CA – Chapter 64
Chapter 64
The vampires who emerged from the Blood Domain wanted to kill the priests casting light magic, but they were tied down by the Holy Knights. The priests, standing in a safe position, tried to break through the Blood Domain but were unsuccessful.
The situation fell into a stalemate. As time ticked by, Anthony looked up at the sky, the corner of his mouth curling up imperceptibly.
He was only afraid the situation wasn't deadlocked enough.
The sound of a carriage came from behind. He turned in confusion, just in time to see Bishop Ralph of the Bill Church disembarking. The carriage was followed by two squads of Holy Knights and one squad of priests.
From the aura of light surrounding them, it was clear that these Holy Knights and priests were from the Central Church. Anthony’s brow furrowed again.
Bishop Ralph walked up to Anthony, first observing the situation with the Blood Domain before giving Anthony a slight bow. He greeted him with a perfectly amicable expression, "It's been a long time, Bishop Anthony."
Anthony returned the bow with an equally deep apology in his tone. "I feel deeply guilty about what happened to Priest Monica."
"It's all because I was too incompetent."
Bishop Ralph waved his hands hastily. "No, no, no, you can't be blamed for this." He looked toward the Blood Domain and sighed, "With a fourth-generation vampire here, you've had a hard time."
"The vampires have been running rampant lately. If only a Red-robed Archbishop would be willing to step in and teach them a lesson." After saying this, Anthony asked probingly, "Has this incident alarmed any of the Red-robed Archbishops?"
He knew that Bishop Ralph was someone Reese had promoted.
Bishop Ralph chuckled. "His Holiness the Pope has been in seclusion praying to the Light Goddess and hasn't managed the Church's affairs for a long time. The Red-robed Archbishops have to handle church matters, so how could they have time to come here?"
He paused, then added, "Besides, the Holy Son and the Holy Daughter have returned."
With the Holy Son and Holy Daughter out of seclusion, they would certainly want to get up to speed on the Church's affairs first, making it even less likely for the Red-robed Archbishops at the Central Church to have an opportunity to leave.
Anthony felt slightly more at ease. He put on a worried expression and said, "Then it seems expelling the vampires is up to you and me."
Ralph patted Anthony's shoulder and said gently, "I heard your spiritual power was damaged. Don't push yourself. Get some rest, and leave the rest to me."
With that, he took out the silver-white staff that represented a bishop and walked to the back of the priest formation. The squad of priests he had brought with him joined in, while the Holy Knights stood by.
Bishop Ralph raised his staff and began chanting a spell in a low voice. As time passed, the Power of Light gathering around him became like the brilliant sun, shining with golden light. The Power of Light flew into the air and struck the Blood Domain directly, shattering it and tearing a gap in the red mist.
The vampires enveloped in the golden light let out a series of tragic screams before turning to ash.
Casting a high-level light spell left Bishop Ralph somewhat fatigued. He raised a hand to wipe the sweat from his forehead, then signaled for the Holy Knights to guard the priests as they entered the Blood Domain. He then waved at Anthony, indicating he was tired and would return to his carriage to rest.
A single high-level light spell had torn through the Blood Domain, breaking the stalemate. Anthony watched Bishop Ralph's retreating back with a blank face, his eyes dark and gloomy.
Back in the carriage, the fatigue on Bishop Ralph's face slowly vanished. He sat only in the outer compartment, his expression rather cautious. Occasionally, when he raised his hand to wipe away sweat, he would sneak a glance toward the inner compartment.
A thick white gauze curtain obscured the view, but one could vaguely make out a person sitting inside. A corner of a scarlet cloak peeked out from beneath the gauze.
Slender, pale fingers pushed the carriage window open a crack. Reese lifted her gaze to the lighthouse near the Blood Domain and said in a low voice, "Go to the lighthouse."
Ralph nodded respectfully. "Yes."
With a breach opened in the Blood Domain, the Holy Knights guarded the priests as they stepped inside. The vampires on the periphery came out to intercept them, and the entrance descended into chaos. The ground shook from time to time due to the clash between light and darkness.
A few sixth-generation vampires emerged from the ducal mansion to check on the situation, but most of the vampires remained inside, indulging in their pleasures.
Inside the mansion was a grand hall specifically for banquets. Nearly all the vampires of the sixth generation and above were gathered there. On a high platform on the west side of the hall were rows of cages, inside which were the blood slaves for them to feed on.
Among them were beautiful noble girls, handsome and tall knights, and holy, noble priests. Shockingly, there were even two beautiful elves.
Elves were the darlings of nature, born with the ability to perceive the elements. They possessed a talent for magic that no other race had; the gentle breeze, river water, flames, soil, trees, and more could all become their weapons.
Moreover, they were stronger than humans. Living in the forests year-round made them incredibly agile, and their superior eyesight meant their arrows never missed their mark.
