Speaking of it, Hastur himself also bore a certain responsibility in this matter.
If he had not gone to spy on the High-Dimensional Overlooker, given Its temperament, It might not necessarily have descended upon Backlund.
If he had not interfered in Chief Reed's affairs, perhaps none of this would have happened.
Of course, if he had not interfered, perhaps Chief Reed's wife would have died on the operating table.
After his excitement subsided, Chief Reed said with deep emotion, "I've always been waiting for you, Baron, to give my newborn child a suitable name."
"Yes, I've always remembered this matter."
"My poor child is not by my side right now…" Chief Reed's body trembled slightly, and he let out a heavy sigh.
"It's fine. No matter where he is, as long as you keep him in your hearts, he will always be with you."
Hastur thought to himself that if that white crystalline eyeball floating high in the sky had not been struck down by the Lord of Storms, perhaps the High-Dimensional Overlooker would be staring at this place right now.
"I've always held onto this belief as well. They kept telling me that my child had already died in that turmoil, but I never believed he would die like that, and he truly did respond to my expectations."
Hearing this, a chill rose in Hastur's heart.
As expected, the reason the High-Dimensional Overlooker had spared Chief Reed and his wife back then was because it had left some kind of backup on them, one that was not easy to discover.
"What does he look like now?" Hastur had not forgotten the purpose for which Klein and the others had invited him to come and chat with Chief Reed.
"He has already grown into an adult, a very outstanding young man. He's on the sea now, and his captain treats him very well, listening to him in everything…"
Chief Reed said a great deal, yet never mentioned his child's specific appearance or facial features.
This left Klein and the others who were listening completely confused.
But Hastur was already certain that Chief Reed had truly seen the present High-Dimensional Overlooker.
Otherwise, it would have been impossible for him to know that the High-Dimensional Overlooker was now at sea.
Hastur had once seen the High-Dimensional Overlooker's true appearance, but he had no intention of telling Klein and the others.
Even if they knew of the High-Dimensional Overlooker's existence, who could deal with it?
Before, it had only been in an infant form. Now, it had already grown into a youth.
Hastur guessed that the strength of this incarnation of the High-Dimensional Overlooker might even be comparable to Adam.
With such power, even a god's descent would be unable to deal with it.
The more Klein and the others knew, the more dangerous it would be.
Moreover, even Chief Reed himself could not clearly describe the High-Dimensional Overlooker's appearance, so there was even less reason for him to know.
"That's really good. He already has his own career," Hastur said with a sigh.
"Yes, he doesn't need us to worry about him. He's grown up and has his own ideas. That makes me feel relieved, yet also very guilty, I couldn't be with him as he grew up."
"Did he say when he would come back to see you?"
"He didn't give me an exact date. I think that once he gets tired of playing outside, he'll come back on his own."
Chief Reed was very certain about this, but to Klein and the others, these words sounded like pure mental instability, talking to himself.
In their view, the so-called child had long since died. Chief Reed had constructed a new child within his own mental world, one who had already grown into an adult and gone out to make his way in the world.
That was why Chief Reed could not remember his child's specific appearance, because all of it was fictional, nonexistent, absolutely unreal.
"Then when he comes back, I'll give him a name," Hastur said, intending to postpone the matter.
"Of course. This is his name, he has the right to know. After all, his parents are not dictators who disregard their child's feelings."
After chatting idly with Chief Reed for a while longer, Leonard gave Hastur a look, signaling him to stop for the time being.
"I'll go to the washroom." Hastur found an excuse to leave. Once he walked out of the small courtyard, Leonard and the others gathered around him.
"I've already done my best."
"We understand. We just need you to help ask Chief Reed once more whether there have been any unusual changes with his eyes."
"I can, but I hope this will be the last round of questioning."
"Alright."
After receiving their assurance, Hastur walked back into the small courtyard and came before Chief Reed again.
"Do you still remember Doctor John from before?"
"I remember. It was he who helped my wife turn the corner and successfully give birth to our child."
"He's also very skilled with illnesses related to the eyes. I'd like to have him come and examine your eyes, to see if you can regain your sight."
Chief Reed smiled and said, "Thank you for your kindness, but I'm already used to living like this, and I don't feel it's inconvenient in any way."
"With eyes that can't clearly see the world, how can you see your own child?"
"No, no, you misunderstand. It's only when I close my eyes that I can see my child."
Hastur used some more words persuading or subtly probing Chief Reed about issues related to his eyes, but unfortunately, the effect was minimal.
Chief Reed was very satisfied with the state of his blindness. He did not consider it an illness at all, but rather a blessing, a blessing bestowed by his child.
