Chapitre 340: Chapter 340: The Organization of Stars, The Sage
Chapter 340: The Organization of Stars, The Sage
Audrey had never observed Hastur at such close proximity, except when dancing at parties. She scrutinized every detail of Mr. Hastur beside her, from his manner of speech and facial expressions to his clothing and choice of cologne.
The most noticeable difference was in his behavior and speech - today, Mr. Hastur spoke much more casually and freely. Previously, it seemed he carefully considered each word before speaking, perhaps multiple times. But today, his words flowed openly and honestly, without apparent forethought.
Audrey ventured to ask, "Mr. Hastur, do you find me attractive?"
"Of course, that's an indisputable fact. Whether it's me or anyone else, as soon as we see you, our gaze is naturally drawn to you," Hastur replied, turning slightly to look at Audrey earnestly. "Miss Audrey may doubt many things, but she should never doubt her own beauty, unless she wishes to question everyone's aesthetic standards."
Audrey's cheeks flushed slightly, feeling more certain about her suspicions. The Mr. Hastur of before would never have offered such direct praise.
"Mr. Hastur, do you feel any different today compared to usual?" Audrey probed.
"Do I?" he responded.
"Perhaps I'm mistaken," Audrey said, not pursuing the topic further, though the hidden amusement in her eyes deepened.
"Mr. Hastur, did you sleep well last night?" she inquired.
"...Of course, very well," Hastur smiled, rising from the sofa to return to his seat behind the desk. "I had some drinks last night, then slept soundly until this morning."
Audrey's eyes flashed with doubt. "I thought Mr. Hastur might have gone out for a stroll in the middle of the night," she said, emphasizing the words "middle of the night."
"Night is a time for sleep, a blessing from the Goddess," Hastur replied, not forgetting his role as a devotee of the everNight Goddess.
Audrey joined in praising the Goddess, then asked, "Mr. Hastur, when we digest potions, doesn't the knowledge within them influence our normal behavior?"
"The higher the sequence, the more pronounced the effect," Hastur reflected, adding, "The essence of the extraordinary path is chaos and madness. The closer one gets to the peak, the closer to madness."
Audrey nodded gravely. After chatting a while longer, she rose to take her leave. Hastur escorted her downstairs and watched her board her carriage.
Before departing, Audrey deliberately lifted the carriage curtain, revealing a radiant smile. "Mr. Hastur, daytime is more suitable for house calls, you know."
Hastur didn't seem particularly surprised, merely smiling without response as he watched Audrey's carriage depart.
In the carriage, Audrey hummed a little tune, in an exceptionally good mood.
Susie looked at her curiously, unable to resist letting out a bark.
"Susie, I've discovered another of Mr. Hastur's little secrets," Audrey said.
"Woof?"
"I said it's a secret, so of course I can't tell you."
"Woof!"
...
That afternoon, Hastur departed Backlund by steam train, leaving Fors and Xio, who arrived later seeking his help, to turn to Audrey for assistance instead.
The two women currently lacked even a proper hideout and were temporarily staying in a hotel - an expense their savings couldn't sustain for long.
Xio, in disguise, waited near Earl Hall's residence for half an hour before encountering Susie out for a walk. Xio casually passed by, deliberately dropping a penny. As she bent to retrieve it, she slipped a note into Susie's fashionable bag under cover of her body.
After this brief contact, Xio went to a nearby café to meet Fors, who was waiting there.
Twenty minutes later, Audrey arrived at the café with Susie. As soon as they were seated, Susie instinctively began patrolling the area.
"Are you facing some difficulties?" Audrey immediately noticed Fors and Xio's unease, as if they had something to say but were hesitant to bring it up.
Fors nodded, "There's a matter we need Miss Audrey's help with."
Xio briefly recounted their recent experiences, omitting the part about being Starry Sky believers.
"A suitable place to live, let me think," Audrey pondered for a moment, then indicated three locations on the table. "I bought several houses in my early years. These three haven't been rented out yet. You can choose one to live in."
Fors and Xio finally understood how wonderful it was to have a wealthy friend.
They ultimately chose a house close to the Storm Cathedral.
"I'll have Susie bring you the keys when I get back," Audrey said.
"Thank you, Miss Audrey!" they exclaimed gratefully.
"No need for thanks, you've helped me with many things before," Audrey replied.
Xio said earnestly, "In the future, I'll definitely work hard to fulfill any of Miss Audrey's requests!"
Audrey simply smiled, finished her coffee, and left with Susie.
...
At seven in the evening, Fors and Xio had just finished basic cleaning of the two bedrooms in the house.
