Beside the Knight of Swords lay a boundless lake, its quiet crimson waters shimmering under the moonlight of the night, occasionally stirred by a breeze.
Lumian couldnât help but lift his head to gaze upward, feeling the night sky, hung with a crimson moon, seemed closer and much clearer than usual. Even the stars, obscured by the moonlight, were faintly visible, dense as if forming a brilliant, vast river.
A chilly wind blew past, and Lumian, dressed in a thick jacket, turned his attention back to the Knight of Swords and asked, âArenât you cold?â
Although it was summer in the Southern Continent, their high altitude and thin air made it feel significantly colder, especially at night, with temperatures likely below 15 degrees Celsius.
Originally gazing at the highland lake, the Knight of Swords turned to Lumian and said, âFor me, temperature has lost its meaning, and besides, the cold suits me better.â
âIs that so? Then, extreme temperatures over 100 degrees Celsius or close to absolute zero donât affect you?â Lumian replied, his tone relaxed.
The Knight of Swords fell silent, his gaze dark, seemingly suppressing something, before Lumian steered the conversation back on track. âWhat exactly is the matter?â
Without asking the pale-faced, simply dressed men and women around him to leave, the Knight of Swords spoke in a low voice, âThis is the Raklev area of the former Highlands Kingdom. I would like you to help find someone here.â
The Highlands Kingdom, known for its mummies across the Northern and Southern Continents? Lumian did not hide his confusion. âWhat can you not find that I can?â
Having worked together before, Lumian knew that the Knight of Swords, a holder of a Minor Arcana card and a Sequence 5 Wraith of the Prisoner pathway-mainly controlled by the Rose School of Thought with its splinter group, the temperance faction, joining the Church of The Fool-must have his reasons.
Combining this information, Lumian guessed that the Knight of Swords was a member of the temperance faction, representing his faction within the Tarot Club, also serving Mr. Fool.
Moreover, having seen a temperance faction Angel suspected of being a messenger of Mr. Fool, Lumian knew this organization was not weak, but rather strong, especially in divination, endowed with potent spiritual intuition.
Considering these, if the Knight of Swords truly needed to find a person, it would be simpler to request assistance directly from the temperance faction.
Is he thinking that itâs a waste of my promise if itâs not used?
Or, like me, do you prefer to rely on your own abilities and the goodwill youâve accumulated to complete tasks, as a way to hone yourself?
Ah, itâs more likely youâre relying on my mystical ability to attract evil god bestowed to locate the targetâŠ
While Lumian made these guesses, the Knight of Swords, his voice suppressing his emotions and desires, said, âSomeoneâs spiritual intuition tells her that you can solve our current problem and provide the most effective help.â
A Wraith becomes a charlatan after becoming skilled at divination? Lumian thought sarcastically but didnât inquire further. âWhat do you need me to do?â
The Knight of Swords took a few steps forward.
âPlease allow me to introduce myself.
âMy name is Maric, the âKnight of Swordsâ of the Tarot Clubâs Minor Arcana, and also a member of the temperance faction of the Church of The Fool.
âYouâre aware of the origin of the temperance faction arenât you?â
Lumian nodded and pointed at himself. âLumian Lee.â
The Knight of Swords continued, âWe are looking for an important member of the Primordial Moon faction within the indulgence faction.â
We⊠Lumianâs first reaction was to look around for any companions the Knight of Swords, Maric, might have.
But he found no one.
As for the pale-faced men and women, he didnât use his Eye of Calamity, simply observing their weaknesses and confirming they were all zombies.
Lumian retracted his gaze and frowned.
âThe Primordial Moon faction?â
Wasnât the Rose School of Thought only known for the split between the indulgence and temperance factions? Where did the Primordial Moon faction come from?
Hmm, from the series of events involving Hisoka and the Dream Festival, perhaps there was also a Devil faction within the Rose School of ThoughtâŠ
Is this something learned from the Tamara family? Infinitely divisibleâŠ
The Knight of Swords earnestly explained, âThe Primordial Moon faction joined the indulgence faction later, originally a branch of the Life School of Thought; they grasp the Apothecary, which is also the Moon pathway. Later, guided by the Primordial Moon, they defected from the Life School of Thought and joined the Rose School of Thought.
Life School of Thought⊠Lumianâs head throbbed.
Why does this keep getting more complicated?
And which secret organization is this now?
Seemingly sensing his thoughts, the Knight of Swords, Maric, spoke succinctly, âThe Life School of Thought primarily follows the Fate pathway and is now an ally of the Tarot Club. This matter has nothing to do with our current search.â
Lumian nodded, signaling the Knight of Swords to stick to the main issue.
