The hall is silent and resplendent.
Golden pillars rise from various sides to hold up the ceiling, which appears like a canopy of light that blankets the entire sky. Gems of all colors, shining gloriously without any sense of limitation, are embedded in each pillar, filling the entire hall with diffused light.
The grand chandelier seems to be made of crystallized radiance.
Its appearance seems too unreal.
No, everything in this mighty expanse appears impossible to the ordinary eye.
From the décor, to the fine murals that are etched on the walls, to the gleaming floor that seems to be a tranquil ocean, reflecting all that exists within the vast space.
It is simply a serene space, filled with majesty, and befitting for the greatest of kings.
Within this space is a long, golden table.
Its reach extends vastly, stretching beyond a proper length in order to accommodate the several seats that exist at both ends of its rectangular structure.
At both sides of the table are ten chairs each, making twenty in total.
At the end of the table is another.
Then, at the head of the table—the seat of honor—is the final and 22nd seat.
On the table, in front of each chair, is a tarot card.
There are 22 tarot cards of the Major Arcana, and as such, each of the 22 seats has its tarot card displayed by the mbers present. Naturally, the mbers who are absent in today’s gathering will have their cards facing down.
However, this eting has quite an unexpected turnout.
Apart from Justice, Hanged Man, The Magician, The Moon, The Sun, and The Hermit... everyone else appears to be in attendance.
That is, a total of fourteen parties currently occupy the seats.
These parties are mbers of one of the Leviathan Organizations that exist in this world.
—The Ancient Tarot Association!
But do not be mistaken by this arrangent.
The mbers gathered here are not the leaders of the organization... no, not at all.
Rather, their tarot cards each represent the faction they belong to within the organization and the interests that they represent. In essence, the Ancient Tarot Association is divided into the Tarot Cards—the Major Arcana and the Minor Arcana.
This current eting could be said to involve the representatives of the Major Arcana.
Each of them is at least a Master Leviathan!
...They are Rank 5!
"H’elios seems to be making its move in the Western Continent. Does anyone know anything about that matter?" One of the mbers, the representative of The Tower, breaks the long-held silence and asks a rather imposing question.
Those who do not understand the significance of this question will not consider it to be so serious. However, these are major powerhouses of the association.
Naturally, they understand its implications.
"I heard it’s because of remnant resurgences in human experintation. It could be that soone found so of the remnant research materials of the Illuminati Alchemists." The representative of Judgnt sighs and shakes his head.
"Those fools are still causing trouble for the world even from the grave?" The Star’s representative grumbles, her tone displaying clear dissatisfaction, if not outright hatred.
More mbers speak on their theories, particularly on the group ntioned prior.
The Illuminati Alchemists... It’s clear that they are despised.
Hatred toward this group runs deep.
Then—
"It may not be their influence. There are many other factors that could be at play. It could also be an excuse fabricated by H’elios. Regardless, it isn’t for us to question or interfere with. I assu the Tower’s Ambassador only asked out of curiosity, isn’t that right?" At this point, the representative of The World stops everyone from speaking on the issue any further.
"Actually, I asked because I currently have so operations in Walpur that may be affected by H’elios taking action. I wanted to get your advice on the matter." The Tower’s representative/ambassador speaks up on his concerns.
However, this only elicits a reaction from the one at the seat of honor.
The representative of The Fool.
"What advice is there to give? Conclude your affairs and vacate the premises before they arrive."
"...."
No other person gives a counter-proposal.
Clearly, this isn’t a matter that is up for debate.
In the Ancient Tarot Association, there is so form of equality among upper-echelon mbers of the Major Arcana for the most part.
However, seniority is ascribed to two primary mbers—The World and The Fool.
As their representatives, the two who attend this gathering indeed have certain respect attributed to them. However, as they are all Rank 5 Leviathans, the positions do not necessarily an that they are unquestionable.
Should anyone possess any dissenting opinion, they are always free to express it in the gathering.
Yet not a single person argues with the statent made by The Fool’s Ambassador.
Because its ssage is clear:
’Do not dare to oppose H’elios!’
"I understand..."
The Tower’s representative eventually sighs in response, becoming silent once again.
At this point, soone else speaks, "I’m looking for research from the Third Aeon, specifically related to Bethel—"
"Pfft! Co on, Chariot Ambassador! How does that narrow it down? Everyone concerned with the Third Aeon wants to find stuff related to the Land of Bethel. You’ll have to be more specific than that."
"I agree with Death’s Ambassador in this matter. Most records of the Third Aeon have been lost, and even the few that remain are kept hidden by the superiors. Of course, there are still quite a few floating around, but there aren’t a lot of them. They’re hoarded by various parties, and even if you are shown the results, without the right expertise, you won’t be able to verify their authenticity."
"That’s why I ca to this trusted gathering, to see if anyone can assist ."
Many shake their heads imdiately.
"If I had such research, I would keep it to myself as well. The Third Aeon contains too many priceless secrets."
"I agree."
"If you want to obtain the information so badly, why don’t you take the risk of crossing over to the Forbidden Territory?"
"You—" At this point, the Chariot’s Ambassador sighs grimly before shaking her head. "Never mind. Such knowledge isn’t worth my life."
"There’s a chance of success, though. I an, look at our superiors..."
