As soon as Hastur returned to the castle, Caius hurried over and reported that the number of people who had signed up to treat Ariella's acclimatization issues had already exceeded a thousand.
Hastur said calmly, "Have those willing to provide treatment plans pay a registration fee of 1 gold pound."
Caius was stunned for a moment. How could something like this charge money?
"This is called filtering, so we don't get people who just come to join the fun."
After hearing this, Caius found it reasonable and arranged for the matter to be handled, setting the location in Moira Town, which was relatively close to the castle.
....
Three days later, Moira Town, still immersed in the afterglow of the Harvest Festival, once again welcomed a group of contestants aiming to win the 1,000 gold pounds, along with some curious onlookers.
Although many had not seen the true face of the lord, the name of Count Hastur Campbell, the new lord, had already spread.
This was one of the reasons Hastur posted this seemingly playful announcement, similar to spending a fortune to attract talent.
Spending 1,000 gold pounds to build a reputation was worth it. If he wanted to manipulate things behind the scenes, he could even save that 1,000 gold pounds and still make a bit from the registration fees.
According to Caius's statistics, only 173 contestants were ultimately willing to pay the 1 gold pound registration fee.
Hastur had Caius use the money to help provide food and lodging for those who came from afar, which could also be considered a contribution to boosting the town's economy.
When Old Jeff accompanied the newly appointed town mayor and saw Hastur standing on the high platform, the worry on his face deepened. He let out a heavy sigh, what a good son-in-law he would have been, such a pity.
Ariella lay listlessly in front of Hastur with her eyes closed. She appeared spiritless, but in reality, she was just drowsy and dozing.
The contestants below could only observe Ariella's condition from a distance and then write their answers on slips of paper within the allotted time.
As for who would win the 1,000 gold pounds, Hastur had originally planned to let Ariella randomly choose a lucky person.
That was the plan, but as Ariella lay dozing on the table, her nose twitched slightly. She suddenly opened her eyes, leapt into the crowd, darted left and right, and climbed onto someone's shoulder.
Sharon, she had actually come to participate in this little event.
In response, Hastur could only announce Sharon as the winner of the 1,000 gold pounds. At the same time, he refunded the 1 gold pound registration fee to those who were just a bit unlucky and even allowed them to enjoy a free day of food in the town.
As for fair rules, they were always meant to be broken.
Afterward, Hastur chatted briefly with the mayor of Moira Town and then returned to the castle under Old Jeff's complicated gaze.
On the way, Hastur asked Sharon why she had returned so punctually.
Sharon, holding the cheerful Ariella, said calmly, "1,000 gold pounds is quite a sum."
"Meow?"
"Even Ariella doesn't believe your explanation… Don't tell me you really thought something had happened to her?"
Sharon didn't reply, only tilting her head slightly. "Recently, a ship carrying a demigod-level mummy will pass through a Port in Southville County from the Southern Continent."
"So it really has come."
Sharon straightened and looked at him with a hint of disbelief. "You knew about this?"
Hastur smiled. "I just tried playing a game with 008. I didn't expect a ship carrying a mummy would actually arrive in Southville County. It might just be a coincidence."
To help Sharon advance to Sequence 4, Hastur had indeed used 008 to write a script once, combined with his own blessing of fate.
It was only an experiment, and he didn't know the outcome. After all, 008 couldn't influence people or events on the Southern Continent.
So this might really just be a coincidence. But calling it a coincidence in front of 008 felt a bit strange.
Sharon looked at Hastur deeply and said nothing.
"How is your teacher's condition recovering?" Hastur casually changed the topic to avoid awkwardness.
Upon returning to the castle, the people sent by the Grand Duke of Southville had already been waiting, accompanied by that pair of sisters.
Faced with the Grand Duke's goodwill, Hastur had no choice but to accept the sisters, then promptly handed them over to Caius for handling.
Trying to plant spies by his side wouldn't be so easy. The two attendants sent by Derby Augustus last time were still diligently guarding his home.
February 12.
Hastur received three replies from Backlund, one from Greg, one from Butler Neil, and one from Miss Audrey.
