“Shall we begin with you, Mr. Hanged Man?” Audrey agreed in excitement.

Alger thought for a moment before saying, “The infamous pirate who calls himself Lieutenant General Deweyville has begun his voyage to explore the eastern end of the Sonia Sea again.”

“Oh? The owner of the Black Tulip?” returned Audrey with a question after some thought.

“Yes,” Alger replied with a nod.

Hector did not know about it, and from the looks of others conversation would get nowhere, so he spoke.

"There is conflict in Backlund's East borough as few beyonders from warrior pathway were killed. And from what I know they are blaming one of the gangs, Street Rats."

"Gang fights are nothing uncommon, but multiple Beyonders of warrior pathway? They could be from the church of God of War, and as they don't have influence in Leon they can only hide among gangs." Hanged Man spoke.

Justice knew about gangs in the East borough but as she lived a sheltered life, all her knowledge came from newspapers and talk from other nobles, and so she didn't know about the details. She found it interesting as it concerned beyonders.

After a few moments of silence, The Fool decided to speak, to maintain the unfathomable image he caressed the side of the bronze table with his fingers.

“According to what I know, the Secret Order has lost an Antigonus family notebook.”

This news was not only known by the Nighthawks from Tingen City. The Secret Order as well as Beyonders with close ties with them similarly knew.

“An Antigonus family notebook?” Alger repeated before smiling with a shake of his head. “I’m really curious as to what reaction the Church of the Evernight Goddess will have if they learn of it.”

At that moment, Audrey asked out of curiosity, “Why are you curious? What sort of special reaction would the Goddess’s church have?”

Alger smiled and said, “The Antigonus family was destroyed by the Church of the Evernight Goddess.”

“I’m not really sure if it happened at the end of the Fourth Epoch or the early stages of the present epoch.”

"They were destroyed in the war of four emperors. After Blood Emperor fell there was a conflict between Antigonus's family and the Evernight Godesses church. Which led to the eventual destruction of Antigonus at the Hornacis Mountain Range. From then on that mountain range is guarded by the church of Evernight." Hector spoke flexing his knowledge.

After hearing the explanation, Audrey said with deep interest, “I never imagined that such a thing would happen…

“Alright, my turn. Let me think of what I have to share.”

She cocked her head and held her head up with her hand before chuckling.

“Yesterday, my etiquette teacher taught me how to faint, how to faint elegantly without any faux paus. It’s a practical skill used at social events to avoid awkward situations or nasty guys… Heh heh. I was just organizing my thoughts. What I really wanted to say is that ever since the failure of the battle on Balam’s eastern shore, the king, premier, and gentlemen are under immense stress. They eagerly wish to change.”

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When she recalled the conversation that she had she spoke some more, "They believe that the government’s structure is too chaotic. Every election, if there is a change of the ruling party, there will be a change of personnel from top to bottom. It makes things a mess and lowers efficiency tremendously. Not only does it cause the battle loss, but it also brings great inconvenience to the civilians.”

When the Hanged Man, Alger, heard that he interjected with a soft chuckle.

“They believe? Then their beliefs are a little slow. Perhaps they will only feel the itch a year after they get bitten by black mosquitoes.”

Audrey extended her palm and covered her mouth. Ignoring the Hanged Man’s mockery, she expressed the core information of what she said, “Unfortunately, they are temporarily unable to find a good solution to replace this system.”

The Fool listened carefully and decided to speak. He smiled faintly and said, “This is a simple problem.”

“Simple?” Audrey returned with a question in puzzlement.

Although her education did not include politics, she often heard from the discussions of her father, brother, and people around her. She had a sufficient understanding of similar matters.

Fool looked at the Justice and spoke while smiling, “An examination, just like an entrance examination for college. Hold an exam that is open to the public. It can be split into two rounds or three rounds. Use the most objective method to select the elite.”

“But…” Audrey knew what sort of objection this would entail.

Before she could retort Fool continued, “After which, use these elites to fill the positions of the Cabinet, the county government, the city government, and the various towns. Yes, the positions that are directly handling matters, such as the Secretary of the Cabinet.

“Different positions should be given different requirements. The second or third rounds can be tested based on locale and region. Professional matters should be left to the professionals.

“As for political positions such as ministers, governors, or mayors, they will be left to the parties that win the election. That is a slice of the pie they deserve.”

Alger, who lacked interest in such matters, unknowingly turned his head and listened carefully. Audrey frowned slightly as she fell into deep thought. Only Hector lost interest as politics for some reason made his blood boil, and his mind was filled with the desire to punch someone.

....

While considering the suggestion, Audrey asked doubtfully, “Are you implying that even if those ministers become monkeys, the effects would be insignificant?”

"Please, it is not nice to degrade monkeys, monkeys only eat, sleep and mate. Their minds are not filled with foolish ideas so much that others are questioning if they even have any brains or dancing squirrels.

Hector knew that this is a different world than his but it is in human nature to be stupid.

Audrey ruminated over the suggestion Mr. Fool had offered and after a while, said in surprise, “It sounds like it actually might work…

“It’s a very simple but effective solution!”

She looked at Klein and sincerely marveled, “Mr. Fool, you must be an elderly person with outstanding intelligence who is very experienced in life!”

'When counting all the time he was in the cocoon then yes, you could say so.' Hector thought smiling.

“Let us end today’s gathering here.” The Fool spoke.

“By your will.” Audrey, Hector, and Alger stood up together.

Hector saw Klein leaning back slightly as the vision before him became blurry.

When his surroundings became visible once more he saw that he was back in his room.

"So, what now?" Hector spoke as he leaned back in his chair. He sighed and decided to stay at home this night.

"I need to prepare for exploration of the tomb... And I mustn't forget to visit the bank... And to train the dogs... Like I know it is not a lot when you have weak but somehow it is draining. I will need to make some me-time visiting gangsters in East borough.

"Wait! Jason and a few other devils had human skin suits. I should look into that, maybe Albert knows how to make one. Maybe drying, or ritual. No matter what it could come in handy when dealing with others and someone would see me.

But then I could simply kill them too... NO! NO! No killing of innocent. Humanity important, humanity good." In the end, Hector started to speak to himself as if he was talking to the child. Keeping his humanity is the most important thing that he needs to do. In the long run that is.

"I should go to the opera or something, some kind of social gathering. Maybe invite the Thomson family to tea, who knows what happened to them after that ball." he felt chills when he tried to remember that night. The blood and flesh on the ceiling and the strange man walking down the stairs while all around him mutated.