Inside the Hall family's luxurious villa in Backlund, Queens Borough.
Audrey had just tried on the three evening gowns she had chosen for the day and was sitting in a cushioned chair thinking about what accessories to pair with each one, which option she preferred, and what her mother's opinion would be.
Just then, she suddenly saw an endless expanse of gray-white mist and a blurry figure perched high above, looking down on everything.
Immediately afterwards, she saw another figure shrouded in Gray Fog, praying, and heard corresponding words echoing in her ears.
Audrey was not surprised but pleased by this, and her slight unease and worry about not having Tarot Gathering today immediately subsided.
As expected, nothing happened! Hmm, Mr. "World" really is having psychological problems. He must be under a lot of pressure lately. No wonder he had to make an appointment before... Audrey sighed, then started thinking about when she would be available.
As she pondered, her gaze swept over the busy maids in the room, and then over Susie, the golden retriever sitting by the door.
Audrey's lips curled up slightly uncontrollably, and she lowered her head, responding with a hidden prayer:
"... Please tell Mr. 'World' that I'm free recently. He can determine the time and place. Hmm, as long as it's not at night and doesn't exceed a few districts west of Backlund..."
At this moment, Susie, the golden retriever who was observing the maids' work, seemed to sense the strange gaze. She turned her head suspiciously and looked towards Audrey's location, but found nothing amiss.
Above the Gray Fog, inside a palace that resembled the dwelling of Giant.
"Anytime I'm free... Any time I can go out... A location that won't stray far from familiar territory... "Klein rubbed his temples, deciphering Miss " Justice's" answer.
His first thought was that it would be best for the other party to determine the location today or tomorrow, and then he could use " Creeping Hunger " to " Teleportation " directly there. But then a problem occurred to him:
That means Dawn Dantès is within the " Nighthawks '" search area and is likely being monitored. A hasty " Travel " could easily expose the problem.
Wait a few days, or... Klein thought seriously for a moment, then had the materialized "world," Gehrman Sparrow, pray again:
"... Please tell Miss ' Justice,' it will be today, above the Gray Fog."
Huh? Audrey's eyes widened, feeling that Mr. "World's" answer was completely beyond her expectations.
How is she supposed to find Susie to be her stand-in now!
Moreover, there were many details within Mr. The Fool's palace that I couldn't see or sense clearly, which severely hampered my ability to treat psychological problems... Audrey, having calmed her surprise, raised her doubts from a feasibility perspective and asked Mr. The Fool to convey them to "the world."
Not long after, she received another reply:
"... I will ask Mr. ' The Fool ' to lift this restriction and find another way to conceal the true nature of both parties..."
Is this really how it works? Is this the special treatment given to those Blessed by Mr. The Fool? Hmm, our continuous communication is practically direct, which is really too much trouble for Mr. The Fool, and he's almost indulging us... Audrey's thoughts shifted, and she stopped looking for reasons:
"... Okay, between 11:30 PM and 12:30 AM tonight..."
She didn't think she'd have any alone time until the birthday party ended.
At the same time, inside the house at 39 Böklund Street.
Hibbert stared boredly at the evening gown she had chosen, listening to her mother's repeated admonitions beside her.
She's going to accompany her parents to Miss Audrey Hall's birthday ball tonight.
Just as Hibbert's thoughts began to wander and her mind began to go blank, she saw a grayish-white mouse appear at the doorway, waving its paws anxiously.
Hibbert patiently listened to her mother finish the story again, then made an excuse and went straight back to her bedroom.
After she closed and locked the door, the grayish-white mouse suddenly appeared out of nowhere and squatted down at her feet in a comical manner:
I've noticed something's off around here!
This rat actually shook the air and spoke human language!
Hibbert was not surprised by this, and asked in return with a puzzled look:
"What's wrong?"
The grayish-white mouse raised its right forepaw and pointed out the window, saying:
"There are Beyonder from the Church of Evernight investigating this neighborhood; it's a very high-level operation."
"What are they looking for?" Hibbert, frowning slightly.
The grayish-white mouse slowly took a breath and said:
How could I know? But it must be something very serious.
"That way, they'll likely discover your problem."
Hibbert asked, with a mixture of worry and confusion:
"How did they find it? Weren't the clues in the sewers already destroyed? Weren't the corresponding issues dealt with?"
The grayish-white mouse was momentarily speechless, and after several seconds it mumbled a reply:
"Official Beyonder have many strange but useful investigative methods... Anyway, I need to deal with your dream; it's the easiest place to expose yourself."
Hibbert looked down at the rats on the ground, her brow furrowing and then relaxing as she said:
"All right."
