Mr. Fool, who presided over the Tarot Club, seemed to have other matters to attend to. After separating those who would leave from those who would stay, he vanished, leaving the meeting before God to his blessed, the World.
Besides, he had issued this commission in the first place. The others were merely collaborators.
Looking at the Empress, Justice, the Magician, the Hermit, Judgment, and the Star, whom he had asked to stay, Klein suddenly realized that, apart from the Moon, Emlyn, who had declined to participate because the Nighthawks had only just released him and he feared being locked up again if he caused more trouble, this hunt had practically become a team-building exercise for the Tarot Club's Backlund members.
Unfortunately, with Zarathus and Amon threatening me, I can't show my face. Otherwise, this really would be a team-building exercise... he muttered inwardly. He first turned to Justice, Audrey, and said in a low, cold voice:
"Congratulations on advancing to Manipulator."
Klein deliberately kept his words devoid of emotion, making the congratulations sound like a matter of formal courtesy to maintain the World's persona.
In truth, however, he was delighted that this founding member of the Tarot Club had advanced again, adding another demigod to their ranks.
Since Justice had already revealed this during the formal Tarot Club gathering, the others were not surprised. They offered their congratulations as well, then quickly moved on to the matter at hand.
During this period, the Magician, Fors, who would serve as bait for the hunt, had visited nearly every known underground gathering in Backlund. On separate occasions, she had purchased Scribe potion ingredients and asked questions concerning the Apprentice pathway and the Abraham Family.
Although she had deliberately done these things discreetly, sometimes even hiring other Beyonders to act on her