Ritual Magic

After the three-way trade was completed, Miss Justice eagerly raised her next question:

"May I ask, what are the names of the subsequent potions for the 'Spectator' pathway? Where can I find clues to the formulas?"

That was beyond the scope of my knowledge...

Angel secretly shook her head. She looked toward the Hanged Man, who had provided the "Spectator" potion, hoping he could give an answer.

The Hanged Man did not disappoint her. "I can answer that question, and there's no need for payment. After all, I was the one who set you on the 'Spectator' pathway."

"The Sequence 8 potion for Spectators is 'Mind Reader,' and Sequence 7 is 'Psychiatrist.' As for the specific formulas, you may need to find a way to obtain them from the Psychological Alchemists. I only learned the names of the potions from one of their members."

"Can you introduce me to that member?" Justice asked anxiously.

"Unfortunately, he's already at the bottom of the sea near Sonia Island. I personally sent him down there."

For a moment, the Grey Mist was utterly silent. Justice opened her mouth, but did not know what to say.

Psychological Alchemists, Mind Reader, Psychiatrist... Angel memorized these keywords.

The potion names of the Spectator pathway were rather consistent. They were all related to psychology, and even the name of the Beyonder organization on the same pathway closely matched the imagery of the potions.

By comparison, the Assassin pathway was different. If Sequence 8's "Instigator" could still be considered somewhat related to "Assassin," since both were experts at provoking tragedies and creating bloody crimes, Sequence 7's "Witch" seemed far too abrupt. There was not even any apparent connection to the preceding potion.

Of course, judging from Mrs. Sharon's behavior, the acting methods for "Witch" and the later Sequences probably did not involve being model citizens either.

While Angel analyzed the Assassin Sequence potions, Justice and the Hanged Man continued their exchange. The latter believed that members of the Psychological Alchemists might gather in major cities and use the abilities of the "Spectator" pathway to influence the upper nobility of the kingdom. However, he did not know their more specific objectives. From his gloomy tone, the Psychological Alchemists member he had sunk into the sea had probably been someone with a particularly tight mouth.

Mr. Fool, who had silently watched their exchange, seemed to have no intention of adding anything. Though regretful, Miss Justice could only give up on further questioning.

"This is my last question."

Her voice suddenly softened, as though she were a little embarrassed.

"If, I mean if, an ordinary animal, such as a dog, drank a Sequence 9 potion, what would happen?"

Miss Justice, that's some dangerous thinking...

Angel stared at Justice in surprise. There had to be a purpose behind that question, such as planning to feed the only "Spectator" potion she knew to a dog.

She had not expected Justice to be wealthy enough to use a potion worth several hundred pounds for animal experiments. Or was she planning to have an animal consume the potion, verify whether the formula was genuine, and only then use it herself? That would make sense. After all, rich people cherished their lives, and Miss Justice's personality probably would not allow her to experiment on humans...

The Hanged Man also sat up straight. After a long while, he answered, "After consuming a potion, one must meditate to resist the influence of the residual spirit. Ordinary animals cannot do that. They will most likely die on the spot after drinking the potion, or lose control and become Monsters. If they are lucky enough to endure it, they may have a chance of becoming Beyonder Creatures. Many wild Beyonder Creatures are born when ordinary creatures accidentally consume Beyonder items or characteristics."

Miss Justice seemed to breathe a sigh of relief. In a light tone, she replied, "Thank you, Mr. Hanged Man. I have no other questions."

The Hanged Man shook his head as well. "Neither do I."

Angel had wanted to add her agreement, but she suddenly remembered the Labor Mutual Aid Society in Tingen City's Docklands selling people, something she had discussed with Dunn that morning. After hesitating for a moment, she asked, "Have either of you heard about human trafficking... or rather, the slave trade within the Ruen Kingdom?"

"The slave trade? Population Trade has already been banned across the entire North Continent." Miss Justice asked curiously, "If anyone is still daring enough to conduct such illegal transactions, shouldn't they be reported directly to the police or the Church?"

Sorry, we are the police and the Church. We're worrying about it right now...

Angel wiped nonexistent sweat from her forehead and looked toward the Hanged Man, hoping this "Captain," who traveled across various seas, would know something.

"I have heard some rumors from the Southern Continent. In recent years, many indigenous tribes there have been completely raided. No one cared about their property, but every person, regardless of age, illness, or disability, was bound and taken away," the Hanged Man replied. "But they have not appeared in plantations or mining areas across the region, places that used to be the endpoints of slave trade routes. On the contrary, many plantations have reported slaves escaping, and there have even been slave uprisings in some places. After killing the guards, they vanished together."

The Hanged Man's answer made the Population Trade involving the Labor Mutual Aid Society even more mysterious. Angel had originally believed that, with slave trading banned in the North Continent, the buyers for the slave traders would be plantations and mines in the Southern Continent that still legally used slave labor. Unexpectedly, those places had not only made no purchases, but even their existing slaves were disappearing one after another.

Together with the indigenous tribes of the Southern Continent that had been completely plundered, it was as though some enormous buyer was absorbing these slaves, creating the bizarre phenomenon of Population Trade flowing out but never in across both continents.

