229. From Vampires Valley
Morning, H.A.R.M. General's Mansion, Vancouver.
The city lay hushed beneath a fresh snowfall, the world outside wrapped in a cold blue serenity. Pale morning light filtered through a wide window beside the bed, its glass lightly frosted at the corners. Somewhere below, the muffled sound of a snowplow hummed like a lullaby from another world.
Inside, the bedroom was still and warm. I lay on my back, one hand tucked behind my head, while Rose snuggled next to me, our bodies curved naturally into one another.
Old General Grant had returned, and it was already difficult to find any decent vampire troubles in this area. Having no reason to stay any longer, I decided it was time to leave after breakfast.
"Where do you plan to go?" Rose Hightower raised her head and asked, her eyes lighting up with sudden expectation. She had heard about the recent vampire hunt throughout the city. "Actually, I'm quite good at finding vampires."
She wouldn't be effective against harmonizing vampires, but John didn't seem to spare even those at the Wave Realm.
Just then, Aisha Patani pushed open the door and entered the room. Seeing Rose and me naked together, she was neither surprised nor bothered. She waited for me to sit up, then handed me a letter. "The Admiral wants us to return," she said. "There's an important matter to discuss."
Admiral? Important matter?
I raised my eyebrows slightly, wondering what it could be about.
Last time, I had freely given the heart's blood of the Ascendant King and submitted it to the Martial Abbey. By now, after so many days, they should have completed their analysis.
"It shouldn't be bad news," Aisha Patani said, having already read through the letter once. The tone between the lines was somewhat gentle—a rarity for that Seeker of Redeemer stationed in Cascadia.
Rose didn't understand what the two were discussing, but recognizing this was something she couldn't participate in, she quietly gathered her clothes and dressed.
"Let's go." I put on the clothes Rose handed me, giving Aisha a slight nod.
I also wanted to discuss something with the Admiral. These days of hunting minor vampires had left me feeling restless—I was accustomed to bigger harvests.
The same punch thrown.
Some vampires yielded a thousand-year lifespan, while others offered merely a few decades.
If the Blood Moon Vampire King kept the Admiral constantly vigilant, then surely the Blood Moon would react if the Admiral left Cascadia.
If the Vampire King were willing to take a risk...
My Infant of Love was just one step away from shattering the crystal core, urgently requiring vampire cores to supplement it. Though I might not have the strength to kill Blood Moon at present, the harmonizing vampires under its command filled me with intense desire.
"Mm-hmm." Rose Hightower also rose, asking no questions, and simply escorted us to the mansion entrance.
She had followed General Grant all the way to Vancouver, only to spend one night together, yet she showed no disappointment.
John had more important matters to attend to, and she needed to concentrate on her own development.
Skyler Grant lent his mount to Aisha Patani without hesitation.
Considering the situation in Vancouver, the old master felt he no longer had need for this fine horse.
Watching the two disappear at the horizon's edge, he withdrew his gaze and turned to Rose Hightower. "Don't worry, I'll notify you the next time I see him."
...
Outside Cascadia, at the Blood Moon Vampire King's cave.
Two maids dressed in white stood outside—one holding a sword, one holding an umbrella.
Though their faces were fair and delicate, their expressions were cold, and their voices devoid of emotion: "Where is the Vampire King of this place?"
Inside the cave, twelve harmonizing Vampire Lords all rose to welcome them.
The Elephant Vampire walked at the front, bowing respectfully: "May I ask who has come to visit?"
The sword-holding maid regarded him dispassionately. "Vampires Valley, Blood Transforming Vampire Emperor."
Hearing this, the Elephant Vampire's robust body froze in place. Cold sweat broke out on his back as his heart silently cried out in distress.
What were New Terra's people doing, allowing a Vampire Emperor to swagger in unchallenged?
Observing the expressions of the vampire group, the sword-holding maid displayed a cold smile. "Summon your Vampire King immediately."
"The Vampire King... the Vampire King is not in the cave."
The vampires exchanged nervous glances, then collectively stepped aside to reveal the empty cave behind them. "Please, don't be hasty," they said. "We will immediately report to the Vampire King."
