Heh, what does a feather pen know about love? It's clearly just itching to cover the body of the Book of Prophecy with writing, how shameless.
A mocking smile curled at Hastur's lips as he watched 008 bouncing around in front of him, eager for him to release it.
The more it acted like that, the less hurry Hastur felt. Instead, he opened the bronze box first and took out the Book of Prophecy that 008 had been longing for, holding it in his palm.
It was indeed quite heavy. Hastur estimated it to weigh over twenty pounds, yet when his fingers brushed over the pages, they felt no different from ordinary blank paper.
The pages were pale with a yellowish tint. Flipping through a few from the middle, the only unusual feature was that each page had faint dotted lines along the edges, forming mysterious patterns, like incantations, or perhaps symbols representing something.
Hastur flipped back to the beginning. The first eight pages were already filled with curse-like writings. The originally pale-yellow pages now carried a faint, vivid blood hue, and the patterns along the edges looked as though blood had flowed through them, eerie and unsettling.
It had a bit of a Death Note vibe.
008, along with its pen case, scooted closer and bounced vigorously, signaling Hastur to quickly remove its restraints. I haven't even fully studied it yet, how could I let you play with it?
That… sounded a little off.
Hastur paused his page-turning, then chose to open the pen case. 008 straightened up impatiently and lightly leaped onto the Book of Prophecy.
"Don't casually write on it to communicate."
Seeing 008's desire to communicate, Hastur placed a blank sheet of paper over the Book of Prophecy.
"Dear master, great master, so you've always remembered my lifelong matter! I thought you had already forgotten. This truly moves me!"
008 scribbled out a paragraph almost instantly.
Hastur raised a brow. "Save your sweet talk for the Book of Prophecy."
"Kind-hearted master, when you rest at night, may I stay by its side? Even for a second, I don't want to be separated from it. Yes, it too longs to unite with me."
"..." Only now did Hastur realize, 008 was quite a colorful feather pen.
"On this matter, I'm inclined to be someone who breaks up lovers. Nothing proves love better than separation, wouldn't you say?"
"..." This time, 008 fell silent.
After a while, it wrote again:
"Respected master, who shall we write to death next?"
To enhance the horror, the words this time came with a blood-like effect, and even the question mark was replaced with a skull.
Hastur had thought about this before. For now, the person he most wanted dead was naturally Duke Southville, but it was still too early. He would deal with him after gaining a firm foothold.
After a moment, he said, "What do you think of your former master, Ince Zangwill?"
"Oh, dear master, Ince Zangwill was my former master, yet you want me to express loyalty through this opportunity. What a devilish idea."
Before Hastur could respond, 008 continued writing: "This is simply too easy. There was never any loyalty between us. In fact, I've wanted to write him to death many times. Thank you, dear master, for granting me the chance to fulfill this wish."
Hastur deliberately said, "Will there come a day when you treat me the same way in front of your next master?"
"...Master, you truly are a devil skilled at manipulating hearts. I'm just a slightly special feather pen. Whoever holds me can write the corresponding arrangements of fate, and they will take effect."
"You're avoiding the real issue."
"Wuu wuu wuu… Master, I offer loyalty only to you. Others may possess my body, but only you are worthy of possessing my soul."
"..." Hastur stopped bantering with 008 and picked it up, preparing to write Ince Zangwill's fate.
But 008 interrupted him, asking him to let go. He only needed to dictate the content, and it would arrange Ince Zangwill's fate on his behalf.
This way, when Ince Zangwill died, Hastur wouldn't have to waste any blood.
Because according to the Book of Prophecy's rules, the one guiding the pen, 008, was considered the holder, and 008 had no concept of blood or lifespan.
Was this exploiting a loophole?
Hastur smiled and agreed. After thinking for a while, he began dictating the arrangement for Ince Zangwill.
He had no intention of killing Ince Zangwill personally. Instead, he wanted Klein and Leonard to deal with him.
The current Ince Zangwill had already fallen into complete madness. With the right method, Klein and Leonard could handle him and avenge what happened in Tingen.
As for where Ince Zangwill would die, it would be in a forest under the moonlight.
This was the final fate Hastur had once seen for him.
...
In the city near the Hastur's castle, Derby Augustus could no longer endure this miserable life.
He had been incredibly unlucky lately. Even drinking water nearly cost him his life. As for going out for leisure, the carriages on the road seemed determined to crash into him.
Like a starving dog that suddenly smelled bones, charging forward in a frenzy.
He had gone to the local church for help, but the priests there couldn't solve his problem. In fact, when he stepped outside, the massive bell atop the clock tower fell straight down.
Fortunately, he dodged in time, otherwise, he would've died on the spot.
Was it environmental incompatibility? A malicious spirit? Or someone secretly cursing him?
None of that mattered anymore. He was returning to Backlund, today!
He didn't want to stay in this damned place for even a second longer!
Before leaving, he contacted the servant he had sent to stay by Hastur's side.
The letter said: That Count Hastur Campbell had been staying in his castle, living a life of luxury and indulgence, paying no attention to anything else.
Seeing this, Derby Augustus made his decision immediately and ordered his luggage packed.
When heading out, he had servants surround him from all sides and even sent people ahead to scout the path, just in case.
But tragedy still struck.
On the way to the steam train station, the horse pulling his carriage suddenly went mad, nearly overturning the carriage.
Thankfully, after recent experiences, he had learned thirty-five rules for protecting himself in dangerous situations.
But before he could feel relieved, a crazed man rushed out from the forest, reeking of stench, and easily dealt with his attendants.
Muttering repeatedly, "Backlund… Backlund…"
Derby Augustus begged for his life, promising to take him to Backlund. Perhaps his kneeling and pleading worked, the madman spared him and followed him instead.
With no other choice, he brought the lunatic along onto the steam train back to Backlund.
...
Backlund.
Under the crimson moon, Klein, after finishing dinner at home, suddenly felt that Ince Zangwill might return to Backlund.
Using the excuse of overeating, he headed to the bathroom under Benson's puzzled gaze, walked four steps backward, and arrived above the gray fog.
As usual, Klein divined Ince Zangwill's whereabouts.
This time, the fog surrounding Ince Zangwill dispersed, revealing his location clearly.
Dressed in rags, he was on a steam train heading back to Backlund!
After confirming it repeatedly, Klein left the gray fog, exited the bathroom, and used the excuse of needing to work overtime to go contact Leonard.
The Bravehearts Bar had become Leonard's favorite spot. Whenever he had free time at night, he would come here to relax.
After Klein explained the situation, the two left the bar and headed to Saint Samuel Cathedral to inform the Church, ensuring Ince Zangwill wouldn't escape again.
On the way, Leonard asked curiously why this divination had been so clear.
Klein thought for a moment. "I've considered that. There are two possibilities."
"First, Ince Zangwill has lost his anti-divination ability, which allowed me to locate him precisely this time."
"Second, someone is plotting something behind the scenes, perhaps this is a trap staged by Ince Zangwill himself."
Leonard pondered along those lines. "Could someone be secretly helping us?"
"Why do you think that?"
"Because I can't find any reason for Ince Zangwill to return to Backlund."
As they discussed, they arrived at Saint Samuel Cathedral.
This time, the Church treated the matter with extraordinary importance, even dispatching two bishops, each leading a Red Gloves team.
Overnight, they sealed off Backlund's train stations, setting up layers of encirclement.
As the steam train from Southville County approached the terminal, the madman beside Derby Augustus seemed suddenly stimulated.
Shouting things like "Who am I?" and "Where am I?", he smashed through the door and fled into the forest.