Don't look so reluctant. I finally managed to gather some strength again, and now it's going to be wasted! Is this neighborhood cursed? First, a strange Witch appeared, then the "Robin Hood" Black Emperor showed up, and now something inexplicably happened that the " Nighthawks " are taking so seriously! The gray-white rat squeaked irritably twice.
At 7:30 p. m., Hibbert accompanied her father, Congressman Macht, and her mother, Madam Liana, to Queens Borough and entered the Earl Hall's house.
Because it was a birthday ball, she didn't see Miss Audrey Hall directly, but quietly listened to her parents exchanging pleasantries with the Earl Hall, Lady Caitlyn, Lord Hibbert Hall, and others.
In her eyes, these noble nobles and commoners were essentially the same, so she did not act particularly reserved, and her behavior and speech were quite generous.
If it weren't for her mother, Madam Liana, repeatedly emphasizing it, Hibbert would have thought the villa's magnificent dance floor, its artistically valuable murals, and its elegant and outstanding sculptures were even more worthy of respect.
After smiling and greeting everyone she knew and didn't know, Hibbert finally saw the ball begin Audrey Hall, arm in arm with the Count and Countess, walk out of the second-floor room and to the railing facing the dance floor.
Hibbert glanced at the woman, habitually skipping over her face to examine the style of her dress and accessories.
However, her gaze couldn't leave the enormous crystal chandelier hanging high above, where the light from the whale oil candles cast a dreamlike glow upon Audrey, who had just turned 18. It made her emerald eyes, her exquisitely beautiful face, and her long, lustrous golden hair seem to glow, making her evening gown and various accessories pale in comparison.
Hibbert was momentarily dazed and failed to hear what Earl Hall was saying until the melodious tune began and Audrey Hall and her earl father began their opening dance, bringing her back to her senses.
The usually proud woman suddenly felt a little inferior, thinking that even if this dazzling young lady didn't possess supernatural powers, she wouldn't be any less capable than herself.
Hibbert pursed her lips, glanced around, and noticed that everyone's attention was involuntarily drawn to her, though their feelings were different.
Hibbert let out a sigh.
At the ball that night, she was no longer so arrogant, but every minute she wanted to leave, return home, and busy herself with her own affairs in order to gain more magical and powerful abilities.
Finally, the ball came to an end, Hibbert and her family bid farewell to their hosts and headed for the door.
As she was leaving, Hibbert couldn't help but glance back. She saw Miss Audrey standing at the edge of the dance floor, a faint, beautiful smile on her face, greeting the departing guests.
She still appeared to be directly under the light.
After the birthday party ended, Audrey removed her jewelry, changed into a nightgown, and went into the bathroom.
Looking at the misty water and the bathrobe beside her, Audrey didn't rush to take a bath. Instead, she sat down and prayed to Mr. The Fool, indicating that she was ready.
After about ten seconds, she saw Red Light surge out like a tide, engulfing her.
Above the Gray Fog, Audrey appeared beside the bronze table.
This time, she didn't see Mr. The Fool shrouded in Gray Fog, but only discovered an ancient "confessional" on the side. It was a large brown box about half a person's height, with a door at the front and back, and a wooden partition in the middle.
I thought Mr. World would ask Mr. The Fool to materialize a wall, and we would be on opposite sides, communicating against the wall... Now, although it's essentially the same, the confessional is so small and dark. He really doesn't consider the lady's feelings at all! Hmm, I would be surprised if Mr. World had considered it... Audrey walked to the door of the confessional, which was not yet closed, bent down and crawled inside, kneeling on her knees.
As she closed the wooden door, Audrey, who was treating a patient for the first time in a real sense, suddenly became a little excited.
Surrounded by darkness, she abandoned her usual rules due to the environment and her emotions. A slight smile played on her lips as she gently tapped the wooden partition with her finger:
"Hello~ Is Mr. 'World' there?"
Klein, sitting cross-legged opposite, was infected by Miss " Justice's " cheerful tone and said with a slightly relaxed mood:
"You can begin."
This time, he didn't use the Gray Fog to conceal himself, but instead transformed into the appearance of Gehrman Sparrow.
Indeed, Mr. World's mental state wasn't very good; he was too tense and anxious... Audrey sensed this first, then used the " Psychiatrist's" " Placate " technique.
A gentle, invisible ripple spread out, Klein suddenly felt as if he were waking up on a hot summer morning and feeling the cool breeze of dawn; the heat and turmoil in his heart vanished instantly.
Seeing that Mr. World had clearly recovered, Audrey secretly breathed a sigh of relief and asked softly:
Have you been having nightmares lately?