The Giant King's Court
"Wait a minute."
Luther said to Klein, then turned his head toward the head of the long table.
What is he going to do?
Klein was intrigued, and then he saw Luther say to the empty void, "Mr. Fool, I have something I'd like to show you, and I hope you'll allow me to materialize it."
Ah, he wants to speak to me, no, to the Fool...
Klein quickly switched identities, speaking from behind the thick Gray Fog, "Okay."
"Brush."
Luther was unaware that Klein had changed his clothes. Instead, with the Fool's permission, he materialized what he had in mind: a Staff Head -like object covered with various symbols, the most crucial of which was a symbol composed of an "Pupil-less Eye" and "Contorted Lines".
That tool that allows the user to borrow power from their past self!
"Mr. Fool, does the mysterious power emanating from this item originate from you?"
Luther asked cautiously.
This item's effects were far more powerful than imagined; it actually restored the three-in-one Red Evil Spirit to its former state, severely injuring Suah. Luther naturally hoped to create it again through Ritual to preserve it as his trump card. But before that, he had to find out if the owner of this power was willing to lend it to him.
Ah, this...
After the Gray Fog, Klein hesitated for a moment.
His Spirituality was at work; he instinctively sensed that the power associated with this item did indeed come from his own Pathway —either because his current Sequence was too low to use it for the time being.
"Yes."
Luther heard a deep voice from behind the Gray Fog; Mr. Fool had brought him good news.
"Then, Mr. Fool, may I use this Ritual to pray to you and borrow your power to make such an item again?"
He asked impatiently.
You... how am I supposed to answer that?!
Klein was immediately at a loss.
He's only reached Sequence 5, a long way from possessing such immense power. But as the Fool, if he can't demonstrate corresponding power, his rank seems insufficient... What should he do?
"Hehe..."
In short, Klein chuckled softly, giving himself a moment to think. His mind raced, and finally, maintaining an air of mystery, he said softly, "It's not time yet..."
He evaded the question with mysterious and vague words, neither saying that he couldn't do it nor that he could, leaving Luther to figure out the details on his own.
"Okay, thank you very much for your answer."
Luther said with some disappointment.
Why didn't Mr. Fool agree? Was it because I wasn't devout enough, or because I didn't offer Roselle's Diary like the others...? No, a god wouldn't be so particular about details. Perhaps there really is Concealment I don't know, one that he can't tell me for now...
Judging from his expression, I think I managed to fool him, right?
Klein thought to himself.
Above the Gray Fog, the two fellow transmigrators each staged a dramatic scene in their minds.
How have you been lately?
Fearing that Luther would continue to ask the Fool some difficult questions, Klein spoke up to draw his attention, "From what [The Hanged Man] is saying, you've become the new king of the seas?"
In fact, he saw the entire situation through the perspective provided by the Hanged Man's prayer.
But to cover their tracks, they must pretend they don't know anything here.
"Yes, with the help of some external forces."
Luther pointed to the materialized "Staff Head" on the table. "And you, did you successfully advance?"
"It's a success."
Klein replied that he had just returned from the God War Ruins and had become Sequence 5 "Marionettist." With "Creeping Hunger," he theoretically could overpower those Pirate Admiral. "The information you provided was very useful; it helped me avoid many dangers in that area... By the way..."
Speaking of the God War Ruins, Klein recalled something.
He looked at Luther with a serious expression.
"Didn't you feel a connection between the magnificent Palace in that dream and the [Giant King’s Court] recorded in the City of Silver?"
Somewhat similar?
Luther was taken aback.
The Palace in my dream...
On the other side of that cliff, where Medici once gazed intently, stood a building of immense scale, clearly not intended for a person of average size. Most importantly, the entire Palace was bathed in eternal Twilight.
Luther recalled that on the Card of Blasphemy he had recently acquired, the top of the Warrior Pathway was Sequence 0.
The "Twilight Giant". If there really was a Giant King’s Court, the imagery of these two would be completely consistent!
"What you said seems somewhat plausible..."
He said in a deep voice.
But why does the phantom of the Giant King’s Court appear in the Collective Dream of the God War Ruins?
In Luther's mind, he listed out the relevant clues one by one:
First, the Giant King’s Court was located in the "Forsaken Land of the Gods";
Secondly, the Collective Dream of the God War Ruins contains what appears to be the Giant King’s Court;
Third, the Aurora Order continuously arrive at the God War Ruins, intending to reach the "Forsaken Land of the Gods" on the other side, and go to the Sanctuary of the True Creator.
Could it be that the Giant King’s Court is the Pathway to the "Forsaken Land of the Gods," or even a crucial link in the path?
Thinking of this, Luther shook his head.
No, this guess is too presumptuous; we still don't have enough clues.
"I heard from [the Sun] that City of Silver has already begun its exploration. Once they finish clearing out Afternoon Town and gradually reach the real Giant King’s Court, they can then verify it with him."
He said.
"Too."
Klein had no objection, after all, it was just his speculation and didn't involve anything urgent at the moment.
The two remained silent for a moment.
What are your plans for the future?
Klein asked.
I'm going back to Loen.
Luther said, his eyes blazing with fury, "I've advanced to Sequence 4, just like that Ince Will. It's time to find him, and the Aurora Order take revenge."
I'm also planning to go back.
Klein said, "My path to promotion continues in Backlund, and... if it's time to get revenge on Ince, be sure to include me."
Where are you now? Do you need me to give you a ride?
Now that Luther has the "Black Throne," he can freely Spirit World Traversal, so picking up Klein is just a side matter.
"No need."
Klein said, "I plan to take a boat back, and along the way, familiarize myself with my newfound abilities and figure out how to Acting role."
"Then please be careful and contact me promptly if anything happens."
Luther said.
After that, the two chatted for a while longer, and when they felt they had run out of things to talk about, they stood up and gestured towards the long table, "Mr. Fool, our business here is finished."
Then, Red Light surged up like a tide, engulfing the two of them.
Soon, silence returned Above the Gray Fog.