Bad woman, am I pretending to be bad?

"No need."

Charlotte bluntly rejected these claims, stating that she had never believed in such fortune-telling tricks and that if they happened to be true, it was merely a coincidence among thousands.

“My tarot readings are very accurate, and since you are the first customer I feel a connection with today, the fee is waived.”

"Tarot..."

Tarot cards, often referred to as a repository of nature's mysteries, are an ancient Western divination tool, but their origins remain unclear and a mystery.

"What, ma'am, are you tempted?"

Her grey-blue eyes seemed to hold nebulae. The young woman curled her lips into a smile, neither waiting nor caring about Charlotte's excuses and refusal.

Pulling back the curtain and stepping into the low tent, in the sparse light filtering in, one can vaguely make out the round wooden table inside, filled with playing cards.

But this slight darkness did not stop her. The white-edged skirt seemed to sway on water as she walked around the table, sat down at the opposite corner, and then, rows of candles were lit one after another.

The dim light flickered, and the tent was filled with a mixture of light and shadow, instantly giving the feeling of being at the scene of a secret ritual, surrounded by stars.

Charlotte did not bend down to sit; instead, she simply gazed at the tarot cards scattered across the table. As she knew, there were familiar Major Arcana cards such as 'The Empress,' 'The Chariot,' and 'The Lovers.'

Before she could examine them closely, the dark-haired woman gathered all the cards together, stacked them into a pile, shuffled and cut them several times, and finally placed them in front of Charlotte.

"You draw the lot."

"To be clear, I do not believe in divination."

With a faint smile, the former raised his eyelashes and said with empathy.

“Indeed, if fate could be so easily deduced by the eyes and the hand, how could anyone accept it willingly? Therefore, I entrust it to you to draw yourself, and I will only act as an interpreter.”

Ah.

Without making a sound, Charlotte pressed her slender knuckles against the side, shuffling and shuffling the stack of cards. She skillfully drew out three cards and placed them directly above the table.

Her past experiences made her familiar with the skills of playing big and small cards.

"I want to divine the past, present, and future."

This is a divination spread in Tarot, with three cards arranged in a row, symbolizing the past, present, and future respectively.

Since she had already been stopped by this unknown person, she didn't mind wasting some more time to find out the answer. Perhaps the hidden world really did have some symbolic meaning.

"it is good."

The fortune teller picked up one card from the top, took one from the center, and pulled one from the bottom, placing them one by one on Charlotte's left hand, in the center, and on her right hand, his voice growing increasingly lower.

"You'd like to know more first—"

"past."

Before the questioning voice could finish, the blonde beauty lowered her eyes and spoke first, applying pressure.

Her past, in this extraordinary otherworld, was tainted with too much sin and bloodshed. Now, separated by an immeasurable boundary, Charlotte wanted to see what the other's plans were all about.

After a brief pause, the woman came to her senses and turned over the card in her left hand.

It was a moon that waxed and waned, hanging high in the sky, gazed upon by hawks, hounds, and tadpoles. The divided path extended inward, like the intersection of ideals and reality.

"moon."

Charlotte's thoughts drifted away as she softly murmured the true name of the playing cards.

The moon represents confusion, distress, and unease. It is a symbol of emotions and an allegory for deception. It describes a period of introspection, a time for planting seeds for growth. If one can dispel confusion, one can naturally find sweet nectar.

This is her interpretation.

"So, now, it's time."

The central card is turned over, revealing an intellectual lady sitting devoutly on a stone bench. Her back is against the distant moon, her composure standing out in the stillness, her wisdom evident in her taciturnity, just as she sits between two black and white pillars, silent yet turbulent.

"Priestess".

Feeling a sense of disorientation, Charlotte frowned slightly, and saw the image in the card change color dramatically. The figure had transformed into her likeness, with layers of thorns wrapped around her waist, and black crows circling around her, attaching fallen wings to her forehead.

She pursed her lips slightly, as if to say something—

Trust your intuition.

Just as the fortune teller was about to reveal the last card, a noisy argument suddenly broke out outside the door. This chaotic noise brought Charlotte back to her senses and made her lose interest. Without even looking at the result, she turned and left.

