Sacrifice and bestowal-
At those two words, Charlotte's chest tightened. She lowered her head, no longer daring to look at the figure at the head of the long table.
Of course she knew what "sacrifice" meant. She could even be considered a victim of such an evil ritual.
When she first transmigrated into this world, the original Charlotte Sauron had just escaped a sacrificial ritual. She might then have died from its lingering effects, giving Charlotte the opportunity to occupy her body. The cultists seeking to recover their sacrifice had tried to attack her several times. Only after the Purification-ers intervened, and she personally killed Julian and helped destroy the cult organization in Suhit City, had the incident finally come to something resembling an end.
Within the Church, too, "sacrifice" was often synonymous with evil gods, devils, and similar beings.
As for "bestowal," that was how such dangerous beings rewarded their followers. The Broker and Shadow Merchant in the cult organization that attacked Charlotte, and even Julian, who possessed the power of Conviction, had all received such gifts.
Could Mr. Fool, who pulled me into the gray fog, also be an evil being like the Bridge of Light and Darkness, only he hasn't asked us to pay a price yet? The more Charlotte thought about it, the more suspicious it seemed. Rather than speaking immediately, she furtively observed the other members.
Tower's hands, which had been beneath the table, rose slightly, as though he was preparing to respond to an unexpected development at any moment. Temperance remained elegant, but her body had visibly stiffened. Even Hermit, who had seemed relaxed throughout, stopped shifting in his seat and looking around.
Clearly, everyone present was a Beyonder, or at least possessed enough knowledge of mysticism to understand the danger they now faced.