Evil Gods Don’t Save People

In an endless, silent darkness filled with moonflowers and night vanillas, an extremely beautiful woman with a hazy face stood there.

She wore a layered black dress with countless sparkling specks of radiance like the stars and Her ribs and waist each stretched out two arms.

Then, as if She had noticed something, She frowned.

"…Mysteries?"

With an uneasy expression on Her face, She frowned and raised Her hand to send an oracle, but ultimately decided not to.

Let's wait and see.

***

After one week, it was time for another gathering.

Above the gray fog stood a majestic divine hall that looked like a giant's residence.

Dark red colors bloomed on both sides of the bronze table. They surged upwards like a fountain before pattering down. It 'carved' two blurry figures who sat in the same spots as before.

Audrey, with her soft blond hair and tall, slim build, instinctively looked towards the seat of honor.

"Good afternoon, Mr. Fool~!" Audrey shouted with a cheery voice.

Following that, she turned her head and looked at the person opposite her. With the same tone, she said, "Good afternoon, Mr. Hanged Man~!"

Now somewhat familiar with her carefree behavior, Mr. Fool calmly received her greeting.

"Good afternoon, Miss Justice."

After Alger also greeted them, Audrey drew a light gasp as she asked in anticipation, "Mr. Hanged Man, did you receive the box of Ghost Shark blood?"

Alger took a look at the god and saw Him being absentminded again. His words that He had difficulty focusing were probably true.

"Thank you very much. It perfectly met my expectations. I never expected you to send it to me so quickly. The Ghost Shark blood is not the typical extraordinary creature," said Alger frankly.

Audrey smiled humbly and said, "I'm very happy to see this outcome."

Alger looked deeply at The Fool who was enveloped in fog before turning his head back with a smile.

"According to our agreement, I will tell you the formula to the potion, Spectator."

"Let me prepare myself. Alright, begin." Audrey inhaled as she focused her full attention.

"Low-Sequence potions are very easy to concoct. Just follow the order that I provide you. Do remember that there can be smaller quantities of the ingredients but not more. It would cause major problems. You should have heard about news of Beyonders losing control. I believe there's no need for me to repeat it?" Alger first mentioned things to take note of.

Audrey nodded gently and said, "I understand completely."

While she spoke, she turned her head to look at Mr. Fool. She wished to know if the mystery expert had anything to add; unfortunately, The Fool seemed to be distracted again.

Chuckling slightly, she interrupted the god's thoughts.

"Mr. Fool, do you have common sense in mysticism to add?"

The Fool blinked, returning to his senses, and registered the question.

Then, he stroked his chin, thoughtful.

"Do you know the acting method?"

Audrey listened to him with anticipation while Alger also turned toward him, intrigued.

"The acting method?" She repeated.

The Fool organized his words.

"It's the process of acting according to the potion's name in order to fully digest the Beyonder potion. However, the acting principles summarized by different people will vary according to their unique minds and experiences."

Seeing Audrey frowning as if she couldn't understand it, he gently explained it in simpler words.

"Imagine the core powers of your potion as a tightly guarded castle. The remnants of the psyche that can cause a backlash reside within that castle. Your goal is to get rid of it and become the true master of the castle.

There are two ways you can do that. The first is to forcefully invade the castle. There is no guarantee that this will work, and you will most definitely injure yourself unless you can suppress it with absolute power. But of course, you are not equipped to do that.

The second way is to get the owner of the castle to extend an invitation. This invitation can allow you to slide through the scrutiny of the guards and infiltrate the castle. You can then easily finish off the enemies. But the problem lies in the fact that this invitation specifies the facial features and characteristics of the guest. Thus, you have to disguise yourself and act as a guest."

Audrey then had a look of realization, now having a rough grasp of the acting method's meaning, at least in theory.

Looking at their amazed expressions, the Fool then warned them.

"However, remember that you are only acting."

Audrey made a serious face and nodded.

Trying to maintain his composure, Alger glanced to the Fool, checking if the god would add another mysticism knowledge, before continuing his explanation.

