He was at once both suddenly moved and highly alert.

He glanced at the deck of cards, frowned slightly, and said, “Tarot?”

They looked like the tarot cards invented by Emperor Roselle, used for divination.

The lady lowered her head to take a look, gave a self-deprecating smile, and said, “Sorry, I grabbed the wrong one.”

She stuffed the twenty-two tarot cards back into her medium-sized handbag and took out another deck.

“This is also tarot, but it belongs to the Minor Arcana. You’re not qualified to draw from the Major Arcana yet, and I’m not qualified to let you…”

The Minor Arcana consists of fifty-six cards, made up of four ‘suits’: Cups, Wands, Swords, and Pentacles.

What is she talking about… Logan Smith was completely confused.

This lady looked both beautiful and elegant, but her actual behavior was rather abnormal; she seemed to have some mental issues.

“Draw one.” The lady, who seemed to be from a big city, shook the Minor Arcana cards in her hand and said with a smile, “It’s free, just give it a try, you don’t have to pay, and it might even help solve your dream problem.”

Logan Smith chuckled and said, “My sister once told me, the free things are the most expensive.”

“There’s some truth to that,” the lady thought for a moment and replied.

She placed the Minor Arcana cards next to the glass of light red wine, then continued, “But as long as you don’t pay no matter what, how could I, a stranger, possibly force you to pay in Kordu Village?”

That’s true… Drawing one won’t hurt… It’s so rare to get a clue about that dream, how could I not try… But could this involve a witch’s curse… Should I ask Audrey Miller for help? Logan Smith’s mind was in turmoil, unable to make a decision for the moment.

The lady didn’t rush him either.

After more than ten seconds, Logan Smith slowly leaned forward, reached out his right hand, shuffled the Minor Arcana deck, and drew a card from the middle.

“Seven of Wands,” the elegant lady glanced at the card.

On the card, a resolute-faced man in green stood atop a mountain, holding a wand, fending off six wands attacking from below.

“What does this mean?” Logan Smith asked.

The lady smiled:

“Interpret it yourself based on the picture—crisis, challenge, confrontation, courage, and so on, and so on.

“Of course, none of that is important. What matters is that this card is now yours. When fate arrives, you’ll discover its true meaning.”

“You’re giving it to me?” Logan Smith grew even more puzzled.

Could this card really be cursed?

The lady put away the remaining Minor Arcana cards, picked up her wine glass, and finished the little red wine left inside.

She ignored Logan Smith’s question and strolled toward the stairs on the side of the old tavern, heading up to the second floor.

Clearly, she lived there.

Logan Smith wanted to follow, but after taking just one step, he stopped, his thoughts surging:

Is this really just an ordinary card?

She gave me this card, so that deck will always be missing one, and can’t be used anymore?

Audrey Miller should be able to spot any problems…

At that moment, Raymond Craig came over:

“What’s up?”

“Nothing, that outsider is really quite good-looking.” Logan Smith replied casually.

“I still think your sister Audrey Miller is prettier,” Raymond Craig immediately lowered his voice, “Logan Smith, what should we do next? My grandpa’s been dead for a long time.”

Eager to get home, Logan Smith thought for a moment and said, “First, find some elderly people who are about your grandpa’s age and still alive to ask, second, check the church’s registry—uh, let’s save that for last.”

Thinking of how he’d just ruined the local priest’s plans, Logan Smith felt he should avoid the church unless absolutely necessary for now.

—In a rural place like Kordu Village, which only has one church, the church takes on some government functions due to the lack of administrative staff, such as recording funerals and marriages.

Before Raymond Craig could ask again, Logan Smith added, “Let’s split up and see which elders fit the criteria, and ask them tomorrow.”

“Alright.” Raymond Craig agreed immediately.

……

Inside a semi-basement two-story building.

After listening to Logan Smith’s account, Audrey Miller carefully examined the “Wand” card for a while and said, “It really is just an ordinary card. I didn’t sense any curse or anything unusual.”

“Audrey Miller, uh, sis, what do you think that outsider wants? How did she know I was having those dreams?” Logan Smith asked.

Audrey Miller shook her head:

“Since she’s already revealed her hand, that’s actually not so bad.

“These next few days, I’ll ‘observe’ her carefully.

“Hmm… You keep this card for now, maybe something will change. Don’t worry, I’ll keep an eye on it.”

“Okay.” Logan Smith tried his best to relax.

……

Nighttime.

Logan Smith stuffed the “Wand” card into the clothes hanging on the back of his chair, then got into bed and closed his eyes to sleep.

He didn’t know how much time had passed, but in a daze, he seemed to see that gray mist again.

Suddenly, his whole body shuddered, and he “woke up” in the dream.

He felt himself regain clarity and recover his reason.