Chapter 397: Would You Like to Join the Eternal Blazing Sun?

Chapter 397: Would You Like to Join the Eternal Blazing Sun?

Late at Night, During Rest

The leader of the Creton Caravan only provided Hastur and Sharon with a single waterproof tent for the outdoors. Inside the tent, there were only two simple sheepskin blankets, already stained with black spots and yellowish, murky marks.

The smell was overwhelmingly strong.

Sharon had no objections to this arrangement; she only needed to stay inside the mirror to easily get through the night.

"..."

Hastur looked at the sheepskin blankets spread on the wooden planks, feeling no desire to lie down and sleep.

"Not going to sleep?" Sharon's figure appeared in the mirror, specifically looking at Hastur's conflicted expression.

"Sigh, I'm used to the life of a noble." Hastur sighed, looking at the mirror placed on a wooden stool. "Is the space inside the mirror big?"

"Not very."

"Adding one more person shouldn't be difficult, right?"

Sharon didn't answer directly, only saying, "You need to stay outside to prevent any accidents."

"I believe no one will disturb us tonight." Hastur showed an eager expression.

He really wanted to experience what it was like to spend a night inside the mirror.

"What about that stranger?"

"I don't know him well."

Just as Hastur was about to say more, the voice of the young man from earlier in the night came from outside the tent.

"It seems you won't have the chance tonight," Sharon said, fully retreating into the mirror, leaving Hastur visibly displeased.

He had finally gotten a chance to be alone with Sharon in the mirror, only to be interrupted.

He really wanted to punch the guy.

Hastur sighed, composed himself a bit, and then lifted a corner of the tent to step outside.

Before the young man could say anything, Hastur spoke first, "Do you know how it feels to have to deal with a stranger on such a beautiful night?"

"I am indeed particularly interested in you. In fact, I came here tonight specifically for you," the young man nodded with a smile. "How rude of me, I haven't introduced myself yet. I'm Ross Hurley, the name I use when traveling."

"So?" Hastur wasn't too surprised; the young man's behavior tonight had already revealed his intentions multiple times.

"Would you be willing to join the Eternal Blazing Sun?" Ross Hurley asked sincerely, lowering his eyes.

"Ah?"

Hastur showed a look of astonishment.

He truly hadn't expected this person to invite him to join the Eternal Blazing Sun. Was it because he also had a head of dazzling blond hair?

Given his relationship with the Eternal Sun... The deity probably wished to strike him down with divine fire.

He had helped the Star Lord several times, causing severe damage to the Eternal Sun. The divine kingdom was nearly destroyed, and the gates were now closed.

Barring any surprises, the Eternal Sun was likely the next true god to fall.

Joining the Eternal Blazing Sun now would be like joining the Nationalist Army in 1949.

"Please forgive my refusal. I have no interest in the Eternal Blazing Sun and am not a citizen of your Intis Republic. I'm just a Ruenian out for a leisurely trip."

"I guessed you would refuse." Ross Hurley showed no sign of disappointment, still smiling. "I've never met anyone as connected to the sun as you."

Connected?

Does he mean my connection from repeatedly attacking the Eternal Sun's divine kingdom?

That indeed is a strong connection.

"Forcing someone to change their faith is not something a qualified believer would do," Hastur continued to smile as he declined.

"If you join the Eternal Blazing Sun, I believe you could become its new pope."

Hastur couldn't help but ask, "What exactly do you see in me?"

"A sun."

"??"

Hastur was momentarily stunned, then chuckled and shook his head.

When it came to concealing his true identity, unless an Outer God personally descended, it was hard for anyone to see through him.

Let alone see a sun in him.

"Perhaps I didn't express myself clearly," Ross Hurley laughed. "Everyone gives off different impressions for various reasons. When I say I see a sun in you, I mean the feeling you give me, not that I literally see a sun."

"Looking at you is like looking at a newly risen sun, so dazzling, so charming."

