Bernadette's smile faded, her brows slightly furrowed. "Quite a few. The strongest should be the so-called King of Curses, Barranca."
----------------------------------
The King of Curses, Barranca!
Sharon's heart sank, her expression turning grim. She knew this King of Curses, Barranca, once, alongside her teacher, he had been one of the leaders of the Rose School of Thought.
He was the angel of the Indulgence Faction!
A Sequence 2 Ancient Bane!
It was he, together with that fallen god, who had overturned the Rose School of Thought back then, and even her teacher had perished in that catastrophe.
An Angel, secretly arriving in Backlund!
No wonder Hastur had kept warning her to be extremely cautious, to stay in safe places and avoid going out.
At the same time, she also understood that this time the Rose School of Thought had come to Backlund not for people like her.
This was what he meant by "When the city gates catch fire, even the fish in the moat suffer."
"Don't worry, their target isn't you. You just need to stay hidden carefully, and if things really don't work out, you can run to the Church of the Evernight Goddess for help. I believe they won't dare go too far, especially not that King of Curses."
Bernadette tried to ease Sharon's worries.
"Do you know why they came to Backlund?"
"Some time ago, they held a descent ritual in West Balam, but it was destroyed by the Storm Church together with the Church of the Eternal Blazing Sun and the Church of Knowledge and Wisdom. Now they may be here in Backlund to cause trouble for the Storm Church."
Sharon thought for a moment, then shook her head: "I know them. They wouldn't come to Backlund just for such a simple reason as revenge. It must be something more important."
"Perhaps they're also looking for the Followers of the Stars," Bernadette sighed.
"Followers of the Stars?"
Sharon looked at Bernadette with confusion. Her cute, slightly puzzled expression once again tempted Bernadette to reach out with her sinful hand, but Sharon dodged just in time.
Bernadette waved her hand: "You don't need to know too much. It's very dangerous. If you hear anything related to the Stars in the future, don't try to uncover the truth, just send me the message."
"You also came to Backlund because of this?"
"Partly, but mostly I came to Backlund to ease my mind."
Thinking of recent events, Bernadette sighed again.
Fortunately, the Son of Chaos had been quiet lately, and the Lord of the Stars seldom disturbed her in the middle of the night anymore. That alone lifted her spirits.
"Once this Rose School of Thought group leaves, little Sharon, you'll have to accompany me to wander around Backlund properly."
Bernadette invited with a smile, but Sharon expressionlessly refused: "I still have many things to do, no time."
"Don't I know you? Other than playing a delicate doll every day, you just love listening to stories."
Bernadette teased: "The night looks nice today. I still have plenty of fairy tales here. Want to stay and listen a while?"
"No. No time." Sharon directly refused and prepared to leave.
Bernadette called out, "I also have several sets of suitable dresses here. Want to try them on?"
"..." Sharon quickened her steps to leave.
"Little Sharon isn't as cute as before."
Bernadette sighed, then dispersed the fairy tale world around them with a gesture, sending Sharon away on a pea vine.
When Sharon had gone, Bernadette's gentle expression faded, replaced by a layer of frosty coldness.
She had not told Sharon that this time the Rose School of Thought was most likely here for her.
That very afternoon, the first officer remaining on the Dawn had sent word that Rose School of Thought members were searching everywhere for the Dawn and its crew, using extremely cruel methods.
Thinking of the Rose School of Thought's Angel infiltrating Backlund, her suspicion that she was their target was almost certain.
It was normal for the Rose School of Thought to come after her. What puzzled her was whether that descent ritual in West Balam was truly that important.
Otherwise, why would the Rose School of Thought show such determination to come after her at any cost?
She also thought of that Temperance card mentioned by the Son of Chaos. That was absolutely a trap. Even the Son of Chaos had advised her not to go, to avoid falling into it.
What aspect of herself had attracted the Mother Tree of Desire's attention?
Why target her so strongly? Was the Son of Chaos hiding something?
At the last gathering of the Stars, had the Son of Chaos made some deal with the Mother Tree of Desire?
Bernadette pondered seriously, more and more convinced that the Magic Wishing Lamp was a ticking time bomb that could explode at any moment.
Handing it over to the Churches of the Seven Gods would be the best option. But currently, she was the master of the Magic Wishing Lamp.
Once it fell into their hands, a single wish would doom her forever.
