Chapter 540: New Members of the Star Conference

Chapter 540: New Members of the Star Conference

After the Tarot meeting ended, Audrey found an excuse to take Susie, who was lying outside the door, and took a carriage to Hastur's house.

Although they were already engaged, they were not living together yet. As for when they would get married, Earl Hall left it up to them to decide.

"The master is in the study on the second floor."

Aisala came out to greet them. She spoke to Audrey, but her sparkling eyes were fixed on Susie.

"Susie, play nicely with Aisala."

Audrey patted Aisala's little head and entrusted her to Susie's care.

"I'll take you for a walk in the garden."

Aisala walked ahead proudly, while Susie followed silently behind.

Only in front of Susie did Aisala find the joy of being human. Compared to a big golden retriever, a person could do much more.

Flexible hands were far superior to dog paws.

For example, in chess, although Susie was good at reading, her paws could hardly grasp a chess piece and could only push them. This made it easy to place pieces incorrectly, allowing Aisala to seize the opportunity and defeat Susie in one go.

On the second floor, Hastur was organizing his various industries in Backlund, preparing to return to Southwell County at any time.

"Miss Sharon isn't here today?" Audrey asked casually as she walked into the study.

"She still has some matters to handle in Backlund." Hastur put down the documents he was organizing, stood up, and pulled Audrey to sit beside him on the sofa. "Did something happen?" he asked.

"Mr. Hastur, do you know that war is about to start?"

"Yes, I know."

Audrey, who had intended to share the latest news with Hastur, felt a bit dejected. "When did you find out?"

"A few days ago. As you know, I have a good relationship with Bernadette of the Pirate Kingdom, so it's hard to keep the latest maritime news from me."

"Really just a few days ago?" Audrey's serious tone made Hastur pause.

"Audrey, everyone has their own little secrets. I don't want to hide anything from you, but some things are not suitable to tell you yet."

Just as Hastur was about to say this, Audrey preemptively said, "Everyone has their own little secrets. I have mine too, so Mr. Hastur, you don't need to feel ashamed for not being able to be completely honest."

Audrey smiled brightly and placed her small hand in Hastur's palm.

"Then let's each keep our own secrets and share them when we feel it's appropriate."

"Okay."

Audrey didn't stay long. After discussing the possible strategic decisions of the Ruen Kingdom's high command with Hastur, she left with Susie, under Aisala's reluctant gaze.

"Pack up. We'll return to Southwell County in a few days."

Butler Neil responded and began preparing for their departure from Backlund.

On the morning of January 18, Seros County in the Fenepot Kingdom was fully captured.

At this time, the high command of the Fenepot Kingdom, still immersed in the New Year festivities, received the real news from Seros County and hurriedly began discussing countermeasures.

At 8 p.m. on January 18, in Backlund, the Ruen royal family, who had also received the news, summoned several major nobles to the palace to discuss the matter, with Hastur being one of them.

"I can only guarantee that Southwell County will not be lost." Hastur made his promise, which relieved the Ruen royal family.

They were really afraid that the young Earl Campbell would abandon them at such a critical moment.

To allow Hastur to rightfully manage the entire Southwell County, the Ruen royal family appointed him as the Duke of Southwell.

Initially, Hastur refused this ominous position, which had already claimed the lives of three dukes. But thinking that this misfortune was caused by him, he accepted it.

At the end of the meeting, the Ruen royal family allocated 500,000 gold pounds from the treasury to Hastur to enhance military preparations and ensure the defense of Southwell County.

As for supporting the Fenepot Kingdom, it was not mentioned at the meeting. The so-called "lips and teeth depend on each other" was just a one-sided wish.

The day after the meeting ended, Hastur went to Southwell County. He let Butler Neil and others take the steam train, while he, Sharon, and Aisala used a travel portal to go directly to Southwell County, saving time.

Audrey chose to stay in Backlund and did not go to Southwell County.

Earl Hall regretted not combining the engagement ceremony with the wedding.

On January 20, a large army from the southern continent used Seros County as a base, with a continuous stream of troops crossing the sea to Seros County, then splitting into three groups to launch a full-scale attack on the Fenepot Kingdom.

On January 25, the king of the Fenepot Kingdom was assassinated during a mobilization speech and died from his injuries.