They were excellent mages and outstanding warriors, but they had a fatal flaw... like the werewolves, their reproductive ability was too low, even lower than that of the werewolves.
Because of the rarity of elves and their impeccable beauty, a gift from nature, there was a time when they were hunted by other races. The Elf Queen sought help from the Holy See, but after being refused, she angrily broke ties with the Church and led her people into seclusion in their own territory, not taking a single step out for hundreds of years.
Even now, it was rare to see an elf on the continent. Their pointed ears made it impossible for them to hide their identity and live among humans.
To think that two elves were caged here. Lucille’s steps paused for a moment in front of the elves' cage. The elves inside kept their heads bowed, seemingly in a deep slumber. She coolly averted her gaze and scanned the other cages.
After looking over all the caged priests in the hall one by one and not finding Monica, Lucille indifferently withdrew her gaze. Just as she was about to leave, a cheer erupted in the hall. The vampires, who had been seeking their own pleasures, all stopped what they were doing and turned to the entrance, shouting joyfully, "Lord Beverly!"
The title "Lord" signified that the newcomer was the master of this Blood Domain, that fourth-generation vampire... Lucille frowned and turned to look at the entrance. When she saw Beverly and the blonde priest slung over her shoulder, her expression instantly turned grim.
Beverly was dressed in a magnificent court gown, her silver curls hanging loosely over her chest. A person was slung over her shoulder, but this did not affect her elegant stride in the slightest.
"The night has just begun." Beverly walked past the other vampires. With a snap of her fingers, the chains on the cages broke in unison. She ascended the stairs, saying nonchalantly as she went, "Enjoy yourselves."
Beverly's figure disappeared around the bend in the staircase. The vampires dispersed to select their food for the night. One vampire passed by Lucille and, seeing her standing motionless, casually asked, "Aren't you hungry?"
Lucille raised her eyes and gave him a cold look. The vampire was intimidated by her aura, his steps coming to an abrupt halt. The smile on his face stiffened. "...What's wrong with you?"
Lucille lowered her head, pulled up her hood, and then strode past the vampire and left.
Only after Lucille had gone did the vampire let out a slight sigh of relief. He glanced in the direction she had left, a flicker of doubt in his eyes.
Lucille exuded the aura of a fifth-generation vampire, and she was not one of Beverly's descendants. However, since the Blood Domain had been established, it had attracted many high-generation vampires. Someone like Lucille was not unusual.
Vampires had all sorts of strange personalities, and each clan had its own peculiar habits. There were too many abnormal individuals like her. So, after a moment of confusion, the vampire put it out of his mind.
Upstairs from the hall was Beverly's private bedroom. She placed the blonde priest from her shoulder onto the bed, then took out a silver ribbon and casually tied her hair back. Kneeling on the bed with one knee, she leaned forward slightly, studying the person beneath her by the moonlight streaming through the window.
Beauty was always pleasing to the eye, especially when it was a beauty that suited her tastes. Beverly slowly undid the buttons on the blonde priest's collar. With her thumb, she turned the priest's face to the side, exposing the fragile neck to her view. Her red lips parted slightly, revealing the sharp fangs on either side.
It seemed tonight would be a wonderful night.
Beverly licked her lips, her gaze on the blonde priest beneath her both amorous and fervent.
She slowly lowered her head. Just as her sharp fangs touched the side of the blonde priest's neck, the window suddenly let out a loud crash, halting her movement.
Beverly frowned and turned her head. A black shadow suddenly lunged at her. Her vision was obscured, a sharp pain shot through her neck, and her head was already separated from her body.
Lucille tossed Beverly's head aside, then bent down to pick up the blonde priest from the bed. She leaped out of the window, her figure instantly vanishing into the night.
Not long after Lucille left with Tang Qiu, Beverly's body found its own head. She pressed her head back onto her neck, and the torn wound began to heal in a bizarre, slow manner.
Beverly rotated her stiff neck, a flash of anger in her eyes. A vampire, hearing the commotion, flew up to investigate but saw only Beverly standing alone in the middle of the room. He asked tentatively, "Lord Beverly?"
Beverly closed her eyes slightly, sniffing the lingering scent in the air. She sneered, "To the east. Search for me."
Lucille carried Tang Qiu back to the room where she was temporarily staying. The blonde priest remained in a deep coma with no sign of waking. She placed the person on the bed. Her gaze paused for a moment when it fell upon the open collar, and she leaned down to sniff, her eyes darkening slightly.
Beverly's scent lingered.
She pursed her lips, her fingers stroking the side of the blonde priest's neck for a moment. Avoiding the small black mole, she opened her mouth and bit down hard.
"Mmm..." Still unconscious, Tang Qiu slowly regained consciousness from the pain. She opened her eyes, looking blankly at the darkness before her. A familiar scent enveloped her, preventing her from immediately going on alert. Instead, she wrapped her arms around the person on top of her and called out in a low, hoarse voice, "Lucille?"