Aurore once said, âDo not add unnecessarily entities; if irrelevant, best leave it be to save energy.â
Glancing at the pristine, boundless lake, the Knight of Swords, Maric, said, âThe member of the âPrimordial Moonâ faction weâre looking for possesses a very important item-that is our target.â
âHow are you so sure they are in, uh, the Raklev area?â Lumian engaged more seriously now.
The Knight of Swords paused for a few seconds before responding, âTwo incidents here and some residual traces point to him, but we havenât found him yet. Meanwhile, another event occurred that proves heâs still here, possibly right in Raklev City.â
âIs he from the Apothecary pathway?â Lumian asked cautiously.
The Knight of Swords gave a slight nod. âYes.â
âWhich evil god is their Primordial Moon?â Lumian didnât rush to ask about the incidents and the traces left behind.
The Knight of Swordsâ expression turned grave for a moment.
âItâs likely an incarnation of the Great Mother, sometimes also known as the Mother Tree of Desire.â
âThe Great MotherâŠâ Lumianâs eyelids twitched, âHas the Primordial Moonâs important follower received a boon from the Primordial Moon, or should I say, the Great Mother?â
âPossibly.â The Knight of Swords wasnât too certain.
A follower of the Great Mother receiving Her blessing would mean they could sense my Child of God lineage within a certain distance⊠The Knight of Swords hadnât thought of asking for my help before; I had only recently received the lineage of Omebella, and his companion then had a strong spiritual intuition⊠Are they trying to lure out the target using my Child of God lineage? Lumianâs understanding of the situation became instantly clear.
That personâs spiritual intuition is spot on!
The Knight of Swords regained his composure.
âThat person is named Oxyto, a Sequence 4 Shaman King of the Apothecary pathway, a demigod. Donât worry, we will discreetly provide you with protection.â
While speaking, the Minor Arcana card holder bent down to pick up an oil painting from the ground, depicting a handsome young man in his twenties, his skin pale as if he hadnât been exposed to sunlight for a long time, with deep features and slightly curly black hair cascading to his shoulders.
âThis is a portrait of Oxyto,â the Knight of Swords briefly introduced.
âIf thereâs a boon, the targetâs current appearance and gender might be uncertainâŠâ Lumian pondered aloud, âTell me about the incidents that occurred in the Raklev area and the significant traces left behind.â
The Knight of Swords pulled out a stack of papers from under his vest and handed them to Lumian, saying, âWe first heard from some merchants about several occurrences of a full moon in Raklev City at times it shouldnât appearâŠ
âAt the edge of Lake Dalsh, we discovered a buried ritual site where dozens of humans had become nourishment for the earth. Their abdomens had been torn open, and it seemed something had crawled out, but no related traces were found at the sceneâŠâ
Hearing this, Lumian suddenly recalled several scenes he had seen in Madame Pualisâs castle.
He grimaced as he asked, âWere these humans both men and women?â
âYes,â the Knight of Swords seemed to anticipate his question and added proactively, âThe malesâ abdomens were also torn open.â
He then pointed to the stack of papers in Lumianâs hands.
âMore detailed information is in the documents.â
Lumian hummed in acknowledgment, pondering for a moment.
âI might need my companions to assist me, can you protect them too?â
âNo problem, as long as you all stay within five kilometers of each other,â the Knight of Swords assured.
Lumian smiled.
âThen Iâll go back first to study the materials and make some preparations.â
After listening to the Knight of Swordsâ request, Franca scratched her head, puzzled.
âForget the risk of searching for a demigod for a moment; I think you alone should be able to handle it. Thereâs limited help we can provide, as we donât have the lineage of Omebella.â
Anthony, who had been called over, thought for a moment and said, âI could help cover up traces of the investigation, making those questioned forget they were ever asked.â
Jenna glanced at Lumian and said, âI think your real purpose isnât to get our help.â
Hearing this, Franca realized.
âYou want to use this opportunity to train the team? You want to prepare this early?â
âNot too shabby.â Lumian chuckled, âThe earlier you prepare for these things, the better, in case Iâm forced to advance earlier than planned.â
Franca thoughtfully said, âThen Iâll pass Jennaâs messenger summoning method to 007. When there are Mirror People clues, weâll go back to Trier to follow up. And donât forget the most important team member.â
âHow could I forget?â Lumian laughed.
Ludwig, who was enjoying a late-night snack, saw his godfather enter the room and sit down across the dining table, flashing a smile at him.
Suddenly, the bread in his hands didnât taste as good anymore.