As the sunlight streamed through the lifted curtain, the last card was turned over, revealing a doorway surrounded by wreaths and green lawns. The goddess extended her fingertips and gently ushered it into paradise.

That is the 'world' that symbolizes eternity and success.

......

Leaving the harbor where the sea breeze blew and bidding farewell to the piercing whistles of ferries, the distant church steeples brought Charlotte a rare sense of peace.

She couldn't be sure whether the change in the card was psychological or a reflection of extraordinary abilities, but the symbolism of the tarot cards did indeed have some similarities to her current situation, which could serve as a reference.

Listening to the prayers of the believers, Charlotte walked through rows of kneeling cushions to the confessional room from the previous day.

As before, she pushed open the hidden door inside, and the priest, dressed in black robes and waiting by her side, nodded to her and made way for her to pass.

Clearly, Zelena had already made arrangements for her.

Da da da.

No questions were asked, no small talk was made; the silence was as still as a windless lake. Only the echoes of footsteps reverberated in the dark, narrow corridor, spreading far and wide in the stillness, without any further sound.

Reaching the end of the path, the middle-aged pastor used a key to open a secret door, reverently clasped his hands together, and whispered:

May the goddess protect you.

Secular people use secular etiquette, and religious people use religious rituals.

"Praise the goddess."

Following her example, Charlotte said no more and, by the dim light of the kerosene lamp, pushed open the half-closed door in the surrounding gloom.

"Oh, it's Charlotte. You look like you still have the scent of the sea breeze on you from your journey here."

It was that red-haired girl.

"Actually, it's intermission now. No need to rush. Take care of your appearance and calm your breathing. A proper rest is crucial for everyone, right, Ms. Z?"

Setting down her recorder, Pedeline seemed to have already heard the approaching footsteps. She looked the man up and down, then turned around and asked the woman in the voice with a smile.

"As Pederina said, good morning, Charlotte."

Gently adjusting her glasses and rubbing her sore eyes, Zelena leaned back in her chair and greeted Charlotte with exceptional gentleness.

Good morning, Ms. Z.

"Well, there happens to be a minor matter today that requires your and Pederine's cooperation. Have you ever dabbled in the Ancient Su Code?"

Taking a folder from the metal cabinet behind her, Zelena asked a question while pressing down her slender fingers, which were covered by black gauze, on the lines and words.

“An ancient organization called the ‘Enlightenment Society’ has recently infiltrated Tingen’s extraordinary influence. During this time, they caused quite a stir due to the Flower Exhibition and the Bathory incident. Although Silva drove away that rose, we cannot guarantee that their fangs are still lurking around us.”

With their hands clasped together, the dark-haired beauty lowered her gaze, letting her deep gray eyes quietly look at Charlotte, as if scrutinizing and inquiring about her feelings.

However, the person being watched remained unmoved; she merely nodded slightly and said calmly.

"Previously, I had come across the ancient Su language by chance, so I was fortunate enough to contribute my meager efforts."

The solemn atmosphere gradually faded, and Zelena poured the warmed tea into porcelain cups one by one, handing them to the two of them.

"This matter is not urgent. As people who often deal with secretive matters, our first priority is to ensure a peaceful state of mind."

"Although psychologists are not well-regarded in society and are not even classified as doctors, we do need meticulous and patient comfort."

She raised the corners of her lips, as if recalling something comforting or someone she cared about, and her voice softened involuntarily.

“A friend of mine specializes in this kind of work. Even though he’s just an ordinary person, he’s more responsible and professional than most doctors.”

P.S.: I'd also like to recommend a friend's book. You can check it out if you're interested. The title is below:

Uma Musume, I want all horse girls to hate me!

But don't forget me... even though more and more people are leaving.

Chapter 106 Death and Omens

"After today's events are over, I will introduce you to her."

As she sorted through the pile of documents, Zelena didn't elaborate much on the topic, but her raised eyebrows spoke volumes about her deep concern for the doctor.

“Pedeline, this morning, you will lead Charlotte in the confessional to continue the ‘mysticism course’ in Changshu.”

"The specific content is the same as usual?"

“Identify the ocean of spirituality, discern the environment in which you are situated, and through meditation clearly understand whether you are being tempted by extraordinary abilities, and so on.”

