Chapter 287: Chapter 287: 008: Master, the Paranoid One is Coming!
Chapter 287: 008: Master, the Paranoid One is Coming!
Upon returning to the castle, Caius hurried over, reporting that over a thousand people had signed up to treat Aisala's acclimatization issues.
Hastur calmly said, "Let those who wish to provide treatment solutions pay a registration fee of 1 gold pound."
Caius was taken aback. How could they charge for such a thing?
"This is called filtering, to prevent some people from coming just to cause trouble."
Caius thought it made sense and arranged for the matter, setting the location in the nearby town of Moira.
...
Three days later, Moira, already in the midst of the Festival of Sacrifice, welcomed another group of contestants aiming to win 1,000 gold pounds, along with some who came out of curiosity.
Although many had not seen the lord in person, the reputation of Count Hastur Campbell, the new lord, had already spread.
This was one of the reasons Hastur posted this seemingly playful announcement, akin to buying a horse's bones with a thousand gold pounds.
Spending 1,000 gold pounds to make a name for himself was worth it. If he wanted to manipulate the results, he could save the 1,000 gold pounds and still earn some registration fees.
According to Caius's statistics, only 173 contestants were willing to pay the 1 gold pound registration fee.
Hastur instructed Caius to use this money to cover some of the food and lodging expenses for those who came from afar, contributing to the town's economic prosperity.
When old Jeff accompanied the new mayor to see Hastur standing on the high platform, his face was even more worried, sighing heavily. What a good son-in-law, such a pity.
Aisala lay bored in front of Hastur, eyes closed, looking listless but actually just dozing off.
The contestants below could only observe Aisala from a distance and then write their answers on slips of paper within the allotted time.
As for who would win the 1,000 gold pounds, Hastur let Aisala randomly pick a lucky winner.
That was the plan, but Aisala's nose twitched, and she suddenly opened her eyes, leaping into the crowd, darting left and right, and climbing onto someone's shoulder.
Sharon, she had also come to participate in this little event.
Hastur had no choice but to announce Sharon as the winner of the 1,000 gold pounds, refunding the 1 gold pound registration fee to the less fortunate contestants and allowing them to eat freely in the town for a day.
As for fair rules, they are always meant to be broken.
Afterward, Hastur chatted with the mayor of Moira for a bit before returning to the castle under old Jeff's complex gaze.
On the way, Hastur asked Sharon why she returned on time.
Sharon, holding the contented Aisala, said calmly, "1,000 gold pounds is quite a fortune."
"Meow?"
"Even Aisala doesn't believe your excuse... Did you really think something happened to Aisala?"
Sharon didn't respond, just slightly turned her head, "Recently, a ship carrying a demigod-level mummy will pass through Puning Port in South Wales."
"It really came."
Sharon turned back, her eyes revealing a hint of disbelief, "You knew about this?"
Hastur smiled, "I was just playing a game with 008, didn't expect a ship carrying a mummy to arrive in South Wales, maybe it's just a coincidence."
To help Sharon advance to Sequence 4, Hastur had indeed written a script with 008 once, using his destiny blessing together.
It was just an attempt; he didn't know the outcome, as 008 couldn't affect people and things in the southern continent.
So, it could really be a coincidence.
But talking about coincidences in front of 008 seemed a bit strange.
Sharon gave Hastur a deep look, saying nothing.
"How is your teacher's condition?" Hastur casually changed the topic to avoid awkwardness.
Back at the castle, the people sent by the Duke of South Wales were already waiting, along with a pair of sisters.
Faced with the Duke's hospitality, Hastur could only accept the sisters and then handed them over to Caius.
It's not easy to plant spies around him; the two attendants sent by Derby Augustus last time are now diligently guarding his home.
February 12th.
Hastur received three letters from Backlund, one from Greck, one from Butler Neil, and one from Miss Audrey.
In the study, Hastur first opened Greck's letter, which contained some updates on the latest political movements in the Ruen Kingdom and greetings.
Butler Neil's letter was very formal, detailing recent matters, including the factory and law firm, written on thirteen sheets of paper.
After reading Neil's letter, Hastur rubbed his eyes and rested a bit before opening Audrey's letter.
"Mr. Hastur, finally received your letter. The explosion of the steam train in East Tuck County was reported back to Backlund, making people worry about you.
The King was furious and sent many people to East Tuck County to investigate.
Of course, Susie and I firmly believe that Mr. Hastur will not be easily defeated by such troubles and will safely reach South Wales.
Mr. Hastur did not disappoint our trust.
Recently, I received a letter from my second brother in the southern continent, saying that war has broken out there, and the likely outcome is that the Seven Gods Church will be driven out of the southern continent.
I know Mr. Hastur must have heard the news, but I couldn't help but mention it, hoping Mr. Hastur will always be safe.
Lastly, the specialty food from South Wales you sent last time was really delicious."
Hastur read the letter from start to finish, then spent an hour writing a reply, most of the time spent on Neil's letter.
"Next time, I must tell Butler Neil not to write so detailed, or replying will always be too troublesome."
Hastur shook his wrist, handed the letter to Caius to send to Backlund.
Without receiving a reply from Maric, he must have communicated with Sharon through a summoned messenger.
Hastur had just rested for a while when 008 came bouncing over, eager to come out.
Was there something important to report?
Hastur raised an eyebrow, opened the pen case, and placed a sheet of paper in front of him.
008 stood up, jumped onto the paper, and started writing urgently.
"Dear Master, I feel a distant gaze of scrutiny, it's that paranoid one looking for me!"
"Ugh... I see an unreserved desire in his gaze, he wants to eat me!"
"He has arrived in South Wales, it's very dangerous!"
Hastur's face grew serious. He knew Adam would come eventually, but didn't expect it so soon.
It seemed that the recent events had made Adam unable to maintain his usual calm and chose to come personally to find 008.
"Can the paranoid one you mentioned accurately locate here?"
"No, he only has a general sensing range."
008 quickly wrote again, "He must have left some means on Ince Zangwill, so he could briefly lock onto me in South Wales through Ince Zangwill's death!"
This sounded like something Adam would do. It seemed time was running out. With Adam's abilities, he should find this place soon.
Hastur wouldn't underestimate Adam, a formidable opponent. The ancient sun god's capabilities were hard to fathom.
To deal with Adam, Hastur had thought of many countermeasures. The simplest was to lure Adam away.
He could go to the Hall of Stars and communicate with Adam as the Star Reclaimer, using 008 as a bargaining chip.
He could also have the High-Dimensional Overseer help lure Adam away, giving the Overlooker a reason to join the Star Conference.
Besides luring Adam, he could avoid him.
Just hiding in Backlund, even someone as strong as Adam wouldn't dare to break in directly, or he would have to call out to Leonard.
That would be the strongest spell!
He could also directly intimidate Adam. The only real threat to Adam in his hands was the messenger, the ancient undead bird Gregary, whose true purpose was still unknown.
So that was the last resort.
Hastur thought for a while and decided to let the High-Dimensional Overseer try, to see his intentions.
"You must hide well, try not to let the paranoid one find you too soon."
After saying this, Hastur put 008 back in the pen case, then went to the first-floor hall to take down the golden box. In case of emergency, this thing was also a powerful weapon.
He notified Lady Lisa, saying a strong enemy might come, asking her to be cautious.
Though it might not be very effective, it was better than nothing.
He also instructed Sharon to handle some matters and stay away from the castle until things settled down.
After doing all this, he entered the Hall of Stars from his bedroom, where he had set many rules for psychological comfort.
(End of Chapter)
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