CA – Chapter 63
Chapter 63
Many races lived on the Statu Continent: humans, werewolves, elves, vampires, and black witches. Although humans were weaker than the other races in many respects, they had always been the masters of the continent due to their vast numbers and superior reproductive capabilities.
Moreover, humans were greatly favored by the Light Goddess. She sowed the seeds of light among them, granting them the ability to fight against the forces of darkness. Later, after the gods departed from the Statu Continent, the Light Believers established the Holy See, occupying the northernmost corner of the land.
The black witches carved out a tenth of the continent's territory to establish Witch City. The elves lived far from both the Holy See and Witch City in the forests at the continent's southernmost tip. As for the vampires, they had possessed their own exclusive territory since ancient times.
Just as the black witches had their Dark Domain, vampires of the fourth generation and above had their own Blood Domain. The place where the vampires now lived was, in fact, a Blood Domain manifested by the slumbering first-generation vampires.
It was a place that not even the Pope dared to tread lightly. After all, the slumbering first-generation vampires had once withstood the pressure from the gods to successfully secure a place for their kind on the continent.
The vampires had no god, but the power of a first-generation vampire was comparable to one.
The Blood Domain of a first-generation vampire was enough to make the Pope wary, but the Blood Domain of a fourth-generation vampire lacked such a powerful deterrent effect. The most formidable vampires were the first and second generations. Although the third generation were the current rulers, their power was actually slightly inferior to the Pope's, as they were extremely cautious of forbidden techniques.
The power of a fourth-generation vampire was roughly equivalent to that of a Red-robed Archbishop. In close combat, a vampire was invincible, but if they couldn't get close, a Cardinal's light magic was enough to make a fourth-generation vampire flee in disarray.
However, the entire Holy See had only six Red-robed Archbishops, and they would not appear easily unless absolutely necessary. Especially in the last few centuries, the Holy See's prestige was no longer as intimidating as it once was. That was why the fourth-generation vampire within the territory of the Shas Church had so brazenly manifested a Blood Domain.
Being inside the Blood Domain of a fourth-generation vampire made Tang Qiu feel as if she were back in the Dark Domain of the red-robed witch. The suppression of the Power of Light within her made her chest feel heavy, yet to avoid exposing her identity, she couldn't use light magic to alleviate the pressure.
Her limbs felt as heavy as if they were filled with lead. Tang Qiu frowned slightly and pulled her hood down further. When a vampire passed by, she leaned her head against Lucille, nestling into her.
The vampire's suspicious gaze lingered on Tang Qiu, and his steps slowed. However, as he looked up, he met Lucille's icy stare. Her dark red eyes instilled a sense of fear in him, and he lowered his head and hurried away.
As the footsteps faded into the distance, Tang Qiu lifted her head and watched the vampire's retreating back, saying softly, "Those are all eighth-generation vampires."
The ones sent out to deal with the priests were all seventh and eighth-generation vampires. The sixth and fifth generations had not yet been disturbed.
The Blood Domain enveloped half the city. A duke had once lived here, and his magnificent and opulent ducal mansion had now become a gathering place for vampires.
Lucille and Tang Qiu successfully blended into the ducal mansion. Because higher-ranking vampires often had peculiar personalities, it wasn't strange for them to conceal themselves with cloaks or mask their auras. After all, there was one vampire clan that could even change bodies at will.
Therefore, after entering the ducal mansion, Tang Qiu didn't attract many scrutinizing glances.
Vampires kept blood slaves. To ensure they could have fresh food at any time, they generally didn't kill their blood slaves but kept them within the Blood Domain.
As she followed Lucille, she observed the golden cages lining both sides. Occasionally, she would see people locked inside, wearing only thin dresses. Clear bite marks were visible on their exposed arms, calves, and necks.
This was the first time she had seen a real blood slave. Tang Qiu's expression remained placid as she averted her gaze.
Lucille's identity as a vampire allowed her to move through the Blood Domain without arousing any suspicion. She led Tang Qiu to a room where she was temporarily staying.
Heavy curtains blocked the dim light from outside. Lucille lit a kerosene lamp and looked up at Tang Qiu, who was standing by the window, peering down through a crack. She asked in a low voice, "What's your plan?"
Clerics were different from ordinary blood slaves. They were only supplied to vampires of the sixth generation and above for feeding, so they wouldn't be casually locked in the cages outside.
Tang Qiu pulled her gaze back from the window. After a moment of silence, she said with a helpless tone, "Let's split up and search."