"Phew... so tired," Fors collapsed onto the living room sofa, massaging her sore shoulders and thighs.
Xio brought two cups of hot tea, handing one to Fors. She glanced at her, saying, "I've always told you to exercise more. You're already complaining after just a bit of work. We still need to clean thoroughly again tomorrow."
"I'm not coming tomorrow, too exhausting," Fors shook her head, sprawling on the sofa, unwilling to move.
"That won't do. This house has three floors. The first floor has a living room, kitchen, storage room, and three maid's rooms. The second floor has four bedrooms, a study, and two bathrooms," Xio counted seriously, adding, "We can ignore the third floor for now, but we definitely need to clean the first and second floors properly. That way it'll be more comfortable to live in."
Fors closed her eyes and sighed, "Xio, do you think we deserve to live in such a nice house?"
Xio fell silent too.
Indeed, their combined annual income would probably only cover the rent for this house. They had never dared to imagine living in such a luxurious house before, let alone a three-story villa.
Fortunately, Miss Audrey hadn't mentioned anything about rent, simply letting them live there and offering to help if they needed anything.
"It's fortunate we met Miss Audrey," Fors said.
"Indeed," Xio agreed.
The two exchanged a knowing glance.
Just after 10 PM, as Fors and Xio were about to go upstairs to rest, a tall, slender figure suddenly appeared in the center of the hall.
This sight caused the two to tense, warily eyeing the mature and elegant woman before them.
"I'm forming an organization under the Starry Sky. I need you two to help," Bernadette said calmly, her inherent authority making Fors and Xio tremble involuntarily.
"Are you also a Starry Sky believer?" Fors remembered the voice of the person who had helped rescue Xio sounded similar.
Bernadette spoke softly, "Yes. Not all the hidden figures in Backlund have been rooted out. You two had better follow me to avoid being captured again."
There weren't many Starry Sky believers, and as fellow devotees, Fors and Xio were among the few people Bernadette could use in Backlund.
Moreover, protecting Starry Sky believers was something she should do to ease the burden on the Starry Sky.
Xio stammered, "You are...?"
"You may call me Bernadette."
Fors's eyes flashed with admiration - the name sounded truly beautiful, carrying an inherent nobility.
Her overall aura was very similar to Miss Audrey's. More precisely, it was like Miss Audrey's aura after growing up and experiencing much in life.
Xio, who regularly kept track of various bounties, felt the woman before her looked somewhat familiar, but couldn't quite place her.
Fors gradually regained her composure. "How can we trust you?" she asked.
Bernadette simply raised her hand slightly. Two pea vines sprang from the ground, instantly carrying Fors and Xio up to the clouds.
She looked up at the starry sky, bowing slightly as she said, "Great Starry Sky, your believer Bernadette beseeches your gaze of attention."
After a moment, the light of the stars in the sky converged, forming a mysterious and majestic Starry Palace.
Within the Starry Palace, the great Starry Sky that watched over all pierced through a section of the starry expanse, casting down its gaze.
Fors and Xio hurriedly mimicked Bernadette's actions, praising the Starry Sky.
Bernadette continued, "The Starry Sky believers need an organization to unite them. I am willing to establish the Starry Sky Organization. Firstly, it will provide a sanctuary for all Starry Sky believers. Secondly, it will facilitate carrying out the Starry Sky's instructions."
Establishing a mysterious organization?
It was a good idea, and indeed there should be a Starry Sky organization.
However, the current Starry Sky believers consisted only of Bernadette, Fors, Xio, and of course, himself and the Starry Sky vessel.
As for Madam Lisa, they were part of the Yellow Robed Monk organization, and Hastur did not wish to involve them.
With Bernadette's rich organizational experience, the future could be anticipated.
Within the Starry Palace, Hastur briefly pondered before granting Bernadette's request.
"The Starry Sky will always protect you," he said, leaving these words before dissipating that familiar starry expanse.
"So you are the Pope?" Fors tentatively asked.
"You may call me the Sage," Bernadette replied.
In creating the Starry Sky organization, Bernadette had her own ambitions.
A Sage needed to guide lost souls onto the correct path.
This image was closer to that of a navigator, an enlightener, a savior, rather than the Pope who symbolized authority and power.
Creating a new organization from scratch, under the watchful gaze of the Starry Sky, was very conducive to her role-playing and digestion.
Fors and Xio exchanged a glance before speaking in unison: "Greetings, Sage."
Bernadette nodded slightly, her gaze profound.
If Sequence 2 was not enough to save her father, then she would advance further.
État de l’alimentation hebdomadaire
-- Classement
Power Stone 
-- Power
stone