By the time Odys reached Backlund, it was already around half past one on Monday afternoon.
Odys realized he needed to watch the time so he would not miss the Tarot Club meeting.
Bernadette, dressed in an olive-green gown, sat on the sofa before the fireplace. "What was so urgent that you came to see me?" she asked.
As she spoke, she gestured toward the armchair opposite her.
Odys sat down and remarked, "I can't believe it's already February and Backlund is still this cold."
He had grown used to the abundant sunshine over the Berserk Sea. Returning to chilly Backlund so suddenly took some adjusting.
Then he said, "Here's what happened. Today, I met an old man named Kent..."
Odys told Bernadette exactly how he had met Kent and gave her the gist of their conversation. Naturally, he left out the parts concerning Roselle.
He was not worried about anyone eavesdropping. Bernadette was powerful even among Saints, and Kent could not simply sit in a corner listening without her noticing.
But if the eavesdropper was Adam... Well, he could listen if he wanted. That was his prerogative.
More to the point, how could Odys stop Him from listening?
Odys had long since made his peace with it. Whether he had entered a story Adam had written or Adam was watching him, his attitude remained the same: be my guest.
Partway through, Bernadette interrupted him. "They have a Card of Blasphemy?"
"I don't think they'd lie about something like that," Odys replied.
He had originally intended to conceal the Card of Blasphemy, but then he considered how much Bernadette would want to obtain it. So he told her about that part of the payment.
Bernadette worked to hide her emotions. She gestured for Odys to continue.
When he finished, she