Night.
Hastur took down the paper crane hanging by the study window, placed it in his palm, and fell into sleep.
After a while, Will appeared, rubbing his eyes, wearing a blue floral pajama.
"Can't we meet a bit earlier next time? It's already eleven. I still need sleep for my growth, you know."
Hastur quietly listened to Will's complaint before replying, "I'm used to handling matters around this time. I'll try to adjust next time."
"So, what's the matter tonight?"
"I need the main beyonder material for Sequence 6, 'Baron of Corruption.' Where can I get it more easily?"
Will pursed his lips. "Aren't you on good terms with Bernadette? Just buy it from her. She killed quite a few nobles back when she roamed the seas. Not sure if she's sold all the materials, though."
"What about other sources?"
"The Loen royal family, the Negan's… and a fallen noble like yourself."
"Tell me about that fallen noble." Hastur's interest was piqued.
He had already asked Sharon about Bernadette, she no longer had any Baron of Corruption materials; she'd sold them all off for money.
The Loen royal family? Definitely off-limits for now.
Before he'd fully grown, stepping into their sights as a Beyonder would do him no good.
The Negan family? The moment he tried to trade with them, they'd probably report to the crown.
Greg could be trusted, but if he sold something to Hastur, the Duke and his people would find out anyway.
"Count Jill," Will said, "he's dying, three months at most. If you can wait, you could just take his Beyonder characteristic after he passes."
"That simple?"
"He's a follower of the Church of Steam and Machinery. When he dies, the Church will send people to retrieve his characteristic."
"Why not the royal family?"
Will gave a short, disdainful laugh. "Once you join the Church, everything you own belongs to it. If the royal family wants it, they'll have to negotiate with the Church."
Hastur nodded slightly. He'd already decided to steal Count Jill's Beyonder characteristic himself, it would be fast and, best of all, free.
As for the Church of Steam and Machinery, he'd already stolen an Emperor card from them once. Losing another thing or two shouldn't matter.
"Do you know where I can find an Beyonder from the Witch path?"
Will didn't answer immediately. He looked Hastur up and down and sighed. "What, you already want to taste what a witch is like?"
"…"
The corner of Hastur's mouth twitched. He had zero desire to "taste" a witch. Who knew if they were even male or female to begin with?
Just the thought made him feel uncomfortable all over.
"I recently adopted a little black cat, Ariella. I want to raise her into an Beyonder creature."
Will gawked. "Ah, so that's your type!"
"…" Hastur was speechless, but curiosity got the better of him. "Can it really turn into a human at higher Sequences?"
"It should be possible. Gender has never been an issue for the Witch path. Species probably isn't either."
"You're not sure?"
Will rolled his eyes. "What kind of idiot would waste so many resources raising an ordinary cat to a high Sequence? Besides, the risk of losing control for an Beyonder creature is much higher than for a normal person. Forget high Sequence, it might not even survive its first potion."
Then, with a trace of envy, he added, "Not everyone can afford to do what you do."
"...I'm still human."
"Why get hung up on that word? The further you go, the less human you'll be anyway."
"…" Though Hastur knew Will was right, it still sounded off.
After thinking for a bit, he asked, "Why is Ouroboros so handsome, while you're... cute?"
"…" A vein popped on Will's forehead. His voice shot up. "That stupid snake? Compare me to him? He's always looked the same. I, on the other hand, have lived countless lives in countless forms!"
"So… was there ever one where you looked better than him?"
"…" Will fell silent.
Ah, so he's never beaten Ouroboros in looks.
No wonder he keeps mocking that snake's intelligence.
Knowing the answer, Hastur decided not to tease further. "Back to business, do you know where a Witch Sect Beyonder is?"
Will gave a small hum. "Of course I do. She's in Backlund."
"Oh? Tell me more."
"The 'White Saintess', that old hag, happens to be there now. With your looks, getting a potion formula from her shouldn't be hard. Please her enough, and she might even give you Sequence 8 or 7 formulas."
"…" Hastur knew of the White Saintess, Sequence 3 of the Witch pathway.
There was no way he'd sell himself for a formula.
Will was clearly teasing him on purpose.
Hastur forced a dry laugh. "Anyone else from the Witch pathway?"
"What, you don't like older women?" Will smirked. "Katrina is old, but she's well-maintained, looks barely over twenty. That face of hers is exquisite, her eyes are both seductive and innocent, and she loves walking around in pure white robes. You'd have a hard time keeping your composure, boy."
"...Have you tried?"
"…" Will's face darkened. "It's late. I'm going back to bed. Don't bother me unless it's important."
Hastur quickly apologized, offering enough flattery to stop the argument before it got worse.
After a while, Will finally said, "Actually, getting the Assassin potion formula isn't that hard. That Mrs. Germani seems to have some connection to the Witch Sect."
"…" Ignoring Hastur's blank stare, Will left the dream with a laugh.
"Mrs. Germani... she doesn't seem like someone from the Witch Sect."
Leaving the dream, Hastur still mulled over Will's final words.
He didn't like Mrs. Germani much, but he'd never thought of her as a witch.
She was beautiful and graceful, yes, but far from possessing that innate, bewitching allure that could stir one's deepest desires.
"Maybe she's not a Witch herself, just someone who knows one."
That seemed the most likely explanation. If she were a Witch, Will's teasing nature would've made sure to mention it.
After pondering for a while, Hastur decided this lead wasn't reliable. He'd need another way.
"Sigh… I really shouldn't have provoked Will earlier. He definitely knows other ways to get the Assassin potion formula."
Hastur sighed, rested for a bit, then entered the Palace of Stars.
He scanned the constellations as usual, nothing unusual, then logged off and went to sleep.
....
Tingen, Blackthorn Security Company.
Klein could finally get out of bed. Though still weak, his stomach had stopped acting up.
A bit of rest and he'd be fine.
"So hungry…" The first thing he thought of was food.
The past few days had been miserable, he hadn't dared to eat much, and his appetite was gone.
He'd been living off thin porridge and soup, no meat at all. Now that he was recovering, his stomach felt hollow, ready to devour itself.
Scanning the room, he saw nothing edible except some fruit.
Knock knock knock!
Just as he wondered whether to eat the fruit, someone knocked.
And along with it, came the aroma of food.
Klein's face lit up, and he rushed to open the door.
It was Leonard, carrying a bag of takeout.
"Look at those eyes, you're practically drooling already." Leonard chuckled and handed him the food.
"I think I could eat an entire chicken right now." Klein unpacked the bag as he spoke.
"Too bad there's no chicken leg here, or I'd roast one for you."
Leonard sat down, watching Klein dive into the meal. "Don't eat too fast. Choking to death isn't a good way to go."
Klein ignored the teasing, eyes gleaming green as he looked at the feast before him,
Black pepper steak, pan-fried fish, mashed potatoes with sausage, buttered bread, apple juice, and even ice cream.
"Relax, I supervised the whole cooking process myself," Leonard said reassuringly.
Klein didn't bother replying, he was already waging war on the food.
Only after he'd eaten more than half did Leonard start talking about the latest happenings in Tingen.