The Shadow of Great Britain

Chapter 981: Chapter 50 Devil’s Trick_2

Some say this person is the martyr Saint Peter. You must know, before Jesus ascended, he appointed him as the dean to shepherd his flock. Later, Peter, in order to fulfill the mission as the chief apostle, preached the gospel, disregarded others’ dissuasion, and traveled alone to Rome during religious difficulties, ultimately being martyred by being nailed upside down on a cross by the Roman Emperor Nero.

But regardless of whether it’s Prometheus or Saint Peter, the hanged man represents the need for great sacrifice and compromise for a broader goal. Meanwhile, the hanged man, with his head down and feet up, also symbolizes viewing the world from a different perspective, requiring calm contemplation, reflection on one’s past, and then stepping forward.

In addition, the hanged man also represents an attitude of compliance with destiny, calmly facing the dangers and opportunities that come. Do not recklessly fight against irreversible laws and rules. It is important to understand the higher controlling forces; humankind overcoming nature cannot be achieved from the material level. To accomplish something more difficult may require a higher spiritual cost.

Ugh… perhaps saying it like this is somewhat negative, but overall, the hanged man indeed is a very worldly card, whose thoughts and vision differ from the secular, possibly unrecognized or misunderstood, hence often suffering from distortion and unfair treatment, bearing much stigma and arbitrary accusations.

Just like Prometheus and Saint Peter, Prometheus stole fire and was mocked by the gods, Saint Peter willingly accepted crucifixion and was laughed at, yet they always maintained a steadfast attitude, and secular mortals have always taken a long time to understand them.

Although the words were spoken by Miss DelaSalle, Arthur understood very well who was really in control of the cards.

Agares was playing riddles with him again.

Arthur lightly pursed his lips, raised an eyebrow and smiled, replying: “It seems my future won’t be any smoother than my past.”

After saying this, Arthur got up to bid farewell to Miss DelaSalle.

In fact, the carriage had already stopped when the second card was being interpreted, but out of courtesy, he patiently listened to every word of this banker’s daughter.

“It was a pleasure chatting with you tonight, Miss DelaSalle. It’s a pity the journey was too short. Next time if there’s a chance, I’d like to have you read something else for me.”

“What else would you like to know?” Miss DelaSalle’s eyes sparkled with moonlight, and she seemed a bit expectant.

Arthur glanced at the entrance of his hotel, where a group of soldiers surrounded the anxious Mr. Louis Bonaparte, pacing outside.

It was obvious that tonight’s explosion case had unsettled Louis, who was indeed very worried after discovering Arthur was missing.

Arthur pointed his thumb at Louis and teased: “Why don’t you tell me if someone like him can become Emperor one day?”

Miss DelaSalle originally thought Arthur was just joking, until Arthur got off the carriage, she turned to look out the window and noticed the unusual scene.

“My God! Isn’t that… Louis Bonaparte?”

Miss DelaSalle watched the young gentleman from London walk straight towards Napoleon’s nephew. Louis, upon seeing the lively Arthur, let out a sigh of relief, and then walked towards him with a broad smile to chat.

Arthur Hastings, what is his true identity?

This indeed was a puzzle.

This question troubled not only Arthur’s neighbors near London Hyde Park for a long time but now was taking root in Paris as well.

Distracted, Miss DelaSalle casually drew a card from the remaining Tarot cards.

It was a young man in a red robe, right hand holding a wand high towards the sky, left index finger pointing to the ground, symbolizing his ability to communicate with both heaven and earth. The inverted eight symbol above his head represented infinity.

His red robe signified passion and initiative, the white garment underneath represented purity and wisdom, while a purple snake coiled around his waist. Some gypsies say this snake is the very evil snake that tempted Adam and Eve to eat the forbidden fruit.

On the table before the man were a wand, a chalice, a sword, and coins, symbolizing the four elements, representing correct motives, clear plans, abundant enthusiasm, and strong and powerful execution respectively.

Major Arcana Card No. 01 – Element of Air, the Magician.

Miss DelaSalle held up the card in the moonlight, contemplating her own interpretation of it.

“The elegant gentlemanly demeanor, the flawless personal performance, the freewheeling magician. All the good is already laid bare, the wand, attire, chalice, sword, and coins all match. But beware of the snake around the waist, as the surface performance is all illusion, and the inner truth is yet unknown. The Magician, a worker of miracles, an emblem of illusion. If he is to be stabilized, the Element of Earth is still needed.”

The Red Devil, sipping his drink in the moonlight as he listened to Miss DelaSalle’s riddle solution: “Very good analysis, my dear Emily, studying the ancient wisdom of the gypsies, you’re much easier to guide than that little bastard Arthur. Listen to the Devil, has Professor Agares ever let you suffer a loss?”

…

Arthur did not yet know what had happened. To him, compared to tonight’s bombing incident, the Tarot reading in the carriage was at most an insignificant interlude.

After seeing the Royalists from Brittany and Vendee, others saw danger, but he saw the opportunity for the Bonaparte Family to rise again.

Arthur and Louis went upstairs and sat down in the room.

“Arthur, it’s so good you’re alright. Weren’t Alexander and Mr. Victor with you?”

Arthur poured a cup of tea, still pondering on how to bring up tonight’s events to Louis.

“Alexander and Mr. Victor should be at the Great Paris Police Hall by now.”

“The Great Paris Police Hall? What are they doing there?”

Arthur added some milk to the tea: “They arrested the assassin. Mr. Victor’s Breaux Detective Agency should be making a big splash now.”

“They captured the assassin?!” Louis was initially stunned, then exclaimed: “So, today’s explosion was really done by the Juans from Vendee?”

Arthur gestured for him to sit down: “Louis, that’s not important. What’s important is that I just had a short stay at the Juans’ base. You know, their explosion this time was at best a spur-of-the-moment act, a crime of passion assassination. I previously thought that as long as the news about the Duchess of Berry soon remarrying got out, they would quickly fall apart after losing their spiritual leader. But now it seems that the Juans’ collapse is only because, after losing the Duchess of Berry, they lack a unified banner. Furthermore, they don’t even care who that banner is.”

Louis was speechless for a moment: “Arthur, what do you mean by this?”

Seeing he didn’t understand, Arthur recounted everything he saw and heard at the Juans’ base today.

“The peasants of Vendee and Brittany do not care who leads them, as long as this person can achieve their goals, exact revenge on the republicans for them, protect their religious beliefs, reduce their agricultural taxes, and allow them to continue living the life they have enjoyed for the past hundreds of years, they will support whoever does that. In the past, everyone’s attention was captivated by the brilliance of Paris and they have neglected these marginal areas. If you can get these simple peasants on your side, you won’t need to mingle with those opportunists anymore.”