A proud Wise Man pores over a difficult text about two "living countries," one visible and one invisible, when a ragged Fool interrupts him asking for pennies. Their strange exchange sets learned certainty against intuitive insight, as the Fool speaks of a world still haunted by angels, luck, and hidden truths. The Wise Man dismisses such beliefs as nonsense, boasting that reason and the seven sciences have overthrown faith—until an Angel appears with a warning that his hour has come. Told he will die within the hour for denying heaven, purgatory, and all spiritual truth, the Wise Man is thrown into fear and repentance. He begs forgiveness and is given one last chance: if he can find even a single true believer before the hourglass runs out, he may yet be saved after purgatory. But when he summons his pupils, they only echo the skeptical lessons he taught them. As the Fool returns, the Wise Man finally sees that his own teaching has emptied the room of belief. In a last act of humility, he confesses his ignorance and proclaims the truths he once rejected: God exists, heaven is real, and death holds more than one kind of fire. This edition has been fully restored with modern typesetting, custom cover design.