Fors' expression looked a little off.
As a Sequence 8 Telepathist, Audrey immediately noticed the subtle change on Fors' face. With her understanding of Fors, there could only be one reason for such a reaction.
Fors knew even more about the Followers of the Stars than Xio, who was currently talking confidently.
It was possible she had already come into contact with information related to the Followers of the Stars, perhaps she even knew that believer personally.
In her little head, Audrey's imagination ran wild. At one point, the thought that Fors herself might be the Followers of the Stars even flashed past.
In the end, she concluded that the most likely possibility was that Fors simply knew some hidden details about the Followers of the Stars.
Perhaps sensing Audrey's scrutiny, Fors immediately straightened her posture and gathered her thoughts, not allowing Audrey to see through her true feelings.
Audrey thought that was a bit of a pity, she still wanted to observe Fors more.
Just as she withdrew her gaze, she happened to see Mr. Hastur watching her the same way she had been watching Fors.
"..." Audrey subconsciously steadied her mind as well, not allowing any of her emotions to leak out.
But as soon as she finished doing that, she froze, wasn't she acting exactly like the suspicious Fors?
It felt like guilty conscience.
Audrey glanced at Hastur from the corner of her eye. She saw the faint upward curl of his lips, as if amused by her reaction just now.
'Who was the observer here, really?!'
Audrey gave a soft snort in her heart, tilted her head slightly, and avoided Hastur's gaze.
"The Followers of the Stars… I've also been hearing news about him lately. Just one Followers of the Stars has caused lockdowns all over Backlund. This person is really something," Glaint sighed.
"Yes, the follower of the Stars is indeed extraordinary. Fortunately, he hasn't been caught yet. Otherwise, the outcome would be tragic, being put on the stake would be considered merciful."
Xio's rather meaningful words made Fors even more nervous, her cheeks growing warm.
Listening to them praise the Followers of the Stars one line after another, she only felt increasingly embarrassed.
She was just a Sequence 9 Apprentice!
She absolutely wasn't capable of stirring up such waves in Backlund. And besides, that so-called Followers of the Stars was fake!
But she couldn't say any of this. She could only silently shoulder the blame.
It really wasn't her! So unfair…
"I'm curious about the Followers of the Stars' identity as well."
Audrey joined in the conversation, letting her gaze deliberately sweep across Fors' face.
Fors' face tightened, pretending not to notice Audrey's probing look. This little bit of resistance left Audrey slightly disappointed.
"The stars… aren't they right above our heads?"
Hastur's remark triggered everyone's imagination. They subconsciously looked up at the starry sky, Fors included.
Audrey, having heard similar words before, first checked everyone's reactions before tilting her head up as well.
After a moment, Glaint shuddered. "Everyone… maybe we shouldn't discuss this anymore. I keep feeling like we're being watched."
'It wasn't that you might be watched, your every move was already being watched by the Stars.'
Hastur muttered inwardly, then agreed, "Indeed. The Stars overlook all things and exist everywhere. Best not to talk about such terrifying beings. If we attract their attention, it won't be good."
Fors quickly echoed, "We should be careful… the Stars are far too distant from us."
Audrey and Xio implicitly agreed to drop the topic.
After a brief silence, Xio asked, as usual, whether anyone knew the Sheriff potion formula. She assumed this would be another fruitless meeting.
"I have the Sheriff's potion formula." Hastur spoke up. His formula had been provided by Sharon and Maric.
Xio's eyes lit up, and she asked straightforwardly, "How many gold pounds?"
She had just received a huge 500-pound windfall, and her confidence was booming a little.
"450 pounds," Hastur offered a reasonable price.
"Alright."
Xio quietly breathed a sigh of relief. Fortunately, she had just gotten 500 pounds from Miss Audrey; otherwise, she would've had to borrow money from Fors again.
"Does anyone have the Trickmaster's potion formula?"
Fors tried her luck, but no one responded.
Audrey had also planned to ask about the Psychiatrist formula, but it was obvious that Xio and Fors couldn't access Sequence 7 information yet. As for Glaint, who barely left home, no hope there.
Only Mr. Hastur might know something.
After thinking for a moment, she decided to ask him privately instead.
