Chapter 442: Exploration Mission
Alger looked at Fors and returned with a question.
"You were forced to drink a second Apprentice potion?"
*Why did you figure it out so easily... It's as though you were there to
see it...* Fors uncomfortably cleared her throat and said, "Yes,
let's just pretend that's what happened...
"What solutions do you have? What do you need me to exchange for it?"
Alger glanced at Mr. Fool, but seeing that he had nothing to say, he
replied in a calm and low voice, "You don't need payment, because it
will certainly not be able to satisfy your needs."
Without waiting for Miss Magician and Miss Justice to ask, he casually
explained, "High-Sequence Beyonders can independently decide whether or
not to pass on their Beyonder characteristics to their descendants, and
how much they will inherit as a result. Sequence 6 and Sequence 5 will
naturally pass a part of it in an uncontrollable manner. Although the
quantity isn't a lot each time and wouldn't affect the Beyonder's
strength, their Sequence will regress if they have enough children."
"Such a child is born with high spiritual perception and a certain level
of incomplete Beyonder powers?" Audrey suddenly came to a realization,
understanding the origins of some special people.
The Hanged Man nodded.
"Yes, they're equivalent to half a Sequence 9, with a certain amount of
characteristics. If they want to become a Beyonder, they can only choose
the corresponding path. Of course, such people might not be a result of
inheritance. It might be the result of them gaining the blessings of a
deity or the corruption of an evil spirit. There are many factors that
can cause the same degree of influence. Also, when High-Sequence
Beyonders have children, they might give birth to someone who's already
at Sequence 5. This is one of the rare instances when one can advance
without losing control.
So that's how it is... Audrey sighed with satisfaction.
To her, knowing more mysteries was more enjoyable than getting a nice
dress or jewelry.
Fors also came to a realization as she pressed, "Then what about
Beyonders at Sequence 7, 8, and 9?"
"Theoretically speaking, their Beyonder characteristics will not be
passed down to their descendants, but that is not absolute. If there's
an excessive amount of Beyonder characteristics, there's a chance for
them to be passed down as well. That is to say, if you're pregnant with
a child, there's a way to effectively reduce the remnant potion in your
body. No, one might not succeed, but three or four will stand a higher
chance."
Three or four? Fors stared agape.
Klein, who had learned all of this general knowledge from Roselle's
diary, couldn't help but think of a joke.
*Miss Magician, in the future, you can say to your child that "you were
a free gift[This is a meme in China. The gift can be quite a wide range of things, one of them being a gift from topping up a telephone SIM card.] from drinking a potion!"*
*Although it seems that, according to Mr. Hanged Man, the burden can be
reduced the moment a child is conceived, having a child would still
require almost forty weeks of trouble. No, more than that, it's
impossible to leave the child after it's born, right... After grasping
the acting method, even if the process subsequently becomes more
difficult, two months will definitely be enough time to digest it. It
might not even take that long; after all, it's just a starting
Sequence...* Fors forced a smile and said, "I understand, the
best way is still to rely on acting to digest it."
Alger gave an affirmative answer. "That's the case for Sequence 7 and
below."
*After that, digestion would easily take a year or so, two to three
years, and then five to six years. When that happens, giving birth to a
child would be a simpler plan...* he added inwardly.
There were a few seconds of silence as the two women digested the
knowledge they had just gained.
This was the first time they had known that having a child had such
uses.
For Derrick, this was common knowledge. He adjusted his posture and
said, "I've been assigned another exploration mission."
"Where to?" Alger tilted his head and asked.
"It's still the half-destroyed temple of the Fallen Creator," Derrick
answered without sounding too grave.
It sounds like there's a certain guaranteed level of safety...
Audrey didn't interrupt.
The Hanged Man pondered for two seconds before asking, "Is the Shepherd
Elder still in prison?"
"Yes. This exploration will be led by the Chief." The Sun didn't hide
the facts.
"This way, the danger level will be much lower than last time. You can
give it a try." Alger couldn't help but look at Mr. Fool once more.
Unable to read any thoughts from the other party's blurry eyes, he
continued to speak to The Sun.
"This should be your last inspection before the surveillance is
completely removed.
"Previously, the information you made known was that Amon is archenemies
with the Fallen Creator. They wouldn't mind exposing themselves to spoil
the other's plans. This time, by heading to the Fallen Creator's temple
for exploration, as long as you don't reveal any abnormalities, the
six-member council will basically determine that you're no longer under
Amon's influence."
*Mr. Hanged Man sure is experienced. It's as if he was planning the
operation...* Derrick kept it in mind before asking, "What else
do I need to pay attention to?"
At the very end of the long bronze table, The Fool, who was quietly
watching, opened his mouth.
"Flesh and blood, ravings."
Klein had only said two words, leaving the Tarot Club members to
comprehend them on their own.
This was the demeanor of a great figure.