In the study, Hastur first opened Greg's letter, which contained some of the latest political developments in the Kingdom of Loen along with greetings.
Butler Neil's letter was much more formal, detailing everything he had handled recently, including the factory and the law firm, filling thirteen pages in total.
After reading Neil's letter, Hastur rubbed the corner of his eyes to rest briefly before opening Audrey's letter.
"Mr. Hastur, I finally received your reply. The steam train explosion in East Tuck County has reached Backlund, and it truly made people worry about you.
The king was enraged and sent many people to thoroughly investigate the matter.
Of course, both Susie and I firmly believe that Mr. Hastur would not be easily defeated by such trouble and would surely arrive safely in Southville County.
And indeed, Mr. Hastur did not disappoint our trust.
Recently, I received a letter from my second brother on the Southern Continent. It says that war has already broken out there, and the likely outcome is that the power of the Seven Churches may be driven out of the Southern Continent.
I believe Mr. Hastur has already heard such news, but I couldn't help mentioning it anyway. I hope Mr. Hastur will always take care of his safety when alone.
Lastly, the specialty foods of Southville County that you included with your last letter were truly delicious."
After reading the letter from beginning to end, Hastur spent another hour writing replies, with most of the effort going into Butler Neil's letter.
"Next time I should tell Neil not to write in such detail, otherwise replying every time is too troublesome."
Hastur shook his wrist and handed the letters to Caius to send to Backlund.
There was no reply from Maric, he had probably communicated with Sharon through a summoned messenger.
Not long after Hastur had rested, 008 came bouncing over impatiently, eager to come out.
Was there something important to report?
Hastur raised an eyebrow, opened the pen case, and placed a sheet of paper in front of him.
008 stood upright, jumped onto the paper, and began writing rapidly.
"Dear Master, I can feel a prying gaze from afar. That paranoid one is looking for me!"
"Wuwuwu… From His gaze, I see unreserved desire. He wants to devour me!"
"He has already arrived in Southville County. It's very dangerous!"
Hastur's expression grew serious. He knew Adam would come sooner or later, but he hadn't expected it to be this soon.
It seemed that the series of events had made Adam unable to maintain his usual composure, choosing instead to personally come and search for 008.
"Can the paranoid one you mentioned accurately lock onto this place?"
"No, He only has a rough sensing range."
After writing this, 008 hurriedly added: "He must have left some means on Ince Zangwill, which is why He could briefly lock onto me in Southville County through Ince Zangwill's death!"
That did sound like something Adam would do. It seemed there wasn't much time left. With Adam's abilities, he would likely find this place soon.
Hastur would not underestimate such a terrifying opponent. It was difficult to gauge what capabilities the Ancient Sun God truly possessed.
Regarding Adam, Hastur had already considered several countermeasures. The simplest method was to lure Him away.
He could go to the Hall of Stars and communicate directly with Adam as the one who returns the stars, using 008 as a bargaining chip.
He could also let the High-Dimensional Overseer help draw Adam away, which would conveniently give the Overseer a reason to join the Star's Assembly.
[T/N: Gathering of the Stars -> Star's Assembly]
Besides luring Him away, he could also avoid Him.
As long as he hid in Backlund, even someone as powerful as Adam wouldn't dare to force his way in. Otherwise, he would truly have to shout out Leodero's name.
That was the strongest incantation!
He could also try to directly intimidate Adam. The only thing in his possession that could truly threaten Adam was that messenger, the ancient undead phoenix, Gregrace, but her true intentions were still unknown.
So that was the worst option.
After thinking for a while, Hastur decided to let the High-Dimensional Overseer try first and also test His intentions.
"You'd better hide well and try not to let that paranoid one find you too soon."
After speaking, Hastur put 008 back into the pen case, then went to the first-floor hall to retrieve the golden box. If things truly came to the worst, that item would also be a powerful trump card.
He then went to inform Madam Lisa, telling her that a strong enemy might come and to stay vigilant.
Although it might not be of much use, it was better than nothing.
He also instructed Sharon to handle some matters and told her to stay away from the castle until everything was over.
After finishing all this, he entered the Hall of Stars from his bedroom, where numerous rules had been arranged as a form of psychological reassurance.