The Fool also tried to stay focused for once and lengthen his attention span.

Alger thought for a moment before saying, "Having smaller quantities does not mean it should deviate by too much… If you do not have an assistant, I suggest you spend some time familiarizing yourself with chemistry experiment."

"I have a family tutor for such matters," answered Audrey without feeling the burden.

After Alger mentioned the furthest extent of the deviation, he recited with great fluency, "Spectator. Sequence 9 potion. 80 milliliters of pure water. 5 drops of autumn crocus essence. 13 grams of cow teeth paeonol powder. 7 petals of elf flowers. A matured Manhal Fish's eyeball. Add 35 milliliters of goat-horned black fish blood.

The final two items are the main ingredients. They are extraordinary creatures from the sea. You have to be careful."

'The potion formula seems to be correct,' The Fool thought.

"Alright." Audrey recalled and repeated, "80 milliliters of pure water. 5 drops of autumn crocus essence, 13 grams of cow teeth…"

"Paeonol powder," reminded Alger.

The Fool then recalled something and interrupted them.

"You don't need to worry about forgetting it. After this gathering, you can recite my honorific name and remember the potion formula with ritualistic magic."

Since he would hold a gathering with them every Monday, he might as well tell them his honorific name.

That way, he could also protect them if they were in danger. It would be boring if they died too fast after all.

While Alger pretended to act normally (even though the Fool could see his emotions with spirit vision), Audrey excitedly asked, "Your honorific name?"

Alger was also curious.

The Fool leaned back into his chair, remembering the name he hadn't used since a long time ago.

"The Fool that doesn't belong to this era. The mysterious ruler above the gray fog. The King of Yellow and Black who wields good luck."

Audrey Hall recited the three descriptions to herself silently, awe coursing through her body.

As He had claimed, she once again realized that the person facing her was a god and was momentarily at a loss for words.

Meanwhile, the Fool selectively ignored Alger shivering on the side and added, "Oh. And you can set up a bestowment ritual next time. It would be more efficient than trading things in a roundabout manner."

He then patiently explained the ceremony to Audrey who intently listened to him.

Then, a thought flashed through her mind. Could The Fool have forgotten to mention it last time and recalled it just now?

'Mr. Fool seems quite forgetful… Stop, Audrey, it's rude!'

Audrey memorized everything, Mr. Fool watching her.

'She is quite happy… Is she still not scared to be facing a god? Does she not realize the situation she is in?'

This human being was quite puzzling. It may have been the first time that he faced someone so ignorant.

Then, Alger saw Mr. Fool turn his gaze toward him, and realized after a while that he was waiting for him to continue his explanation.

He cleared his throat and asked, "Do you know about Cogitation?"

After talking about cogitation in more detail, he then turned to the Fool.

Since the other party was a god, he couldn't afford to offend Him and should return the favor for learning the acting method.

"Thank you for your explanation on the acting method, Mr. Fool. Your hint is as valuable as my life. You have enlightened me greatly."

Following his hint, Audrey looked at the Hanged Man's reaction and realized that the knowledge He had imparted upon them was precious, something that the average beyonder did not know.

She followed suit, "Mr. Fool, what do you wish for us to do?"

Opposite to her, Alger said with a nod, "What matter might you wish to entrust us with?"

Although he was slightly hesitant to receive a request from a god, it was nothing if he could be seen in a favorable light. Still, he hoped it wouldn't be too hard to complete.

The Fool was embarrassed. To his knowledge, what he had told them was really 'common sense', and he didn't really have anything in mind that he wanted either.

However, he was the one who promoted the principle of equivalent exchange in the first place and shouldn't break it.

Well, what could he ask?

Something worth learning the acting method…

Mr. Fool thought of something and raised his head.

"Sacrifice a meal to me."

Then, in case they deliberated over pointless things such as what food would fit a god and spent a lot of effort to find luxurious products, he added, "Common food."

He hadn't tasted anything in a long time.