Chapter 35: 35. Chapter 35: Exchanging Information (Third update, requesting recommendation votes)

Chapter 35: Exchanging Information (Third update, requesting recommendation votes)

Roselle Gustav's secret diary?

Emperor Roselle?

As expected, only something of this magnitude would warrant the attention of a powerhouse at the level of Mr. Fool... Audrey was stunned for a moment, only to realize she wasn't surprised at all.

It was said that Emperor Roselle had once viewed the "Blasphemy Slate," and it was said that the secret playing cards he created contained the twenty-two pathways of the gods. This was something every high-sequence powerhouse would certainly care about!

"A diary? Is it a diary?" Alger frowned slightly, keenly perceiving a detail.

Mr. Fool had used an affirmative tone when referring to Roselle Gustav's legacy as a diary!

How did he know?

How was he so certain?

Could it be that he had mastered the method to decipher "Roselle's Secret Script"?

Facing the Hanged Man's doubts, Klein, having achieved his intended effect, leaned back against his chair, interlaced his hands, and answered in a relaxed tone

"For now, let us treat it as a diary."

He neither denied nor confirmed it.

"It is said that Emperor Roselle's, um, diary was written in a secret script or symbols of his own invention?" Audrey had heard other noble children mention this, but she had never truly seen it, so she asked out of curiosity.

"Yes," Alger answered simply. "Some believe it is a unique set of occult symbols, others believe it is a form of hieroglyphics, but to this day, no one has found the correct way to decipher it—at least, not within my knowledge."

As he spoke, he turned his head toward Klein, seemingly seeking some form of confirmation, yet also appearing somewhat suspicious.

*That is a script that has evolved through several generations; it no longer resembles the original hieroglyphics. Following your line of reasoning, how could it possibly be deciphered...* Klein felt calm, inwardly scoffing.

As for the theory of treating it as occult symbols, it instantly brought to mind some absurd and hilarious scenes

An evil mage wearing a black hooded robe, rolling up his sleeves to reveal symbols tattooed on his arms—supposedly mystical symbols left behind by Emperor Roselle—which were actually two large, cyan, simplified Chinese characters

"Dumbass!"

The corners of Klein's mouth curled up slowly, and his mood grew even better.

After listening to the Hanged Man's description, Audrey said with some difficulty

"Symbols or text that we cannot understand... then how are we supposed to relay them to you here, Mr. Fool? Or rather, mail them somewhere?"

*That is indeed an important question... I currently have no channel to receive objects covertly...* Klein did not rush to answer. His interlaced thumbs moved apart and touched, then apart and touched again.

Soon, he found a way

*Since I can manifest a temple and tables and chairs here based on my own thoughts, can I make it so that others can directly imprint the contents presented in their minds?*

*Let's try...*

At that moment, Audrey and Alger saw the "Fool," shrouded in thick gray fog, slowly sit upright

"Miss Justice, let us try an experiment. Imagine a piece of text and give it the urgent emotion of needing to write it down. Um, pick up the fountain pen beside you and write it on the paper."

Before Klein's voice had even faded, Audrey saw a piece of yellowish-brown parchment and a dark red fountain pen appear before her.

Confused and curious, she picked up the pen and, following his instructions, imagined a line of poetry once written by Emperor Roselle in her mind

"If winter comes, can spring be far behind?" (Note 1)

After reviewing the text, she picked up the pen, focusing on the intent to manifest the words entirely.

Klein sensed this "emotion," and using the "fountain pen" as a medium, he provided guidance.

As soon as Audrey lowered the pen, she saw a line of words appear on the parchment

"If winter comes, can spring be far behind?"

"Goddess, this is miraculous!" Audrey exclaimed in surprise, filled with emotion.

Then, she looked at Klein with a hint of fear

"Mr. Fool, can you read the thoughts in my mind?"

"No, I am merely a guide. I have simplified the process of you writing the words, turning it into a method of imprinting. If you yourself do not wish to 'express' it, no trace will appear." Klein comforted her in a low voice.

"I see... so as long as we remember the appearance of those symbols or secret scripts, we can manifest them directly according to our will?" Audrey breathed a sigh of relief and asked in realization.

"Yes," Klein answered briefly.

"This is truly a wonderful method. Miss Justice, do not doubt your memory; once you become a 'Spectator,' you will see great improvement in this area." Alger had observed the experiment and felt that the "Fool" was even more mysterious and powerful than he had imagined.

As for his own memory, he believed it would grow sufficiently with his upcoming advancement.

At this, Audrey nodded happily

"That is a very encouraging tip, Mr. Hanged Man. Regarding being a 'Spectator,' do you have any other teachings for me?"

At this point, she turned to look toward the head of the table

"Mr. Fool, I will work hard to complete your task and try to collect as many of Emperor Roselle's secret diaries as possible."

