(Happy New Year, everyone! May you find swift success and may all your wishes come true!)
At the Tarot Club meeting.
The Hanged Man, Alger, asked Devil Raphael how he had managed to locate the hidden members of the Rose School so precisely.
"Very simple." The Demon Personality grinned. "With the help of the great Lord of Evil Desires, I posed as a blessed of the Chained God and told them that the Chained God was about to return."
He paused before continuing, "After the Lord of Evil Desires displayed a little of his power, they all converted to his faith and believed everything I said."
"And so I gained three Saint-level insiders. They provided me with plenty of high-level intelligence, giving me a thorough understanding of the Rose School's structure and some idea of how they would react to a surprise attack.
"That really was the key to our overwhelming victory."
The other members exchanged looks. It sounded rather unbelievable.
The Fool, Klein, thought, I have to admit, this is an advantage unique to the Lord of Evil Desires and Raphael!
Justice Audrey wore an elegant smile. This method is completely impossible to replicate. Actually, although the members of the Rose School are mad, there's nothing wrong with their intelligence. Raphael makes it sound easy, but he must have done extensive preparatory
work to make that lie believable.
The Hermit, Cattleya, also reflected inwardly, I don't find it surprising. When Queen Mystic evaluated Raphael, she said he wasn't someone who stuck to convention. He advocates neither indulgence nor temperance. Someone like that always has a third choice. And he'll use any means to get things done. Still, deceiving the members of the Rose School really was creative.
Raphael spread his hands, and the Demon Personality continued, "There isn't much