The long-forgotten subject came up again. Alice froze for two seconds, then remembered the Beyonder who liked researching Hybridization Technology.
"...The Beyonder you mentioned before is on your ship?" Alice looked uncertain.
In the Gray Fog, Klein swallowed.
Cattleya nodded gravely.
What a strange-sounding person. But I'm so curious. I want to meet them... Alice said nothing. She just looked at Cattleya with shining eyes, and Cattleya realized she had no chance of refusing now.
She couldn't help looking toward "The World." As though he hadn't caught her hint, "The World" replied:
"Then it's settled, Lady Hermit."
She just likes playing around a little. She won't make anything too strange... right?
Mr. Fool spent the rest of the Tarot Club meeting in a state of extreme worry. Several times he considered going back on his word, but each time he abandoned the idea almost at once.
Alice might only think it sounded fun right now. If he went back on his word, she would start making trouble in earnest.
With the matter settled, Alice asked Klein a question after the Tarot Club meeting ended:
"Do you know how I can discuss extremely secret, extremely rare knowledge outside without attracting the Hidden Sage's attention?"
Klein glanced at Alice. After a moment's thought, he asked, "...Why do you think I'd know that?"
Alice blinked twice, then gave a soft "Oh" before saying, "I guess you're right... No, it's just that I've gotten used to asking you whenever something comes up..."
"...Why do I feel," Klein said, remembering how Alice had described Medici, his expression growing strange, "like I'm your long-lost mother, except we're not related by blood..."
Well, maybe a little... Alice lowered her head. After thinking for a few seconds, she looked up and objected earnestly:
"Don't say that.
"Maybe someday