Chapter 617: New Year's Blessing from the Stars

 Chapter 617: New Year's Blessing from the Stars

"What a beautiful sight."

Audrey was delighted by the scene before her, and Sharon's eyes softened as she gazed at the sea, painted red by the fireworks in the sky.

"The charm of Intis is indeed unique," Audrey said with a bright smile. "I'm glad we chose to come here tonight; otherwise, staying deep in the palace of the Bryne Empire would have been too dull."

Hastur seemed hesitant to speak, but Audrey gently squeezed his hand, signaling that he need not feel guilty. Her other hand held Sharon's small hand.

When Fors and Xio arrived, this was the scene they witnessed.

They had originally been invited to attend the New Year's Eve party of the Star Sea Kingdom, held inside Bernadette's fairy tale castle.

Just moments ago, the sage had suddenly informed them that guests were arriving and asked them to meet the guests at this location.

Upon arrival, they discovered that the guests were Miss Audrey, Miss Sharon, and Mr. Hastur.

Fors wore an obviously awkward expression. Ever since learning that Mr. Hastur was one of the stars, this was her first time encountering him in the real world.

Faith and friendship were a barrier difficult to cross.

Xio's expression was also slightly awkward, but she quickly joined the conversation with Audrey and Sharon.

Fors wanted to join in their conversation too, but with Hastur watching, she was too nervous to say a word.

In the end, she chose to remain silent, but every time Hastur's gaze swept over her, her heart would skip a beat with anxiety, fearing she might do something wrong.

Noticing Fors's unease, Audrey proactively included her in the conversation, which helped Fors relax a bit.

With Xio as their guide, the group quickly toured the capital's must-see attractions, finally heading to Bernadette's fairy tale castle.

The sparkling castle stood like a pearl adorning the Roselle Islands, with even the most brilliant fireworks unable to outshine it.

The whimsical and innocent architecture captivated Audrey, who had always yearned for a fairy tale world. At this moment, she felt as if she had truly stepped into a fairy tale kingdom.

Even Sharon's eyes brightened, while Susie and Aisala looked around curiously, reminiscent of Grandma Liu visiting the Grand View Garden.

Upon entering the fairy tale castle, Hastur left first, allowing Xio and Fors to finally relax.

"There's no need to be so tense; in the real world, he has always been Mr. Hastur," Audrey reassured them. "I've always trusted him."

"His humanity is well-preserved," Sharon added, recalling Hastur's insatiable greed in certain matters, her cheeks flushing slightly. However, under the brilliant fireworks, no one noticed.

Deep within the castle, Hastur had already arrived ahead of Audrey and the others.

The temporarily freed Lamp genie manifested outside the wishing lamp, with a table of delicious food set before him.

In his left hand, he held a glass of wine, and with his right hand, he occasionally sampled the food.

Despite having only an illusory body, he acted like a normal being.

When Hastur arrived, the Lamp genie's eyes narrowed slightly before quickly returning to normal. He raised his glass and exclaimed, "To a wonderful New Year!"

"Cheers."

Hastur smiled, took a seat opposite the Lamp genie, and poured himself a glass of wine. The aroma was rich and refined, likely a royal-exclusive vintage from the Intis Republic, a cut above the wine Klein had brought last time, probably brought back by Bernadette during her return to Intis.

Looking at the star who sat above the Hall of Stars, now appearing as a handsome human male across from him, the Lamp genie sincerely remarked, "I never thought I'd have a New Year's celebration with the stars. This world is truly magical."

"This world is full of surprises," Hastur replied, finishing his wine and narrowing his eyes slightly. "A new year should bring new beginnings. In honor of tonight's encounter, I might grant you a small wish."

"A small wish?" The Lamp genie laughed self-deprecatingly, then casually said, "I'd like you to help me return to the stars. Does that count as small?"

Though he didn't know what the stars were planning, he understood they were orchestrating a grand scheme for the future. Before fully returning to the stars, they would never help him return.

