Klein, "The Fool," seated at the head of the mottled long table, glanced at Cyril below... 45,000 pounds. That really was a number that tested one's heart.
What if he discussed selling some unimportant intelligence with him, just like how Prince Edessak had asked him to investigate himself?
As his thoughts wandered, Alger, "The Hanged Man," continued, "There's another very interesting rumor regarding that 'Painter' who has been active at sea recently."
"What rumor?" Audrey, "Justice," asked curiously.
Alger looked at Cyril, but the latter offered no response.
After a brief hesitation, he continued, "It's said that any portraits of him that spread around will inexplicably spontaneously combust, turn completely black, or directly lose all their content."
"Someone has confirmed that portraits of him really do self-destruct, but wanted posters in most places have been preserved normally."
"Therefore, some suspect that he can monitor his surroundings through portraits, which is why he deliberately leaves those wanted posters on public notice boards."
"Because of this rumor, other than the wanted posters on those notice boards, portraits related to him are almost impossible to find elsewhere at sea."
"So mysterious?" Audrey looked slightly surprised.
Inwardly, she linked Randolph, the "Painter" wanted by the Church of Storms at sea, with the gathering organizer, Mr. "Painter," whom she had encountered before.
...Mr. "Painter," who held gatherings in Backlund, could create a Painting World. Randolph, the "Painter" wanted at sea, could make his own portraits self-destruct and perhaps even monitor his surroundings through them. It was hard not to suspect they were actually the same person.
Fors, "The Magician," had thought of that as well. However, unlike Audrey's simple curiosity, she felt more worried.
After all, her teacher clearly had a close relationship with this Mr. "Painter," who sounded like a dangerous person.
...Could they