"I said before, I am a person who likes equivalent exchange. The advance payment just now is only equivalent to two pages of the diary per person. If there are extras, I will provide additional compensation." Klein spoke calmly, in a tone that didn't take advantage of a child.

As for where the extra compensation would come from, it would naturally come from new secret diaries of Emperor Roselle, creating a virtuous cycle.

"You are truly a generous gentleman." Alger fell silent for a few seconds, placed his hand over his chest, and bowed slightly.

After bowing, he turned to "Justice" and said

"I will emphasize this once more: a Spectator is always just a Spectator."

"I know many Spectators like to imagine themselves as the protagonist or other characters, thereby investing a great deal of emotion—crying with the drama, laughing with the drama, feeling anger or sadness with the drama—but that is not what you, as a 'Spectator,' should do."

"When facing the various 'dramas' of secular society, and facing those characters who consciously or unconsciously play certain roles, you must maintain an attitude of absolute observation. Only in this way can you examine them calmly and objectively, discover their habitual movements, detect their verbal tics when lying, smell their nervousness, and grasp their true thoughts from various subtle clues."

"Believe me, everyone naturally secretes different 'things' and emits different scents due to different emotions, but only a true 'Spectator' can smell them."

"Once you invest emotion, your observation will be affected, and your perception of others' emotions will become skewed."

Audrey listened intently, her eyes growing brighter

"That sounds very, very interesting!"

Sitting at the head, Klein's heart stirred

*The requirement for the 'Spectator' potion seems to be summarized as 'being an absolutely neutral observer.'*

*This is equivalent to a certain degree of acting...*

*Acting?*

*Could the 'acting' Emperor Roselle spoke of mean this?*

*Then I need to act as a 'Seer' to gradually digest the potion?*

While Klein was lost in thought, Alger finished explaining what he knew about the requirements of a "Spectator." After a moment of silence, he said

"It seems there is nothing else?"

"Perhaps we can chat casually about things happening around us. Perhaps news that is very ordinary to one person might be a very important clue to another."

"That works," Klein snapped back to reality and nodded slightly.

He already intended to try acting as a "Seer"; after all, it didn't seem like it would have any negative impact.

"Shall we start with you, Mr. Hanged Man?" Audrey agreed with great interest.

Alger thought for a moment and said

"That pirate who calls himself 'Admiral Ludwell' has begun his voyage again, exploring the eastern end of the Sunia Sea."

"Um, the owner of the 'Black Tulip'?" Audrey asked tentatively.

"Yes," Alger nodded in response.

*I don't even know who that is...* Klein listened in without speaking, considering what news he could share—something that wouldn't expose him but would elicit intelligence in return.

Soon, he made a decision. Maintaining his profound image as "The Fool," he rubbed the edge of the bronze long table with his finger and said

"As far as I know, the Secret Order has lost a notebook belonging to the Antigonus family."

This news was not only known by the Nighthawks in Tingen; the Secret Order and the Beyonders closely associated with them also knew.

"A notebook of the Antigonus family?" Alger repeated, shaking his head with a low chuckle. "I am truly curious about the reaction of the Church of the Evernight Goddess once they learn this news."

*Why only mention the Church of the Evernight Goddess?* Klein keenly sensed a problem, but it was difficult to speak up.

That would ruin the mysterious and profound image of "The Fool."

At that moment, Audrey asked in confusion

"Why are you curious about that? Would the Goddess's Church have a special reaction?"

Alger smiled and said

"The Antigonus family was precisely destroyed by the Church of the Evernight Goddess."

"Whether it was at the end of the Fourth Epoch or the beginning of the current era, I am not quite sure."

*This...* Klein's eyes constricted, and a sudden chill surged through his body

*It seems the Nighthawks' importance regarding that Antigonus family notebook far exceeds my imagination!*

*The reason they suggested I become a Beyonder—'having certain merits' and 'preventing danger'—must only be a small part of the reason. What they want is for me to increase my spirituality, which will help in finding the notebook.*

*The Captain didn't hide this; he mentioned it, but I didn't pay attention at the time...*

After hearing the Hanged Man's explanation, Audrey spoke with intense interest

"I really didn't expect such a thing..."

"Alright, it's my turn. Let me think of something to say."

She tilted her head slightly, rested her hand on her forehead, and said with a light laugh

"Yesterday, my etiquette teacher was teaching me how to faint—how to faint gracefully without losing politeness. It is a practical skill for avoiding awkward situations and obnoxious people in social settings... Hehe, I was just organizing my words. What I truly want to say is that since the military defeat on the Baylund coast, the King, the Prime Minister, and all the gentlemen have felt immense pressure and have an urgent desire for change."

Note 1: Shelley, *Ode to the West Wind*