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The gatherings above the gray fog to learn more about Mr. Fool's era had really turned into monthly parties by now. The participants were no longer limited to just the Tarot Club, with the remaining gods, angels, and other acquaintances also occasionally attending.
Klein and the Club members continued to organize everything, from food and drinks to the activities and films they would watch. Of course, they were also open to suggestions.
This time, Audrey and Fors had just finished singing a song at karaoke. It was one that had become popular in Intis recently, coincidentally quite similar to the style of the common pre-Epoch songs they were used to hearing here.
“Little Sun, why don’t you sing one too?” Fors suggested.
They noticed that Derrick had never sung anything on his own, although he was frequently forced encouraged to dance by Franca and Fors herself, who usually joined in the fun.
“Me? But I don’t really know any songs…”
“There are a lot of popular options here. Maybe you’ll find one that you know.” Audrey handed him the music catalog.
Derrick picked it up to see the options, though he wasn’t very convinced. There were indeed many songs from the current era along with others from the pre-Epoch, but the City of Silver itself didn’t have a very strong musical culture, and he only knew most of them by name. However, his eyes stopped on an incredibly familiar one.
“That one! I want to sing it!” His eyes were shining. The two women couldn’t help but think it was an adorable sight, even if it came from a two-meters-tall giant. “Ah, but I’ve never sung it alone. Do you want to join me?”
“That song, huh? I’m impressed Klein let it as an option here.” Knowing Klein, Audrey knew he was easily embarrassed by things like that.
“It’s in the catalog, so he must have approved it. He’s the one who conjured all this up, after all.” Fors decided not to think much of it.
Audrey still thought it wasn't very much Klein’s style.
“What did he approve?”
“Mr. Leonard. This song was in the catalog, and I’m thinking of singing it.”
“Ohh.” Leonard had a mischievous light in his eyes after seeing the option. “Heh, this will be fun. Can I join too?”
“Sure!” Derrick was used to singing with several people, so the more the merrier.
Audrey gave a resigned sigh. She knew what Leonard was up to but decided not to mention it.
Suddenly, darkness enveloped everyone. They turned around to see a woman with black hair and dress approaching.
“Hello. May I make a suggestion?”
Klein suddenly felt a part of Sephirah Castle being enveloped by the domain of concealment. He frowned, glancing in the direction where Amanisses and some of his friends were, with slight concern.
‘What is the Goddess plotting…?’
He trusted Her enough to know that Amanisses wouldn’t do him any harm, especially not in his own realm. But he couldn’t help but be curious about the need to hide the conversation.
Soon after, the small group dispersed, each of them going a different way. They approached people talking about things Klein couldn’t make out.
Leonard spoke to Pallez, who looked at Klein for a split second with a judgmental look, before quickly lowering his head and going to hide in the library. He proceeded to completely ignore the green-eyed man calling up to him.
‘What just happened??’ Klein was increasingly confused.
“Klein, are you listening?”
“I am. It seems you and the Steam God are getting along well.” Klein replied with a smile, turning back to the conversation in front of him.
“Well, I couldn’t ask for a better teacher. But sometimes I feel like I’m bothering Him.” Melissa sighed.
“I still think you’re amazing for actually asking Him for help. I can’t even get close to the gods properly, much less hold a conversation.” Benson admitted.
“Are you not talking to me? What am I then?” Klein raised an eyebrow, playfully insulted.
“My helpless little brother.” Benson sighed, in a similar joking tone.
“Yeah, you don’t count!” Melissa laughed at their antics.
The three continued to laugh and bicker with each other. Since Klein had fully recovered from the apocalypse battle and could walk the earth again, his family had started attending the parties as well.
They didn’t attend every gathering, as they preferred to avoid being too close to the other deities. However, today was an exception, as Melissa wanted to ask Stiano some questions about her new project, and Alice had arranged to play arcade games in the game room with Will. Benson, ever the worrywart, decided to go along to make sure his daughter wouldn't disrespect any important figures, since his sister would be busy and Klein wasn't exactly the best example of reverence for the gods.
Really, when he found out Klein used to call the real name of the God of Storms only to summon a lightning bolt, Benson almost had a heart attack!
While the siblings were talking, a familiar melody began. They turned toward the group that had formed at the karaoke area.