Ross Hurley's appearance and ambiguous words attracted the attention of several night watchmen who hadn't yet rested.

Please, I'm not Emperor Roselle; I'm not interested in relationships between men.

"Mr. Ross Hurley, I think you shouldn't discuss such easily misunderstood topics with someone you've just met." Hastur stopped him from continuing. "Let's end this for tonight. I need to rest, and you should leave."

With that, Hastur ignored Ross Hurley, lifted a corner of the tent, and went inside.

"Sigh, too hasty, but there's not much time left." Ross Hurley sighed and muttered.

Not far away, someone by the campfire whistled and pointed to his bear-like companion, joking, "What do you think of my friend? You can rest assured about his stamina; he's an expert."

The big guy, who looked like a bear, stood up and even thrust his hips towards Ross Hurley.

Ross Hurley just smiled at them without showing any anger.

After he left, the big guy felt a burning sensation inside, his eyes gradually turning red, breathing heavily.

"What's wrong? Don't tell me you really fancy that guy? I was just joking."

"I..."

Before the bear-like man could finish, he picked up the person who had joked, ignoring his struggles, and carried him into the woods.

After a while, a piercing scream echoed through the forest.

Inside the tent, Sharon reappeared from the mirror, glancing at the contemplative Hastur, "He's very interested in you."

She deliberately paused on the word *interested*.

"Sharon, you even learned to joke." Hastur put away his thoughts, walked to the mirror, and showed a helpless smile.

"He's not simple," Sharon said, changing the topic.

"I know." Hastur thought for a moment. "I attract attention because I'm too dazzling."

"Narcissist."

"Tsk, Sharon, you seem much more cheerful this time out. Is it because you're close to fully digesting the Puppet potion?"

"Yes, I fit this sequence well."

Hastur chatted with Sharon for a bit, then tried to persuade her to let him stay in the mirror for the night.

Unfortunately, he was ultimately rejected.

### The Next Day

Hastur was awakened by a commotion outside the tent. When he went out, he found a group of people gathered at the forest entrance, seemingly admiring something.

Curious, he walked over to take a look. It was quite an eyesore.

The bear-like man was sleeping soundly against a tree, a satisfied smile on his face.

On his thigh lay his usual close friend, now pale, eyes vacant, drooling, as if overly stimulated.

After some enthusiastic explanations from the onlookers, Hastur understood the situation. Apparently, they had eaten something they shouldn't have, leading to some pleasant yet painful events.

The leader of the Creton Caravan was furious, leaving the two to stay behind while the rest continued to the capital, Trier.

As for the young man named Ross Hurley, no one saw him again after the morning.

The journey was smooth, with no further incidents, and the Creton Caravan reached the capital of the Intis Republic before sunset.

To thank them for their care, Hastur gave them an extra 10 gold coins.

Thinking of how the Fool had worked hard to earn that money, Hastur felt especially pleased using it.

After parting with the caravan, Hastur and Sharon found a decent inn to stay in.

Intis Republic, Southeastern Coastal Port

At the bustling and prosperous port, Cattleya accompanied Bernadette.

Having not set foot in their homeland for a long time, both had different emotions on their faces.

Since the White Maple Palace incident, the Intis Republic had changed.

The Eternal Blazing Sun, allied with the Sauron family, had seized the throne from the Gustav family.

Though Bernadette still hated her father, she secretly returned to the Intis Republic several times but never found the answers she sought.

During one return, she was discovered by the Eternal Blazing Sun and the Sauron family, leading to a chase. Since then, she hadn't set foot in the country again.

"Do you miss it?" Bernadette asked, looking at the familiar architectural style of the streets.

Cattleya was silent for a moment, then shook her head, "I don't remember much."

She had left Intis at a young age, following Bernadette. Back then, she hated the homeland as much as Bernadette did and had few fond memories.

Her childhood memories were all tied to the person in front of her.

"Let's go. It's time to see some old friends."