Marvel Magic Case Files.

Chapter 25: Vampires Who Believe in God (Seeking Investment!)

Willie's words put the Collins family on high alert. No one doubted the truth of what Willie said; he was a servant of the Collins family, having served them his entire life. Although he was bald, an alcoholic, and unkempt, he was still a good servant.

The Collins family had seen magic before. Barnabas Collins became a vampire because of a witch's curse, and that witch had caused the Collins family a great deal of trouble. Barnabas Collins leaned on a cane with a bronze head, his ten fingers with sharp nails twitching restlessly.

“Alright, Willie,” Barnabas said, “why don’t we go and invite the wizard in? Perhaps he’s just passing by. I think he might be friendly enough, otherwise an iron gate wouldn’t be enough to stop a wizard.”

"Yes, Master Barnabas." Willie wiped the cold sweat from his brow and staggered out of the hall. Don't get me wrong, he wasn't afraid of anything; it was just a side effect of his alcoholism. Willie had no good impression of anyone who knew magic; the last witch who came to cause trouble at his house had even caused Collingwood Manor to burn down. Fortunately, with the support of Master Barnabas and Mistress Elizabeth, Collingwood Manor was much better than before—at least they could turn on the central air conditioning.

"Come here quickly, children." Barnabas patted the sofa next to him. "We may be hosting an old guest, and we can't let others think that the Collins family has lost its manners."

At Barnabas's insistence, Caroline Stoddard and David Collins reluctantly sat on the sofa to wait for their guests. But when Willie brought the guests in, everyone in the Collins family breathed a sigh of relief…

"Ha!" Barnabas couldn't help but laugh, startling David so much he almost jumped off the sofa. Standing behind Willie was a boy with short black hair, wearing a dark red robe. "I don't think it's Halloween yet, right? Willie, why don't you give our little wizard some candy? I didn't know you had such a sense of humor. But, it's okay."

He stood up, picked up his cane, and walked towards the boy dressed like a wizard. He raised his head and said, "Congratulations, little wizard! Although you've come at the wrong time, you've still won a one-day pass to Colin Manor, including food and lodging. This will be an unforgettable memory. Alright, Willie, quickly take our lovely little wizard to dinner, and then prepare a guest room for him—he looks like he's never had a proper night's sleep."

Salomon didn't relax at all because of the words of the short-haired man before him. He had sensed something amiss the moment he stepped into Collingwood Manor—compared to other areas, at least half of the once lush bushes were withered and dead, their branches twisted and covered in thorns. Perhaps this only indicated that the gardener was an alcoholic, but Salomon noticed that there were far more rats in the garden than anywhere else. According to his investigation, the Collins family was small and their daily food waste couldn't possibly support such a large swarm of rats.

Many of the phenomena he observed occurred near vampire lairs. Therefore, Salomon became even more convinced that Barnabas Collins was at Collin Manor.

"I'm looking for someone," Salomon said, his words causing Barnabas, who had just turned to go back to the sofa, to turn back again. "This person knows the information I need."

The vampire glanced at Salomon out of the corner of his eye. Now he knew that this strangely dressed little wizard wasn't some lost child, but someone with a purpose. Salomon's words also caught the attention of the other members of the Collins family. Caroline Stoddard, who had been sitting idly on the sofa, suddenly leaned forward, letting out a low whimper.

Elizabeth reached out and placed her hand on Caroline's shoulder. "Who?" she asked.

"You're asking the Collins family for help." Barnabas approached again, shoving Willie aside and looking down into Salomon's eyes. Suddenly, his voice softened considerably. "Tell me... who sent you to Collins Manor..."

“Of course it’s me.” Salomon smiled. “Your magic is useless against me, but if you hadn’t cast a spell on me, I wouldn’t have been able to be sure of your identity, Mr. Barnabas Collins.”

The vampire jumped back abruptly, his eyes wide, and pointed his cane at Salomon. "You...you're really a wizard? How old are you?"

"To be precise, I am a mystical mage," Salomon said. "He'll be thirteen soon... cough cough, please be serious. I represent the Lord who rules the Earth, and the Mage Cult is here to ask you a question."

Salomon snapped his fingers, and the Kamar-Taj emblem appeared before him, which was enough to prove his identity.

Upon hearing Salomon's age, Barnabas immediately relaxed. He nodded with obvious relief, indicating his full cooperation. As for what the Mage's Order was, he had no idea. But how could they send a thirteen-year-old mage apprentice to eliminate a vampire? Whether that age even allowed him to recognize all the words was questionable.

"First question," Salomon said, glancing at the people sitting on the sofa, "Where is Angelique Butchard?"

"Then I need to ask, what is your relationship with her?" Barnabas asked, puzzled.

“It’s alright, it’s just that she has something she shouldn’t have,” Salomon said. “For example, she cursed you to become a vampire… Such advanced magic can only come from a very dangerous sorcery book. The hermit mage would suspect that she had ever come into contact with that book, or rather, with the knowledge that circulated from it.”

"Didn't she sell her soul to Satan?" Barnabas exclaimed, his mouth agape in surprise.

"By learning the knowledge in that book, you will sell your soul to a terrible being, but not Satan, but someone else." Salomon followed Barnabas's directions and sat down on the sofa. Opposite him, Caroline was looking at him with ill intent. But Salomon ignored her, his eyes fixed on Barnabas until the vampire sat down opposite him.

"Who?" the vampire asked, repeatedly making an "M" shape with one hand. "Isn't that the symbol of Satan?"

“I cannot name that person; he is the progenitor of dark magic. He created a book, and the knowledge within that book created the world’s first vampire. Mr. Barnabas, you are not the first vampire. Excuse me, I don’t drink tea… Do you think an ordinary witch could create a vampire of your rank without paying a price?” Salomon said. “I have found portraits of the Butchard family… all of them depict the same person. Clearly, Angelique Butchard gained immortality through that knowledge. That book is extremely dangerous; I must retrieve it, even the copied knowledge.”

"Now, tell me, where is Angelique Butchard now? My magic completely counters her dark magic; she is no match for me."

"You mean, you can turn me into a human?" Barnabas Collins leaned forward abruptly. "You're saying you can counter her magic, which means... you can lift my curse?"

"Yes, but that relates to my second question..."

"Thank God!" Barnabas clearly had no patience to hear what followed. "Thank God! I can finally stop drinking blood!"

What's going on? Salomon looked at Barnabas with a puzzled expression. He was extremely careful during the conversation, refusing to eat anything and constantly making hand gestures, ready to cast spells at any moment.

But now, the object of his utmost concern—this vampire—was loudly thanking God in front of him? And even kneeling down to pray! Is there something wrong with him?

Why hasn't this vampire turned to ash yet?

P.S.: Seeking investment!

Good morning.

(End of this chapter)