“Wait, this song…” Melissa and Benson recognized it. Every believer who frequented the Church of the Fool would learn it sooner or later.
‘No way.’ Klein also recognized it. Unfortunately.
Leonard began singing with an enchanting voice.
“Presgard di Hellis Deknosapo (Praise the Fool, The majesty of God is indisputable)
Gup nelloca dubita (High in the gray fog of the temple)”
Klein would remark on how the poet wanted to have fun with his reaction, but he was too petrified to think.
“Presgard di Hellis, Merplos pagem (Praise the Fool, Kindness and trust indubitable)
Nelloca loga ubinpro (Saving mortals from evil)”
Audrey sang the next verse. Seems his friends had actually teamed up to make fun of him.
The betrayal!
“Inleukam fa galeik (His revelation like a star)
Sterinoda leuk hiturf (Leading me toward the brightest light)”
Little Sun… Well, he seems to be enjoying himself.
Klein couldn’t really bring himself to lash out at their youngest.
“Protasplos blodisen (His blessings are always upon me)
Comagon nefortunoneg (Protecting me from suffering and pain)”
So Fors was also in the scheme, huh? Maybe he'll ask Gehrman to pay her a visit later.
It seems his Angel of Stars felt the threat, going by the way her voice cracked slightly at the end.
‘But seriously, how did this song end up in the karaoke? Everything here goes through me, and I would never approve of watching myself being praised by my friends. Especially on the day my siblings and the other gods are here.’
‘Right, Benson and Melissa are here too… I bet they are thinking their brother is such an shameless exhibitionist.’
‘Goddess, this is so embarrassing…’
Klein's thoughts, which had been mostly frozen until then, suddenly began to flood out non-stop while the instrumental played. Soon, the lyrics started again, distracting him from his internal lampooning.
Franca was about to sing when Amon stole her voice and took the lead at the last minute.
“Logena vorold (Does it deceive the world?)”
‘So you were the culprit!!’ That's why the song appeared in the catalog without Klein noticing. There really was a Bug in his domain.
Lumian then pulled Amon back, taking the front.
“Facera solvas (A savior’s gift, a sacrifice)”
“Gumantatemuf gup latik (Humanity will overtake all gods)”
That last line ended up being sung by both Lumian and Amon, the little crow always with that punchable smile. Franca was forced to just watch at the back with crossed arms.
‘Even Lumian…You're already a god yourself, why are you joining in on this!??’ Klein was trying to keep a blank face, but he could feel his cheeks heating up.
Thank Goddess he had master-tie Clown and Faceless powers, otherwise his embarrassment would have gotten the better of him.
Right then, Darkness descended onto the stage. Which was really just the space between the sofas and the TV, but right now it looked especially magnificent.
“Poperapo arder nusanc tronena (Remnants of the past, The arrival of a new saint)
Troom kapa furan thusandik (Lights from a thousand homes in his dreams)”
‘Goddess… Ahh I don’t even know anymore!’
At that moment, Stiano appeared coming from the hallway and was heading towards the Morettis. However, when He heard the music, He looked at Amanisses singing, looked at Klein, and elegantly fled turned away.
‘Don’t leave! Help me!’ Klein was crying internally.
How would he face the other gods and angels now? Even his family was there watching him being praised firsthand…
The song moved on, and it was Emlyn's turn now. Really, did all of his Club join hands to give him social death tonight?
“Presgard di Hellis laforcip (Praise the Fool, Power resonates throughout the world)
Scecana ornventien (Striking fear into the hearts of demons)”
At that moment two children appeared with ice cream cups in their hands.
“Isn’t that the song they sing at the church?” Alice was excited as always.
Will gave Klein an scrutinizing look.
‘Please look away, I have nothing to do with this!!’ Klein was currently forcing himself to embody Gehrman Sparrow, watching the performance with the most apathetic look he could muster.
Fortunately the boy also gave up on commenting, instead eating his ice cream while completely ignoring what was happening around him.
Klein wanted to give a sigh of relief but soon Cattleya joined the choir.
“Navo ardeplos nun (With knowledge of past and present)
Lagroyitan nescippan (No conspiracy or deception stays hidden)”
‘Really, who made these lyrics??’
Then Alger came next. Thank Goddess Klein already had a way to deal with Alger’s appalling singing voice.
