Under the dim yellow light, two neat rows of books were arranged on both sides of the desk. In the empty space between them, on a blank sheet of paper, a quill once again touched the surface.
Hastur planned to use 008 as a kind of cursed quill, the sort of object where whoever's name is written suffers misfortune or death.
He had already chosen the first target: Derby Augustus.
This guy had been staying with Mayor Ron in the city all along. Although he couldn't really obstruct Hastur's plans, having such a pair of eyes constantly watching him was deeply uncomfortable. It was time to find a way to make him run back to Backlund on his own.
Mm… he couldn't be killed yet. After all, he was a member of the royal family, and someone sent by the former Duke of Southville. If he died mysteriously, it would definitely trigger an investigation.
"Poor Derby Augustus. His life is like stepping into a pile of cow dung, good luck always runs in the opposite direction, while misfortune constantly clings to him."
"Irritable and restless, nothing ever goes right for him. He nearly chokes to death while eating bread, almost drowns while drinking wine, nearly gets hit by a carriage while walking. Even staying at home doesn't help, there's always some accident, like a servant accidentally setting the house on fire."
"Everything in Southville County is shrouded in bad luck for Derby Augustus. After repeated painful lessons, he grows fearful of the place, and in the end, under the excuse of not acclimating to the environment, he flees back to Backlund in disgrace, finally putting an end to his streak of misfortune."
After finishing, Hastur read it over twice and felt it was acceptable.
At that moment, beneath the sentence where he had stopped writing, another line of text appeared: "Regarding Derby Augustus's unfortunate life, we guarantee that all of this is due to his terrible luck, and absolutely not because of any force secretly arranging his fate."
Hastur smiled, then picked up the pen again and wrote: "How wide is the range you can currently influence?"
"Three big districts. After all, the city here is relatively small, far from the scale of Backlund."
Three districts… not enough to cover the entire Southville County. The effect was still limited.
Hastur felt somewhat dissatisfied. Another sentence appeared on the paper: "No matter how excellent a quill may be, it still needs to write in a proper book to display its truly astonishing capabilities."
"What book?"
"A prophetic book belonging to the Yellow-Robed Monks. It is a perfect match for me, my companion. With it, my range of influence can extend across the entire Southville County, and the effects will be greatly enhanced."
"A prophetic book?"
"That's what they call it. I usually refer to it as the Weaver of Fate. Writing on it with an ordinary quill allows one to manipulate destiny itself. It complements me perfectly, each enhancing the other."
Hastur didn't respond immediately. If he remembered correctly, 008's true soulmate was Grossel's Travels, a relic left behind by the Dragon of Imagination as a means of resurrection.
Tsk… now 008 had taken a liking to the Yellow-Robed Monks' prophetic book. Could this be considered emotional infidelity?
"Master, my dear master, you already have your own partner, how can you bear to leave me lonely and without support? Wuwuwu… I also long for a complete life."
"…" Hastur fell silent for a moment before writing: "Your master has always been fair in rewards and punishments. If you want something, you must offer something in return."
"Master, rest assured! I will make that unlucky fellow Derby Augustus roll back to Backlund within three days!"
"Finish it first. We'll talk afterward."
008 issued a firm pledge. Hastur looked at the nearly filled sheet of paper and placed 008 back into its specially made pen case, an item provided by Caius to conceal its aura.
To completely block any possible connection between 008 and Adam, all he needed to do was place 008 inside that golden box.
But Hastur had no intention of opening it for now. He would wait until he became a Sequence 4 demigod or a Sequence 2 angel before doing so.
Glancing at his pocket watch, it was nearly 10:30. Hastur went to soak in a bath for a while, then lay down on the bed and entered the Hall of Stars.
Today was already February 1st. Two months had passed since the last gathering in the Hall of Stars, and quite a lot had happened during that time.
In the Hall of Stars, chains of order extended outward, drawing in the Son of Chaos, the Mother Tree of Desire, and the Supernova Dominator.
The Son of Chaos seemed to have encountered something delightful recently. In a good mood, he lounged lazily against his chair.
"I've been enjoying quite the show lately, the battle between the two suns is truly interesting."
The Supernova Dominator's voice was deep and powerful: "The Eternal Blazing Sun's injuries have worsened again. Its authority continues to slip away. I still hold the absolute upper hand."
The Son of Chaos chuckled. "Yet that golden egg of yours is about to be shattered by Him, can it still be saved?"
"The phoenix can be reborn through fire. I, too, have my means of nirvana."
After speaking, the Supernova Dominator ignored the Son of Chaos and turned toward Hastur, who sat at the head seat watching the spectacle.
"Is Bernadette a believer of the Stars?"