Her original plan was to capture a sixth-generation vampire and force them to reveal where the clerics were being held. However, she hadn't expected the suppressive force of the Blood Domain to be so strong.
Moreover, from her observations, vampires of the sixth generation and above did not often appear outside.
It seemed they had another place where they gathered to revel.
Because the master of the Blood Domain was in the central building of the ducal mansion, it would be too dangerous for Tang Qiu to get any closer. Only Lucille could approach that area, so it would be more efficient for them to act separately.
Lucille had no objection to Tang Qiu's proposal. The time for the blood feast was drawing nearer, which meant the full moon was approaching. She might not care much about Monica's life or death, but she was concerned for the safety of the blonde priest.
After Lucille left, Tang Qiu didn't rush off. She stood by the window, carefully observing the vampires passing below. Seeing them occasionally bring a blood slave and lock them in a cage, her eyes flickered. She tightened her cloak, then left the room. Looking up, she searched for the figure of the vampire she had just targeted and silently followed her.
This vampire had a blood slave with her. To make sure the slave kept up, her pace wasn't fast, which gave Tang Qiu the perfect opportunity to tail her.
The vampire walked through a long corridor and arrived at a desolate garden. She stopped and pushed the blood slave onto the overgrown grass to feed.
Tang Qiu paused for a moment, then turned nonchalantly, intending to search elsewhere. A dark figure suddenly emerged from nowhere and nearly collided with her. She instinctively raised a hand to block, and the figure's hood slipped off slightly, allowing her to see his face-a familiar one.
"Priest Mario?" Tang Qiu exclaimed in surprise.
Mario was startled to see her. The sound of hurried footsteps came from behind. He quickly pulled his hood back on, grabbed Tang Qiu's arm, and said rapidly, "Let's go."
Tang Qiu had already caught a glimpse of vampires approaching them out of the corner of her eye. Seeing Mario's reaction, she knew his identity must have been exposed. She was about to push him away and distance herself from him, but Mario's grip was too strong. Before she could break free, he had already pulled her two steps forward.
Tang Qiu: "..."
They left the garden and reached a more secluded open space. The vampires from behind had already caught up, their suspicious gazes sweeping over Tang Qiu and Mario. One demanded, "Which clan are you from?"
Tang Qiu turned around and answered calmly, "Gangrel."
Although her hood concealed half her face, the exposed red lips and the elegant curve of her chin stirred something in the vampire. He walked over and said with ill intent, "Take off your hood and let me see."
Tang Qiu tilted her head up slightly, her right hand holding her hood to push it back a little. Her left hand was already touching her Space Gem, preparing to take out her Light Staff, when the vampire who had walked up to her suddenly let out a muffled grunt.
As the vampire approached, Mario had suddenly drawn a long golden sword from under his cloak. With a lunge, he pierced the vampire's heart. The vampire raised a hand to grab the sword in his chest, trying to counterattack, but Mario threw him over his shoulder.
He expressionlessly cut off the vampire's head, then took out a bottle of Holy Water of Light and poured it on the vampire's chest. The vampire let out a bloodcurdling scream and then stopped breathing.
Tang Qiu slowly withdrew the hand she had placed on her Space Gem. She sized up Mario, raised an eyebrow, and said, "A knight?"
Mario put away his longsword and replied in a low voice, "I was trained as a Holy Knight."
No wonder he was so skilled. Tang Qiu nodded thoughtfully. She pulled her hood back on and said to Mario, "It's safer if we go our separate ways."
Mario glanced at her. "It's too dangerous for you to be alone."
"Are you sure?" Tang Qiu looked at him with a faint smile. "I wasn't the one who was almost exposed just now." And he had nearly gotten her exposed along with him.
Mario paused, then changed the subject without batting an eye. "...I've found Priest Monica."
"Oh?"
"She's being held in the ducal mansion's leopard house." Some nobles enjoyed keeping wild beasts at home for amusement, and the former master of this mansion had a fondness for leopards.
After speaking, Mario waited for Tang Qiu's response. When she remained silent after a while, he couldn't help but look up at her, only to find her staring at him. He asked, puzzled, "What is it?"
Tang Qiu narrowed her eyes, a slight curve playing on her lips. "Why did you sneak in here to save Monica?"
Her gaze shifted slightly as she added with a smile, "Was it an order from Archbishop Reese?"
Mario said expressionlessly, "That has nothing to do with you." He then turned and walked away.