The side of her neck had always been sensitive. After the initial pain subsided, the force of Lucille's sucking and the ticklish sensation of her tongue occasionally sweeping across the skin made her tremble unconsciously. She frowned, her hand gripping Lucille's hair slowly tightening.
Lucille lifted her head from Tang Qiu's neck, licking the blood from the corner of her mouth. She explained in a low voice, "That vampire left her scent on you."
It was a method vampires used to mark their prey for easier tracking. She occasionally left some marks on Tang Qiu herself.
Lucille buried her head again, her tongue licking the wound that was still bleeding. Her voice sounded somewhat deep. "I need to cover it."
Tang Qiu tilted her head back slightly. The sensation of being licked on the side of her neck made her limbs feel weak. She gasped for breath and tried to stop her, "That's enough, Lucille..."
Lucille held Tang Qiu's arms down, concentrating on biting the side of her neck, so she didn't notice the blonde priest beneath her was quietly transforming. It wasn't until she was grabbed by the arm and thrown off that she realized the blonde priest had turned into a werewolf.
The paralyzing toxin Beverly had injected had left Tang Qiu feeling unwell. Only now, after transforming into a werewolf, did she feel the toxin in her blood evaporate. She sat up in bed, raised a hand to touch her neck, and looked at the blood on her hand. She frowned and glanced up at Lucille.
Lucille walked over and knelt on the bed with one knee. She took Tang Qiu's hand and, under her surprised gaze, lowered her head and carefully licked the bloodstains from her fingers clean.
Then, supporting the back of her neck, she pushed her down onto the bed. Leaning close to the side of her neck, Lucille's lips pressed against the bite mark. While licking it, she explained in a low voice, "The scent of blood will attract other vampires."
As she licked the wound, her gaze was fixed intently on the black mole on the side of Tang Qiu's neck. Her throat felt slightly itchy, as if tempted. Her tongue unconsciously darted out, tentatively licking the mole.
Tang Qiu didn't know what Lucille was doing behind her back, but the moist sensation on the side of her neck made her shiver slightly. She frowned, wrapped her arms around Lucille's waist, and flipped her over onto the bed. Meeting Lucille's questioning gaze, she said with a half-smile, "Why do you always have so many excuses?"
The warm, soft sensation lingered on the side of her neck, refusing to fade. A strange feeling welled up inside Tang Qiu. She raised a hand to rub her neck, then looked down at the culprit, who was acting perfectly calm. Her eyes narrowed slightly.
Lucille felt that the way Tang Qiu was staring at her was a bit odd. Just as she was about to ask, she saw Tang Qiu suddenly reach out, rip open her collar, and bite down hard on her shoulder.
A werewolf's teeth were even sharper than a vampire's, and she showed no mercy with this bite. Lucille's brow furrowed in pain.
After biting her, Tang Qiu's mood improved somewhat. She let go, got up, and took out a bottle of Holy Water of Light to clean the wound on her neck. Then she took out a cloak to cover her priest's robes.
Lucille sat up in bed, clutching her shoulder, and stared at Tang Qiu in silence.
The cold Holy Water of Light cooled the burning sensation on her neck and helped calm Tang Qiu's chaotic thoughts. She turned to Lucille and asked, "Who was that silver-haired vampire?"
She vaguely remembered seeing such a figure before she passed out.
"Beverly, a fourth-generation vampire of the Brujah clan."
Tang Qiu frowned. A fourth-generation vampire was troublesome enough, but to think she was also from the Brujah clan. The vampires of this clan were all exceptionally skilled in combat.
She pondered for a moment, then said in a low voice, "I already know where Monica is being held. We'll find a chance to..." Before she could finish, she suddenly sensed something and looked up toward the window with a grave expression.
A silver figure crashed through the window, flying toward Lucille like a bolt of lightning. Unable to dodge in time, Lucille was thrown back. She managed to stabilize herself mid-air, her back slamming into a cabinet.
Beverly stood by the bed, rotating her wrist. She glanced at Lucille and sneered, "Who are you trying to steal prey from, hmm?"
With that, her figure flashed, appearing in front of Tang Qiu. She raised her arm, intending to carry her off again. However, her arm was caught mid-way by Tang Qiu, whose strength was so great that it brought her to a dead stop.
Beverly was stunned. As she was wondering how the weak priest from before had become so strong, she was struck by a heavy blow to her stomach. A pain shot through her shoulder, and in the next moment, her vision turned upside down as she was slammed to the ground.
Tang Qiu pressed one knee on Beverly's body, grabbed her head with both hands, and, giving her no chance to counterattack, ripped it off with a powerful twist. She took out her staff of light and calmly began chanting a spell, intending to burn Beverly's head to ashes.
