HPxLOTM: A Wizard's Path to Divinity-Chapter 704: Don’t Go Throwing Around Marionettes

Chapter 704: Chapter 704: Don’t Go Throwing Around Marionettes

Priscilla immediately turned toward Bernadette. "Is it true, Lady Strength?! Congratulations!"

Bernadette nodded slightly. "Thank you, Miss Death."

Everyone silently sighed. Children really did have their advantages—Priscilla didn’t need to consider complicated implications at all and still had the presence of mind to offer congratulatory words to Lady Strength.

The only person still completely lost was Derrick. In truth, whenever conversations during gatherings involved matters outside the Forsaken Land of the Gods, he was always like this—quietly listening, trying to understand, failing, then repeating the cycle.

However, he could at least understand that Miss Strength had been reunited with her father. So he hurriedly added, "Congratulations, Lady Strength." After a brief pause, he continued, "Also...thank you for what you did for the Forsaken Land of the Gods a few days ago."

Bernadette: "???"

But Derrick didn’t elaborate, and she wasn’t in a position to ask further. She simply returned his words with a polite nod.

Roselle immediately shot Klein a middle finger.

He had wanted to keep his identity hidden a while longer—to find an opportunity during the discussion to probe how everyone viewed "Emperor Roselle," and then reveal himself at the end of the gathering for dramatic effect.

Well, too late.

Klein had ruined everything!

Klein only shrugged.

What could I do? You were the one acting outrageously. If you don’t show proper respect to the Fool, I really can’t help you.

Ignoring Roselle’s "friendly" gesture, Klein leaned back in his chair, fingers interlaced. "Alright, begin free communication."

The moment his voice faded, everyone looked at one another. Not a single person dared to speak.

Unexpectedly, Derrick was the first to break the silence.

"Honourable Mr. Fool, the Chief wishes to receive Your blessing during his advancement ritual to Sequence 3. Do You approve?"

Derrick had already prayed about this the day before. The Chief of the City of Silver required the blessing of an angel-level being for his advancement ritual. But the problem was...Klein had only reached Sequence 4 and naturally did not meet this requirement.

Therefore, he had discussed the matter with Edward beforehand.

Edward spoke up. "Mr. Sun, leave this matter to me."

"Alright. Thank you, Mr. Tower."

Derrick couldn’t hide his joy after receiving such a promise. He hesitated for a moment but eventually chose not to voice the question he truly cared about—when Mr. Fool would go to the Forsaken Land and lead the City of Silver out into the outside world.

The Chief had repeatedly instructed him that such a matter required patience—if he took the initiative to bring it up, it would be tantamount to urging a god, which was extremely disrespectful.

Derrick quickly shook away the thought and turned to Bernadette again.

"Lady Strength, regarding the information you asked about—the Hidden Sage—I searched the City of Silver when I returned, but I’m very sorry...I found nothing. May I offer other intelligence in exchange instead?"

Bernadette shook her head. "There’s no need anymore, Mr. Sun. I no longer require that information."

Now that Roselle had returned, his first step was naturally to reclaim the Intis throne. His second step would surely be to track down the Hidden Sage and kill Him. Assuming nothing unforeseen occurred, the Hidden Sage would no longer have the time or courage to trouble Bernadette. He would be too busy trying to escape the retaliation of a Black Emperor.

Derrick hesitated. "Then...then I’ll gather more ancient history from City of Silver for you next time."

Suddenly remembering something, he added quickly, "And thank you again for warning us about the dangers in the Giant King’s Court last time. Without your warning, the Chief and the others might be in danger now."

Bernadette frowned slightly. "You mean..."

"Ahem."

Lilith’s crisp cough rang out. In an instant, Bernadette understood roughly what had happened. She nodded with a neutral expression. "You’re welcome."

Sometimes, she genuinely envied Lilith. Despite her age, Lilith could still maintain a young—even childish—heart. Unlike herself...she had long since changed from the innocent girl she once was into what she was now.

She remembered what her father told her yesterday:

"Bernie, although you’ve completed your Sequence 2 ritual and have the materials for advancement, I don’t recommend you advance yet."

"You’re already so gloomy at Sequence 3—stiff and rigid like an ’old man’. Heaven knows what you’ll become once you’re an angel. I do NOT want you turning into a second Bonnova."

When Bernadette and Derrick finished speaking, Audrey hesitated for two seconds before excitement filled her eyes.

"Great Mr. Fool...was the death of George III orchestrated by You...and Emperor Roselle?"

The moment she spoke, everyone’s spirits jolted. They focused their attention at once.

This was the question they were most curious about—and most concerned with—for this gathering.

But why did Miss Justice say it was Mr. Fool and Emperor Roselle who orchestrated it?!

This question left Klein momentarily silent.

I’m afraid you’ll all be disappointed...Your Mr. Fool only played a minor supporting role in this affair and nearly got turned into a marionette by Zaratul. As for "orchestrating" anything...you all really think too highly of me, Zhou Mingrui.

Although this was what he thought, Klein only smiled calmly and said, "This matter should be explained by His Majesty the Emperor himself."

