Hall of Stars.
Hastur was still somewhat worried about Gregrace's condition, so he came to the Hall of Stars and, through the contract between them, watched Gregrace's every move from afar.
After all, the Southern Continent had once been the territory of the Death Emperor Salinger. Gregrace was the Ancestor of the Phoenix and belonged to the same Death pathway. There was a chance that her actions might really trigger some earth-shattering change.
...
Southern Continent, Highland Kingdom.
This country had originally been a branch of Balam. After the death of the Death God, or rather, the Death Emperor Salinger, the Balam Empire split into East Balam and West Balam.
East Balam gradually became a colony of the Loen Kingdom, while West Balam fell under the control of various warlords, with the various factions establishing colonies throughout the region.
The appearance of Renette Tinekerr helped her father establish the Highland Kingdom. It was a small country, merely somewhat stronger than the average warlord faction.
After the birth of the Abomination Suah and the upheaval within the Rose School of Thought, with Renette Tinekerr seemingly having fallen, the royal family of the Highland Kingdom also suffered a purge.
Fortunately, their bloodline was preserved, and the kingdom itself survived, although it was far weaker than before.
As the war against the Seven Churches swept across the Southern Continent and the Indulgence Faction of the Rose School of Thought departed, the Highland Kingdom gradually began to recover.
At the Highland Kingdom's royal palace, outside the railing on the second floor, Sharon was immersed in memories of the past.
She had returned to the Southern Continent this time for two reasons. First, she wanted to help her teacher look after the Highland Kingdom. Second, she wanted to gather the members of their Temperance Faction who had been scattered in exile.
"Miss Sharon, are you admiring the moon here all by yourself?"
An inappropriate voice interrupted Sharon's memories. She merely glanced at the newcomer, then calmly nodded.
The newcomer was the Third Prince of the Highland Kingdom. When she had returned to the Southern Continent and reestablished contact with the royal family of the Highland Kingdom, it was this Third Prince who had been responsible for communicating with her.
She had originally not wanted to attend tonight's banquet, but she needed to show herself in public so that the other members who were still in exile would learn that she had returned to the Southern Continent.
"Miss Sharon, you haven't returned for several years, have you? Do you feel that the moon in your homeland is somehow rounder?"
"Is there something you need?" Sharon interrupted his small talk and attempts to ingratiate himself.
The expression on the Third Prince's face froze for a moment before he once again put on a warm smile.
"As the host, I can't exactly neglect tonight's honored guest."
"I don't need anyone to accompany me."
"I wanted to discuss tomorrow's itinerary with you. The current situation is chaotic, and the kingdom needs some allies in order to weather this crisis more safely. The royal family of the East Balam Empire has sent someone to invite us for discussions. I hope you can come with us. I believe there are still many members of your faction in the East Balam Empire."
Sharon quietly listened until he finished, then nodded and said, "All right."
She then turned her back to the Third Prince and gazed at the starry sky overhead.
"Miss Sharon..."
The Third Prince wanted to say something else, but he suddenly felt the temperature around him drop slightly. A Spirit World rift quietly appeared, followed by a small firebird about the size of two fists, carrying a letter in its beak.
The Third Prince's pupils contracted slightly. He was not unfamiliar with creatures such as Spirit World messengers, but ordinary Spirit World messengers were usually spirit bodies that could only be seen with Spirit Vision.
Yet this little firebird could be seen directly with the naked eye. It was truly extraordinary.
The usually indifferent expression on Sharon's face softened into a faint smile, and her eyes became much gentler. She reached out to take the letter and softly said, "Sorry to trouble you for delivering the letter so late."
"Chirp."
Gregrace flapped its wings, but did not immediately return to the Spirit World. Instead, it flew onto Sharon's right shoulder and perched there.
"Do you want to wait for my reply?"
"Chirp."
"Not that?"
A trace of confusion flashed through Sharon's eyes, but she did not pay much attention to it. She merely glanced at the Third Prince, signaling that he could leave.
Only after the Third Prince had left did Sharon open the letter and carefully read its contents.
Seeing Hastur's complaints and worries between the lines, she couldn't help but smile.
Hastur had also mentioned to her before that when Ariella reached Sequence 7 Witch, it might turn into a beautiful young woman.
In her understanding, Ariella would indeed become a woman, but as for whether she would become a beautiful young woman, Sharon had never seen an example herself.
Therefore, she had no answer regarding Hastur's concern that Ariella might not become beautiful.
But one thing was certain: in the world of Beyonders, one's physical appearance was not that important.
Just as this thought arose in Sharon's mind, she caught sight of the rest of the letter.
"Don't say anything about looks not being important. I'm firmly a face-con. If Ariella becomes too ugly, I'll definitely give her plastic surgery. I don't expect it to have even a tenth of your looks, but it should at least have seven or eight points, right?"
