'Is it possible that the Sealed Artifact in Mr. Devil's hands is strong enough to interfere with divination above the grey fog? Or is it that I didn't see anything because Mr. Devil's own fortune is as elusive and unpredictable as that white fog? If so, was my previous divination actually real and effective?'
With these thoughts, Klein immediately changed his divination statement and conducted the reading again. To his surprise, he found that most divinations pointing toward Snow worked normally--but as soon as the statement involved the other party's fortune or destiny, it would point toward that same white fog.
'Considering that the space above the grey fog has the power to exclude interference, Mr. Devil's trajectory of destiny must be shielded by a power on roughly the same level as the grey fog itself. However, this doesn't prevent me from divining his actions; as long as it doesn't involve his destiny, the results should be trustworthy.' Klein thought this, then shook his head. 'No, I shouldn't be superstitious about the results of divination. Proper precautions still need to be taken...'
Having completed several divinations, Klein didn't linger above the grey fog. He immediately returned to reality and tried to use a normal astrolabe divination to interpret the information Snow had provided. But the answer he got was as ridiculous and nonsensical as a curly-haired baboon with a perm.
"Phew..." Klein took a deep breath, adjusting his mindset to a peaceful state. Just as he opened the door and intended to find Mr. Devil in the reception hall, he heard the man's gentle voice, "Mr. Moretti, is there a result from the divination?"
"..." Klein took a deep look at Snow, who seemed to have been waiting right outside the door. He stepped aside to clear the way and said, "Let's come in and talk."
"Very well." Snow reached out to pat the cat's head, stepped into the Topaz room, and tactfully turned to lock the door behind him. Then, he heard Klein speak, "Can you tell me the real purpose of your visit today? Mr. Beyonder?"
'Plan C!' Snow's third contingency was triggered, and his expression turned serious. "It seems my luck is quite good; I've actually encountered a real Diviner."
'He knows I'm a Diviner? Or rather, did he come here specifically to find a Diviner?' Klein tried to analyze some information from the other's words. He suppressed his original plan to use his status as an official Beyonder [Nighthawk] to develop Snow as an informant, instead narrowing his eyes and saying, "It looks like I guessed correctly?"
"Correct. Or rather, we both guessed correctly." Snow wore a faint smile, stroking Lily's head as he spoke. "I requires the assistance of a Diviner. If you are willing to provide help, I can give you the subsequent potion formula for the Diviner sequence."
"You have the subsequent potion?" Klein's heart pounded with excitement, though he kept his voice as level as possible.
"Correct. In fact, my purpose in coming here was to find a young, talented diviner to cultivate into my own personal Diviner. I didn't expect to run into a finished product." Snow spread his hands, his tone carrying clear self-deprecation.
Klein frowned slightly upon hearing this, but still tested the waters, "Aren't you afraid that I'm an official Beyonder?"
Upon hearing Klein's words, Snow actually seemed to relax, his entire demeanor becoming casual, "First, official Beyonders don't know the Acting Method. Since you've appeared at a Divination Club, there's a high probability that you aren't one. Hmm, you didn't show any surprise or confusion when I mentioned the 'Acting Method', so the probability of you not being an official has increased further."
"Second, even if you are an official Beyonder, the only organization that possesses the Diviner potion is the Church of the Evernight Goddess. However, they do not have the potion formula for the next step of that sequence. In other words, as long as you wish to advance, there is room for us to trade."
"Actually, if you were an official Beyonder, I'd be even happier. Because that would mean I wouldn't have to think about how to report this to that forgetful-as-hell Beyonder! As for you arresting me, that doesn't matter either. In fact, for the coming period, I suspect the Church's basement might be the safest place in the world."
'The forgetful Beyonder... is he talking about Captain Dunn?' Klein felt his mouth twitch. This Mr. Devil... how to put it? Was he a bit too casual?
Realizing the pace of the conversation was being led astray by Mr. Devil, Klein forcibly suppressed his inner urge to comment and said seriously, "Then what do you intend for a Diviner to do?"
"Find a person." Snow's expression instantly turned solemn. The abrupt change left Klein somewhat at a loss for a moment.
