Listening to the heart-wrenching screams and feeble gasps, Angel instinctively exchanged glances with Justice Audrey beside her and Hanged Man Alger across from her.
Though they were separated by the faint Gray Fog, she could still see the undisguised shock and fear in the eyes of the other two Tarot Club veterans.
Since an afternoon nine and a half months ago, when Mr. Fool had pulled them into this Grey Fog Space because of "a simple attempt," the three of them had held endless respect and fear for this incomparably majestic, knowledgeable, yet approachable God.
And the Fool had always seemed calm and detached, observing the interactions among the ever-growing number of members, occasionally offering guidance or assigning simple tasks.
Even his warnings to the members had mostly taken the form of advice, like those of a kindly elder.
Thus, the punishment Hermit was receiving now came as a complete surprise to the three of them.
Angel secretly glanced at Cattleya, who was screaming beside her. The Gray Fog around her had somehow become thinner, revealing the true appearance of a woman in a black robe, with black hair and violet eyes.
Cracks split open across her exposed face and the backs of her hands, flesh and blood churning inside as though they were about to burst free; blood streamed from her eyes, ears, nose, and mouth, dripping onto the robe before her and the bronze table; her face was twisted, her teeth clenched tightly, yet she could not stop cries of pain from escaping her lips...
Magician Fors, who was seated closest to her, shuddered all over. She recalled the days before joining the Tarot Club, when the ravings on every full-moon night had tormented her to the brink of madness. Feeling deeply sympathetic, she nearly burst into tears.