Academic gathering with Lich colleagues

"...This is truly unbelievable."

Chapter 456 Arrival at Drogonris

The fleeting phantom traced its path through the sparsely populated forest, where frost flowers bloomed continuously among the blades of grass. The towering, untouched vegetation collided with the vast, illusory landscape, transforming it into a silver-white wonderland in the next instant.

Most of the vegetation has frozen to death in the process, with only a few tough, cold-resistant plants surviving and getting through this early winter.

The Wanderer's carriage left a trail of cold, damp light, but Lyle and his companions, who were in the heart of this deadly hurricane, felt warmth, even a bit of heat, inside the carriage.

“The Wanderer is an Ice Soul, also known as a Frost Wraith, a special kind of ghost. Ice Souls can steal away the temperature of their surroundings, and they can reach their fastest speed in the wind and snow.” Beatrice stroked the soft cushion beside her. “As for this carriage, it was my father’s creation. After the coachman, Ivan, became a Wanderer, this alchemical equipment developed a connection with the Ice Soul.”

This carriage transmits the temperature absorbed by the ice to ensure the passengers inside are sufficiently comfortable.

“I’ve never seen a Wanderer during my time in Naslan.” Lyle’s gaze was drawn to the snowflakes falling outside the car window. Kevin was pressed against the other window, watching the blurry scenery rushing past just like Lyle. “Ice Souls are very different from the ghostly servants of Naslan.”

“They are special, but their loyalty to Naslan is the same as everyone else’s.”

"them?"

"In the study of souls, every person is a special being. But some people are even more special, exhibiting certain qualities in their souls. Naslan suffered a catastrophe that caused all of Naslan's retainers to die in an instant, becoming ghosts. They were the first ghosts to be resurrected because of their specialness. They spontaneously kept their former vows, protecting the unguarded Naslan until Sister Helena overcame her madness and became a Soul Reaper. After that, they voluntarily relinquished Naslan's power, their loyalty shifting from my father to us three sisters."

“Their souls are independent, not controlled by Helena, for their oaths have been proven. These special spirits have wandered far and wide throughout the world, but they are always ready to answer Naslan’s call.” Beatrice tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and said proudly, “If you ever encounter a powerful ghost, Lyle, in the future, it may be a retainer of Naslan, or even if it isn’t, they will know the name Naslan.”

“The Wanderer Evan, the Wicked One Desiri, the Warrior Seeker Vol… and so on, they form the protective force of Naslan. These guardians of Naslan live all over the world, seeking environments that allow them to grow. Take the Wanderer, for example, he is always chasing winter, or rather, he is winter itself.”

“But Naslan remains as warm as ever, unchanged, and I always feel deeply apologetic for damaging Naslan’s grasslands.” The wanderer’s voice rang out from the front of the carriage, which continued to move at full speed, clearly indicating that the skilled driver was multitasking.

“Ariana won’t care, and you’re taking the river route. I actually quite like the winter brought by the Wanderers, because that awful sun gets buried by the blizzards.”

Beatrice's voice lightened the howling of the wind and snow, and a melodious bell seemed to ring out in the swirling snowflakes. The Wanderer spoke with ease, "I've also fantasized about being Santa Claus, dear Beatrice. But you were always so lifeless back then, as if I had frozen the air. Now, this idea seems to have some practical value. Is this the benefit of having a human companion? Mr. Lyle, I'm starting to like you."

The Wanderer was far more talkative than he appeared. The bells of the Frost Chariot echoed through the valleys and streams, and the galloping hooves pounded the rocks and the air. The chariot could not fly, not even the Ghost Chariot, which hovered only about thirty centimeters off the ground, but it was translucent, giving Kevin and Lyle a rather novel experience.

This carriage is an alchemical artifact that gives passengers a feeling similar to becoming a spirit. Lyle and the others faded in color along with the carriage, and the branches with icicles simply passed through their bodies. Every time, Kevin would exclaim in surprise, the kind of thing he never got tired of.

Without physical collisions, the speed of the carriage is simply unimaginable.

After a day and a night, as the sun began to set again, Lyle and the others could see their destination.