On January 26, the terrorist organization Aurora Society claimed responsibility for the assassination of the Fenepot Kingdom's king.

On January 28, the turbulent Fenepot Kingdom struggled to organize an effective counterattack, with fortresses in various places falling one after another.

On January 30, the Fenepot Kingdom sent envoys to seek military assistance from Luenburg, Segal, Massi, and the Ruen Kingdom.

On February 1, in the family castle in Southwell County, Hastur was briefly enjoying a private moment with Sharon.

After his engagement with Audrey, Sharon had used the excuse of handling affairs for the Abstinence Faction to stay away, but she had nowhere to hide once they arrived in Southwell County.

At night, Hastur went to sleep early in Sharon's room and entered the Hall of Stars.

Tonight's Star Conference included two new deities from the Initial Barrier: the Goddess of the Night and the True Creator, making it more interesting than past gatherings.

Hastur could already imagine the shocked looks from the Lamp God, the Mother Tree of Desire, and other Outer Gods.

He sat quietly, contemplating the possible scenarios and responses to avoid losing control of the meeting.

After finishing his thoughts, Hastur first scanned the stars where each of them resided, then summoned them one by one to the Hall of Stars.

The first was the Lamp God, followed by the Mother Tree of Desire, the Supernova Dominator, the Higher Dimensional Observer, the Primordial Hunger, the Goddess of the Night, and the True Creator.

The Outer Gods who arrived first scrutinized the last two new members of the Star Conference.

One was an inverted black cross, and the other was a mature, elegant woman in a complex black dress, her face difficult to discern.

The Lamp God, who knew all the secrets within the Initial Barrier, looked at them with a peculiar gaze and said in a solemn tone, "The True Creator and the Goddess of the Night."

The Mother Tree of Desire also recognized the Goddess of the Night. During the time when the authority of the Crimson Moon was partly in the hands of the Goddess of the Night, she had later traded it with the Earth Mother. During that period, the Mother Tree of Desire, the Fallen Mother, and the Goddess of the Night had fought for the authority of the Crimson Moon. Such a familiar aura was impossible to forget.

The Higher Dimensional Observer focused mainly on the True Creator, having traveled back and forth to the Forsaken Land several times without encountering the True Creator. It was clear that the True Creator had deliberately avoided him.

After a brief silence and mutual scrutiny, Hastur casually introduced the True Creator and the Goddess of the Night to the Outer Gods.

"This is a great opportunity for communication. I'm sure you'll have a pleasant conversation."

Hastur leaned back in his chair, waiting for their interaction. With the Lamp God present, it would be hard for them to remain silent.

"I didn't expect you two to be the new members. It seems you also believe the end is near and everything is irreversible," the Lamp God broke the silence first.

"Until the last moment, no one can be certain of the outcome," the Goddess of the Night responded calmly, not intimidated by the Outer Gods before her.

"Are you planning to defect to our camp?" the Mother Tree of Desire asked directly.

"Is that necessary?" The Goddess of the Night glanced at them. "You are outside the Barrier, while we are inside. We have the upper hand."

"It's you who need us, not the other way around," the True Creator chimed in.

"You can't break the seal left by the Lord of Mysteries and can only gaze at the treasure mountain without advancing," the Supernova Dominator said indifferently.

"What if the Lord of Mysteries is awakening?"

The Goddess of the Night casually dropped a significant bombshell.

The eyes of the Mother Tree of Desire, the Supernova Dominator, and the other Outer Gods brightened, except for the Lamp God, who felt particularly uncomfortable and unhappy.

He had not yet escaped the seal of the Wish Lamp to return to the stars. If the Lord of Mysteries awakened early, he might never have the chance to return to the stars.

Damn the Lord of Mysteries, the Lamp God cursed silently.

"When He awakens, the seal on the Western Continent will naturally shatter, while you will still be blocked outside the Initial Barrier."

The Goddess of the Night's gentle tone conveyed a fact that none of them could remain calm about.

This was the real reason why the Mother Tree of Desire and other Outer Gods had been trying various means to penetrate the Initial Barrier and extend their influence into the real world.

They were racing against time.

Competing with other rivals and the awakening of the Lord of Mysteries.