That the God of Knowledge and Wisdom had left some sort of arrangement within Anderson didn’t really surprise Ebner. As early as a year ago, when Anderson had delivered Luka’s invitation letter, Ebner had already guessed—based on the fact that Anderson somehow knew the formula for the Iron-Blooded Knight potion—that "Two-Five Dragon" must have been plotting something. That was why he’d given Anderson an early reward back then. However, at that time, Ebner had assumed "Two-Five Dragon" was scheming against Adam, aiming to acquire and seal the Sealed Artifact 0-08... but now, it seemed that might not be the case. After all, Klein had already told him that Anderson, just like in the original story, had offended a demigod on Toscat Island and agreed to carry out a task for him. If the sequence of events here hadn’t diverged much from what should have happened, Anderson would soon have a Hunter-pathway angel characteristic implanted into his body by Adam. Yet the arrangement "Two-Five Dragon" had placed within him, no matter how exquisite, couldn’t deceive even himself—let alone Adam. Therefore, either "Two-Five Dragon’s" depth of planning went even further than Adam’s and he was deliberately exposing a flaw, or he wasn’t scheming against Adam at all, perhaps even maintaining some degree of tacit understanding with him. As for who they were really scheming against... Ebner glanced at the ritual sealed within Anderson’s body, which was currently "stealing" Ouroboros’ bad luck. His gaze turned thoughtful, and he nodded slightly, confirming the basic outline of the "fate-altering" ritual he was going to perform for Anderson. —There was no need to actually "change" his fate. He just needed to accelerate the rate at which that ritual siphoned misfortune. Why do I feel is one of "Two-Five Dragon’s" test questions for me? Has the Knowledge Church’s style finally reached me too? While Ebner was grumbling internally, Anderson took the initiative to ask, "What do I need to do to cooperate with you?" Hearing this, Ebner didn’t immediately answer. Instead, while continuing his observations, he took out various materials and began setting up a ritual within the room. Finally, he placed upon the makeshift altar the "Luck-Stealing" talisman that Klein had made using the "Error" card and the "Worm of Time" left behind by Amon. Thıs content belongs to 𝗇𝗈𝗏𝖾𝗅✦𝖿𝗂𝗋𝖾✦𝗇𝖾𝗍 After a series of intricate operations, the talisman transformed into an illusory amulet and rapidly merged into Anderson’s body. "The ’Error Card’ was a ’reward’ the God of Knowledge gave Klein after the first-floor incident in the Dream Labyrinth Tower... At that time, since I had obtained the ’Worm of Time,’ it was only natural to ask Mr. Fool for a ’Luck-Stealing’ charm. "I didn’t think much of it back then, but now this charm fits perfectly here... It really doesn’t seem like coincidence. "And that Amon avatar back then—was that also deliberately arranged by Adam? "If so... then the God of Knowledge and Adam must have used this convoluted route to hide their real intentions, ensuring no step would arouse suspicion... It’s obvious who they were trying to set up!" While pondering this, Ebner nodded to Anderson and smiled. "All right. Your misfortune has already been lifted." "Ah?" Anderson stared blankly and touched his chest. Although he had just seen the charm enter his body with his own eyes, it still felt a bit too fast. Naturally, Klein chose to trust Ebner. After all, Liu Bo truly lived up to the title of "erudite." Of course, the word "erudite" sounded an awful lot like "exploitative," and in that regard, he wasn’t bad either. Klein quietly mocked him in his heart. Ebner packed up the ritual materials and said with a smile, "The process of you gaining bad luck was much simpler than mine... If you don’t believe me, go test your luck in the ship’s casino." "Good idea!" Anderson clapped his hands together, greeted Klein, and then headed straight for the ship’s recreation deck. After he left, Klein shook his head with a smile. "A true ’Conspirer’ really does have an impressive eye for details. He noticed we had something more to discuss and left us the space." That sounds... odd. Ebner muttered inwardly, then reined in his drifting thoughts and began recounting what had happened yesterday at Miss Justice’s house—though he glossed over the part about modifying the "Corrupted Suitcase’s" taste. As for his "dates" with Yalolan and Cohinem, he merely mentioned the results, omitting the specific process entirely. After all, that matter involved secrets—better to save it for exchanging information during the Tarot Club’s post-meeting discussion. "So, you did indeed meet Cohinem, and you want to discuss specific payment details with Miss Justice... You’re asking me to request Mr. Fool to hold a small meeting tonight? "Hmm, I remember you promised to take her to the ’City of Miracles,’ Liveseyd, for social emb—no, for a tour, right?" Klein said thoughtfully after listening to Ebner’s account. "That’s right." Ebner nodded, affirming both points. "Speaking of the ’City of Miracles,’ that reminds me—the ’Mystic Queen’ has also requested a visit," Klein added with a smile. The ’Mystic Queen’... Bernadette? She must want to see the Dream Labyrinth Tower left behind by Old Huang. But she doesn’t have the clearance, so she probably can’t enter, nor can she seize my control over it. Thinking this, Ebner nodded slightly. "One more won’t hurt. Once I’ve arranged a time with Miss Justice, have the Hermit notify her." After exchanging some more information, Ebner was about to "teleport" away when Anderson suddenly reentered through the door. He had changed into a neat, clean vest and, upon seeing Ebner, opened his mouth excitedly— But then he abruptly stopped, forcibly shut his mouth, and instead offered a cheerful thanks. Only after Ebner’s figure had completely vanished did he approach Gehrman Sparrow with a chuckle and sigh. "I almost said that although you didn’t pass the Knowledge Church’s assessment and are only an external member, you’re quite impressive in the field of fate... Fortunately, I remembered in time that he’s a demigod." "Trust me, don’t ever offend that gentleman," Klein said sincerely. "If you do, your ’death’ will be miserable." Backlund, 28 Kings Street, Cherwood Borough. Because his baronial title would be formally conferred on Friday, Ebner planned to host a ball to mark the occasion. On one hand, it would help him expand his social connections and attract investment for his territory; on the other, it would allow him to gather friends and relatives like Emma Horatio and Patrick Brian, thus clearing several items off his to-do list at once. After finalizing the guest list, Ebner instructed the Skard couple to hire a butler experienced in serving noble families to assist with the preparations. When these matters were settled and he saw that it was getting late, Ebner figured Audrey should now have some free time, so he returned to his bedroom and began praying to Mr. Fool. Moments later, with the burst of crimson light, two figures appeared at opposite sides of the ancient bronze table above the gray fog. At that moment, "Justice" Audrey’s expression was slightly peculiar. The instant she saw Ebner opposite her, she couldn’t help but ask: "Mr. Tower, what did you do to Islant? "Why is she so pale... and why does she start retching uncontrollably just from hearing Susie open a can of dog food?!"