Chapter 209: Chapter 209
He'd already had an epiphany from "cat-watching" last week when he developed "Cat's Grace." He couldn't very well tell Papa Oliver he'd had another one from "star-gazing" this week. Therefore, he had to ask someone completely unrelated about his new ability.
"Those blessed by the star spirits are often fortunate."
The woman murmured softly, skillfully shuffling the cards in her hand before gently drawing one. It was only then that Jenkins noticed she wasn't using traditional, stiff cardboard cards. Judging by their texture, they seemed more like they were plastic-coated.
But this world didn't have such technology. Was it an ability?
Jenkins and Chocolate, nestled in his arms, both craned their necks to get a better look.
The card was slowly turned over, revealing the image on its face: a slightly distorted red flower. It was a pencil sketch, drawn directly onto the blank card, but the use of light and shadow was so masterful that Jenkins almost thought he was looking at a real flower.
"Excuse me, what does this mean?"
Jenkins asked in an awed tone.
The woman didn't answer. Instead, she gently shook her head and, with a casual toss, sent the card spinning into the air, where it erupted in flames.
It was a rude thought, and he was wise enough not to voice it. Miss Audrey was a high-level Enchanter—and a lady. Showing respect was essential.
Diviners likely had a different perspective on fate than ordinary people. Jenkins still recalled the peculiar things Miss Audrey had said during her last visit. He deliberately steered the conversation toward topics related to destiny, and Miss Audrey generously shared a few rituals for temporarily changing one's luck, though the required materials were all exceedingly expensive.
This amiable lady seemed to genuinely want to help Jenkins, answering all his questions about the mystic arts. Her knowledge of linguistics was surprisingly profound. Beyond the conventionally accepted languages that possessed innate supernatural power, she believed time itself could imbue ordinary things with the extraordinary. Language, with its inherent layers of meaning, was particularly susceptible to being empowered by time's passage.
As their conversation grew more animated, Jenkins felt a faint warmth spreading across his chest. For a moment, he worried that Chocolate had wet himself in his sleep, but then he remembered the metal nut hanging there.
He froze, forgetting the lady's presence for a second. He quickly unbuttoned his collar, loosened his tie, and pulled out the metal nut. Miss Audrey raised an eyebrow and picked up her own matching one from the table.
With a shared understanding, they both moved to the window, leaning against the wall on either side. On the street below, a man in a dirty, patched black coat walked by, a cigarette dangling from his lips.
This neighborhood was home exclusively to well-to-do families, and the man was clearly not one of its residents.
Perhaps his senses were unusually sharp, because the man seemed to feel their gazes and looked up. All he saw, however, was an irritable cat lounging on the windowsill, looking thoroughly displeased.
"I'm reporting this to the Church!"
The moment the man was out of sight, Jenkins immediately declared his intentions.
"Aren't you curious to see what he's up to?"
Miss Audrey asked with a puzzled look.
"No, no, absolutely not. What if he's the source of the Gear Germs infection? For the safety of the city's residents, we should report this to the Church immediately. The Church of the Starry Sky and Equilibrium is the closest. We can't delay, let's go now!"
The righteous author had made the most prudent decision. He was just a Scribe, a non-combatant role, and Miss Audrey wasn't a local enforcer. They had no reason to tail the man.
"Mr. Williams, fate sometimes hides its gifts in the smallest of matters. We shouldn't be so quick to jump to conclusions. Let's consult fate for guidance."
As she spoke, she picked up the deck of cards again. With a wave of her hand, the decorative candelabra in the center of the coffee table instantly lit up.
The curtains were open, yet the sunlight seemed unable to penetrate this part of the room. Only the dim, yellow flame of the candles enveloped them, casting long, dancing shadows on the floor.
She counted seven cards down from the top, took that card, and placed it at the top center of the tablecloth, directly above the candelabra.
She set the counted cards aside—they wouldn't be used again. Then, she counted through the remaining deck once more, taking the seventh card and placing it to the bottom left of the candelabra.
She repeated the process: set the counted cards aside, counted through the remaining deck a final time, and placed the seventh card to the bottom right of the candelabra, forming a perfect triangle with the other two. Miss Audrey then placed the rest of the cards she held onto the discard pile.
She glanced up at Jenkins and gestured invitingly:
"This is a very common method for card divination; even ordinary citizens have heard of it. First, you must focus your thoughts on the question you want answered. Then, you turn over the card you need. They represent the past, present, and future. If your question is simply whether we should follow that man, then you should choose the 'present' card."
Jenkins nodded politely, silently debating whether he should go through with it. He glanced over at Chocolate, who was sitting primly on the sofa, and decided he couldn't let his own pet think he was a coward.
The back of the card was decorated with a small, golden spindle, the meaning of which was lost on him. After confirming with a quick glance that the card was just an ordinary object, he reached out and flipped over the one to the bottom left of the candelabra.
On its face was the image of a single gold coin. Tʜe sourcᴇ of thɪs content ɪs NoveIꜰire.net
Tarot cards didn't exist in this world, but the local cards used for divination were remarkably similar. A complete deck consisted of seventy-eight cards, each open to a wide array of interpretations. It even came with a set of accompanying divination tools, making it a pastime only the daughters of wealthy or noble families could afford.
For a simple reading, only the twenty-three major cards were needed.
"A gold coin? Doesn't that represent greed?"
Jenkins inquired. Divination and mysticism had been inextricably linked since ancient times. Although Papa Oliver's lessons hadn't covered this subject yet, Jenkins had picked up a few things on his own.
"That's only one interpretation. It can also represent tangible wealth, or a stroke of incredible luck."
"It certainly isn't luck," he muttered. "I don't think that has anything to do with me."
He considered for a moment. Over-caution could be a liability, and if he hesitated any longer, the man would be long gone.
"Alright, let's follow him. There was something off about his expression, and I'd like to know what he's up to. If things get dangerous, I think we should just..."
Miss Audrey donned her white mask as a disguise, while Jenkins pulled a triangular piece of metal from an inner pocket of his coat.