"I can’t take the risk. It took everything to barely pass my last Apotheosis. I wasn’t able to obtain a lot of lifespan as a result. If I were to challenge... sigh... I know my limits, and in my current state, I’m guaranteed to fail."
"Is that why you wish for knowledge from the Third Aeon?" At this point, the one in the seat of honor asks with a solemn gaze.
The Chariot’s Ambassador imdiately nods, partly in anticipation.
After all, everyone knows that the Fool’s Ambassador is a man of many ans. Unlike The World’s representative, who only acts stern and hardly helps the mbers of this gathering, the man seated at the head of the table is far more generous.
"I have a bit of history regarding the Prival Capital and the First Ancestral Families. It is fragnted, but I believe it could be of so help. Since it contains a bit of Absalom’s research too, it could prove useful for your Pathway."
"Thank you so much!" The Chariot’s Ambassador responds with glee.
"Of course, it isn’t for free..."
"What do you require to do?"
"I was going to entrust a willing party in the gathering with this task, but since I am already rendering this help to you, then I might as well give you the mission." The Fool’s representative pauses for a mont, his fingers rapping the tall, golden table.
Then, a panel is conjured up in the vast hall.
It appears like a translucent screen, one that displays all kinds of activities within it.
"There’s a Special Resource conflict ongoing in these mountains within the Northern Continent. I need soone who is familiar with the environnt, or who is nearby at the mont, to help resolve the issue and chase away the invading forces. I know you are currently in the area, so it shouldn’t be a problem for you, right?"
"No, it isn’t!" Excited about receiving the promised research materials, the Chariot’s representative nods with sheer anticipation. "I’ll do my best."
Perhaps out of jealousy, Death’s Ambassador quickly speaks up:
"But even though that is a Special Resource Point, the value of defending it doesn’t match what you wish to give the Chariot’s Ambassador."
Others quickly chi in.
"Yes. It breaks the rule of equivalent exchange."
"The Chariot’s Ambassador will only have to exert themselves to a certain extent to fulfill this mission, and they’ll gain an imnse prize as a result."
"It feels unfair..."
Naturally, these Leviathans are simply bitter because they missed out on such an opportunity.
Everyone present knows how valuable research from the Third Aeon is.
Especially if it features the First Ancestral Families.
The fact that the Chariot’s representative would be obtaining such a priceless treasure in exchange for resolving such a matter feels too unbelievable.
It is only normal that their own greed is triggered.
"I-I am not looking to cheat the Fool’s Ambassador. I will pay a fair price in exchange for the records. I was going to ntion that before you said anything." Not wanting to appear like an ingrate, or soone who would take advantage of others, the Chariot’s Ambassador quickly corrects the other group mbers.
"What do you wish in return for the Third Aeon records, Fool’s Ambassador?"
Seeing these events play out this way, the Fool’s representative can only chuckle while shaking his head in a casual manner.
"To be honest, that Special Resource Point is actually valuable for in many ways. Since I am not in the area, and I am indisposed at the mont, I can only rely on others to help. As for additional rewards for my contribution... why don’t we do it like this? You can provide an equivalent of the records I give you from the records you already possess."
"E-eh?"
"The Chariot’s Ambassador already possesses so records?"
"I-I see! Now I understand!"
It would only make sense for the Chariot’s Ambassador to seek out more records of the Third Aeon if she already has a few excerpts and can guarantee that it would help her advance. The Fool’s Ambassador easily noticed this detail and decided to trade his own records for the Chariot’s materials, thus both sides would have a more comprehensive view of the information.
"A-alright... I understand."
The Chariot clearly isn’t pleased that others are now aware of her wealth, but she decides to be quiet and not draw any more attention to herself.
Thankfully, the Temperance Ambassador cos to her rescue with a different topic.
"Variants have begun to appear more often in Walpur. Does anyone know anything about this recent developnt?"
Many mbers shake their heads.
So are unmoved.
Then, the World’s Ambassador speaks bluntly:
"I think it is linked to the Western Continent’s matter that was ntioned earlier."
"You an... H’elios is involved?"
"I can’t say. But perhaps H’elios has also noticed the situation and is taking action as a result..."
"I see..."
Soon, the topic dies down and another is raised.
"Congratulations on your grandson’s Apotheosis. I hear he is a Valiant now." Death’s Ambassador turns to the Wheel of Fortune’s representative as he laughs.
"Hehe... thanks! I was actually relieved that he succeeded. The brat is always slacking off on his study, research, and experintation." An old man’s voice echoes from the seat of the Wheel of Fortune’s Ambassador.
"Oh wow! How long was it? Six years, right?"
"Seven, actually!"
"Wow! Congrats! Now you don’t have to worry about the rascal..."
"Indeed... Grandpa is very proud!"
"A-ahem... In any case, I was wondering if anyone knows anything about the recent ergence of the Cadre 7 Magivore in Seliah?" The Emperor’s Ambassador suddenly speaks up.
"Yes. It’s a Plant-type Magivore called the Eclipse Willow." The Fool’s Ambassador responds.
"Do you have additional information? Do I need to pay?"
"No, this is general knowledge. You can find out for yourself given enough ti." The man at the head of the table mutters casually before proceeding.
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