Mystery: The Ultimate Tarot

Chapter 35: Raphael Discussed at the Tarot Meeting

At the Tarot meeting.

After concluding her private conversation with "The World," "Justice" Audrey addressed the other members: "Gentlemen, do you remember Raphael Collins, the 'madman' we talked about earlier?"

Some members, including Alger the Hanged Man, nodded, while others simply hummed in agreement.

“The Aurora Society tried to recruit him today,” Audrey said. “He wrote to me to ask what kind of extraordinary organization it was because he didn’t know.”

"From Raphael's letter, I could tell that he was very interested in the Aurora Society and even wanted to join the organization."

"What do you all think I should say in response to him? How should I handle this situation?"

She knew very well that if she wasn't good at something, she should humbly ask the other members for advice.

"Moon," Emlyn muttered, "There are actually people who want to join the Aurora Society? Oh right, that gang leader is a 'madman' anyway, so joining an organization formed by a madman is quite suitable."

To everyone's surprise, Mr. Hanged Man chimed in, "I think so too."

"You think? What do you think?" This surprised Emlyn slightly: "You want Collins to join the 'Aurora Society'?"

“That’s right.” “The Hanged Man” Alger said, “What many people may not know is that it is precisely because the members of the Aurora Society are somewhat crazy that it is difficult to place informants or undercover agents in this organization.”

"I don't know about other churches, but I know that the Storm Church has made some efforts in this regard, and without exception, they were either discovered or they also turned into madmen."

Leonard hesitated for a moment before saying, "I haven't heard that the Church of the Goddess of Night has an inside agent in the Aurora Society."

Alger leaned back in his chair and smiled, "So, this is a great opportunity for Collins to join the Aurora Club."

"First of all, this guy is a bit crazy, and he's working with Miss Justice, so we can get some information about the Aurora Society from him."

As he spoke, he looked at Miss "Justice".

Audrey thought for a moment before saying, "I'm not entirely confident about Raphael's actions. What if he reveals to the Aurora Society that I'm a member of the Tarot Society... or rather, a member of a secret organization?"

Alger laughed and said, "I don't think Collins will be loyal to the Aurora Society. Perhaps his joining will be a disaster for the organization."

"Furthermore, while the 'Aurora Society' has a certain probability of possessing the extraordinary characteristics of the 'Prisoner' pathway, it's highly unlikely they possess potion recipes for that pathway."

As he spoke, he looked down at the lower end of the bronze table: "And one of the Tarot Club members can contact the 'Temperance Faction,' which Collins will not easily give up."

Audrey nodded slightly. Mr. Hanged Man's analysis was as reasonable as ever.

At this moment, "The World," sitting at the bottom of the bronze table, said in a hoarse voice, "I still have a 'living corpse' characteristic here, which I estimate he will need in the near future."

Clearly, "The World" also supports Raphael joining "The Aurora Society".

Alger raised his hand: "That makes things much easier."

He told Audrey, "You can give him the mission to join the Aurora Society and report to you regularly on the organization."

"Then you subtly reveal that you possess the extraordinary characteristics of a 'living corpse,' which you can use as payment for this commission."

"I think the information about the 'Aurora Society' is worth enough to quickly exchange for a 'zombie' trait."

After all, there was very little information about this organization, and the intelligence community follows the proverb of Emperor Roselle: things that are rare are always more valuable.

……

Wednesday arrived quickly, and after hearing Carter's report and receiving Miss Audrey's reply, Raphael soon had a general plan.

On Thursday morning, Vesta Wagner, the furniture dealer who had visited three days earlier and who resembled a brown bear, arrived as promised. As soon as he closed the door, he asked, "What's your decision?"

Raphael stood by the window, smoking a cigarette, and said, "After careful consideration, I've decided not to rely on you to solve my current problems."

Wagner frowned. "That's a disappointing answer. So, you don't intend to join that organization?"

Raphael laughed and said, "When did I say I didn't want to join that organization?"

Wagner scratched his head. "Dude, you've got me all confused. What exactly are you planning to do?"

"It's simple. The organization you mentioned sounds very good, and I'd love to join it," Raphael said with a smile. "However, I don't want to owe them a favor before I've even joined."

Raphael stubbed out his half-smoked cigarette in the ashtray: "Do you understand what I'm saying? I joined that organization because I found their motto of being at odds with the whole world appealing, not because I hoped to gain anything from it. Similarly, I ask that organization not to restrict my freedom."

Wagner paused for a moment, then burst into laughter: "This is the craziest thing I've heard recently."

"The divine messenger's judgment is correct; you do indeed have great potential."

He paused for a moment: "While you're dealing with your current predicament, I hope to be able to observe from the sidelines."

"No problem," Raphael said. "Come back at two o'clock this afternoon, and we'll go visit some guests together."

After agreeing on a time, Wagner immediately took his leave and hurriedly departed, presumably to report to his superiors.

Wagner arrived at 1:30 p.m., smoking a cigar and chatting and laughing with Raphael as if they were old friends who hadn't seen each other for many years.

At exactly two o'clock, Raphael, having made all the necessary preparations, boarded a horse-drawn carriage and headed to the West District.

He, Wagner, and Carter were in one car, while four of their Mafia henchmen were in another.

It took them more than an hour to reach a relatively secluded street in the West District.

Arriving at a townhouse, Carter knocked on the door. A maid answered, giving Carter a wary look before asking, "Who are you looking for?"

Carter replied, "I'm looking for Congressman Wood."

The maid shook her head: "The councilor is not seeing guests right now."

At the same time, two tall bodyguards stepped forward and stared coldly at Carter.

Raphael, sitting in the carriage, explained in a low voice, "This is the place Wood arranged for his mistress. It's not far from his office. If he has nothing to do in the afternoon, he comes here to relax. And each time he comes here, he only brings two bodyguards."

Wagner said with a somewhat grave expression, "If you hurt a member of parliament, there's nothing we can do to help you solve the problem."

Raphael patted the other man on the shoulder: "Relax, do I look like the kind of person who enjoys doing illegal things?"

"Yes, it is." Wagner said seriously.