Even if he had the possibility of returning, the stars would intervene to prevent unnecessary changes and trouble.

Hastur didn't answer immediately. Instead, he picked up a clean pair of chopsticks from the table and skillfully sampled the dishes.

Having been in the mysterious world for so long, opportunities to eat with chopsticks were rare, and he had almost forgotten how.

"Returning to the stars..." Hastur finally looked at the Lamp genie after tasting a few bites of squirrelfish. "That wish isn't too big."

The Lamp genie was stunned for a moment, incredulously asking, "Then would you grant me this small wish?"

"Sure, consider it a New Year's blessing for you."

"Really?"

"I don't like making empty promises."

"When?"

"Within five years."

"Impossible!"

Upon hearing the timeframe of five years, the Lamp genie immediately stood up, unable to believe it.

It was the last day of 1351, the first day of 1352. The prophesied apocalypse would occur in 1368, leaving 16 years.

How could the stars send him to the stars so many years in advance?

Surely the stars were joking, making fun of him?

Seeing the Lamp genie's excitement, disbelief, suspicion, and doubt, Hastur calmly said, "If you don't want it, I'll take back the New Year's blessing."

"Wait!" The Lamp genie quickly stopped him, thought for a moment, and finally said, "Sit at the head first, then say it again."

Hastur smiled. The Lamp genie feared he was joking as Hastur and wanted him to promise again as the stars.

"Otherwise, I won't feel at ease," the Lamp genie said sheepishly.

In a good mood, Hastur obliged, sitting at the head of the table, with the Lamp genie quietly taking the lower seat, just like in the Hall of Stars.

This perspective felt more familiar, and the Lamp genie was momentarily dazed.

"Within five years, you will return to the stars and gain freedom."

Hastur repeated the New Year's blessing, and the Lamp genie's body trembled slightly. After a long silence, he finally bowed his head and said, "Thank you for the blessing of the stars."

"Relax a bit; tonight, I don't want to celebrate as the stars," Hastur said with a smile, raising his glass. "To a beautiful future."

"To freedom!"

Even though the Lamp genie was just an illusory golden shadow, he appeared exceptionally bold and uninhibited.

"Have some food; this Eight Treasure Duck is quite tasty," the Lamp genie said enthusiastically, extending his golden arm to serve Hastur food while refilling his empty wine glass.

This scene left Hastur momentarily stunned, ultimately feeling that the Lamp genie was too talented to remain outside the system.

As midnight approached, Bernadette led the group, including Audrey and Sharon, to the scene, followed by Gadriel and Ice Admiral Edwina.

What they saw was Hastur sharing drinks with a golden lamp.

"Mr. Hastur looks so happy; I should sketch this moment," Audrey said with a smile, her eyes sparkling with interest.

"Is that golden lamp the powerful sealed artifact?" Sharon pondered thoughtfully.

"Such flattery, truly proactive," Bernadette remarked, her gaze falling on the joyful Lamp genie.

"How interesting."

"So unique."

"That lamp seems to be talking."

"He is the stars."

Each person, including Fors, felt different emotions.

"Woof!" Susie barked, and she and Aisala trotted over, their stomachs growling from a night of sightseeing.

Seeing the newcomers, the Lamp genie, holding a wine glass and swirling the wine, glanced over with slight disdain, his demeanor instantly becoming more dignified.

"Bernadette, the food is getting cold; hurry and prepare another table," the Lamp genie ordered, almost commandingly.

Bernadette's eyes flickered as she glanced at Hastur, who was watching with a smile. She decided not to argue and instructed someone to prepare another lavish meal.

"Bernadette is a good girl, much cleaner-hearted than her father, Roselle, who was cunning and black-hearted," the Lamp genie said, seemingly drunk and addicted to talking about Bernadette.

Hastur smiled silently, not stopping him, simply finding it amusing.

It was foreseeable that after the New Year, the Lamp genie would be deprived of freedom, confined within the wishing lamp, and endure a long period of solitude.