That was why she had always only threatened the Son of Chaos, never actually acted.
Compared with the Son of Chaos, that Rose School of Thought angel was far less threatening.
Even outside, that Angel might not be able to defeat her, let alone here in Backlund.
It was best to stay in Backlund for now. Even if that fallen god really descended, she was confident she could protect herself here.
…
The next day.
After breakfast, Hastur took a small case containing 5,800 gold pounds and rode a carriage to Bavart Bank.
He smoothly deposited 800 gold pounds, and seeing 1,000 gold pounds lying in his account, he smiled in satisfaction.
At noon, at Backlund Bank, he met with Greg and handed him the small case full of 5,000 gold pounds.
Greg had his men collect the money, smiling: "To gather such a sum so quickly, looks like your finances have improved quite a bit lately."
"The profits for the first half of the year just arrived a couple of days ago, that's why I had some spare money."
"Haha, when do you plan to treat me to a banquet?"
"When I move into my new house."
Hastur mentioned he was about to move into the Empress Borough.
"Number 3 King's Street. If I recall, your old place was on Number 1 Street, right?"
"Mm. A house there isn't something you can get just by helping the police solve a case."
"The deed to that mansion should currently be in Earl Hall's hands."
"??"
Hastur was taken aback. Would a great noble like Earl Hall really gamble with Voltaire?
Wasn't he afraid of damaging his reputation?
Seeing Hastur's doubts, Greg explained with a smile: "Earl Hall bought that mansion from another noble as an investment, letting it appreciate in value. It's just a normal investment."
Relieved, Hastur asked curiously: "How much does that mansion cost?"
Greg raised one finger. "Starting at 100,000 gold pounds."
"..." Hastur immediately gave up on the idea of buying back his ancestral home.
That was 100,000 gold pounds! He had no idea how long it would take to save such a sum.
Unless he turned to plundering, it would be nearly impossible to earn it through his own efforts.
"No need to rush. You're still young."
Greg lowered his voice: "If you could marry Miss Audrey, I think Earl Hall wouldn't mind giving that mansion to you as a gift."
"..." Hastur coughed lightly: "Greg, you know me , I've never liked living off a woman."
"Hastur, Miss Audrey is the brightest jewel of Backlund. Are you truly unmoved?"
"..."
Hastur didn't want to continue the topic, so he shifted to discussing his plan to open a law firm in the Hillston District.
Greg was generous about it, saying he had already found a suitable office there. As soon as the lawyers were in place, it could open immediately.
Tsk, having a wealthy, powerful friend really was a blessing.
Checking the time, Hastur invited: "It's getting late. How about a meal together?"
"I don't want to bankrupt you all at once."
"Mm, good point. Then I'll have lunch alone."
"… You'll lose me as a friend this way."
"If friendship can be lost over something this small, then it wasn't real friendship."
Greg laughed and let Hastur lead the way, ready to enjoy a good meal.
…
After lunch, Hastur went to Backlund University and borrowed two books on languages from the library.
One was Ancient Hermes, the other Jotun, both painstaking works by old professors at the university.
Seeing there was still time before Lecturer Fron's class ended, Hastur stayed in the library to read quietly.
Close to five in the afternoon, Lecturer Fron finally finished teaching.
The two went to a restaurant together. When Hastur mentioned opening a new law firm in Hillston District, envy filled Fron's eyes.
Back when he graduated from Backlund University, he too had wanted to open a law firm in Hillston, the city's most prosperous business district.
But the costs were too high, and money alone wasn't enough, one needed connections. The courts would never casually allow an ordinary lawyer to open an office in such a place.
Hastur spread his hands: "Can't help it, that friend of mine is very good at using the power of money."
Lecturer Fron leaned closer: "Aren't we friends too?"
"Cough, I think you're overestimating my finances."
In fact, when it came to available funds, Fron was definitely richer than he was.
Fron held multiple jobs, lecturer at Backlund University, owner of his own law firm, on the rolls of two other firms, and legal adviser for at least five companies.
His yearly income, even if not 10,000 gold pounds, was certainly over 5,000.
They chatted further, and eventually Fron said he could find two suitable lawyers for the new firm.
With him and Hastur, that would make four lawyers.
Enough to carry the law firm through its early stage.
Tsk, the power of connections truly was formidable.