Baron Cullen

It was already late at night.

The streets were deserted, with only occasional patrols of knightly squads passing by.

The night breeze was cool, and it refreshed me when it blew on my face.

Karen soon returned to Waller House.

He pushed open the door and entered the house, where he saw Cecilia sitting on the sofa in the living room, holding a magic book in her hands, already asleep.

Hearing the door open, Cecilia groggily opened her eyes.

"Brother?" she rubbed her eyes. "Why are you so late?"

"I have some mission to complete." Karen walked over and patted her head. "Why don't you go back to your room to sleep?"

"I've been waiting for you." Cecilia yawned. "Father is asleep, and the butler is resting too."

I'm a little worried about you, so..."

Karen felt a warmth in her heart.

In this unfamiliar world, the Waller family is his only attachment.

Although his father Jocelyn had limited abilities, he genuinely loved him and Cecilia.

Although the old butler, Phelps, was mysterious, he always did his best to manage the household.

And Cecilia…

This sister, to whom he had no blood relation, was one of the closest people to him in this world.

"I'm fine." Karen smiled and placed the items she had taken from the Order Keeper branch on the table. "Look, I even got a reward."

Cecilia looked on curiously.

When she saw the bags of gold coins, alchemy materials, and the oak staff, her eyes lit up: "Wow! So many gold coins! And a staff!"

"I don't need this staff, so I'll give it to you." Karen picked up the oak staff and handed it to Cecilia. "You're already a first-tier mage, so you need a good staff."

This staff is engraved with magic that reduces the cost of second-tier and lower-tier spells, which is perfect for you.

Cecilia took the staff, feeling the extraordinary energy emanating from it, her face filled with surprise.

But she quickly hesitated: "But...this is a reward from my brother, don't you want it for yourself?"

"A sword and a crossbow are enough for me," Karen chuckled. "Being a mage is just a side job for me; you're the real professional."

"Take it. Practice hard and advance to a second-tier mage as soon as possible. Then I'll give you something even better."

Cecilia hugged her staff tightly and nodded vigorously: "I will! I will practice hard and live up to my brother's expectations!"

"Go to sleep, you have to go to class at the association tomorrow."

"Okay! Brother, you should get some rest too!"

Cecilia happily went back to her room, clutching her staff.

Karen watched her retreating figure, the smile on her face gradually fading.

The Secret Society is becoming increasingly arrogant, with vampire spies scattered throughout the city.

He has made up his mind to protect this family.

Protect my father and sister, protect this place that gives him warmth and a sense of belonging.

So he had to do something.

...

The next morning.

As soon as Karen arrived outside the chapter's base, she felt as if a suffocating atmosphere was hanging over the place.

When he entered the training ground, he found that his comrades, who should have been practicing combat skills enthusiastically at this time, were now gathered in twos and threes, talking quietly.

Those people had obvious worries on their faces, and some even had red eyes, as if they had just cried.

"Karen..." Harold walked over after seeing Karen.

His expression was rather unpleasant; he held a wooden training sword in his hand but had no intention of practicing. "What brings you here?"

"I'm here to see Vice Commander Lamont." Karen looked around. "What happened? Why is everyone..."

Harold sighed and lowered his voice: "Something's happened to the commander."

"Commander Vaughn?!" Karen's heart skipped a beat. "What happened to him?"

"I don't know the specifics, I only know that the commander was seriously injured and is now lying in the medical room," Harold said. "Deputy Commander Lamont has not slept for a day and a night, he has been trying to find a solution."

The commander's injuries... don't seem to be ordinary.

This isn't an ordinary injury?

Karen was somewhat shocked.

After thinking for a moment, he asked, "Where is the deputy commander now? Is he still in the medical bay?"

"No, he's in the commander's office, having a meeting with Olsen and a few other squad leaders." Harold's tone was somewhat grave. "But it might not be appropriate for you to go now..."

"I must see him!" Karen interrupted him and walked toward the stone building.

Harold opened his mouth, but ultimately didn't stop him.

He just watched Karen's retreating figure, sighed again, and continued to stand there in a daze.

In the corridor, several squad leaders were walking out of the office.

Their faces were all solemn; some shook their heads, others sighed.

Olsen was visibly taken aback when he saw Karen: "Karen? What brings you here?"

"I'm here to see the deputy commander, it's urgent!"

"Now?" Olsen frowned. "I'm sorry, Karen, but I have to advise you, the vice-commander is in a bad mood right now, you'd better not..."

Karen nodded, indicating that she understood.

He then pushed open the office door.

Lamont stood by the window, looking much older than before, with sunken eyes and a messy stubble.

"Karen?" Lamont turned around and looked at her, his voice a little hoarse. "Come in."

Karen walked into the office.

The room was filled with the strong smell of tobacco, and the table was piled with various scrolls and books.

The windows were closed, and the air felt somewhat stuffy.

"Sit down." Lamont rubbed his temples, turned around, and asked, "What do you want?"

"I'm sorry, Vice-Commander, I understand the current situation of the Chapter, but..." Karen pondered for a moment before stating the purpose of his visit, "I would like to request that the Chapter send a squad to protect Waller Manor."

Last night, I accompanied the Order Keepers on a search of the Night Rose Tavern and discovered that quite a few vampires had infiltrated the city…”

He paused at this point to observe Lamont's reaction.

But Lamont just kept his head down, his fingers tapping the table unconsciously, as if he was thinking about something else.

"Deputy Commander Lamont?"

"Excuse me... you just said vampires?" Lamont looked up, his eyes somewhat unfocused. "Indeed, if vampires have infiltrated this city, it is indeed quite bad news."

But you just said you hoped we could send a small team to protect Waller Manor…

"Sorry, Karen, the chapter might not have enough manpower right now."

"Is it because of... Commander Vaughn?"

Karen had some suspicions in her mind, and realized that this matter seemed to be more than it appeared.

"Yes... I suppose you saw the brothers outside when you came in..." Lamont sighed deeply, his voice weary. "We've all been working ourselves to the bone these past two days because of the commander's affairs."

So I'm sorry, Karen, I really can't fulfill your request at the moment.

"Vice Commander, you don't need to apologize, I understand." Karen paused for a moment, then changed the subject: "Can you tell me the specifics?"

I mean, how did Commander Vaughn get injured?

Lamont stared at him for a few seconds, seemingly hesitant.

Finally, he sighed, stood up, walked to the window, and turned his back to Karen: "Two days ago, the commander received a letter."

The letter said...his daughter had been kidnapped.