The magnificent castle, half-embedded in the mountainside, cast a huge shadow in the setting sun, enveloping the small town at its foot. Similar in style to Cassandra, the houses featured pointed towers and wooden fences surrounding each one. On the doors, each household hung a long strip of spheres, and the doors were scribbled with a white Holy Cross.

The things hanging there were garlic cloves. If Beatrice, an insider, hadn't pointed it out, Lyle would never have guessed that this was a town ruled by vampires. Now, those garlic cloves and other theological symbols seemed utterly ironic.

The wanderer's carriage stopped on a hillside, a good vantage point offering a panoramic view of the town's layout. Four areas, separated by wooden fences, were divided by a central open space. A building that looked like a church or mayor's mansion occupied almost half of the open space, echoing the noble castle that remained shrouded in shadow in the distance.

"Ahead lies the territory of Dagonris," Beatrice said, pointing to the town. In the open space, some townspeople could be seen gathering in front of the massive building. "A large portion of the town's residents are ordinary humans, domesticated livestock or servants. Don't be surprised. Their lives aren't as bad as you think. The vampires manage them much better than human kings, except for being a bit stingy with their blood rations. You know, there are plenty of lords who can eat people without spitting out the bones. Here, they just bleed a little."

“It sounds like the Loshutar are a decent vampire family.”

"The world is not black and white. The Loshutars maintain their preferential treatment not out of benevolence, but because they are unwilling to have too much contact with so-called outcasts. The original vampires were all transformed from noble families. But now, the refinement of the new vampires has gradually declined, just like their strength. When I left, their eyes were already filled with bloodlust. Now, I estimate that some vampires are no different from beasts. And Duke Delaris is completely deaf to all of this."

"The vampire lord has become complacent."

Beatrice took a step forward. "No, he's too lazy to pretend anymore. Vampires are all monsters with ulterior motives." Beatrice looked at the distant castle with disgust. "Hiding in the dark castle all day long, they will eventually be swallowed by the darkness."

Lyle clapped.

“Beatles, you are so beautiful when you speak so righteously. If only I could give you a mirror.”

Kevin raised his hand. "Isn't the side wall of the Wanderer's wagon the perfect ice mirror?"

The wanderer answered coldly.

“Mr. Kevin, didn’t you realize that this was Lyle’s sarcasm about Miss Beatrice’s unhealthy lifestyle?”

Beatrice blushed and clenched her teeth.

“I’m not some shut-in! I’m different from them! I go to the City of Wanderers every day to manage the bar and interact with customers.”

"Plus drinking and late-night parties, girl, that's a real vampire."

Chapter 457 A Girl

An ancient cobblestone path appeared before them, and Beatrice stopped before the stones as if facing an insurmountable chasm. Lyle could hear her inhale, a deliberately somber sound emanating from her nostrils.

“Ahead lies the territory of Dagonris.” Beatrice turned back, her gaze lingering on Lyle’s face. “The moment we take that step, we will be exposed to the sight of the Loshutar vampires.”

The surrounding vegetation was quite lush, and it was still some distance from the town of Drogonris. There were no hidden sentries in sight, so Lyle still made his choice.

“Kevin, Grape, you must stay. You can explore and play around nearby, but promise me you won’t step onto this cobblestone path.”

The serious warning received a reply from Kevin, who patted his chest and assured him that he would not cross the line. He also half-forced Light Bat Grape to make the same promise, which reassured Lyle, and he and Beatrice entered the territory of Dagonis together.

Once Lyle and Beatrice had walked some distance, Grape finally broke free from Kevin's grip and grumbled unhappily.

"Kevin, do you really think that staying here will make us the so-called external aid that Lyle and the others are talking about?" Grape urged Kevin to break the promise he made just a minute ago, which was an explorer's instinct.

“Nothing can restrain me except my own intuition.” Kevin pulled the grapes back into his arms, his excitement replaced by seriousness. He stared at the cobblestone path in front of him, but did not take a step.

"Trust me, Grape, you'd better listen to Lyle now."

The cobblestone path wound its way into the jungle, and if Beatrice hadn't pointed it out, Lyle would never have noticed these man-made paths buried under the weeds. They were still in the jungle, having walked along the cobblestone path for ten minutes, and the surrounding stillness remained unchanged. It was as if nothing had happened; even the tactile sensation of the smooth pebbles was becoming increasingly blurred beneath the fallen grass. Beatrice's seemingly serious demeanor appeared to have no effect whatsoever.