Report my ass! Since the dog vampire left, the Blood Moon Vampire King had never returned to the cave. Who knows where he went.
The two maids exchanged a glance, then turned their gaze toward the distance.
By a distant stream, a figure materialized into view as she removed her concealing black cloak. She slowly lowered her hood, revealing a face of captivating charm. Her blue-black hair was styled in an elegant bun, her eyes dark as midnight pools, her red lips pressed firmly together—truly bewitchingly beautiful.
Beneath a revealing yellow dress, her figure was graceful and voluptuous, her curves alluring, full and seductive.
Were it not for the two small horns nestled among her elegant hair, one would never have guessed she was a vampire.
Her large almond-shaped eyes, rimmed with red, added a touch of sorrow to her cold expression. "I don't care where he is," she said icily. "If he doesn't appear in Cascadia within two hours, I'll kill all of you, including that old wolf."
Only when she removed her hood did the group of Harmonizing Vampire Lords suddenly sense her overwhelming aura.
She was another Vampire King—one whose presence was even more imposing than that of the Blood Moon Vampire King.
CLANG—
The maid unsheathed half her sword blade, turning to sweep her cold gaze over them.
A bunch of country bumpkin vampires, not knowing their place, actually daring to stare at the lady.
"We understand!"
The harmonizing vampires hurriedly bowed and, despite their intense curiosity, dared not look at her again.
The woman closed her eyes, then pulled her hood back on.
Her husband and many subordinates were locked in battle with the killer from Mount Olympus, and she had come to New Terra in secret—taking an enormous risk.
If her face were recognized, countless people would rush to the Martial Orders with news of her whereabouts, seeking rewards.
Yet how could she not come?
That was her only son!
Only by claiming the lives of an entire State could she hope to quell the hatred burning within her heart.
Strike quickly and decisively!
With a single, slight step, the woman vanished from sight.
The two maids glided silently behind her.
"Where are we supposed to look for him?" The group of vampires exchanged bewildered glances.
After some time had passed, an old wolf unhurriedly approached from the distance.
The Blood Moon Vampire King walked with its hands behind its back, sensing that the vital blood it had sent out earlier had completely lost its signal. It clicked its tongue with a hint of lamentation: "Truly ruthless."
He had believed the old dog's strength was considerable and had foolishly embedded his own vital blood within the creature, tracking it and influencing its mind. After this matter was resolved, it would have been beneficial to recruit the dog as a vanguard, but unexpectedly, the creature had simply perished.
A sinister smile crept across the Blood Moon Vampire King's face.
Originally, the Ascendant King had a grip on his Achilles heel. Relying on this leverage, the King used the lives of his subordinates to play some "fair duel" game, even addressing him as "old wolf" at every turn.
Even if they took Cascadia, with the Ascendant King's bizarre method of devouring living beings to transform them into sangrith blood, it wouldn't leave even a drop of blood for anyone else—let alone any meat.
After the Young Bull devoured all twelve cities, the Blood Moon Vampire King doubted his opinion would carry any weight in this territory.
Now he had finally extricated himself from this predicament.
Vampires Valley against H.A.R.M.... tsk, tsk.
Considering her attitude, he probably shouldn't contemplate establishing any connections with the family.
The old wolf's eyes gained a hint of greed. First devour Cascadia, then wait for them to fight, ideally to mutual destruction, then consider consuming this Vampire King and Theodore Montgomery, swimming freely in vast skies and seas.
The old wolf's eyes gleamed with greed. He envisioned a clear path: first devour Cascadia, then wait for them to fight—ideally to mutual destruction—then he might be able to consume this lady Vampire King and Theodore Montgomery.
The sea is boundless for fish to swim, the sky limitless for birds to fly.
In a few hundred or perhaps a thousand years, he himself would ascend to become a Vampire Emperor, and the Vampires Valley would have no choice but to respectfully invite him in.
"Each of you prepare. When Cascadia falls into chaos, seize the opportunity to strike."
The Blood Moon Vampire King waved its hand lazily, contempt flashing in his eyes.
Kill me?
I didn't even blink when my wife died, yet you're in such disarray over a son's death? How pathetic!
He shook his head, sauntering unhurriedly toward Cascadia.