章 409: Chapter 409: The Soul's Home (Happy Mid-Autumn Festival)
Chapter 409: The Soul's Home (Happy Mid-Autumn Festival)
The last sentence is the key point.
It turns out that the anger was all because he couldn't get ice cream. Anyone who didn't know might have thought Ouroboros had bullied him, causing Will to cry out in such a dramatic manner.
"Is it hard to get rid of him?"
"That stupid snake is determined to stay in Backlund with me this time. It's so annoying. I really want to find a pot and stew him into snake soup."
Despite his anger, Will conjured an ice cream in his right hand and happily took a few licks.
Look at how much the kid craves it; he can only satisfy his little wish for ice cream in his dreams.
Hastur found it amusing. "How do you want me to help you?"
"Find something to lure him away. His intelligence isn't high; you just need to give him a suitable reason, and he'll leave Backlund."
"What about a divine descent?"
"..." Will's eyes widened. After a while, he muttered, "Although it's a bit risky, it's not impossible."
"Will, you'd rather trigger a divine descent just to eat ice cream?"
"Isn't this what you suggested?" Will turned his body guiltily.
After teasing Will, Hastur had some ideas on how to lure Ouroboros away.
For Ouroboros, besides devouring Will, his competitor on the same path, the most important thing was the True Creator.
Just causing a little commotion near the True Creator would be enough to draw his attention away from Backlund.
The Star Container was the best choice for this task.
Just for a bite of ice cream, it seems like too much trouble. It doesn't seem worth it.
Perhaps sensing Hastur's thoughts, Will said earnestly, "It's not just a bite of ice cream; it's my spiritual nourishment, my second life. Now, my life is under threat. Isn't it worth your effort to save me?"
"Are all Mercury Snakes this gluttonous?"
"Of course. Haven't you heard the term 'greedy snake'?" Will replied confidently, almost putting his hands on his hips.
"I'll try to lure Ouroboros away," Hastur decided it was wiser to drop the topic with Will. "I also have a question for you..."
After hearing Hastur's explanation, Will circled him twice before curiously asking, "Who said the soul's home must be one's hometown?"
"Some people leave their birthplace like wild horses, running fast, eager to be far from home."
"Some people are obsessed with money and power; their soul's home is piles of gold pounds or crowns."
Will seriously discussed the concept of the soul's home with Hastur. To him, it meant the place one's heart yearns for the most, not just one's hometown.
Hearing this, Hastur gained some insight. A "LOST ONES " didn't mean someone who lost their hometown but someone who lost their soul's home, with nowhere to belong.
It's like having the most important part of your soul dug out.
For the late Emperor Roselle, his soul's home was his hometown.
As people age, they tend to reminisce more about the past.
The older one gets, the harder it is to leave home, and the closer to death, the more one yearns for their birthplace.
But for himself, it wasn't necessarily the same.
After all, he hadn't been in the mysterious world for long, like a worker away from home for a year or two. Although he missed his hometown, he wasn't overly attached.
"This question requires you to find the answer yourself. Others can only offer suggestions; they can't truly help you."
Will said, standing on tiptoe and patting Hastur's shoulder earnestly.
"So, your soul's home is ice cream?"
"..."
Will's expression froze. Thinking carefully, it indeed seemed that way.
Having ice cream as a soul's home... sounds so childish!
"Don't feel ashamed; after all, that's just who you are."
"..."
Will silently turned away, reminding Hastur to lure Ouroboros away before slipping off.
"Where is my soul's home? Is it the place of my first descent? Or in the Hall of Stars?"
Hastur continued to ponder, finding the question philosophical, easily leading to overthinking and futile lamentation.
---
In Backlund, Ouroboros, who had been lingering, was walking down the street in a human form.
Fates attract each other, especially at their level. The instinct to converge constantly draws them closer.
Although this attraction can be blocked, it becomes increasingly difficult over time.
He couldn't find the other Mercury Snake's trace, but an inner voice told him he was very close.
Unless the other suddenly left Backlund, he would eventually catch the slippery eel skilled at hide-and-seek.
As for the divine descent in Backlund, only the God of Steam and Machinery was watching, and he was the least of his worries.
As he continued down the street, he suddenly sensed someone trying to enter the Lord's resting place.
Ouroboros frowned, seemingly making a decision, and finally sighed, choosing to leave Backlund.
Backlund remained unchanged.
Three days later, Ouroboros reappeared in Backlund, carefully searching for Will but finding nothing.
He had been hiding, trying to lure Will out, but to no avail.
After wandering Backlund for a few more days, he left for the Forsaken Land.
In a rented house, Will lay lazily on the sofa, enjoying his long-missed ice cream.
Ouroboros's thoughts were easy to see through; his intelligence barely allowed for wisdom.
Will estimated Ouroboros would return to Backlund in a week.
In the meantime, he could finally enjoy his ice cream.
---
"Hasn't the helper arrived yet?" Leonard Augustus weakly asked from his sickbed.
This time, his illness wasn't by accident but due to chronic disease.
After a series of unfortunate coincidences, his body was depleted. Even without external pushes, he might have collapsed on his own.
"The latest news is to wait a bit longer."
"Heh, wait? Wait for my urn?"
Leonard Augustus waved dismissively, signaling them to leave.
Was his brother's first act as king to pave his way with Leonard's life?
The thought sent a shiver down his spine.
Outside the ward, Alfred stood silently for a long time before leaving.
After being scolded by Audrey, he wanted to resign from serving Leonard, but seeing Leonard's pitiful state on the sickbed, he couldn't bear to leave and continued handling matters for him.
Two days later, Leonard Augustus, the new Duke of Southwell County, died of depression in his villa.
"Prince Leonard is dead?!"
Alfred rushed to the villa, only to see Leonard's body covered by a white cloth.
"We must report to the king and seek revenge for Prince Leonard!"
"Prince Leonard didn't die naturally; he was murdered!"
"Poor Prince Leonard wasn't even thirty!"
Alfred listened to the angry accusations, especially the frequent mentions of Count Hastur Campbell.
He knew Southwell County was about to face a storm.
---
In Puning Port, Hastur received the news of Leonard Augustus's death within hours.
In the study, Caius stood trembling. It was his first time messing up.
"Explain, how did he die?" Hastur rubbed his temples, feeling a headache.
He had been busy preparing to advance to Sequence 4, LOST ONES , with no time for external matters.
In his original plan, the accidents and coincidences targeting Leonard were to cover his trip to Intis.
He had planned to have Caius stop after his return, but Leonard died unexpectedly quickly.
This would draw Backlund's attention to him.
In such a short time, two Dukes of Southwell had died, making him the prime suspect, unable to withstand investigation.
"He died naturally, likely due to physical weakness and illness."
"Wasn't it your mishandling?"
"We followed your instructions, never intending to kill him." Caius grimaced. "It could be a chain reaction."
Hastur thought for a while and sent Caius to investigate.
"Backlund must be lively now."
Hastur murmured, then refocused on advancing to Sequence 4, LOST ONES .
This was just a small hiccup, but he disliked such unplanned troubles.
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