239. Are You a Couple
The H.A.R.M. Cascadia headquarters was bustling with activity.
Everyone was busy working to repair the collapsed buildings.
In addition to the hired craftsmen, countless agents were performing hard labor, including even a lieutenant general in a cloak.
Recently, assignments had dwindled significantly, transitioning from an initial overwhelming workload to a situation where agents now had to scour everywhere for traces of vampires and monsters.
These fierce and brutal beasts now desperately sought to leave Cascadia quietly, hoping to escape without having their tails caught by H.A.R.M.'s black-uniformed agents.
"You're back?" In the Admiral's courtyard, an official document floated in the air beside Aisha Patani, who sat with eyes closed in meditation.
I glanced at Theodore Montgomery, suddenly admiring his composure. "You haven't left yet?"
Despite nearly dissipating into smoke, this Redeemed Spirit maintained remarkable composure.
"I want to see more of Cascadia," Theodore chuckled. Skyler Grant once said he would be abandoned by everyone. Now without a physical body, no one could see him, which had rather neatly solved that problem.
After all, out of sight, out of mind.
"By the way, this is the document I'm preparing to submit to the Martial Abbey. Would you mind checking if there are any issues with it?"
The elimination of the Blood Moon Vampire King was certainly a matter that warranted an official report.
As it concerned me directly, I didn't stand on ceremony and took the document to review it.
It was a well-organized performance report.
It reported the death of the Vampire King but blurred the specific details—nine parts truth and one part falsehood. The killing of Lady Taurymne was also omitted from the account.
I closed the document and looked up. "Thank you."
"As long as you don't mind. Whatever rewards the Abbey bestows, you can receive them on my behalf and keep them for yourself," Theodore nodded.
As for the achievements and promotions, since he was already a Redeemed Spirit, these accolades could simply be transferred to me.
Though we spoke indirectly, our understanding was perfectly clear.
The Admiral never fully trusted anyone, including the Martial Abbey. Offending the Blood Transformation Vampire Emperor was far too significant to completely conceal, but they could at least obscure the identity of whoever had taken action.
Even if there was only a slight chance that the Martial Abbey would yield under pressure and reveal my identity to outsiders, he wanted to prevent that possibility preemptively.
Of course, even if he used his Admiral's authority to cover things up, anyone determined to investigate would eventually uncover the truth, despite Cascadia's remote location far from the capital.
But in Theodore's view, given the young man's terrifying growth rate, concealing his identity for even just six months to a year would make a huge difference.
"It's time to go." Theodore Montgomery took back the document and cautioned me: "You've met Mrs. Prince before, so you should have heard of the Red Party. Their disciples are numerous and have varied temperaments. The Martial Abbey's influence is weak and currently has no say..."
After a brief hesitation, he continued, "As a courtesy, New Terra has received help from the Red Party and shouldn't speak ill of them behind their backs, but I'll still offer a few words of caution."
He likely realized that once we reached the Martial Abbey, we would have few opportunities to meet again.
Theodore Montgomery carefully organized his thoughts, hoping to convey everything that needed to be said: "The three-party alliance jointly resists vampires. When the agreement was first established, each faction would take turns bearing the main force for 500 years, alternating to allow time for recovery and rejuvenation."
"The term 'main force' refers to Fifth Realm Breakers."
He sighed. "All of New Terra's Fifth Realm Breakers have perished, and the only surviving patriarch, the Great Paladin, has suffered damage to his soul. Later, Mount Olympus stepped forward to reestablish the rules. Before the Martial Abbey recovers, the two Martial Orders will each send Fifth Realm Breakers to fight vampires in place of the Martial Abbey—this is considered a great kindness."
Hearing this, I finally gained some understanding of the outside world.
I simply couldn't understand why the Admiral would mention this now.
Theodore sighed helplessly. "Since they've provided Fifth Realm Breakers, the Martial Abbey can't possibly contest the command authority. Therefore, during these 500 years, all of New Terra's Wards of Nature have been requisitioned and can only follow the Martial Order's orders... which is reasonable enough."
"But here's the problem—Mount Olympus is fine; those Scions of Nature have cold personalities and don't really interact with others, but they won't deliberately target you either. As long as you complete the tasks they assign, they won't interfere with anything else, just like our Vampire Hunters."
Just then, Aisha Patani slowly opened her eyes and gazed at the empty space beside her.
"The Red Party..." Theodore noticed her change in expression and smiled bitterly. "Unlike Mount Olympus's loftiness, the Red Party has long coveted New Terra's population and sought to exploit their celestial essence—much like the vampires do."
"Although they've now sent Scions of Nature to assist, they work our Wards of Nature to death. Last time, thirty Wards of Nature went out—only seven returned."
"..."
I listened quietly, finally understanding why Aisha had previously warned me against joining the Martial Orders.