"Yes." Hastur did not hide it. When Bernadette helped the Church of the Eternal Blazing Sun locate the hiding place of the Rose School, she had naturally entered the sight of both the Supernova Dominator and the Mother Tree of Desire.
The place chosen for the Rose School was enough to block the窥探 of the Seven Gods. Only the Stars, who observe all, could find them.
Hastur spoke calmly, "I have already given you plenty of time."
Although he only wanted to quietly celebrate the New Year, the result was that he had indeed delayed the outbreak of war.
The Supernova Dominator explained, "I have no intention of holding you accountable. I merely wished to confirm my suspicions."
At this moment, the Mother Tree of Desire glanced toward the silent Son of Chaos. "I recall you once said Bernadette was your believer?"
"Heh, my believer is the Stars' believer. Is there any difference?"
Although the Son of Chaos was clearly shaken by the revelation, his verbal sparring ability remained as sharp as ever.
The Supernova Dominator seized the moment. "Don't tell me you only found out today that Bernadette is a believer of the Stars?"
The Son of Chaos scoffed. "Do you think I'm as foolish as you? Long ago, when she repeatedly escaped the pursuit of that idiot son of the Mother Tree of Desire, I already guessed her true identity."
Trying to save face, even at the cost of looking ridiculous.
Hastur saw right through the Son of Chaos's stubbornness, there was no way he had known beforehand. Otherwise, he wouldn't have spent so much effort targeting Bernadette.
Perhaps the Supernova Dominator was right, he had only just learned the truth today.
It sounded a bit pitiful.
The Mother Tree of Desire and the Supernova Dominator had no interest in continuing the argument.
"The Mother Goddess of Depravity has once again asked me to convey her goodwill, and she is willing to pay a certain price for it," said the Mother Tree of Desire.
Goodwill?
Did that refer to the mad believer who would rather die than not drag him down as well?
Hastur did not ask what price was being offered. He simply smiled and let the topic pass as if nothing had happened.
The Son of Chaos sneered, "Heh, she's been trapped beyond the starry sky for so long. Most of her arrangements have failed. Her goodwill is certainly full of traps."
The Mother Tree of Desire and the Supernova Dominator silently agreed.
But then the Son of Chaos suddenly changed direction and aimed at the Mother Tree of Desire:
"Every time she asks you to pass on a message, she must be paying a hefty price. Shouldn't you take the initiative to hand over part of the benefits? If everyone behaved like you, the Stars gathering would become a joke."
Sharp words, and Hastur quite liked them. He could see the Son of Chaos's intent: to secure enough benefits for himself.
Such goodwill was much easier to accept than that of that high-dimensional observer.
This time, the Supernova Dominator did not defend the Mother Tree of Desire. On this matter, he agreed with the Son of Chaos.
"To show sincerity and atone, I can do my utmost to complete one task for the Stars, but only within the bounds of the original barrier," said the Mother Tree of Desire, taking a step back.
Hastur did not speak, but the Son of Chaos was dissatisfied. "You've harmed our shared interests. I also require compensation."
"Agreed." The Mother Tree of Desire retreated another step. This made both Hastur and the Son of Chaos realize that the Mother Goddess of Depravity must have offered something irresistible.
Perhaps something related to authority.
The Son of Chaos chuckled. "Forget it, I don't need it for now. Just record that compensation under the Stars."
Tsk… the Son of Chaos had grown smarter, this was clearly an attempt to curry favor with Hastur.
It seemed he had realized that if he wanted to return to the starry sky before the apocalypse, only Hastur could help him.
Shameless.
The Mother Tree of Desire glanced at him but said nothing.
After all, in his current situation, whether and when the Son of Chaos could return to the starry sky was entirely up to the Sovereign of Stars.
The Son of Chaos snorted lightly, ignoring the look.
Silence fell over the scene. Hastur knew it was time for him to speak.
"I have a believer who is very interested in that Witch card."
"I will complete the transaction as soon as possible," the Mother Tree of Desire replied, understanding immediately.
As for the other request, Hastur had yet to decide. For now, he had no need for the Mother Tree of Desire's assistance.
"The twin suns sink into the lake, and long shadows fall."
Hastur's gaze deliberately swept toward the Supernova Dominator.
The latter's tone turned serious. "Is this a prophecy of the Stars?"
"No. It's a line from a song."
"A song?" The Supernova Dominator sounded puzzled. A song mentioned by the Stars must carry deeper meaning.
"It is a song once sung by that indescribable being who tried to send something inside the barrier."
"It's Him."
The Mother Tree of Desire immediately understood and began to contemplate the line. Perhaps it was also a prophecy, one different from that of the Stars.