Roselle scratched his cheek and gave a sheepish grin. He still gave Klein face in the end. "Justice, you are correct. This entire plan was orchestrated by Mr. Fool."

He paused. "From the moment I was assassinated in White Maple Palace, I began a century-long scheme. My goal was to escape the attention of the Seven Gods so that, at the most appropriate moment a few days ago—during George III’s crucial advancement to Black Emperor—I could return as the rightful king."

The Hanged Man, Alger, froze as he remembered an important detail he had almost forgotten.

According to what Mr. Fool and Lady Strength had previously said, Emperor Roselle had been "assassinated" due to an accident during his advancement to Black Emperor. But because of the Black Emperor’s characteristics, as long as the nine mausoleums prepared for the advancement were not destroyed, the Black Emperor had a chance of resurrection.

Now that Roselle had indeed resurrected...didn’t this mean—

Alger trembled and no longer dared to look directly at Roselle.

He was almost certain:

The figure before them was already a Sequence 0 true god.

Audrey continued at once, "Then George III was...killed by you?"

Roselle stroked his moustache. "Yes. I was the one who killed George III."

"!!!"

With that casual admission, everyone finally reacted.

And the impact of this revelation far surpassed the shock of learning he was Emperor Roselle.

Emperor Roselle, while renowned, was still merely a historical emperor.

But the Black Emperor—was a true deity.

More importantly, such a deity—one comparable to the Seven Gods—was a member of the Tarot Club, their colleague, and a Blessed of Mr. Fool.

Then—just how powerful must Mr. Fool be?

Emlyn: I take back everything I said earlier. Mentioning Ancestor was nonsense. I’m sorry!!

Leonard: Is this the "good show" the old man mentioned? Every revelation is more shocking than the last...

Fors and Xio: Where am I? Who am I? What am I doing here?

While everyone was overwhelmed with disbelief, Roselle shot Klein a meaningful glance.

Hey, fellow transmigrator—did I give you enough face today or what?

Klein nodded lightly.

Edward quietly watched the two of them, amused.

Especially Klein—after being "exposed," he had gone through initial embarrassment and social death, but now his mentality had begun to stabilise. After all, Edward had already witnessed all of it.

If I’m not embarrassed, it’s others who will be embarrassed.

Mr. Fool then tapped the table, confirming their guesses:

"Yes. His Majesty the Emperor has already advanced to Sequence 0 and become the Black Emperor."

Everyone: "!!!"

"From today onward, if you encounter difficulties, you may also pray to His Majesty the Black Emperor for assistance. Perhaps, out of regard for being your senior, He may extend His aid.

Of course, you must always remember—gods are powerful, but they cannot excessively interfere with reality."

The group exchanged looks as a strange silence filled Sefirah Castle.

Several minutes later—

The always-quiet "Mr. World" finally spoke, pulling everyone back from their daze, "Miss Magician, you’re a novelist, correct?"

Fors didn’t expect to be suddenly addressed. She stammered, "Uh...just a regular writer. Nothing worthy of the title ’novelist.’"

"Very well. I have a commission for you."

Klein explained his request: to write a novel with him as the protagonist and spread it as widely as possible.

It was one of the methods he had devised to perform as a Bizarro Sorcerer.

Only then did everyone realise: Mr. World had silently advanced to Sequence 4—becoming a demigod.

However, because Edward and Emperor Roselle had overshadowed everything today, Mr. World’s achievement seemed merely..."acceptable."

Oh? That’s nice. Impressive, I suppose...

And then—

Nothing more.

The gathering gradually relaxed as Audrey discussed food sponsorship with Emlyn, who expressed his gratitude repeatedly. Soon, as usual, everyone began trading for the materials they needed.

Twenty minutes later, the Tarot gathering reached its conclusion.

Mr. Fool swept his gaze around the group.

"In the near future, the world may descend into even greater chaos. I hope all of you stay cautious."

He tapped the table.

"That will be all for today."

Bernadette immediately spoke—clearly she had not forgotten the earlier diary incident.

"Mr. Fool, I—"

Roselle instantly sprang up, rushed over, and covered her mouth. Then he waved eagerly at Klein.

"Mr. Fool! Until next time!"

"Mm. Until next time."

As the members vanished one by one, Klein let out a long breath.

Today’s Tarot gathering had been one of the easiest—and also one of the most nerve-wracking—he had ever experienced.

"Huu—time to think about how I can advance to Sequence 3 quickly."

With a sigh, he withdrew from Sefirah Castle and returned to the real world.

Just as his vision cleared, Klein’s body suddenly stiffened.

His gaze locked straight ahead.

On the sofa not far away sat a figure who hadn’t been there before—a man with short, stiff bristles of hair the same colour, his features sharp and severe like a hardened soldier.

It was the marionette Klein had lost during his battle with Zaratul—Qonas Kilgor of MI9.

Facing Klein’s unmoving eyes, Qonas Kilgor smiled and said, "Don’t go throwing around your marionettes. They can be tracked."

As he spoke, he slowly stood up.

Then he reached into his coat pocket and drew out a monocle made of crystal.

He placed it over his right eye—slowly, deliberately.

———

[Note]: Don’t forget to VOTE. It keeps me motivated.