章 427: Chapter 427: Audrey: Miss Sharon, when did you fall in love with Mr. Hastur?
Chapter 427: Audrey: Miss Sharon, when did you fall in love with Mr. Hastur?
"How should we handle this matter now?"
King Covington II threw the question to his newly formed core group of ministers.
The ministers exchanged glances for a moment, and someone boldly said, "At such a critical moment, we must prioritize stability. Since the appointment of Earl Hastur Campbell was to guard the coastal defense, he should be the one responsible for this matter."
"What if he chooses to side with the opposing faction of the southern continent?" a minister expressed concern about this suggestion.
This was also King Covington II's worry; the royal family of Ruin was at the point of tearing their last shred of face with Earl Hastur Campbell, and anything could happen.
"If he completely sides with the southern continent, it might be a good thing; it means he will be completely abandoned by the gods."
Hearing this, King Covington II's eyes brightened; this reasoning indeed seemed reliable. The so-called war was merely a product of gods dividing the spoils after determining winners and losers.
"If he could secure support from the Temple of the Three Gods, what could a southern continent that had just experienced turmoil be considered?"
"Let him take full responsibility for this matter," King Covington II made his final decision.
One minister nervously said, "But if Earl Hastur Campbell successfully resists the invasion from the southern continent and gains prestige, it won't be easy to deal with him in the future."
King Covington II waved his hand with a cold laugh: "As long as he has something to do with the deaths of the three Dukes of South Wales, there will always be reasons to deal with him!"
This is a justified handle; as long as it's grasped correctly, regardless of Hastur's prestige in South Wales County, he can be treated as a traitorous rebel!
---
In South Wales County, Puning Port.
Warships sailing from the southern continent had already appeared within observable range along the coast of South Wales County, causing panic among the coastal residents.
Hastur, who held the power over South Wales County's coastal defense, still had time to tease Aisala who was lying on his lap and instructed Kaers to decorate the villa here and the nearby castle to welcome the new year.
Sharon, who knew that the southern continent was preparing for war, finally came out from the mirror. She stood at a distance from Hastur, watching him with no signs of tension on his face.
"Were you expecting this?"
"Not entirely," Hastur replied quietly as he glanced back at Sharon, "It was I who ordered the southern continent to send dozens of warships to the coastal waters."
This was one of his countermeasures against the royal family of Ruin; as long as there was a possibility of war breaking out in the southern continent, whether or not the royal family of Ruin was willing, he would be the best candidate for defending this battle.
Any action against him would temporarily cease; thus, he could have a good year.
Next year marks a good new beginning; Ruin could also change its king again.
It is said that King Covington II's son is only twelve years old at most, indeed a decent choice.
Though he did not particularly want to become Prime Minister Cao, sometimes it is better to be Cao Thief than the notorious rebel that everyone calls for.
If during his struggle with the royal family of Ruin, the Temple of the Three Gods chose to side with the royal family, then he would not have any more concerns and would directly join forces with the southern continent to declare war on Ruin.
At worst, it would be a divine war; it would be quite easy for him to gather three true gods on his side.
The True Creator, the Primordial Witch, Greazzi; if that fails, he could summon a few avatars of Outer Gods from the Hall of Stars to adequately respond to true gods like the everNight Goddess during divine descents.
But this is the worst-case scenario.
"Are you trying to instigate war too?" Sharon looked deeply at Hastur as if she were seeing him anew today.
Hastur sighed, stood up, left Aisala by herself, walked in front of Sharon, and said quietly: "I am more about self-preservation; learning to protect myself is an instinct for every living being."
"Is it just self-preservation?" Sharon asked.
"It can also protect other important people and things."
Hastur's gaze was fixed on Sharon's azure eyes, implying meaning without words. Sharon simply replied calmly: "Miss Audrey?"
After saying this, before Hastur could respond, she suddenly realized and flushed before leaving abruptly.
Such a sentence was simply jealousy.
---
New Year arrived.
South Wales County, located by the sea, was not too cold despite it being winter, unlike Backlund where it was already snowing heavily.
According to news from Backlund, this year's temperature was several degrees lower than previous years, with heavy snow almost burying the entire city.
In the northernmost Feysac Empire, it snowed continuously, blocking major roads and rivers, forcing the Ruin army, which had almost reached the capital, to retreat and wait until spring to continue their offensive.
"No snow-covered New Year feels like something is missing."
Audrey stood by the window, opened it, and admired the coastal scenery.
"Woof," Suzy echoed.
"It's the first time I don't have to spend New Year at home in Backlund. Adulthood indeed marks a new beginning; everything becomes different."
Audrey murmured to herself until Fors knocked on the door, snapping her out of her thoughts. She walked to the door and opened it.
Fors held a thick manuscript and cleared her throat, "Miss Audrey, this new novel is my New Year gift to you."
"Miss Fors, I also have a New Year gift for you."
Audrey invited Fors and Xio, whose figure was almost hidden, into the room and took out her prepared New Year gifts—a set of valuable earrings and a new necklace for Xio.
Xio gifted a handmade light white scarf.
"It's beautiful," Audrey loved the gift, feeling the scarf was full of life.
"I'm glad you like it, Miss Audrey."
Xio awkwardly scratched her head. She chose to hand-make the scarf mainly because of poverty.
Ordinary gifts were not suitable for Miss Audrey, and she couldn't afford expensive ones. After playing that winner's game, she couldn't bear to spend even a penny recklessly.
After agreeing to spend New Year at Hastur's place, Fors and Xio left.
Audrey carefully stored Fors' book away from Suzy's reach to prevent her from sneaking a read.
"Audrey, how could you guard against me?"
"No, Suzy, it's for your own good. You shouldn't read such books."
"The book says knowledge has no good or bad."
"It also says that when someone clearly refuses, you shouldn't make excessive demands."
"…"
Suzy couldn't argue with Audrey and lay down, wondering what New Year gift Mr. Hastur would give her.
Around six in the evening, Audrey and the others arrived at Hastur's villa by carriage.
With the previous experience, Hastur didn't play any games after the New Year banquet but took them to the seaside.
At night, the black sky was dotted with stars, and fireworks illuminated the sea, creating a breathtaking scene.
The cold sea breeze made them return to Hastur's villa after the fireworks.
When Xio suggested playing the winner's game again, Audrey and Sharon fell silent, and Fors quickly changed the topic.
"Will the southern continent's warships attack South Wales County during New Year?"
"Maybe," Hastur didn't give a definite answer.
"It's dangerous here; staying in Backlund is safer," Xio added quickly.
Fors flicked her forehead, making Xio cover her head in pain, looking pitiful, making everyone laugh.
After the small incident, they sat on the second-floor terrace, overlooking the lively streets of Puning Port and the brightening night sky.
To celebrate, Audrey drank some wine, and her cheeks turned rosy. Her eyes sparkled like crushed moonlight, but she still smiled gently, facing the sea, and whispered, "This life is wonderful."
Slightly tipsy, Audrey's cheeks were flushed, her eyes watery. She rested her chin on her hand, watching Hastur, Fors, and Xio drink.
Sharon brought a cup of sobering tea, sat beside Audrey, and handed it to her.
"Thank you," Audrey smiled and took a sip, then leaned close to Sharon's ear and whispered, "Miss Sharon, when did you fall in love with Mr. Hastur?"
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