248. Where is He Heading Now
Inspector MacArthur was the only remaining inspector.
More than anyone, Kade Marrow wished Inspector MacArthur would come, but he could only shake his head now. "I have invited the newly appointed Inspector John Kane."
John Kane?
Aurelio Barragan fell silent, searching his memory but finding no trace of this name.
"Inspector Kane comes from Cascadia and is a disciple of the Martial Abbey."
Kade Marrow anticipated his boss's reaction and anxiously added, "Inspector Kane has already slain the panther vampire lord. Admiral, please dispatch men immediately to retake Gainesville, then accompany me to find the Inspector."
Aurelio Barragan felt as if a giant hammer had struck his mind after hearing these words. Dizzy, he murmured, "A disciple of the Martial Abbey means he uses Redeemed Spirit. Why didn't you consult with me before taking such action?"
It was true that Seekers of Redeemer from the Martial Abbey all possessed great power.
However, the citizens of Florida had lost their faith. The four lost cities were now worshiping the Vampire King instead. With faith power so depleted—whether in Admiral Aurelio's hands or wielded by the unknown Inspector Kane—what real difference could it possibly make?
Florida had sacrificed countless lives merely to contain two Vampire Kings, and despite facing imminent destruction, they still desperately clung to hope.
Each passing day preserved their faith in Inspector MacArthur's eventual return. Why disrupt this fragile status quo now?
"Consult you? Why would an Inspector need to consult either you or me before taking action?" Kade Marrow clenched his teeth and pulled a skull from his bosom. "Inspector Kane at least helped me bring Kevin back. I cannot speak against him."
His voice hardened as his eyes flashed with ferocity. "Admiral, don't hesitate. The Inspector is still trapped among vampire hordes near Gainesville. Dispatch H.A.R.M. Generals and the Golden Bell Vampire Hunters immediately to assist me!"
"..."
Aurelio yanked at his sparse hair twice before turning to his attendant lieutenant with a sigh. "Relay my orders—gather our forces immediately and advance toward the four lost cities."
With that, he mounted the black bloodsteed next to Kade, his face expressionless. "Lead the way."
"You're not using your Redeemed Spirit form?" Kade Marrow stared in disbelief. What admiral would risk their physical body by venturing personally into danger?
"What would be the point?" Aurelio glanced at Kade, his gaunt face completely devoid of emotion.
Florida had already done everything it could.
He was just a Seeker of Redeemer, not a fighting angel. He couldn't simultaneously deal with two Vampire Kings who were both much stronger than him.
This was actually for the best.
The Inspector had made the decision for Florida, freeing this old man from the burden of responsibility.
As for provoking the Red-Eyed Vampire King and redirecting its attention from the other Vampire King back to H.A.R.M. Florida... what's done was done. No use dwelling on it now.
"Help me take good care of this old friend," Kade Marrow said, gently handing the skull to a lieutenant.
The next moment, the black-scaled dragon bloodsteeds launched into the air, carrying the two men away from Orlando like arrows shot from a bow.
… …
A few hours later.
"Is this the direction to Gainesville?" Aurelio suddenly felt something wasn't right.
"Inspector Kane might have passed through several of these counties," Kade Marrow said softly. "From what I observed in the city earlier, this young Inspector may seem cold and taciturn, but he's actually quite meticulous and cares deeply about ordinary civilians."
"Just what kind of being have you brought back..." Aurelio furrowed his brows tightly, finally unable to hold back a complaint.
For a Seeker of Redeemer to venture alone into a vampire-occupied county without protection was extremely dangerous.
"Inspector Kane mentioned he… has some proficiency with body tempering techniques."
Kade Marrow was equally concerned but offered a reassuring remark nonetheless.
Though he didn't know exactly what "some proficiency" meant, the young man didn't seem reckless.
"For many years, I have guarded Florida without once acting rashly." Aurelio sighed self-mockingly, "I never expected that my first time would cost half of Florida."
