Chapter 453: Susie: Audrey, Hesitation Leads to Defeat

Chapter 453: Susie: Audrey, Hesitation Leads to Defeat

At the harbor, Hastur gazed at Klein, whose appearance had clearly changed, and continued enticingly: "Mr. Natural Biologist, the Sea of Ruins is extremely dangerous. One misstep could lead to shipwreck and death. The dangers there are worth a 1000 gold pound reward."

Klein remained silent for a moment before replying: "I don't have that much money on me right now."

"I trust your character. You can write an IOU and redeem it later."

Money wasn't the real issue - Hastur mainly enjoyed the pleasure of earning gold pounds from Klein.

"...Alright," Klein finally agreed. The fact that IOUs were even mentioned meant his hidden identity had likely been discovered.

At sea, trust was an extremely valuable commodity. 

Since his identity had been exposed, Klein stopped being so coy. After purchasing supplies with Hastur, he boarded the Hope.

This ship was only medium-sized, a step smaller than flagship vessels like the Golden Dream.

On board, he encountered the young blonde noblewoman, Miss Audrey, again. 

Through subtle observations at the Tarot Club gatherings, he was now almost certain that Miss Audrey was the Justice.

This was because the Justice, who originally lived in Backlund, had clearly come to sea recently, perfectly matching Miss Audrey's movements.

Especially upon seeing Susie, there was no doubt about Justice's real identity.

When he saw Fors and Xio, Klein paused briefly, then secretly glanced at their heights, focusing his main observations on Fors.

This Ms. Fors was very similar to the Magician, both in physique and personality traits.

So Justice and the Magician were actually acquainted in real life - no wonder their interactions at the Tarot Club meetings were a bit different.

"This is Mr. Wilson, a natural biologist who wants to search for mermaids at sea. He's also from Backlund in Loen," Hastur gave a brief introduction of Klein's new identity.

"Natural biologist... Has Mr. Wilson been to many places?" Xio asked with a slight frown. 

For some reason, she had felt an uncomfortable scrutinizing gaze from this Mr. Wilson earlier.

"I've only recently left Loen and have just been wandering around this area of the sea. There are still many places I haven't set foot in," Klein replied.

To play his new role well, Klein educated Xio, Fors and the others about various strange sea creatures. 

For example, marine life large enough for a group of people to live normally inside its stomach, or storm giant eagles capable of destroying an entire ship.

Audrey quietly observed for a while, feeling that this person seemed somewhat like Mr. World.

Fors was also secretly examining this Mr. Wilson, trying to guess his true background. 

She didn't believe Mr. Hastur would casually allow an ordinary natural biologist to board the Hope.

Susie also watched everything from afar in the shadows.

Hastur, the instigator of it all, silently observed the scene, feeling as if he was watching a spy film unfold.

Come to think of it, Fors could indeed be considered a spy.

Ah, the plot thickens.

Although everyone harbored their own secret thoughts, on the surface they got along harmoniously.

At night, Xio and Fors began discussing the newly arrived Mr. Wilson in their room.

Xio said with certainty: "I'm sure he's not just a simple natural biologist!"

"Then why don't you investigate and find out his true identity," Fors naturally passed this task to Xio.

"Aren't you curious at all?"

"I just trust Mr. Hastur."

"..."

This excuse for laziness was very convincing, leaving Xio speechless.

Meanwhile, in Audrey and Susie's room.

Susie, already lying on the lower bunk, said in a low voice: "Audrey, Mr. Wilson secretly observed you several times today, as if trying to confirm something."

"He was secretly observing me?"

"Yes, he also glanced at Ms. Fors multiple times," Susie naturally shared her observations from the day. "He seems to know you both."

"I see." Audrey understood and smiled: "Susie, you did very well with this."

She didn't know anyone else at sea and had never met Mr. Wilson before.

If he knew both her and Fors, then he must be a member of the Tarot Club!

The Sun was still in Silvermoon City, the Vampire would never think of disguising himself, and Hanged Man's identity should be that of a pirate captain.

Only the mysterious Mr. World fit the profile.