The Hanged Man pondered for a few seconds, then he said to The Sun who
had thanked The Fool, "In particular, don't look at what you shouldn't,
don't listen to what you shouldn't, don't eat what you shouldn't, and
don't touch what you shouldn't."
"What are those that shouldn't be seen or heard?" Derrick asked,
puzzled.
The Hanged Man said with a deepened voice, "After entering the temple,
everything is included."
"Then, how should I explore?" Derrick asked in surprise.
The Hanged Man chuckled.
"Aren't there other members? Isn't there a Chief?"
It really is Mr. Hanged Man's style... Audrey subconsciously
wanted to cover her face with her hands, but the education and habits
ingrained in her had told her that such actions weren't graceful, so she
forcefully changed the way she moved, stroking her drooping hair and
pushing it behind her ears.
"..." The Sun felt that such a method was quite unacceptable.
Upon noticing his reaction, Alger secretly cursed before saying, "What I
mean is to listen to your Chief's instructions. Only do what he allows
you to do. At any other times, do not take matters into your own hands."
"I understand. Thank you, Mr. Hanged Man." The Sun instantly relaxed.
Phew. Alger exhaled and turned to the woman opposite him.
"Miss Justice, I wish to know the political changes in Backlund after
Duke Negan's passing."
Audrey recalled the information she had heard, both directly and
indirectly in recent times.
"Duke Negan's death has divided the House of Lords. Although his eldest
son is about to inherit the nobility title and become a member of the
House of Lords, his prestige isn't enough to calm the dispute.
"Nearly ten members of the House of Lords have jointly proposed that the
newly conferred nobility should also have a chance to obtain a fixed
seat as a Member of Parliament.
"Simply put, let those who are conferred nobility through political
donations, charity donations, and the purchase of land become members of
the House of Lords."
Hearing this, The Hanged Man Alger laughed.
"Aren't nobles with a certain amount of history in their family line the
ones who despise such people who rely on unorthodox means to be
conferred a nobility title the most? Wasn't the ultimate honor and their
greatest pride the fact that a fixed seat in the House of Lords was
hereditary?"
Ignoring the inadvertent mockery, Audrey calmly explained, "When you
have tens of thousands of pounds, hundreds of thousands of pounds, or
even more debts, you will also make the same choice."
Owing money wasn't a fatal threat to many nobles, but the debtor could
apply to the court and use their lands as payment for the debts. Without
the minimum amount of land needed for a noble title, their status as
nobles would be on the verge of collapse.
"And then?" Alger didn't continue to harp over the previous question.
Audrey gave a rough description. "This kind of dispute has put many
bills on hold, including, but not limited to, the raising of worker
salary, the improvement of working hours, and revising the Poor Law.
It's gratifying to see that the Civil Servant Unified Examination is
still progressing steadily and hasn't stopped, and the investigation
into the air pollution in Backlund is also going in depth."
"There will be no war for the time being...." The Hanged Man whispered,
and he went on to talk to the other members.
Worried that staying too long in the bathroom would arouse suspicion,
Klein announced the end of the Tarot Gathering after they were done.
After returning to her room, Audrey didn't rush to get up. She first
quietly sorted out the things she needed to do after this.
Looking at the mirror in front of her, she played with the accessories
on her earlobes. With a slight smile, she silently muttered to herself,
*There will be a psychology lesson tomorrow afternoon. I can tell Miss
Escalante that I've met someone in a Beyonder circle who's looking to
buy the Human-skinned Shadow characteristic and has promised an
abnormally generous price for it. I wonder if the Psychology Alchemists
will be interested in it or not...*
*Also, I mustn't forget Roselle's diary and the Wind-blessed
formula...*
*Yes, I have to find the Psychiatrist ingredients as quickly as
possible. Audrey, you can't be lazy! Susie is already a Sequence 8, so
you can't let her overtake you!*
After pacing back and forth in the room, Fors finally made up her mind
and pulled out her chair.
She grabbed a piece of paper and a pen and, after mulling over it for
nearly a minute, began to write to Dorian Gray.
She described how she learned of someone who requested the
characteristic of a Human-skinned Shadow and the Wind-blessed potion
formula, as well as her curiosity over the Roselle notebook.
The capital of the Rorsted Archipelago, the City of Generosity.
Alger Wilson walked out of the hotel and headed for a secret underground
market.
His target was the hair of a Deep-sea Naga.
He had no intention of missing a Human-skinned Shadow if someone had it.
I'm short on money... Klein sat in the living room and sighed
again.
He still needed quite a bit of cash to ensure that he could purchase the
items directly when he received clues regarding the Human-skinned
Shadow's characteristics.
Klein thought for a long time, wondering if he should find other
channels to sell the Beyonder characteristic left by the Interrogator
and stop waiting for Miss Xio to save up her money.
After an unknown period of time, the sound of the doorbell rang,
breaking the afternoon silence.