Hastur showed no abnormality on his face, yet inwardly he was suspicious, could the blind state of Chief Reed and his wife be a new Beyonder pathway sequence?
Sequence 9: Blind man? Blind Person?
Last time, he had already seen most of the Beyonder pathway of the Yellow-Robed Monks. The appearance of another new pathway was nothing strange.
He had long suspected that the High-Dimensional Overseer might be about to spread a doctrine. The emergence of a new Beyonder pathway at this time further confirmed his thoughts.
Could it be that Chief Reed and his wife were the pontiffs chosen by the High-Dimensional Overseer?
Hastur gave Chief Reed a deep look, said nothing more, and left with the excuse that he was busy with affairs.
In order to remain ready to help at any time, he did not shut the door completely, only saying that he would come back to check on him again if he had the time.
After leaving the small courtyard, Klein said, "Thank you for your help."
Hastur replied in a rather regretful tone, "Unfortunately, I didn't manage to help much."
Leonard smiled. "Hastur, at the very least, you helped us confirm one thing, Chief Reed really does have mental issues."
After thinking for a moment, Hastur said, "Chief Reed is my friend. If possible, could you have someone pay more attention to his daily care?"
Klein turned his gaze toward the director of the nursing home, who quickly stated, "This is already the focus of our next stage of work."
After a bit more casual conversation, Hastur took out an ultra-luxurious pocket watch with a gold base, inlaid with all kinds of gemstones, something he had deliberately chosen before heading out.
The main point was wealth, extravagance, and showing off.
Klein's eyelids twitched as he thought, This pocket watch must be worth at least several hundred pounds, right?
The information clearly said that the Campbell family had already declined, yet they were still so wealthy. Truly worthy of being a Loen noble living in Backlund.
"I'm very sorry, but I need to go back and rest. I still have matters to deal with tomorrow."
Hastur bade farewell and prepared to leave. Klein glanced at Leonard and said, "Leonard, you can see Baron Campbell back."
"..." Leonard's smile froze on his face. Why him, of all times!
"I've also been meaning to have a one-on-one chat with you for a while. This arrangement is just right." Hastur gave Leonard no room to refuse.
Ever since he arrived at the nursing home, he had noticed Leonard's evasive glances, and how he often deliberately avoided his questions.
It seemed there was some secret he was afraid of being discovered.
Especially at a time like this, being the first friend to know him, Leonard should have proactively offered to see him home. Yet not only did he not do so, he even seemed very unwilling.
This made Hastur think of that Unageing witch, Seraphina.
Could it be that Leonard already knew that the pitiful, innocent, and kind Miss Seraphina he admired was actually an Unageing witch who had lived for thousands of years?
"Captain Klein, I look forward to our next meeting." Leaving behind those final words, Hastur boarded the carriage together with the unwilling Leonard.
Inside the carriage, Hastur and Leonard sat facing each other.
While Hastur was still considering how to ask in order to draw out information about Seraphina, Leonard hurriedly spoke first, rambling on about various trivial daily matters he had encountered during this period.
So there really is something going on.
The corners of Hastur's mouth lifted slightly as he chose to listen in silence.
There was still some distance from the nursing home to his residence, he wanted to see just how long Leonard could keep rambling.
When Leonard was starting to feel a bit dry-mouthed, Hastur asked curiously, "How has your relationship with Miss Seraphina been progressing lately?"
"So-so."
"That doesn't seem right. From what I saw, Miss Seraphina was quite fond of you. I even thought you two often went out on dates, especially at night."
"Hahaha…" Leonard laughed awkwardly, trying to gloss over the matter.
The smile on Hastur's face grew even wider. He was already certain, Leonard definitely knew that Seraphina was a witch!
Otherwise, judging by his previous infatuation with Seraphina, even if Hastur hadn't mentioned her, Leonard would have proactively shared the sweet progress of his romance.
The way he was now made it obvious that he had been frightened by Seraphina's true identity, perhaps it had even left a psychological shadow.
"Have you two really not had any deeper communication recently?"
Hastur deliberately asked in a teasing, joking tone.
Leonard forced a stiff smile onto his face and said awkwardly, "Seraphina is a very nice girl, but she's not suitable for me. It's already over between us. It was a relationship filled with regret."
"I could step in and organize a dinner for you two, so you can talk it out again."
"No, no need! Cough, I mean, you don't have to go through so much trouble. Feelings are better left to take their natural course."
Leonard already felt his back soaked with cold sweat. If Seraphina caught him again, he had no confidence he could escape a second time.
Having successfully satisfied his curiosity, Hastur tried hard to suppress his sense of delight and did not further provoke Leonard.
These things had to be handled slowly.
If he said too much at once, Leonard might just give up entirely and spill everything, then it wouldn't be any fun at all.