Tang Qiu watched his back, maintaining a distance of a few meters as she leisurely followed him. The corners of her mouth lifted in a silent smile.
The leopard house wasn't too far from them. It was a secluded area with only two guards, one of whom was the vampire Mario had just killed.
With only one guard left, there was no need to worry about him escaping and alerting the other vampires. Mario drew his longsword and killed the vampire cleanly, then entered the leopard house with Tang Qiu.
The leopard house was vast and empty, and the slightest footstep was amplified several times over. Tang Qiu followed behind Mario, cautiously observing their surroundings. Rows of gold-wire cages, identical to the ones holding the blood slaves outside, were arranged on the floor.
Tang Qiu lowered her head and carefully inspected the cages on both sides, searching for Monica and the others. Suddenly, Mario's voice came from behind her. "Over here."
She turned to look. In the row of cages in the far corner, Monica, Jonas, and the other clerics and Holy Knights from the Bill Church were all locked up.
They were all unconscious, lying in the cages. Only the slight rise and fall of their chests proved they were still breathing.
Tang Qiu walked to Monica's cage, bent down, and tugged at the chain lock. Frowning, she said, "Can you open this?" She looked at Mario.
Mario reached out and tried, his brow furrowing as well.
A light flame could melt the lock, but that would surely alert the other vampires.
The rattling of the chains woke the slumbering Monica. She weakly opened her eyes. The figures before her were blurry, and she struggled to focus. Seeing the blonde priest standing in front of her, she was stunned and called out in disbelief, "Grace?"
Her voice was hoarse and feeble. Through the torn collar of her clothes, clear bite marks were visible on the side of her neck. Her weak state was clearly due to excessive blood loss.
Tang Qiu let go of the chain and squatted down, trying to hand her a bottle of Holy Water of Light. She looked at Monica and soothed her in a gentle tone, "Don't worry, we'll get you out."
Monica's wrists were shackled, and an armlet that suppressed the Power of Light was fastened to her arm. She looked at Tang Qiu and slowly shook her head. "Don't worry about me. Get out of here. Vampires will be coming to feed soon."
She closed her eyes, and when she opened them again, her green eyes were filled with fury. "Bishop Anthony of the Shas Church colluded with the vampires and betrayed the Holy See. After you leave, take my nameplate and report him to the Inquisition."
Monica leaned closer to Tang Qiu, gesturing for her to take the nameplate from her.
Tang Qiu frowned and looked up at Mario. He was trying to break the chain with his longsword, seemingly oblivious to what Monica had said.
Monica had noticed Mario accompanying Tang Qiu earlier, but since he hadn't removed his hood, she hadn't recognized him.
Seeing Tang Qiu still standing there, she couldn't help but urge, "Grace?"
Tang Qiu came back to her senses and gave Monica a reassuring smile. She said softly, "We'll deal with Bishop Anthony after we leave."
She glanced at Mario. The chain was still intact. She continued, "Bishop Ralph is already on his way, and Archbishop Reese might be coming too. Let's get out of here first and find a place to hide."
Listening to the clanking of the chain, Monica fell silent for a moment before saying softly, "She won't come to save me."
Monica's voice was too quiet for Tang Qiu to hear what she said. The persistent failure to break the chain made her frown deeply. She stood up and exchanged a look with Mario. They both took out their Light Staffs. She began to chant in a low voice, and the Power of Light slowly gathered at the tip of her staff.
Monica watched her with a worried expression.
Due to the suppression of the Blood Domain, the Power of Light gathered extremely slowly. After what felt like an eternity, a flame finally appeared. The chain began to melt in the light flame. Tang Qiu let out a small sigh of relief in her heart. Just as she was about to melt the lock on the next cage, a sharp pain shot through her shoulder. Her arm went numb, and the staff fell to the ground.
Monica cried out in alarm, "Grace?"
Tang Qiu turned her head to look at her shoulder and pulled out a diamond-shaped dart. She frowned as a wave of dizziness washed over her. She instinctively turned to look at Mario, who had already collapsed on the ground, unconscious.
A set of footsteps approached from behind. A silver-haired, red-eyed vampire walked over with an elegant gait, toying with a diamond-shaped dart in her hand. She curled her red lips, glanced at the fallen Tang Qiu and Mario, and licked her lips. "Food that delivered itself to my door."
She bent down, her gaze sweeping over Mario's and Tang Qiu's faces. She stroked her chin and let out a low chuckle, finally choosing to hoist Tang Qiu over her shoulder.
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