Taking out a fountain pen, even while giving instructions, Ms. Z's slender fingers continued to dance across the paper, leaving behind elegant words, wasting not a moment.

“I understand. Although you didn’t mention it, I think that as a senior and a peer, I should introduce Charlotte to the people she will be working with. It’s your responsibility, as you taught me, right?”

Nodding, Pedeline lightly leaped to the former's side, watching her pause and dab at the tip of her pen, sketching curves and straight lines.

I simply observed quietly, without disturbing or making a sound.

"Alright, it's good that you mean it. You're such a big kid now."

With a soft, annoyed laugh, Zelena raised the corners of her lips and gently stroked the former's bright red hair.

Feeling soothed by the touch of her fingertips, the red-haired girl turned and left, completely satisfied.

Along the way, a soft humming began from the former's lips, while Charlotte used it to observe the surrounding environment and the people coming and going.

"Pedeline, how often do we civilian staff members have to be present?"

It was an occasional conversation, neither too serious nor too insincere, just to inquire about the situation.

"No, not at all. Just like the name suggests, we are mostly responsible for logistical work, including guarding the sealed items, receiving guests, comforting the wounded, and so on. It won't be too heavy. Of course, if there are too many things to do at the same time, and we are short-handed, or if the scene cannot be destroyed, we will still need to participate in it personally."

"Based on my three years of experience, there were only about five or six such occasions. Each time I went there, everyone had already taken care of the situation, and I just needed to do my job as usual. Not only Ms. Z, but everyone I worked with, whether they were taciturn or had eccentric temperaments, were all very patient and focused only on the unfinished business."

Amidst their lively conversation, Pederina suddenly stopped talking, looked up, and saw that she had taken his arm and affectionately put her hand on his shoulder.

“Melvis, look, I’ve brought the newcomer I mentioned yesterday.”

It was a boastful attempt to take credit, tinged with a touch of pride.

“Pedeline, it’s always a pleasure to talk to you, I mean, in a non-social way. Of course, it’s not very polite to suddenly grab someone’s hand.”

A velvet cape, a goose feather cloak, and a white satin neckerchief.

The brown-haired woman nodded slightly to Charlotte, her demeanor elegant yet refined, her clothes exquisite and perfectly fitting.

Like a cat, a proud but not spoiled black cat.

"After all, you can't guarantee that the friend you were just talking to hasn't been infected and suddenly grown the sharp claws of a wolf in sheep's clothing, cutting your delicate fingers that are perfect for plucking strings."

His face remained calm, but his words contained a playful threat. Melvis brushed aside the black veil that had been touched by the former and held the half-open door for the two of them.

"Come in, it's been cleaned up, there's no strong smell or disgusting rats inside."

“Melvis, you always make these lighthearted jokes. They don’t scare anyone at all. Besides, how could there be rats in a church?”

Muttering to herself, Pederina turned to Charlotte and introduced her.

“This is the confessional, usually run by Melvis. She can always tell the truth from the words of the victims. In contrast, those people always try to hide parts of the truth from me just because I'm a little girl, which is very distressing.”

"When a person lies, their scent changes, their blood flow increases, and their breathing becomes uneven. Remembering these things makes it easy to tell, for example—"

"The girl next to you."

Unlike his previous indifference, when the heavy iron door closed and only the flickering candlelight remained in the room, Melvis changed his languid demeanor and gently took Charlotte's slender hand in his.

She leaned slightly forward, touching the scabbed knuckle where the knife had cut her, and whispered.

"You have a cut on your fingertip. Comparing it to the surrounding skin color, it's clear that a significant amount of blood has been lost."

Her throat moved slightly, and her voice trembled a little as she spoke. Just as Melvis herself described, her beautiful breasts rose and fell slightly, and her breathing became a little rapid.

"...I'm sorry, it was I who lost my composure."

Swaying back to reality, Melvis brushed his dark hair over his shoulder and apologized for his earlier actions, while Charlotte scrutinized him closely.

Clean, tidy, and spotless, with every wrinkle perfectly smoothed out, is the white satin scarf tied around the chest, reflecting the state of this small room.

A person who can integrate habits into their life and work is extremely formidable.