Despite Lyle's continued efforts, Beatrice, who was leading the way, still offered an explanation.

“Although we haven’t entered Dagonris yet, we are already under the perception of the Loshutar vampires. The reason there hasn’t been any welcoming ceremony is probably because… they still consider me a member of the vampires.” Beatrice walked slowly, as if she were truly returning home for a visit. “This is exactly our plan for this trip: to use my identity to peacefully infiltrate the Loshutar vampires and find your little paladin.”

“My defection is indeed a full-blown betrayal in the eyes of the vampires. You will probably soon be able to confirm my betrayal and that of the other vampires from their faces. But Duke Delauris will not be angry. He dotes on each of his 'children' with a morbid love, and I believe they will welcome my return with a forced smile. As for you, Lyle, you are my brother-in-law, and therefore a member of Naslan’s family.”

"This is just a simple exchange of feelings among family members, which is what we need."

As Lyle listened to Beatrice's detailed explanation of everything about vampires, a new thought arose in his mind.

“Beatrice, you’ve defected. Do you think those vampires will let you and me return to Naslan after everything is over?” Lyle had a gut feeling that even if the vampire grand duke loved his child dearly, he wouldn’t tolerate anyone leaving a second time. Beatrice might be imprisoned; this was a high-stakes gamble with her freedom, and Beatrice was betting it all.

Her blood-red eyes crystallized in the pale sunlight, turning into sparkling onyx. Beatrice smiled, her diamond-like face breathtakingly beautiful in the sunlight.

"Do you really expect us to have a peaceful resolution with the Loshutar vampires? You don't think I can easily make them give up that Pure Paladin of the Fifth Angel, do you? Conflict is inevitable, and we'll have to tear off the mask of civility sooner or later."

"So you'd better hold onto your ring tight. When you find the person, have the Andrei Lich come over and make the Loshutar vampires disappear. You know Raymond, don't you? I heard he kept Grand Duke Delaris on edge for months."

Andrei's strength made their conversation much easier, and the gloom that had been hanging over them was thrown to the back of their minds at that moment.

Lyle and Beatrice walked side by side, their conversation light and pleasant, as they entered the town of Drogonris and came into the sight of the townspeople.

Faced with the arrival of strangers, the dull-witted townspeople panicked. They fled into their homes, locked their doors, and peered at the two through the cracks in the windows of their dimly lit rooms, mostly watching Beatrice with fear.

"They are afraid of you. What have you done in the past?"

"No, they just see me as the vampire who manages them. I'm not surprised by their fear of vampires."

Lyle scrutinized Beatrice's unremarkable profile. The sun had left only a sliver of light, and Drogonris was completely shrouded in shadow. Beatrice, who had not been exposed to sunlight, did not have her skin crystallized and looked no different from a human.

"How did they recognize you as a vampire?"

“Clothing and appearance. The vampires of Dagonris can move about openly, and their leaders are clearly distinguishable from the townspeople in appearance. Vampires, with beautiful and handsome appearances.” Beatrice proudly puffed out her chest, revealing a smile that exuded the charm of Naslan’s daughter. “Am I wrong? Or do you doubt my charm?” The imp’s smile caught Lyle’s eye, and Beatrice was like a hormone generator, making Lyle blush. Lyle looked away.

"So, he was also a vampire?"

In Lyle's view, behind the half-open door of the church, a beautifully dressed girl was surrounded by sallow-faced citizens. Her deep purple eyes were filled with hatred. She was like a flag, supporting the courage of the ordinary citizens. The fifteen or sixteen-year-old girl, whose beauty was no less than Beatrice's, stared at Beatrice with the most resentful expression on her pretty face.

Lyle caught a glimpse of surprise in Beatrice's eyes, which was quickly masked by indifference.

"No, I've never seen her before. What a pity, a newborn beauty. She'll probably become a vampire bride when she's eighteen."

A beautiful person without power, born in Drogonris, was not fortunate.

“Let’s go, there’s nothing noteworthy here. Degonris is just their pasture.”

Amidst the fearful gazes of humans and the resentful stare of the girl, Lyle followed Beatrice through Drogonris, heading towards the castle halfway up the mountain as the night grew darker with the setting sun.

