— So you claim that vampires are creations of Zlat? — Advisor Bor looked extremely pleased and didn't even try to hide it.
— Everything points to that being the case. I can provide more evidence if needed, but the conclusion of my investigation is final. The ritual of turning a person into a vampire was created by Archmage Zlat, and one of his surviving associates performed it in our northern provinces, unleashing this evil upon us. I can speculate that it was an act of revenge by the defeated.
After discussing the news, everyone quickly dispersed as soon as the king left the meeting. No matter how nominal his power might be, the mages adhered strictly to appearances. Rudolf walked alongside Advisor Bor, who was practically glowing with satisfaction.
— You did an excellent job, Master. I did not expect such insight from you. How you dealt with those sanctimonious fools! You really pleased me!
— What do you mean, Advisor?
— How skillfully you shifted the blame to the deceased Zlat! You know that everything happening recently, including the inhuman nature of the rebellion and the civil war in the country, gave the Church a good reason to accuse us of a propensity towards darkness. And now it turns out that we are pure and good! Did you see the faces of those clerics when we mentioned Zlat? They were ready to explode! Well done! Excellent work, and it's no wonder I supported your appointment as the head of the Surveillance Service! Now, while we are alone, tell me honestly, where did the vampires actually come from?
— I can't. I wasn't lying or trying to hide the truth. All the evidence indicates that vampires are indeed creations of Zlat.
— So he really had such a project, turning ordinary people into mages?
— Yes. But until recently, I was sure he had failed, so I didn't even try to share the findings made by my people.
The men walked in silence for a while.
— Send me all the materials on Zlat's project and your investigation, Master.
— It will be done, Advisor.
After saying goodbye to the advisor, Rudolf headed to his own quarters. The Royal Palace, the Council Palace, and the Service Palace, which housed the main government services of the kingdom, were connected by underground tunnels. It was easiest to get to his office this way, rather than passing through numerous security posts at the entrances and exits.
But as soon as the master left the Council Palace, he was intercepted by the cardinal and the archbishop. Glancing around furtively, the mage approached them and bowed.
— Good speech, Rudolf. But the Radiant Church wishes to know the truth! — said the cardinal.
— I understand, your Eminence. But everything I said is the pure truth.
— Are vampires truly creations of the rebel Zlat?
— Yes, your Eminence. I will provide you with all the facts later, and you will come to the same conclusion yourself.
Although Master Rudolf was not only a powerful mage but also held a significant position as one of the ministers of the kingdom, he had always been a sincerely devout person. The blood oath he once swore did not allow him to be a Church agent, but simple conversations could not harm the security of the kingdom and the Council. Thus, the priests had used the mage, a priceless source of information who had long supplied them with news from the very heart of the mage kingdom.
— So these creatures, called vampires, were created by Zlat, — the cardinal confirmed, — This clarifies some things, but unfortunately not all.
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