Mr. Wilson is Mr. World, or more accurately, one of Mr. World's disguised identities.

Come to think of it, she had even fed Mr. World multiple times before.

Meeting a Tarot Club member like this by chance in the real world was truly interesting.

She wondered if she might also encounter Hanged Man, who was also adventuring at sea.

And the newly joined Hermit, who also seemed to be at sea.

Around 11 PM, in Klein's room, he was still awake, sitting at the desk with a mirror placed in front of him.

Today's events had nearly caught him off guard. He really didn't want to encounter the mysterious Mr. Hastur again. It seemed nothing good ever came from their meetings, especially since coming to sea.

First, he met the King in Yellow impersonating Hastur, then he encountered the real Hastur while disguised as Elaine, and today he ended up owing a 1000 gold pound IOU...

At least meeting Justice and Magician was an unexpected pleasure.

After reflecting on the day's events, Klein looked at himself in the mirror. The person in the mirror looked nothing like his true self, completely different, yet how was Hastur able to easily see through his disguise?

Could it be that the Faceless power was simply non-existent in his eyes?

Klein sighed, got up and returned to bed. Although the bed was soft and comfortable, he didn't feel sleepy at all.

Late at night, Audrey was also unable to sleep in her bed.

Usually at this time, Mr. Hastur would take her through a Travel portal to experience different adventures, but tonight, Mr. Hastur seemed to have missed their appointment.

Was it because he didn't want Mr. World to notice?

"Susie, are you asleep?"

"Audrey, you know I'm always energetic at night."

"Can you go check Mr. Hastur's room for me?" After saying this, Audrey lightly covered her slightly warm cheeks with the blanket.

"Audrey, if you like someone, you should face it bravely and act decisively. Hesitation only leads to defeat."

"...Susie, what books have you been secretly reading lately?"

"This is knowledge I learned long ago from Emperor Roselle's quotes."

"..."

Audrey didn't know how to respond to Susie, who was now giving her relationship advice.

"Audrey, going on adventures is one of the few chances you have to be alone with Mr. Hastur."

"Once the adventure is over and you return, you'll have to go back to Backlund, leaving only Miss Sharon by Mr. Hastur's side..."

Susie stood up, her gaze sharp and emotions high, seemingly ready to expound further on this topic.

"Susie, I finally understand where the term 'dog-headed military advisor' comes from."

"..."

This time, it was Susie's turn to fall silent. She quickly walked out of the room towards Hastur's quarters.

"Woof woof woof."

Susie just stood at the door and barked a few times, trusting Mr. Hastur would understand her meaning.

This was the mutual trust and understanding between her and Mr. Hastur.

After a while, a door rippling with spatial fluctuations appeared out of thin air in Audrey's room.

Hastur had originally not planned to go out tonight, as such spatial disturbances couldn't escape Klein's keen spiritual perception.

But since Susie came to call him, he no longer worried about Klein noticing this small detail.

When Hastur appeared in the room, Audrey was lying on her side facing away from him, pulling the blanket over her blushing face.

After composing herself a bit, she lifted the covers and looked naturally at Hastur, who was surrounded by flickering points of light from the spatial door.

Then she walked over and, as usual, naturally wrapped her arms around Hastur's left arm.

Only this time, her emotions were much more complex than before. She lowered her head slightly, inwardly blaming Susie for saying too many confusing things tonight.

As the two left through the Travel portal, Klein, who was still awake, indeed keenly sensed this faint spatial fluctuation.

But he didn't get up to investigate, just rolled over and continued lying awake.

...

"Mr. Hastur, did Susie say anything to you earlier?"

Audrey and Hastur strolled along the street late at night. A few lit street lamps at the corner cast a dim yellow glow, hazy and dreamy.

Hastur didn't answer this question, but instead moved closer and gently took Audrey's small hand, holding it in his own.

"Mr. Hastur, you..."

The sudden intimate gesture made Audrey's body stiffen slightly. She stopped in her tracks as her heart began to race.

What made her even more flustered was wondering what exactly Susie had said to Mr. Hastur earlier.