"You may call me, The Fool."
The short answer quickly vanished within the grand temple and the pervasive mist, but in the hearts of Audrey and Alger, that voice echoed for a long time, stirring ripples upon ripples.
An unexpected yet perfectly appropriate name, one that perfectly embodies mystery, power, and eeriness!
After a few seconds of silence, Audrey stood up, lifted her skirt slightly, bent her knee, and performed a curtsy to Zhou Mingrui: "Honorable Mr. Fool, please allow me to presumptuously request, could you be the witness to our transaction?" "A small matter." Zhou Mingrui's thoughts raced, but he answered in a manner befitting his identity. "It is our honor, Mr. Fool." Alger also stood, placed his right hand on his chest, and bowed. Zhou Mingrui pressed down his right hand lightly, and said with a smile: "Please continue."
Alger nodded, sat down again, and looked at Audrey: "If you can obtain the ghost shark blood, then send someone to deliver it to the 'Brave and Sea' bar on Pelican Street, White Rose District, Pritz Port, and tell the owner Williams that this is something the 'Captain' wants." "After I confirm, will you give me an address to send the potion formula, or let me tell you directly here?"
Audrey thought for a while, then showed a smile and said: "I choose the more secretive way, right here, although it tests my memory."
Since Mr. Fool agreed to witness the transaction, that meant there would be another similar "gathering".
Thinking this, she suddenly turned her head, her eyes shining as she looked at Zhou Mingrui, and proposed with interest: "Mr. Fool, would you mind a few more 'attempts' like now?"
Alger listened calmly and was also tempted, so he quickly chimed in: "Mr. Fool, don't you think this kind of 'gathering' is very interesting? Although your power is beyond our imagination, there are always areas in the world you don't know about or are not good at. The young lady opposite is obviously of noble birth, and I have my own unique experience, knowledge, channels, and resources. She and I might, at some future time, help you accomplish some trivial matters that are inconvenient for you to do personally."
In his view, since he was brought here without any defense or power to resist, it meant the initiative was in the hands of the mysterious Mr. Fool. It wasn't certain that just wanting to refuse or not participate in the future could succeed. So it was better to more deeply and better exploit the benefits of this encounter, compensating for passivity and disadvantage with gains.
The three parties around the long table had different backgrounds, different resources, different information channels, different understandings of the mystical realm. If they could exchange and cooperate limitedly, it would produce immeasurable and magnificent effects!
For example, the resource exchange just agreed upon, or if one wanted to kill someone, they could ask a "gathering member" who had no connection to them in appearance or substance, which would perfectly mislead the matter in another direction.
Noble-born young lady... Are my mannerisms and accent that obvious? Audrey's mouth opened slightly, stunned, but she quickly came to her senses and nodded without hesitation: "Mr. Fool, I think this is a very good proposal. As long as the 'gathering' becomes regular, if there is something you are not convenient to handle personally, you can completely delegate it to us. Of course, it must be within our capabilities."
From just now, Zhou Mingrui had been weighing the pros and cons. More "gatherings" would indeed allow him to gain more extraordinary secrets and occult knowledge, helpful for future travel back. For example, the potion formula of "Spectator" that should appear at the next "gathering". Similarly, it could also inform and help his current real life.
However, the more "gatherings", the easier it is to reveal his own reality!
Indeed, no matter which world, nothing has only benefits... Zhou Mingrui extended his right hand again and tapped the edge of the long table with his fingers.
Considering that the summoning and dismissal of the "gathering" were within his control, even if some problem was exposed, it would be within a controllable range, the benefits clearly outweighed the drawbacks. Zhou Mingrui quickly made a decision.
He stopped tapping, faced four expectant and worried glances, and smiled: "I am someone who likes equivalent exchange." "I won't let you help for nothing." "Every Monday, at three in the afternoon, try to be alone. After I try a few more times and figure some things out, perhaps you can ask for leave in advance and not worry about being in an inappropriate setting."
This was considered agreeing to Alger and Audrey's proposal.
Audrey had just turned seventeen, had always been pampered, and was very girlish. Hearing Mr. Fool's answer, she couldn't help clenching her fists and waving them lightly before her chest.
"Then shouldn't we also choose codenames for ourselves? After all, we can't communicate using our real names." Before Alger could speak, she said with bright eyes and great interest.
Although her real identity might not be hidden from Mr. Fool, the guy opposite was also dangerous; she couldn't let him know who she really was!
"Good idea." Zhou Mingrui answered briefly and lightly.
Audrey immediately started thinking, speaking while pondering: "You are Mr. Fool, from the Tarot cards. So for a regular, long-term, secret 'gathering', the codenames should be consistent. Hmm, I'll choose from the Tarot cards too."
Her tone gradually became cheerful: "Decided, my codename is 'Justice'!"
This is one of the twenty-two major arcana of the Tarot.
"And you, sir?" Audrey smiled and looked at the "companion" opposite.
Alger slightly frowned, then relaxed and said: "The Hanged Man."
This is another major arcana.