Chapter 411: Chapter 411: Approaching the Starry Sky
Chapter 411: Approaching the Starry Sky
On September 22nd, everything was normal at Puning Port.
Investigators from the three major churches in Backlund had secretly arrived in Southwell County.
With the experience from the last encounter with the Red Gloves team of the Church of the Night, they were prudent and did not go directly to Puning Port. Instead, they focused their investigation on the death of Leonard Augustus.
During their investigation, they discovered that Leonard Augustus's true cause of death was an illness brought on by anxiety, which ultimately led to his sudden demise.
The previous accidents and coincidences were merely indirect influences.
However, this level of investigation was clearly insufficient. They still needed to investigate the sources of those accidents and coincidences, as well as the mysterious death of the former Duke of Southwell.
Including the uncertain fate of Drink Augustus, this made three Dukes of Southwell who had met their end here.
The thought alone was chilling.
Who could believe that there was no hidden truth behind these events?
The prime suspect for these occurrences was naturally Earl Hastur Campbell.
The motive was simple; the only thing that needed to be confirmed was whether he had the capability to commit the acts.
As the investigation neared its end, the investigators from the three churches held a special meeting to discuss who should lead the investigation in Puning Port.
During the discussion, the representatives from the Church of the Night were not very enthusiastic. Ultimately, a member of the Heart of Mechanics took on the leadership role.
When the investigation team, led by the Heart of Mechanics member, arrived at Puning Port, their spiritual senses were in a state of agitation, as if this small port harbored great dangers that could consume their lives.
At that moment, they had just stepped down from their carriage and had not yet begun their investigation.
"I feel something is off. Even the breeze in the air seems to reject our approach," someone remarked.
The others remained silent but eventually proceeded into Puning Port to begin their investigation.
This time, the three churches were working together, providing ample resources and manpower.
Returning to Backlund in disgrace would be a source of ridicule.
When they prepared to visit the young Earl Hastur Campbell with courtesy before force, they were stopped at his residence after a bumpy journey.
Four guards, dressed no differently from ordinary soldiers, blocked their path. Their tone was firm, leaving no room for negotiation.
What made the investigators even more uneasy was the intimidating presence of these guards, as if disobedience would result in immediate decapitation.
Despite their fear, they continued to communicate, but to no avail. Even invoking the names of the three churches did not allow them to proceed.
One team member considered using extraordinary abilities to deal with the guards, but a glance from the guards made him shudder, and he dared not entertain the thought further.
Left with no choice, they sought a place to stay.
"I think we should leave immediately to avoid any accidents," a member of the Church of the Night advised cautiously. "Even if you decide to stay, do not choose to stay in a hotel. This is a piece of advice."
"Why can't you be clearer?" the Heart of Mechanics leader snapped, frustrated by the secrecy that made them feel like they were doing something wrong.
"Last time, the Red Gloves team stayed in a hotel while investigating here..."
The Church of the Night member detailed the previous encounter of the Red Gloves team.
After listening, the investigation team exchanged glances and decided to stay at a viscount's residence.
In the following days, they remained in the vicinity, unable to venture out further.
...
Inside a heavily guarded house, Aizara was vigilantly patrolling, her serious demeanor unshaken even by a pile of fish snacks placed before her.
Two days ago, she had accepted the great mission of protecting her master's safety.
With this mission, she was no longer lazy or gluttonous, patrolling diligently all day.
She only responded when Sharon summoned her.
Outside Hastur's room, Sharon stood like a delicate puppet, silently guarding the person inside. Her lifeless eyes only showed a ripple when they swept over Aizara.
Advancing from Sequence 5 to Sequence 4 was a difficult process, fraught with potential failures that could lead to madness.
If one couldn't maintain calm or was deliberately disturbed, success was nearly impossible.
Even George III was at his most vulnerable during his advancement to the Black Emperor. Despite being a Sequence 1 and possessing other Sequence 1 characteristics, he failed and fell because of interference.
When Sharon advanced to Sequence 4, many from her faction guarded her day and night to prevent interruptions, ensuring her successful advancement and escape from danger.
Hastur's situation was similar. Despite the strong outer guards, Sharon was the closest and most trusted protector.
Caius had reported, but Sharon sent him away again. Lady Lisa, sensing something, cooperated by positioning Yellow Robe Monks in the outer area and strictly forbidding any disturbances.
She herself also stood guard outside, preventing anyone from approaching Sharon.
At this moment, Lady Lisa was a reliable pillar.
Sharon's only concern was Hastur's advancement inside the room.
She felt no trace of Hastur's advancement or even his presence.
But Hastur had always been mysterious, so she set aside her worries.
...
Inside the room, there was no one, only an empty bed.
Hastur, who had been lying there, was now in the Hall of Stars.
Reaching this place wasn't difficult for Hastur, but it was less discreet than entering through dreams.
In the Hall of Stars, Hastur had consumed the potion needed to advance to Sequence 4, the Lost One.
This potion was made from the characteristics of the Sequence 4 Fallen Count of the Black Emperor pathway.
The advancement through the Star pathway could use characteristics from other pathways, a unique trait of the Stars.
As Hastur consumed the potion, he felt his body and mind merge with the Hall of Stars for the first time.
Previously, he felt like a tenant, but now he felt like the master of the Hall of Stars.
At this moment, he felt like the true Star Reclaimer, with the Hall of Stars in his grasp, moving with his thoughts.
As the potion began to digest, the Hall of Stars ascended higher, towards the deep sky, towards the boundless starry sky.
The stars became more accessible, almost within reach.
Hastur extended his hand but was blocked by a transparent membrane, like a loyal guard preventing any force from passing through.
After sensing for a while, Hastur deduced the membrane's origin.
It was the initial barrier separating the starry sky from the real world.
Had the Hall of Stars risen to this level?
Hastur wasn't surprised by the Hall's ascent but found the speed faster than expected.
He thought he would reach the level of the six true gods only after advancing to Sequence 2 or Sequence 0.
At this rate, the Hall of Stars would break through the initial barrier and return to the starry sky at Sequence 2 or Sequence 0.
The initial barrier wasn't stopping him from ascending but indicated that the Hall of Stars could only reach this point. To leave the real world and enter the starry sky, he needed to advance to Sequence 2.
It's like the difference between flying on a planet's surface and leaving the planet, requiring vastly different power.
Hastur withdrew his gaze from the stars and looked at the divine kingdoms of the six true gods.
He saw the hidden Night Goddess's kingdom, shrouded in secrecy.
The Steam and Machinery Divine Kingdoms, filled with scenes of civilization's evolution, warships, and countless yellow gears driving progress.
The Earth Mother Divine Kingdoms, a fertile land teeming with plants and vibrant life.
The Eternal Blazing Sun Divine Kingdoms, like a burning sun, dimming, with closed gates.
The Storm Lord and the God of Knowledge and Wisdom's kingdoms, each with their unique characteristics.
The War Divine Kingdoms, torn and invaded by darkness, was a desolate sight.
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