"That seems a little difficult too. Then I'll lower my standards again. If it has forty or fifty percent of your looks, I can reluctantly accept it. It really can't be any lower."
"If it's any lower than that, it might as well maintain its cat form. At least it looks much cuter that way, and I can pet it whenever I want. If it really turns into a human, I wouldn't dare casually hold it in my arms anymore..."
Sharon read very slowly. She understood Hastur's concerns very well, and she shared the same worries. She had watched Ariella grow up as well.
At the very end of the letter was a short poem.
Her knowledge in this area was somewhat lacking, but it seemed to be a line excerpted from Roselle's love poems.
After finishing the letter, Sharon put it away and looked at the little firebird on her shoulder.
"I don't have a reply for now. You can go back first."
"Chirp."
Gregrace shook its head, its gaze seeming somewhat profound.
"Do you want to stay here and keep me company?"
"Chirp."
Gregrace continued shaking its head. It lowered its head slightly and used its beak to groom the feathers on its chest.
Sharon was somewhat curious. After thinking for a while, a somewhat absurd idea arose in her mind.
Could it be that Hastur had deliberately sent it here to protect her?
Until the banquet ended, Gregrace still did not leave. Instead, it remained perched on Sharon's shoulder the entire time, its gaze distant and mysterious, occasionally showing an expression of contemplation and reminiscence.
There was nothing Sharon could do. She could only bring it back to her room, then pick up her pen and write a reply to Hastur, sending the letter back to Puning Port through her own messenger.
In the Hall of Stars, Hastur likewise saw Gregrace's unusual behavior. But he did not stop it, instead allowing Gregrace to remain by Sharon's side.
With Her there, even if the entire Southern Continent descended into complete chaos, She could still protect Sharon's safety.
Moreover, Hastur wanted to use this opportunity to see clearly whether the Gregrace who had signed a contract with him was truly the Ancestor of the Phoenix or the Death Emperor Salinger, or perhaps both.
"That Third Prince who silently watches Sharon from behind doesn't look like a good person."
Hastur's thoughts shifted to the Third Prince of the Highland Kingdom.
Just now, through Gregrace's perspective, he had clearly seen the Third Prince standing in the distance, watching Sharon the entire time.
When Sharon in Gregrace's field of vision went to rest, Hastur finally withdrew his gaze. He swept his eyes across the stars, confirmed that none of them were behaving abnormally, and then logged off.
After returning from the Hall of Stars, Hastur was not sleepy at all. He went to his study and took 008 out of the pen box.
"Master, my dear master, you finally remembered your most loyal pen! It has been waiting for your summons all this time, always ready to solve all your troubles and worries for you."
008 smoothly wrote a long passage of flattery on the blank paper.
Hastur lightly tapped his fingers on the desk.
"Can you curse someone all the way in the Southern Continent from across this sea?"
"With the assistance of the Book of Prophecies, I should be able to achieve a simple influence."
Perhaps feeling that this was not enough to demonstrate its usefulness, 008 added, "If Master can bestow some related fate upon it, then even the smallest probability has a great chance of becoming reality."
"Then let's give it a try."
Hastur brought out the rarely used Book of Prophecies, grasped 008, which was already eager to get started, and began writing across the smooth surface of the Book of Prophecies.
The person he wanted to curse this time was none other than the Third Prince. No particular reason. He simply didn't like the man very much.
Hastur wasn't going to write him to death. He merely wanted him to obediently lie in bed for a month or two.
That amount of time would be enough for Sharon to resolve the affairs of the Southern Continent.
...
The next day, the Highland Kingdom's convoy assembled at the palace gates, preparing to head toward the East Balam Empire.
After waiting for a while, someone came rushing over to report that the Third Prince had accidentally fallen out of bed while sleeping the previous night, injuring his spine.
He needed to lie quietly in bed and recuperate for some time and would be unable to represent the Highland Kingdom in negotiations with the East Balam Empire.
After an urgent discussion, they decided to have the Fifth Prince take his place.
The current king of the Highland Kingdom might not have many other talents, but he certainly had plenty of sons.
Inside a carriage, Sharon was gently teasing the little phoenix that had remained by her side.
Aside from occasionally revealing some intriguing looks, this little phoenix was quite adorable. Its feathers were also exceptionally smooth, feeling like the most expensive silk when touched.
East Balam Empire, on the bustling streets of the capital.
A middle-aged man was seriously browsing through the books at a street bookstall.
He had bronze-colored skin, a medium build, black hair, and brown eyes. His features were gentle, and he had no beard. There was always an indescribable sense of vicissitude in his eyes, while beneath his right ear was a tiny black mole that could not be noticed without looking carefully.
Plop.
The middle-aged man's hand trembled, and the book fell to the ground. His body trembled slightly, cold sweat appearing on his forehead. One hand covered his suddenly pounding heart as his gaze stared into the distance.