A Terrifying Topic

Aside from the remarkably prolific Miss Justice, no one had brought a new page of Emperor Roselle's Diary this week. Everyone lowered their heads slightly, including the Hermit, who received information from Queen Mystic. Only Audrey held her head high with pride.

Mm-hmm, investing a few thousand pounds in the Loen Antiquities Collection and Preservation Foundation really was the right choice. For a little money, I get the first chance to copy any diary pages they find... Audrey could barely keep the smile off her face. She quickly lowered her head like the others and waited for Mr. Fool to finish reading this week's diary and ask what she wanted in exchange for her contribution.

"Honorable Mr. Fool, I'd like to see the new Card of Blasphemy."

As a newly advanced Sequence 6 Hypnotist, Audrey had noticed the moment she sat down that four Tarot Cards lay face down on the table before the Fool. Last week, there had only been three.

So she used her diary contribution to satisfy her curiosity without hesitation. Rather than requesting a private exchange, she shared what she would learn with everyone.

At her request, the Card of Blasphemy slowly rose and turned toward every Tarot Club member at the long table. Words formed from starlight shone upon it:

"Sequence 0, Tyrant."

That looks like the Sailor, or Storm, Pathway. The name suits them: hot-tempered, irritable, chauvinistic... Audrey did not linger on the Card of Blasphemy. Instead, she watched the other members.

As Emperor Roselle appeared before them, wearing a triple diadem and looking supremely majestic, their reactions fell one by one under the Spectator's gaze.

That was one reason she had shared the information.

Audrey, you're getting sneakier... No, that's called being clever... She pursed her lips and looked toward the Hanged Man,