It was not without losses (at the cost of everyone’s sanity and Danitz’s soul apparently), but he finally came with the idea of a heavy live autotune everytime the Ocean Songster threatened to show up his skills.
“Vela derun plos prophes (The oracle reveals the truth)
Un sicaplos un bradem (Every sigh and breath a prophecy)”
“…” Suddenly Klein had an overwhelming urge to turn off that autotune to see if Alger's voice would make everyone forget about all this nonsense.
“Yilan brenne torquen (The god who lit the torch)
Leu trununapo nureidan (Illuminating the challenging road ahead)”
As Xio sang, Klein was celebrating that at least the majority of the Tarot Club was done already, so the song must almost be over.
Seriously, he could hear his family laughing by his side at his lack of expression.
“Freron dapentir (Farewell to close friends)”
‘Mr. Azik!!!’ Klein screeched internally. His default expression cracked and Klein couldn’t help but stare open-mouthed and mortified at the increasing group of singers.
“Dienplos liban (The departure of dearest companions)
Ditrenin kava diron fomas (Arduous journeys now buried only within letters)”
“Uncle Klein is blushing!” Alice pointed out, giggling. She didn’t miss her uncle’s change of expression and red ears.
“I’m not!!” Klein gasped.
“Alice! You can’t expose your uncle like that!” Benson seemed to try to reprimand her, but his stifled laughter betrayed his intentions completely.
‘Yeah, thanks for nothing, brother.’ Klein lampooned.
Melissa was already trying hard not to laugh at Klein, but she couldn't help it after this exchange, holding her belly and mouth even tighter. It didn’t really work, and she and Benson were trembling from holding out laughter.
Amidst the chaos they barely registered Roselle entering the scene.
“Leuberan pre di Hellis metho (Prayers from believers, Responses from the Fool)
Blodisen kukung guf kelfi (Who will bless the gods high above?)”
When the Emperor sang his part, holding the last note a beat longer, Klein had already given up. He was leaning forward with his elbows resting on his knees and his hands hiding his face.
Everyone who had participated up to that point prepared to sing the last chorus (even Franca, who had already recovered her voice). Seeing this, Melissa pulled Klein closer to the group and she, her brother, and her niece began to sing along beside Klein.
He could only stare at each of them like an idiot, his face totally flushed.
“Dirum darik offina timan (Even the longest journey must come to an end)
Narmarinevo slafenen distarion (A destination wrought with uncertainty)”
The god being praised really couldn't bear to see anyone else anymore and simply lowered his head until the song ended. It was even referencing the time he was stuck for years in that dream of his old days, and Klein couldn’t help but also feel ashamed by it.
“Uns freron arder troomen (May you dream of your hometown and old friends)
Nefargetam troomuti meta duok (Please don’t forget the ones who await you outside of your dreams)”
When it ended, everyone cheered and applauded the grand performance. Everyone then looked at Klein, who just wanted to be invisible at that moment.
Realizing they were waiting for him to say something, Klein fidgeted awkwardly and tried to choke out some acknowledgement.
“Cough. Uhh, thanks. …I guess?”
“Aww, you get so cute when you’re embarrassed!” Melissa pressed a finger against his cheek, chuckling.
‘Melissa, could you not make the situation worse!?’ He kind of wanted to kick out his sister from up the gray fog.
Everyone seemed to agree with her, though. A bunch of betrayers.
“Group hug!” Leonard suddenly cried out, prompting everyone to jump forward.
The next thing Klein saw was Leonard, Audrey and even Amon with that irritating smile running at him with open arms. Really, that menace was having a little too much fun with his dismay. It's all his fault that this happened!
Benson was quick to pick Alice up so she wouldn’t get crushed, and she took the opportunity to hug Klein’s neck with one hand and her father’s with the other. Benson did the same, hugging his brother and daughter, while Melissa embraced Klein from the other side.
In the center of a hug of almost twenty people, Klein couldn’t help but laugh at the absurdity.
He had to admit, his friends liked to mess with him but they were still the best friends. They laughed together but also cried together and supported each other when times were dire.
He really couldn’t ask for better people by his side.
“…” His mind drifted to the Goddess and Mr. Azik singing praises to him.
‘But still.’
‘It was too embarrassing!!’