Mystery: The Last Shepherd

Chapter 511: Has the Tarot Club become a platform for selling stolen goods?

“Dear Mr. Fool, please tell [the world] that I have spoken with Leonard Mitchell. He does indeed have a magical item that can steal other people’s extraordinary abilities and is willing to sell it, but the price he is offering is high; he wants 7000 pounds.”

Above the gray fog, the image of Emlyn, the Moon, praying softly was clearly visible in mid-air. "I'll gloss over it for now, saying I'll think about it when I get back. Whether or not to buy it is up to the World to decide."

"7000 pounds? Why doesn't he just rob someone?"

Klein almost shouted it out.

He had originally estimated that similar items would cost around £5000, with a maximum markup of £6000. But who knew his poet classmate would be so ruthless, asking for £7000 right off the bat! He'd worked so hard at sea for so long, and that was all he'd managed to save!

But he really needed this item.
So our respected Mr. Fool began to agonize above the gray fog, glancing with pity at the pile of cash in the corner from time to time.

Klein has been playing the role of the Sequence 6 "Faceless Man" for some time now. It's estimated that after a few more performances, he'll be able to fully digest the potion, so preparations for advancing to Sequence 5 need to be put on the agenda.

Klein had no shortage of Sequence 5 recipes and materials—the generous Rosago had offered them to him, not only providing him with a low-sequence recipe but also leaving behind the extraordinary properties of "Master of the Mystic Puppet." This was equivalent to two main ingredients for Sequence 5, except that this material had been corrupted by the aura of the true creator, making it unsuitable for making potions directly.

As for methods to eliminate mental pollution, Klein found three:

First, use items with the ability to "steal" to extract the contamination from the properties, and then quickly concoct a potion and consume it before the "steal" expires.

Second, by using a powerful ritual, the characteristics are directly destroyed, causing the mental pollution to evaporate and the characteristics to recombine.

Third, ask Luze for help. His special abilities seem to be able to counter the corruption of the true creator.

However, the second method requires the use of the Silver City's sealed artifacts, and the third method would require the help of Luze; neither of these methods is feasible. The Silver City is spatially isolated, making interpersonal communication difficult, needless to say; even if he were to ask Luze for help, Klein would be embarrassed to do so—because his intelligence was flawed, causing Mr. Temperance to be forced into the battle on the island. Asking for help again would seem rather impolite.

Even if Lu Ze had no objection, this Mr. Fool still had some sense of shame.

"Ugh"

Klein sighed. Although reluctant, he gritted his teeth and decided to use his savings to buy that extraordinary item.

After that, he waited until three o'clock, and then spread his spirituality outwards, communicating with every star in front of the bronze high-backed chair.

It's Monday afternoon, and the new week's tarot session is about to begin.

"Brush! Brush!"

The crimson light surged and rose like a fountain, and when the light faded, blurry figures appeared around the long table.

Good afternoon, Mr. Fool~

[Justice] Audrey rose and bowed as always, greeting everyone with an overflowing spirituality. Not only her, but the tall figure of [The Sun] also radiated an irrepressible spirituality—a sign of someone who had just been promoted and could not yet control it well.

Both of them had been promoted to [Hermit] for the second time attending the gathering. As she returned the greeting, Gadriya thought to herself.

For those at the lower rank of Extraordinary, such rapid advancement is to be expected as long as they master the role-playing method correctly. Even so, it proves that Tarot has a certain value.

"I am very sorry, esteemed Mr. Fool, I have not been able to contact any members of the Psychological Alchemy Society recently and have not been able to obtain a new copy of Russell's Diary."

After greeting her, Audrey, the "Justice" ally, said apologetically.

Similar to her are Fors the Magician and Derrick the Sun. Fors says her teacher hasn't contacted her recently (though the real reason is that it's too cold and she doesn't want to go out to mail letters); Derrick is still in Afternoon Town and can't collect the legends of the ancient gods.

So that means there are no diaries to read this week. Klein was quite disappointed, but he appeared unusually calm, simply nodding slightly as if he didn't care at all, and saying, "I understand." Because there were no diaries, the gathering automatically skipped to the trading session.

Two people looked at Temperance Luze at the same time.

"I've sold some of your items."

"The Hermit," said Gadriya.

"Same here."

[The Moon] Emlyn followed closely behind.

The two were commissioned by Luze to sell the artworks and jewelry he had looted from the island of Oravi. One of them had connections with an old man within the vampire clan who loved art, and the other had extensive channels, so selling these items went smoothly.

“Okay, give me a detailed breakdown and invoice of what you sold and what’s left,” Lu Ze said. He paused for a moment and then added, “I just happen to have a new batch of goods here, so I’ll transfer them to you as well. Please help me sell them off gradually.”

His so-called "new goods" came from the safe deposit box of the Governor of the Rothschild Islands.

".All right."

The two exchanged a glance and agreed.

No, are you really using this place as a platform for selling stolen goods?

Klein couldn't help but mentally scoff. He roughly guessed that Lu Zexin's new acquisition came from the Governor's Mansion in Bayam. But it still felt strange, as if his tarot cards had become a stronghold for some bandits.

No, to be honest, there are already three pirates in the crew.

He composed himself and helped the Moon and the Hermit conjure the parchment to create the detailed account. Upon seeing the amounts, the impoverished Fool couldn't help but feel a surge of envy.

Many zeros
Klein exclaimed sincerely, and handed the details to Luzer.

The two oil paintings sold for 5000 pounds, and the jewelry for 7600 pounds, totaling 12600 pounds. About half of the items were still left. Luze picked up the parchment, counted the items, and nodded.

The next thing to consider is how to deal with this cash.

“You keep £200 as commission, then transfer the rest to me.”

He spoke first to [the Moon], and as for [the Hermit], she had previously stated that the commission would be considered her apology, and she wouldn't accept any money.

"it is good."

Emlyn's eyes lit up. "I'll also take a commission on this next deal."

Since joining the Tarot Club, he has been acting as a middleman for the vampires in material transactions, earning a considerable amount of commission.

Cattleya remained silent.

Immediately afterwards, Lu Ze spoke to [The Moon]: "Also, remember to set aside 2500 pounds, giving 1500 pounds to [The World] and 1000 pounds to [The Hanged Man]."

Emlyn, still basking in the satisfaction of earning a £200 commission, paused for several seconds before finally speaking, puzzled:
".ah?"

(End of this chapter)