Chapter 458 Meeting Gift

As Lyle stepped out of the town of Dagonris and onto the path to the vampire castle, the strange feeling in his heart gradually lessened. Lyle looked back, and through the closing gap in the gate, those amethyst-like eyes remained forever fixed there. Dagonris, like a primal, wild cage, imprisoned its foolishness and dullness. Its townspeople would forever live in fear of vampires.

That feeling was like a shackle, making Lyle overthink until a new scene brightened his eyes.

Smooth bricks and stones were laid on the ground, and on both sides of the road, bright red roses were blooming in a flamboyant manner, as lush as if they were domesticated, and as wild as if they were wild. Especially after enduring the oppressive atmosphere and morbid gaze of Drogonris, the alluring red brought a kind of spiritual cleansing.

As expected of an elegant vampire, Lyle couldn't help but admire this wild rose garden.

A slight tug appeared at the cuff of her right sleeve, and Beatrice pulled at the hem of her dress. Beatrice stood unusually behind her, her head bowed, her breathing heavy, her right hand on her chest, her listless face as if she were suffocating.

Beatrice, what's wrong?

Beatrice grabbed Lyle's wrist and shifted some of her weight onto him.

"The smell of blood...is beneath the flowerbed."

She coughed a few times, a response to her parched throat, the thick, metallic scent of blood in the air fueling Beatrice's bloodlust. These roses had been nourished by something terrible.

A few minutes later, Beatrice gradually adjusted. She stood up straight, withdrew her hand from Lyle's, and glanced at him with slightly narrowed pupils. "I'm fine now, let's move on."

Beatrice grew increasingly silent; even just watching her back revealed an aloof indifference that kept people at a distance. She was adjusting herself, trying to revert to her former arrogant vampire self.

The bricks on the ground were remarkably smooth, exceeding the gloss achievable with current techniques; at least the official road in Cassandra was far inferior. Not far away, Lyle discovered claw marks on the bricks and soon encountered the "craftsmen."

The steps in front of the castle are crowded with gargoyles in various poses, their blue faces and fangs gaping open, facing the visitors. They lie prostrate on both sides like reliefs, their overcrowding seriously detracting from the beauty of the castle gate.

These gargoyles are coming back to life.

Fine dust fell from the joints and top of the statue, and a strange creaking sound came from inside, like the cutting of a broken saw. This sound had officially begun at sunset, but now it had transformed from the friction of physical collisions into the roar of a monster.

Like a wicked howl celebrating the end of hibernation, a wave of sound rose up. Hideous stone eyes darted about, and gargoyles spread their wings and descended, claws and fangs extending beneath their folded wings. These hideous monsters roared and pounced on Lyle and Beatrice.

Beatrice stood before Lyle, and in the next instant, a piercing scream erupted from her throat—the language and roar of vampires, a testament to their identity. The gargoyle recoiled, lowering its stone head at Beatrice's outburst and making way like a dog seeing its master.

The heavy wooden door slowly opened, pulled by the iron chains. Lyle observed everything, looking into the tomb-like interior. Beatrice took Lyle's arm and calmly walked into the castle.

A red carpet stretched down the center of the corridor, disappearing into the distance. Sparse candlelight could only be seen around the corners. The thick carpet was comfortable underfoot, but the surrounding darkness was unsettling. It wasn't as gloomy as Andre College, which resembled a tomb; the darkness here was more active and malevolent.

Pairs of gleaming eyes lit up in the darkness, lurking in the shadows, their filthy, hungry gazes fixed on Lyle. They were ragged humanoid creatures with withered limbs, mostly lying prone on the ground, their mouths drooling, revealing festering gums and sharp teeth. They had once been human, but not anymore. Blood servants, low-level vampires driven mad by hunger and desperation, defective products. Their blood relatives were low-ranking vampires addicted to the pleasure of drinking blood; such relatives naturally wouldn't share much power with them. They were the lowest servants of the vampire clan, or livestock.

They growled like wild beasts, and under Beatrice's intimidation, they dared not look directly at their mistress. They huddled on both sides of the corridor, not daring to approach the red carpet even a little bit. This was the rule in Loshutal: roads were for people to walk on.

Lyle felt like he had walked into an insane asylum, the kind of disgusting, awful madness.