgment and World each completed their exchanges with Sun. Their body language suggested mutual satisfaction.
The session naturally transitioned into a round of intelligence sharing.
With preparations in place, Klein controlled World to break the silence:
"I uncovered something while investigating the Sauron family in Intis..."
He paused, glancing at the Hanged Man Alger before continuing:
"Intis authorities appear to be colluding with the Secret Order to frame Storm Church's Mysticism Magister, Stewart."
"Stewart?" Alger's mind immediately conjured an image of the young man who was widely disliked among Adjudicators. Frowning, Alger wondered why Intis would go to such lengths to target him.
Before Alger could voice his thoughts, Justice Audrey's curiosity led her to ask, "Mr. World, why would the Intis authorities do this?"
World's raspy voice answered, listing his "findings" methodically:
"Stewart was tasked with investigating the Secret Order's operatives in Ruen. Coincidentally, a Marionettist from the Order had embedded themselves close to the Intis ambassador, even killing a Storm Church Adjudicator."
"An Adjudicator... Robert!" Alger immediately pieced together the puzzle and nodded.
"I understand... Intis and the Secret Order must believe Stewart is responsible for eliminating both Beykron and the Marionettist. Stewart's motive seems clear—avenging his fallen colleague.
"Honestly, if I didn't know the real culprit, I'd come to the same conclusion."
Alger added the last remark to clarify matters for the newer members like World and Magician, ensuring they wouldn't mistakenly attribute the events to Stewart.
Given that Stewart was stationed in Backlund, it was impossible for him to be the "Doctor Strange" who intercepted Immortal King Agalito's fleet.
Mr. World is remarkable, investigating a family as ancient as the Saurons, who trace their lineage to the Fourth Epoch. And the recent assassination of the Intis ambassador might also tie into this club? Steam above, what have I joined?
Magician Fors felt increasingly numb to the absurdity around her.
Justice Audrey, on the other hand, felt a twinge of relief. Had she commissioned Fors and Xio to handle the assassination before Tower's intervention, her friends might have discerned her connection to the Fool by now.
Meanwhile, Klein, as the Fool, felt a growing urgency.
Stewart is part of your Storm Church! Shouldn't you, Alger, consider informing him or reporting this matter to your superiors?
As Klein pondered how to guide the Hanged Man, Ebner deciphered the World's intentions with ease.
Is this another move from Mr. Fool against the Secret Order? A classic case of using one faction to dismantle another?
But Stewart... the name rings a bell. Ebner's brows furrowed in thought. Ah, Xio mentioned him once. When returning the Wind-blessed Marionette to the Storm Church, it was Stewart who took custody.
And in the Dream Labyrinth Tower, the memoir containing incomplete Mysticism Magister formulas was also centered on a Stewart... Surely, they're the same person? Did he complete the formula and ascend further?
Ebner chuckled lightly and turned to Xio.
"Miss Judgment, this could be your opportunity. I hear MI9 has been striving to mend relations with the Storm Church."
Xio blinked in surprise but quickly composed herself, nodding with an air of nonchalance.
"It does seem like a chance... Besides, I've worked with Stewart before."
Though she wasn't entirely sure of Ebner's plan, past experience told her that following his lead usually led to success.
She knows Stewart... Miss Judgment must hold a high rank in MI9, Alger speculated. Stewart, being a Sequence 5 Mysticism Magister, wouldn't collaborate with just anyone.
Fors's thoughts were simpler: Tower and Judgment seem to know each other. Could she be Xio's superior? I'll need to ask Xio if she has a cold, aloof, golden-haired noblewoman as a colleague.
Klein, as the Fool, observed with quiet gratification. Though Tower and Judgment frequently disturbed his rest, their reliability in crucial moments made up for it.
To ensure the matter wasn't overlooked, Klein tapped the edge of the ancient bronze table and added:
"This incident bears traces of the Aurora Order's involvement."
Though he invented this claim, the Aurora Order had already taken responsibility for Beykron's assassination. It was unlikely they'd refute further allegations.
Even if Xio later discovered no evidence implicating the Aurora Order, she would likely attribute it to their elusiveness rather than doubting Klein's words.
Hearing the name Aurora Order, Xio immediately tensed. Memories of the True Creator's thwarted descent still loomed large.
"I'll notify Stewart as soon as possible!" she promised solemnly.
Internally, she mused, So that's what Ebner intended... As expected, he knows everything.
Alger, too, responded after a moment of thought:
"When the time is right, I'll find an excuse to relay this intelligence to the Church."
From prior incidents, it was clear the Fool stood opposed to the True Creator. Given the Aurora Order's involvement, Alger had no choice but to align himself firmly. In Roselle's words, it was a matter of "standing on the right side of history."
(Chapter End)
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