"Tell me more," Klein said, an expression of genuine interest crossing his face. "If it isn't too dangerous, I wouldn't mind making some extra on the side."
Snow maintained his grave look. "His name is Lanevus. A swindler, likely a Sequence 8 Swindler. As for anything else, that isn't something you can participate in. You only need to help me find him."
"Lanevus?" Klein vaguely recalled hearing that name somewhere. After a brief thought, he remembered that Mr. Glacis had once come to him for a divination regarding an investment. That investment had pointed to a man named Lanevus.
Considering the name of the sequence, 'Swindler', Mr. Glacis's investment would likely go up in smoke.
But why was Mr. Devil looking for this person?
Klein instinctively felt it wasn't that simple. As a member of the Aurora Order, Mr. Devil had no reason to come here just because of a scam. In other words, did this involve the 'seed' that Snow had previously mentioned was planted by Hanass Vincent and another Secret Supplicant?
Or rather, was Lanevus that very seed?
Thinking of this, Klein couldn't help but widen his eyes. Snow suddenly looked at him and gave a chilling smile, "If you are an official Beyonder, then please arrest me. Preferably lock me in the lowest cell of the Church's basement, or even better, escort me to Backlund. If you aren't, then help me find Lanevus, and then leave Tingen as quickly as possible. Run as far as you can."
"..." Klein activated Spirit Vision, looking at Mr. Devil's somewhat chaotic ether body. He felt a trace of unease, but recalling his previous doubts, he hesitated for a bit before finally speaking, "Mr. Pandrax, I will try to complete your commission. However, besides the subsequent formula for the Diviner sequence, may I ask you for some intelligence regarding the Beyonder realm? Ah, I will pay the corresponding reward."
As he spoke, Klein couldn't help but feel a bit guilty. But thinking of Miss Justice behind him, he felt a bit more confident. At worst, he could use the pretext of "I have a favored who needs some activity funds" to trade with Miss Justice. As a newcomer to the Beyonder realm, Miss Justice had plenty of things they could trade.
Looking at Klein's constantly shifting aura, Snow naturally guessed what he was thinking. While finding it amusing, he nodded and said, "I can. If I know the answer."
[Translated and Rewritten by Shika Kagura]
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A/N: Personally, I believe the two strongest pathways among the twenty-two are 'Spectator' and 'The Hanged Man' (Secret Supplicant). The 'Coward Trio' (Seer/Apprentice/Marauder) rely on preparation and planning, which inherently means they are weaker in direct confrontation, though they are great at surviving.
In terms of direct combat, the 'Hunter/Warrior/Sleepless' group is decent, but they are too 'pure' and have flaws in general versatility, making them easy to scheme against. 'Arbiter' and 'Black Emperor' are more like pure supports and can't carry as a 'main' [DPS].
'Spectator' is the earliest to be able to use Mythical Creature forms for combat; their physical combat isn't weak, and they are mentally omnipotent. When fighting a Spectator, it's hard to even produce the thought of resisting. Turning around and finding a Spectator has been watching you from behind... I think that's even scarier than seeing a monocle. Plus, their mental control and script-guiding abilities mean they always have the upper hand. Not to mention, after reaching True God level, they can even 'envision' a Great Old One... truly the favorite of the version.
As for the other one, 'The Hanged Man' (Secret Supplicant/Secrets Supplicant), it's also a comprehensive suppression type. Secret Supplicants master a vast amount of ritual magic and communicate directly with hidden existences. Listeners carry their own pollution; if you hit me, you lose out, and I hit you, you just have to take it. Ascetic/Hidden Monk is anti-divination. Rose Bishop is almost physically immortal. Shepard can 'graze' and debut directly as a main character--for others, a Beyonder artifact has strong side effects, but a Shepard can simply use it to pollute someone, turn them into a semi-out-of-control Beyonder, and then 'graze' them. You could say a Beyonder artifact is just an artifact in anyone else's hands, but in a Shepard's hands, it's an optional Beyonder ability.
The only problem is the True Creator is mad. If the True Creator weren't mad, the pathway that directly communicates with a god would definitely be even more 'bugged' than the Spectator.