However, just as she began to chant, Beverly's head suddenly exploded in a mist of blood. Although Lucille pulled Tang Qiu away in time, Tang Qiu's hand was still burned, and the pain made her instinctively let go.
The head flew back to Beverly's body, and the gruesome wound on her neck began to slowly heal again.
Having her head twisted off twice in one night, the anger in Beverly's heart was completely ignited. She rotated her neck, her cold gaze fixed on Tang Qiu. She sneered, "So you're a werewolf..."
As she spoke, her figure suddenly vanished. Lucille swiftly moved in front of Tang Qiu, blocking Beverly's attack. The two began to fight, and the room was caught in the crossfire, quickly turning into ruins.
A fifth-generation vampire arrived to assist. Tang Qiu glanced over and flew to intercept the newcomer. A werewolf's strength and speed were a match for any vampire clan, and her own power was no less than that of a fifth-generation vampire. She was not at a disadvantage against this opponent at all.
Her sharp claws left deep gashes on the fifth-generation vampire's body. Tang Qiu cornered the vampire and thrust her hand through its chest. She was attempting to combine it with light magic to kill the vampire, but two more sixth-generation vampires came at her. Tang Qiu calmly withdrew her hand, temporarily giving up and retreating.
While they were locked in a chaotic battle, the squads of priests and Holy Knights outside had advanced near the ducal mansion. A team dressed in pure white cloaks with their hoods up took advantage of the chaos to slip into the Blood Domain. While the priests and vampires were fiercely engaged, they secretly snuck into the mansion's banquet hall.
The vampires who had been reveling in the hall had all left; some went to help Beverly, while others were resisting the priests who had pushed to the center of the Blood Domain. The hall was empty except for the blood slaves in their cages.
There were more than a dozen people in the team that slipped into the hall. The leader was tall and slender, her face obscured by a hood, with only a few strands of light green hair falling in front of her. She walked to the elves' cage, reached out, and tore off the chain. She asked softly, "Are you all right?"
Her voice was like a clear mountain spring, ethereal and pure.
The two elves came out of the cage and said dejectedly, "We were bitten several times."
Someone in the group offered comfort, "It's fine, just eat a couple of leaves and you'll be okay."
Someone handed two pure white cloaks to the elves. They took them, put them on, and carefully covered their ears. Only after they were fully concealed did they turn to the person before them and say, "Your Majesty the Queen, I've investigated. There are about twenty-three priests imprisoned in this Blood Domain."
An elf exclaimed in surprise, "So many?" She paused, then muttered under her breath, "Then how much Holy Water of Light must they have on them."
Elf Queen Delphine was also surprised. She smiled, her tone light. "We'll rescue them all."
"Hurry up, or the priests and knights outside will rescue them first."
The elves scattered and began to act. A few were responsible for taking the priests from here, while others, guided by the two rescued elves, went to other places of confinement.
Among them was the leopard house where Monica was being held.
Monica had witnessed Tang Qiu being taken away by the vampire. Overcome with anxiety, her emotions fluctuated so wildly that she fainted again. While unconscious, she was carried out by the elves who had snuck in during the chaos.
The elves' movements were extremely stealthy; neither the vampires nor the priests noticed their presence.
Mario, who had been knocked unconscious by Beverly's toxin just like Tang Qiu, was awakened by the commotion outside. While he was unconscious, a vampire had taken him away to feed, but the vampire left when the priests broke into the Blood Domain.
He got up from the bed and touched his neck. The blood on his fingers made him frown. He retrieved his long golden sword, walked to the window, and jumped out.
Mario found the priest squad, picked a few people to break away from the center of the battle with him, and headed straight for the leopard house. There were no guards nearby. Mario led his men inside quickly, but when they reached the cage where Monica had been held, they found it empty.
His expression instantly turned cold. He ordered the people behind him in a low voice, "Search."
The Holy Knights guarded the priests as they fanned out, beginning to search for other detention sites.
The night slowly began to fade. Atop a ten-meter-high lighthouse near the Blood Domain, Reese stood at the top, looking down at the Blood Domain below. Her scarlet cloak billowed behind her in the wind.
A priest came up from below and whispered a few words to Bishop Ralph, who was standing to the side. Bishop Ralph's face turned ugly. He instinctively glanced at Reese, then stepped forward hesitantly and stammered, "Priest Mario sent word that... Priest Monica is missing."
Reese gazed silently at the scene below, a tiny curve forming on her red lips. "Missing?"
Bishop Ralph wiped away sweat, not daring to respond.
Reese tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. Her emerald eyes had darkened in the night. She held a pure white staff of light, its tip inlaid with a massive red gemstone. She raised the staff slightly and said faintly, "Keep an eye on Anthony."
"I'll let him see with his own eyes whether the gift I've prepared for the vampires suits his taste."
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