It seemed one was arrogant and looked down on outsiders, while the other was an outright adversary.
"If possible, it's best not to reveal your strength... Fighting vampires together is the righteous path, but try to maintain your freedom. Why subject yourself to such mistreatment?"
With these words, Theodore Montgomery turned and departed from the courtyard.
I settled onto a stone bench across the courtyard.
Though I didn't respond, in my heart I agreed with the Admiral's opinion.
What's the point of rising from the First Realm to the Fourth Realm if I'm still going to be someone's hunting dog? All that training would be meaningless.
I needed to kill vampires, true, but I preferred having others serve as bait.
Besides, this aligned perfectly with my plan to enter the Martial Abbey and borrow some of their power of faith.
According to Lady Taurymne, even the Blood Transformation Vampire Emperor ranked only around twentieth in Vampires Valley.
This meant there were far more Vampire Emperors than I had imagined.
Without the backing of Fifth Realm power, I truly felt exposed and vulnerable.
To break through from Ward of Nature, I currently possess neither the methods nor the resources.
However, for a Seeker of Redeemer to ascend to Vessel of Redeemer, all that's required is devotional power, training methods, and time.
The Abbey possessed the first two, and vampires had an abundance of the third.
This was essentially a fast-track method perfectly suited for me, and I could complete it entirely within New Terra's borders.
Then, with a golden body, I could leave New Terra with sufficient self-protection abilities—regardless of which vampires I might encounter.
I could then use this golden body to gather whatever I needed for my breakthrough.
As for Aisha's claim that the Martial Orders didn't have what I needed—I refused to believe it without examining their treasure vaults myself.
To achieve this goal, I couldn't possibly enter the Martial Abbey as a Ward of Nature... And if I were discovered later? Well, by then I might already have formed my golden body.
"Are you planning to go to the capital?"
Aisha Patani rose gracefully and moved to sit beside me.
"I'll go take a look," I replied.
I wasn't particularly concerned. My treasures now included another black robe, and with my significantly enhanced strength, at least within New Terra's territory, no one could force me to do anything against my will.
Hearing this, Aisha Patani nodded slightly. She had observed the eagerness in Reverend Thompson's eyes when he personally extended the invitation to John.
Given such enthusiasm, how could he possibly hand John over to the Red Party for mistreatment?
"Take care of yourself." Aisha placed her snow-white hand on the stone table, her eyes filled with expectation as she gazed at the young man.
"Are you leaving?" I turned my head, remembering what she had said when we went to ambush the Ascendant King—leaving this place was something she had always wanted to do.
"Yes, once I've recovered from my injuries."
Aisha nodded thoughtfully. Both were young prodigies who had achieved the Ward of Nature rank. What I refused to do, she naturally wouldn't want to do either.
Slaying vampires and rooting out evil was our duty, but being treated like slaves by others was absurd.
Unlike the Wards of Nature with prestigious family backgrounds, she had virtually no attachments to New Terra.
I nodded, took out a longbow from my silver bell, and placed it in her palm. "Please return this to General Laurent for me."
"..."
Aisha Patani blinked, slightly pursing her lips. "Alright."
She sighed inwardly, and just as she was about to withdraw her hand, she noticed the young man taking out another item.
"This is for you."
"Me—"
Aisha Patani stared at the bloodstained Infant Bull, confusion flickering in her eyes.
If he meant to return the dozen or so vampire cores from before, wouldn't Lady Taurymne's Infant be too valuable? And if he intended to give her something as a memento, this bloodstained object seemed rather strange.
"Take care." Vampire Infants had become mere supplements to me or a means to acquire certain vampiric talents, but I had already completely drained the Blood Transformation Vampire Bull of its blood gifts.
"Thank you."
Aisha Patani carefully wiped the blood from the vampire Infant with her sleeve and tucked it away, her expression suddenly brightening with a radiant smile.
Who would dare use this item or exchange it for something else? Anyone who did would risk having the Blood Transformation Vampire Emperor consider them the killer of his wife. The Infant Bull had virtually no practical value.
But reflecting on John's practiced movements when killing vampires and extracting cores, perhaps in his eyes, vampire Infants were the most valuable treasures.
And now he had given one to her.
"I want to ask you something." Aisha Patani suddenly made an almost imperceptible adjustment to her breathing.
"Hmm?" I had never seen her display such nervousness before.
"Um... are you and Junior Sister Hightower... a couple?" Aisha Patani asked, rising to her feet.
"We're close friends." I considered for a moment, then stood up as well, asking casually, "Why?"
"Nothing, I was just wondering if I should tell her you're going to the capital," Aisha Patani said softly.
"No need to go out of your way for this. If you happen to see her, please say goodbye to her for me."
I nodded slightly. With my current speed, the journey from Cascadia to the capital would take only a few days—no need to make a big fuss about it.