Why would the old man suddenly speak up at this moment? Had he noticed something?
Leonard kept a calm expression. There was no way he could casually chat with the old man in front of Klein, even though he had a good relationship with him.
After the two parted ways, Leonard found a secluded spot and began asking the old man what he meant by that remark.
"It means nothing, just what it says. Don't you think that Mr. Azik is quite kind?"
Leonard scratched his head. "He does seem kind, but I always feel like he's not simple, like he's hiding some huge secret."
"Oh? Rare for you to be this perceptive."
"…" Leonard wanted to curse.
"Knowing his identity wouldn't help you anyway. But something big did happen today."
"What is it?"
"In the spirit world, a certain dead being has came out of the underworld of death."
Leonard grew interested. "Which existence is it?"
"Do you know who the underworld belongs to?"
"No idea. Old man, can't you be more specific?"
"No."
"…" Leonard took a deep breath, reminding himself not to get angry at an old man.
…
Southern Continent, Balam Empire, Royal Inner Court.
"The latest report, the Artificial Death project has succeeded!"
"How could it suddenly succeed?"
"It might be related to the large-scale war in the Southern Continent. The aura of death has always been favored by our god and is the best sacrifice to aid Their recovery. That's also why those lunatics have been pushing the war."
After a brief silence, a deep, powerful voice spoke:
"Where is our god now? We should go welcome Them back, and then let the Pale Flames sweep across the Northern Continent."
"We don't know. Even those from the Artificial Death faction don't know where the god has gone. Today's resurrection wasn't part of their plan."
"Then let us win this war as a gift for the god's return."
…
That's it?
Inside a room on the second floor of the ancient castle, Hastur and Sharon stared at the final messenger that had arrived from the spirit world, a small golden bird.
It was about the size of a human head. With its wings spread, it barely reached one meter. From afar, it looked as if it were wrapped in golden flames. On its head sat a slightly illusory golden crown that had not fully solidified.
Hastur tentatively asked, "Are you willing to become my exclusive messenger?"
The golden bird nodded. Its eyes were pure and innocent, like those of a newborn, without a trace of impurity.
"How fast can you deliver messages?"
"Chirp." The golden bird spread its wings, merged into the spirit world, and after a while flew back out.
That meant its delivery speed was very fast, nothing to worry about.
"Sharon, what do you think?"
Caught off guard, Sharon instinctively replied, "It's quite cute."
She quickly corrected herself, "It seems very extraordinary."
"Chirp!" The golden bird lifted its head slightly. Its feathers, arranged like strands of gold, were especially eye-catching.
This bird looked… very luxurious. It didn't resemble a spirit world creature, more like a specially trained messenger bird.
"Alright, let's sign a contract." Hastur took out a black round-bellied fountain pen and a yellow-brown parchment, and quickly wrote the contract in ancient Hermes.
The terms mainly included that the messenger could not peek at letters, discard them, or endanger the contractor's life.
To ensure binding power, the final section required the honorific name of a deity belonging to a relevant domain.
Normally, this would be a death-related contract, requiring the name of the Death God. But the Death God had fallen, though not completely gone, there was no longer any response, making the contract weak.
Moreover, Hastur felt that this golden bird likely had a significant origin. After some thought, he chose to write: The One Who Returns the Stars to Their Places.
Let the stars bear witness to this contract, ensuring it would be difficult to violate.
After writing and checking it twice, Hastur handed the contract to the golden bird.
It lowered its head, held the parchment in its beak, flew to the table, and carefully examined every word and symbol.
Finally, it extended its right wing, pointed at a clause, and chirped repeatedly.
Hastur went over to look, it was the clause regarding the messenger's freedom.
In his original plan, the messenger would have no freedom, required to respond at any time without complaint.
Hastur asked, "You want some degree of freedom?"
"Chirp!"
After thinking for a moment, Hastur said, "How about this, normally, we won't interfere with each other, but when I need to send a message, you must come as quickly as possible."
"Chirp."
Hastur smiled. "I've made a concession. Shouldn't you give me something in return?"
The golden bird tilted its head, thought for a moment, then nodded.
"If I ever need help, you must do your best to assist me. Of course, I'll give you generous compensation."
"Chirp."
"If there are no other objections, let's sign."
Hastur slightly revised the contract, showed it to the bird again, and once both sides agreed, he signed his name: Hastur Campbell.
After he signed, the parchment floated up and moved before the golden bird.
It looked at its dark red beak, then at its wings, thought for a long time, and finally chose to lightly tap the parchment with its beak.
A flicker of golden flame appeared, and a name formed:
Gregrace.
"Gregrace… That's a nice name. It also sounds familiar."
Hastur murmured, then suddenly seemed to realize something. He looked at the small golden bird in disbelief.
With its wings folded, it looked chubby. Its eyes were as pure as a newborn's. Sometimes, when it was dazed, it even seemed a little silly.
Could this… be the Phoenix Ancestor, Gregrace?
"Come here, let me take a look."
Hastur put away the parchment and beckoned the bird. It landed steadily on his shoulder, tilting its head to look at him.
"Gregrace, is that really your name?"
"Chirp."
"Do you still have your past memories?"
"Chirp?"
"You don't remember?"
"Chirp."
"Why can't you speak?"
"Chirp."
"You're too lazy to talk?"
"Chirp!"
…
Hastur asked many questions, but all he got in return was a series of chirps, though the slight changes in tone helped him roughly understand some answers.
"You can go back now. I'll summon you when I need you."
"Chirp."
Golden flames surrounded the bird as it naturally opened a passage to the spirit world and shot away like a streak of light.
Within the spirit world, unseen by Hastur and Sharon, it raised its head and spread its wings freely, flying toward the underworld. Its small body radiated an overwhelming, unapproachable majesty, causing all spirit world creatures to tremble.
Only after it reached the depths of the underworld did it let out a cry, its body rapidly expanding.
From the size of a head, to ten feet, to a hundred feet… until it became a colossal flaming phoenix that seemed capable of blotting out the sky. The golden crown atop its head shone like the sun.
The underworld, silent for countless ages, finally welcomed back its master.
…
On this day, the Church of the Evernight Goddess received a divine oracle, ordering all personnel still in the Southern Continent to withdraw and return to Backlund.
At the same time, other orthodox gods issued similar oracles, only the Church of the Eternal Blazing Sun remained silent.
On this day, the Balam Empire launched a massive war, determined to quell the chaos in the Southern Continent and then march north.
On this day, the uncrowned king who had long roamed the seas went to challenge the Abyss of Storms, triggering another divine descent. Endless lightning covered the surrounding seas.
On this day, the outer storms and lightning of the Berserk Sea, known as a forbidden zone, began to dissipate, attracting numerous pirates to explore.
…
None of this had anything to do with Hastur.
He was preparing to visit the Duke of Southville.
Originally, he hadn't planned to go so soon, but the duke had directly sent an invitation, nominally for his eldest son's twentieth birthday banquet.
In reality, it was a summons for Hastur to pay his respects to the ruler of Southville County.
Along with the invitation came a letter of reprimand from a member of the royal family.
The letter harshly criticized Hastur for his recent mysterious movements and for failing to promptly visit the Duke of Southville, accusing him of disregarding the king's expectations.
Left with no choice, Hastur packed his things, bought a gift, and set out by carriage with Sharon and Ariella.
As for Caius, Hastur had him stay behind at the castle to repair the roads and do some renovations, making the place look a bit newer.