Following a period of casual chitchat, Audrey got up to leave. As she did, she gave Hastur a subtle glance.
After the gathering ended, Hastur didn't take a carriage. He simply walked in the direction Audrey had left, soon noticing a carriage parked by the roadside, Audrey's personal maid standing beside it.
The maid stared at him warily, then watched him enter the carriage.
"Mr. Hastur, I'm sorry for asking to meet you privately in this way."
"For me, it's a new kind of experience."
Audrey smiled. "This Sunday, my father, Earl Hall, wants to invite you to our home. I wonder if you have time?"
"Is it about the noble title promotion?"
"I'm not sure. He didn't tell me. He only asked me to invite you."
Though a bit puzzled, Hastur still agreed to go.
He had originally planned to find an opportunity to bribe Earl Hall. Now that Earl Hall was taking the initiative, it was an excellent opportunity.
It was just a shame the hound he'd commissioned Glaint to raise was still too young to be useful.
Audrey looked a little embarrassed. "Aside from that, I have another favor to ask, Mr. Hastur."
"What is it?"
"I've successfully advanced to Sequence 8 Telepath, but I don't have the Sequence 7 Psychiatrist potion formula. Could you help keep an eye out for it?"
Hastur thought for a moment. "The Psychiatrist formula is usually only held by the Psychology Alchemists. They're a relatively young organization. With your status, if you simply show interest, they'll likely send someone to invite you."
Audrey's eyes widened. "My status… am I really that valuable?"
"There's only one most dazzling gem in all of Backlund."
Hastur joked lightly. Audrey puffed out her cheeks a little, but quickly returned to normal, curiously asking, "Mr. Hastur, you seem to know a lot about the Psychology Alchemists?"
"I've only heard some things."
Seeing Audrey waiting expectantly, Hastur organized his thoughts before speaking: "In the beginning, the Psychology Alchemists was just a seminar for enthusiasts. They believed the mind possessed infinite power and endless mysteries."
"Later, the group obtained a treasure map and found the ruin left behind by Hermes. That discovery established the foundation and direction of their research."
"At first, the members hoped to maintain the original pure academic spirit. But people always need help when trouble comes, so slowly rules and systems formed. Eventually, the seminar became a true secret organization."
Audrey listened carefully. When Hastur finished, she asked, confused, "You keep mentioning the early Psychology Alchemists… does that mean the current one is different?"
Hastur smiled faintly. "Any organization or power, no matter how pure its founding ideals, will inevitably change over time and with the addition of new members. The Psychology Alchemists is no exception."
"Is the current Psychology Alchemists… not good?"
"They're no longer as pure as before. A group born for academic discussion has now been mixed with too many personal desires."
Audrey fell silent for a moment, feeling it was a pity. To her, the Society's original founding purpose was truly appealing.
She liked organizations that were pure, focused on academic exchange without personal ambitions.
Unfortunately, it had changed.
After sighing inwardly, she quickly realized something.
If the current Psychology Alchemists was already full of selfish intentions, then being a spy for the Tarot Club inside them wouldn't weigh on her conscience at all.
"Mr. Hastur, do you think I should join the Psychology Alchemists?"
"It may be a very good start for your Beyonder journey."
"Thank you for your guidance, Mr. Hastur." Audrey expressed her sincere gratitude.
Once the serious matters were finished, the carriage fell silent again.
The quieter it was, the more awkward the atmosphere became, and the more awkward it was, the less either wanted to speak.
Audrey glanced at Hastur sitting across from her. Just as she was about to break the silence, Hastur also opened his mouth at the same time.
They paused, glanced at each other, then looked away as small smiles appeared on their faces.
"Mr. Hastur doesn't seem very used to socializing, does he?"
"Miss Audrey sometimes isn't as socially adept as the rumors say either."
"And what is the me in those rumors like?"
Audrey blinked, full of curiosity.
Of course she knew how the outside world spoke of her. But she wanted to hear how it sounded coming from Mr. Hastur's lips, maybe it would be different.
"Ahem!"
Outside the carriage, a few not-so-subtle coughs sounded, her personal maid reminding them that it was time to end the conversation.
Audrey felt a little regretful, watching as Hastur lifted the curtain and left on his own.