The black-scaled dragon bloodsteed charged forward at full speed, moving as swiftly as if teleportation magic were being used.
The two soon arrived a county town. The bloodsteeds galloped through the main street.
Aurelio Barragan had not dared to visit the lost territory for a long time, not even in his Redeemed Spirit form.
The fall of the city haunted him still—corpses strewn everywhere and countless young people in black uniforms collapsing at the feet of his Redeemed Spirit. Even now, their wailing echoed in his ears.
However, as Aurelio surveyed the county town, his expression shifted.
The streets were packed with people, all running about in a frenzy. Some were crying and laughing hysterically, others were kneeling and pounding the ground. Yet at a glance, not a single vampire was visible anywhere.
They exchanged glances, suppressing their confusion, and rode on to investigate other counties.
They even split up to cover more ground.
When they reunited, neither could hide the shock in their eyes.
"Something's wrong! Something's wrong!" Aurelio Barragan exclaimed.
In every town they had passed through, not a single vampire remained—not even their corpses.
If they had been slain... this clearly would have required a Redeemed Spirit.
"Did Inspector Kane release his Redeemed Spirit out here?" Kade Marrow lost his composure. He completely failed to understand why the Inspector would take such a tremendous risk. John Kane had come from the capital and was a disciple of the Martial Abbey, yet he seemed even more passionate than the local H.A.R.M.
"What truly concerns me is... if he's moving with such urgency, where is he heading now?" Aurelio Barragan swallowed hard, already knowing the answer.
"To the Red-Eyed Divine Lord Temple!"
Throughout the four lost cities, every county town maintained a Red-Eyed Divine Lord Temple.
But the place they spoke of was where that Vampire King truly resided.
...
Located at the center of the four cities.
Carved from the steep cliff stood a crude stone statue, ten yards tall, depicting a beast-faced humanoid wearing a feathered helmet and fish-scale armor. The figure sat embedded in the mountain, clutching a long spear in its left hand while its right hand rested on its knee.
Its crimson eyes glared fixedly toward Orlando.
Its feet rested on the ground, surrounded by dense incense altars. Thick smoke continuously rose, forming what appeared to be an auspicious cloud beneath its feet.
Behind the statue gaped a cave that matched its immense height.
Deep, thunderous breathing echoed from the cave, causing the entire mountain to tremble slightly with each exhale.
Passersby appeared numb to this scene, as if it were an everyday occurrence.
They walked to the foot of the statue with blank faces, then burned incense and bowed mechanically. Their eyes showed no devotion, yet their movements were meticulous, as if practiced countless times, not daring to make the slightest mistake.
A crimson streak blazed across the sky.
A figure in black silently appeared among the crowd.
The young man purposefully strode toward the statue.
Among the worshipping civilians, his tall, straight figure stood out starkly.
His presence drew immediate attention from the crowd.
Their bowing movements showed slight deviations, and fear immediately spread across their faces.
Their bowing movements faltered, and fear instantly spread across their faces.
… …
I approached the dense incense altars, stooped to gather a handful of ash, then raised my head to study the majestic statue with calm deliberation.
I gave a slight nod.
Next to me, my substantial Redeemed Spirit waved his hand, sending invisible faith power that pushed all the confused onlookers dozens of yards away.
Lady Taurymne withdrew the Redeemed Spirit back into my sea of essence.
BANG!
The next moment, I leaped upward and delivered a powerful stomp to the statue's chest. The massive structure cracked from its lower legs and toppled backward into the cave behind it.
As the debris crashed around me, I vanished from sight.
The thunder-like breathing inside the cave suddenly stopped, replaced by an enraged roar.
"ROAR!!"
Within a heartbeat, the roar suddenly ceased.
I leaped out of the cave, dragging the enormous figure behind me, then smashed it violently against the mountain range. With a muffled crack, a terrifying fissure split open across the mountain ridge!