Judging from that scale, the Chairman of the Labor Mutual Aid Society was merely one of that buyer's tentacles. Even the organization behind him, which had sent an Assassin to recover the account book, was probably only a middle-level node. Even if they caught them and severed that tentacle, they would be unable to harm the entire trade network.

It was better to leave such complicated matters to the Church of the Night Goddess. The Church's believers were spread throughout the kingdom, Nighthawks were stationed in every city, and they could cooperate with the police. Investigating cases would be much more convenient for them...

Angel thought to herself. She thanked the Hanged Man and indicated that she had no other questions.

The three looked at one another, all adopting the posture of waiting quietly for The Fool to announce the end of the gathering.

At that moment, several taps sounded from the head of the long table, followed by The Fool's deep voice. "Since everyone has finished exchanging information, there is something I need your simple cooperation with."

Last time, His "simple attempt" had been to pull all three of them into the Grey Mist Space at once. What would it be this time?

Angel looked at Him with slight nervousness. Though The Fool had not harmed any of them during the three Tarot Club meetings so far, and had even provided considerable convenience, divine intentions were unfathomable. Who knew whether this "simple cooperation" would require them to do something that endangered themselves?

"Rest assured, it is only a small matter. If it succeeds, then whenever you find yourselves in an unsuitable setting on Monday afternoons, you will be able to ask for leave in advance."

"That is exactly what we hope for." Miss Justice had also been tense all over just now. She looked toward The Fool, only relaxing at last.

"What do we need to do?" the Hanged Man asked cautiously.

"It is very simple. In your free time, you may try a Ritual Magic. It does not need to be especially formal."

The Fool introduced a simple Ritual Magic to the three of them. Use four new Sandalwood Scented Candles to surround an Altar, then place Seafood Rice, White Bread, Feneboote Noodles, and Dixie Pie clockwise, beginning from the lower-left corner. Then use a Ritual Dagger to create a Wall of Spirituality...

"May I ask..." Justice began, only to cut herself off.

"It is fine, Miss Justice. If there is anything you do not understand, you may ask at any time. I said that I need your cooperation." The Fool was not angry. Instead, He spoke kindly, like a university lecturer.

"...May I ask how to create a Wall of Spirituality?"

As though he had not expected Justice to ask that question, The Fool fell silent for once.

As half a mentor who had guided Justice into becoming a Beyonder, the Hanged Man carefully explained how to use a Dagger or ritual knife during meditation to guide one's own spiritual power and create a Wall of Spirituality, isolating the ritual environment and preventing interference from other forces.

Only after seeing Justice nod to indicate that she understood did The Fool continue explaining the Ritual Magic that required their cooperation.

After using the Ritual Dagger to create a sealed environment, they needed to mix and extract Moon Flower, Golden Mint, Deep Sleep Flower, Golden Bergamot, and Rock Rose into essential oil, drip it over the candle flame, and then silently recite the incantation:

"The Fool who does not belong to this era..."

"The Mysterious Ruler Above the Grey Mist..."

"The Yellow and Black King who wields Good Luck..."

Listening to The Fool recite the ritual incantation one phrase at a time so that they could remember it more easily, Angel's eyes gradually widened, and stormy waves rose in her heart.

Though she was not a Diviner or someone from a similar Sequence proficient in mysticism, after inheriting Cole Granger's memories, she was not completely ignorant of Ritual Magic. Especially over the past week, as she made "Storm Convergence" bullets every day, she had used such three-part descriptions daily to pray to another existence—the Goddess of the Night—and beg for Her favor.

If that description truly pointed to The Fool, then His existence was nearly equivalent to that of the seven deities, including the Goddess of the Night!

"I beseech Your help."

"I beseech Your favor."

"I beseech You to grant me a good dream."

"Deep Sleep Flower, herb belonging to the Crimson Moon, please pass your power to my incantation."

"Golden Bergamot, herb belonging to the Sun, please pass your power to my incantation."

Regardless of what those at the table thought, The Fool continued reciting every incantation in His deep voice, phrase by phrase. Only after finishing did He smile and ask, "Everyone, have you remembered them clearly?"

"Ah..." Miss Justice cried out. "Yes, I have remembered them."

Angel and the Hanged Man hurriedly expressed their agreement as well. The Hanged Man even displayed the parchment on which he had recorded the incantation. To them, the image of The Fool at the head of the long table was now completely different from what it had been minutes earlier. No one dared refuse His request.

"Very good. I hope you complete this ritual no later than Wednesday this week."

The Fool seemed quite satisfied with their attitudes. He nodded and continued giving instructions.

"We will follow Your will." The three answered in unison.

"Then today's gathering shall end here."

Deep crimson light flashed once more, and Angel returned to the study, seated in her chair in her original posture. Roselle's Diary, which she had copied out, still lay on the desk. If the hour hand of her pocket watch had not already pointed to four in the afternoon, she would scarcely have believed what had just happened.

How had she gotten entangled with another god again?

Still frightened, she hurriedly pulled over a sheet of white paper and immediately wrote down the Ritual Magic and incantation The Fool had just taught them before the fresh memories faded.

The Fool who did not belong to this era, the Mysterious Ruler Above the Grey Mist, the Yellow and Black King who wields Good Luck...

Inside a manor in Backlund's Queens Borough and aboard a Ghost Ship on the Sonia Sea, the same incantation appeared beneath the pens of the other two members of the Tarot Club.