Chapter 308: Audrey: Susie, We Are Different
Chapter 308: Audrey: Susie, We Are Different
The next day, Mrs. Lisa made a special trip to discuss the Red Glove Squad members and the events of the previous night involving the theft of fate.
After listening to Mrs. Lisa's description, Hastur truly felt that the path of the King in Yellow was extremely terrifying.
Once one ascends to Sequence 3 and becomes a Fate Stealer, it is a qualitative leap.
"You did a great job with this matter," Hastur said with a smile of approval.
"The Church of the everNight Goddess might cause some trouble."
"Tell them they are not allowed to step into Southwell County. If they agree, let them leave," Hastur thought for a moment and added, "Remember to erase all their memories related to this matter before they leave. I don't like trouble."
"Yes, my lord," Mrs. Lisa respectfully retreated.
On the desk, 008, who had been stifled all night, began to bounce around again.
Hastur glanced at it but did not open the pen case, deciding to let it stay stifled for a few more days.
Around ten in the morning, Hastur went to the new recruit training camp to guide some training. At the same time, he was also learning various knowledge needed for naval combat.
As a commander, if you don't understand anything, you can't lead soldiers. In the army, soldiers still believe in capable real men.
---
In Backlund, at St. Samuel's Cathedral.
Archbishop Anthony finally received instructions from the Tranquility Church.
The Red Glove Squad, which had gone to Southwell County to investigate a few days ago, had not reported back in time, indicating they had encountered trouble so severe that they couldn't even send a message.
The last report they sent was shortly after arriving at Puning Port. It was likely that they were currently trapped there.
They dared not act rashly and could only send the message back to the Tranquility Church, waiting for instructions.
"The Yellow-robed Monks are adept at weaving scripts that trap people within. Be wary of accidents and coincidences."
The response was brief but conveyed the Tranquility Church's attitude: send personnel to rescue them and strive to uncover the dark curtain over Puning Port.
That area is the territory of the Ruen Kingdom, under the protection of the Church of the everNight Goddess, and must be thoroughly investigated.
Moreover, according to the information Archbishop Anthony had gathered in recent days, maritime trade at Puning Port continued, and there were no restrictions on personnel movement, nor any significant changes.
This indicated that only the Red Glove Squad members were in trouble, while ordinary people were unaffected.
Therefore, they needed to take this opportunity to understand the newly emerged Yellow-robed Monks and formulate countermeasures against them.
With a decision made, Archbishop Anthony summoned Crestet Cesimir, known as the Sword of the Goddess, who had recently returned to Backlund.
Initially, he was responsible for handling the Ince Zangwill matter. After Ince Zangwill's death, he turned to other tasks, leaving the search for Ince Zangwill and 008 to Elia, known as the Eye of the Goddess.
Half an hour later, Crestet Cesimir, with short golden-brown hair, a stern face, and dark green eyes, arrived at St. Samuel's Cathedral.
After a brief exchange, Archbishop Anthony explained the situation at Puning Port and requested him to handle it.
"Remember, when you arrive at Puning Port, do not act rashly. Try to operate in secret and contact the local Storm Church first."
Archbishop Anthony gave a few more instructions to prevent any mishaps.
"Yes, I will be cautious and not reveal my identity unless necessary."
Crestet Cesimir nodded and left, always being careful in handling extraordinary tasks.
Those who lost their reverence for extraordinary events had already turned to dust.
---
At the Earl Hall's residence.
Audrey was systematically studying psychology with her teacher, Mrs.Escalante Oseleka.
This psychology teacher was the one who introduced her to the Psychological Alchemy Society.
Psychology had many boring aspects, and with the gentle afternoon breeze, Audrey felt drowsy.
To avoid the embarrassment of falling asleep, she focused her gaze on Mrs.Escalante Oseleka's face.
Mrs.Escalante Oseleka had waist-length black hair, blue eyes like lake water, and a doll-like face.
Though she was a mature psychologist, she looked like a schoolgirl.
This contrast provided Audrey some comfort during the boring lessons.
"Woof!"
Susie's bark jolted the drowsy Audrey awake.
She instinctively looked at Susie to see if something interesting had happened.
But when she met Susie's eyes, she understood.
Nothing special had happened; Susie's bark was to keep her awake and focused.
Though this behavior was effective, Audrey felt embarrassed by Susie's reminder.
Audrey focused on the lesson for a while until Mrs.Escalante Oseleka announced the end of the day's class, freeing her from her drowsiness.
With a Crestet Cesimirful and appropriate smile, she warmly saw Mrs.Escalante Oseleka off.
"Susie!"
When no one else was around, Audrey approached Susie, squatted down, and pinched her right ear.
"Susie, next time I'm in class, you can't bark randomly. It disrupts my thoughts and concentration."
Susie looked innocent. "Audrey, I was reminding you not to waste valuable study time on napping."
Audrey replied seriously, "I was thinking. Closing my eyes helps me concentrate."
"But every time I get sleepy, I look just like you did."
"…"
Audrey was silent for a while, then walked away with her head slightly raised, saying, "Susie, we are different."
Back in her room, with Susie following, Audrey couldn't immediately nap. She sighed, sat at her desk by the window, and gazed outside.
This year, as an adult, she was busier than ever, meeting more people, learning more, and doing more.
Even sneaking a nap required considering if Susie was around.
She felt it was really tough.
"I wonder if Mr. Hastur and Alfred have started their contact."
Knock, knock.
The door was knocked. Audrey asked and learned it was Earl Hall looking for her, so she stood up and opened the door.
In the study, Earl Hall handed her a letter. "This is a letter for Hastur. Please deliver it for me."
Audrey took the letter and asked, "Why the trouble?"
"My identity is sensitive. It's better if you send it. It's about your second brother."
"Dear Earl Hall, I'll have someone send the letter to Southwell County."
Audrey smiled and left with the letter, planning to write a letter to inquire about Mr. Hastur's situation.
"Woof!"
Susie followed Audrey into the room.
"Susie, do you also want to write a letter to Mr. Hastur?"
"Woof."
"… Susie, you're just a dog. Even Mr. Hastur wouldn't understand your writing."
Audrey looked troubled. She didn't want Susie to keep in touch with Mr. Hastur, feeling that Susie's gaze became more complex after each contact.
Susie brought a letter from her sleeping basket, filled with messy, uneven Ruen characters.
"Audrey, I've learned basic Ruen writing."
"…"
Audrey was silent for a while, then asked in surprise, "Susie, I don't remember teaching you Ruen writing."
She had only taught Susie to understand and speak Ruen, not to write.
Teaching a dog to write seemed too difficult.
"Audrey, you forgot? You have a book on basic linguistics and another on the origin and evolution of Ruen writing on your shelf."
"You learned by yourself?"
"Yes, I'm just a dog, unlike you who have specialized teachers."
"…"
Audrey's expression became more complex. She asked softly, "How long have you been learning? Have you mastered it?"
"Half a month, not completely."
"Phew, at least I'm still ahead of Susie in this area."
Audrey quietly sighed in relief but then felt troubled. Being chased by Susie and almost overtaken felt terrible.
She looked at Susie's letter. "Can Mr. Hastur understand what you wrote?"
The letter was filled with Ruen characters and Susie's paw prints, making it hard to understand.
Susie raised her head. "Audrey, Mr. Hastur is different from you."
"…"
Audrey suddenly didn't want to send the letter to Mr. Hastur in Southwell County.
(End of Chapter)