CA - Chapter 133

Chapter 133

The Gru Empire was located on the border of the Statu Continent. It was the most expansive of the three great empires, but because the werewolves had seized a swath of its territory right through the middle, it was unable to leverage the advantage of its vast land.

Furthermore, its proximity to the Oscarld Sea meant that defending against tsunamis each year consumed half of the Gru Empire's energy. This prevented it from annexing neighboring smaller countries to expand its sphere of influence like the other two empires.

Because three different powers—the werewolves, the Black Witches, and the vampires—were all active in this region, it was more chaotic than other countries. The population was also relatively smaller, and it was common to see deserted cities or remote villages with only a few hundred inhabitants.

Tavis Town was one such place. It was far from the main city and beyond the protective reach of the Holy See. The villagers living in the town had grown accustomed to this chaotic environment, and rather than aspiring to the faith of the Light, they held the dark powers in higher esteem.

When dark forces begin to seep into people's hearts, that is the greatest threat to the light and the Holy See.

Tang Qiu walked through the deserted streets under the cover of night, the bright moonlight stretching her shadow long and thin. She wasn't wearing her usual wide cloak; her pure white bishop's robes appeared incredibly holy and noble under the moonlight. Her silver boots stepped on the stone-paved path, and her long golden hair fluttered back slightly in the night breeze. She held her staff, her sky-blue eyes quietly gazing at the white castle situated at the end of the town.

The white castle was out of place in the town. Under the moonlight, it seemed to be shrouded in a hazy, bloody glow.

Although Tang Qiu had not yet entered the castle's territory, some of the vampires active nearby with keen senses had already discovered her presence. A black shadow flashed behind her. Tang Qiu calmly tightened her grip on her staff and silently recited an incantation.

A flame of light appeared behind her without warning. The ambushing vampire was trapped by the flames and let out a miserable scream as its pale skin gradually blackened from the corrosion of the Power of Light.

Tang Qiu turned around and sized up the vampire. Before she could speak, the vampire had already begun to beg for mercy. "Don't- don't kill me. I- I was ordered by Lord Delia to deliver a letter."

As he spoke, he tremblingly raised his hand. Due to the burning of the light flame, his palm was as black as charcoal.

Tang Qiu glanced at the envelope in his hand. Her lips moved slightly, and a white light enveloped the letter, causing it to fly out of the flames.

The envelope was sealed by a dark power. Tang Qiu broke the seal, then pulled out the parchment inside and unfolded it, her eyes scanning it in an instant. She looked up at the vampire in the flames and asked with a frown, "Who is inside the castle?"

The vampire shook his head in a panic. "I only know that Lord Delia is there." The vampires' class hierarchy was strict; the castle was a place only fourth-generation vampires could enter.

Those like him, who patrolled outside, had no contact with the vampires inside.

Tang Qiu nodded. She casually tossed the parchment into the light flame. The fire shot up more than a meter high with a whoosh, consuming the parchment along with the vampire.

After the light flame dissipated, darkness once again enveloped Tang Qiu. She stared at the distant castle, frowning in thought for a moment. Just as she was about to turn and leave, a sudden premonition of danger welled up in her heart. She paused and turned her head to the right. Something seemed to be hiding in the darkness.

Tang Qiu cautiously raised her staff and began to softly chant an incantation. Light elements slowly gathered at the tip of the staff. The spell was about to take shape when it was interrupted by a wolf's howl. A white wolf came rushing from behind, its shadow nearly engulfing Tang Qiu.

Tang Qiu was stunned for a moment. She turned to look at the white wolf that had already rushed before her. She subconsciously took two steps back. By the time the wolf reached her, it had already transformed into a human. Jemma happily threw herself onto Tang Qiu, shouting excitedly, "Grace!"

"Why are you here? Are you looking for me?"

Jemma placed her hands on Tang Qiu's shoulders, her eyes shining as she stared at her, making no effort to hide her excitement. From the direction she had come, a dozen more figures emerged from the darkness. Those who were on good terms with Jemma also came over to greet Tang Qiu.

The werewolves were split into two groups. One surrounded Tang Qiu, while the other stood not far away, observing the situation.

Eva stood on the periphery with her arms crossed, her appraising gaze fixed on Tang Qiu. When she saw her dressed in bishop's robes, a flash of surprise crossed her face. "How did she become a bishop so quickly?"

She looked at Jillian, who was also a bit surprised and silently shook her head.

After her initial shock at seeing Jemma and the others, Tang Qiu was also quite surprised. She held the excited Jemma still and asked in confusion, "Why are you all here?" This place wasn't very close to the werewolves' territory.

Jemma patted her chest and said with her head held high, "We're here for training. Vice-Chief Fanny told us to come out and find vampires to hone our fighting skills."

Although the number of werewolves was dwindling, it didn't mean they had become timid. It wasn't in the nature of the Wolf Race to protect all their people within their territory. While training might bring death, only through battle could they grow.

The life of the Wolf Race, from birth to death, was inseparable from battle.

Vampires, whose strength and speed were comparable to werewolves, were naturally the most suitable "sparring" partners.

"But since we left our territory, we've only run into a few Black Witches. We haven't found any vampires yet." Jemma pouted. The Black Witches only knew a few dark spells; once their true bodies were found, they couldn't withstand a few claw strikes before dying.

Tang Qiu's eyes flickered, and she glanced up at the white castle not far away. Jillian, who had been watching her, followed her gaze and asked, "Is that a vampire's domain?"

A bloody mist surrounded the white castle.

Tang Qiu looked at Jillian, nodded slightly, and said softly, "It's the domain of a fourth-generation vampire." After a pause, she added, "There might be more than one."

Jillian frowned. Before she could speak, Eva, who was standing nearby, snorted coldly and said unhappily, "Do you think we can't handle a fourth-generation vampire?"

Tang Qiu shook her head with a light smile. "No, just that it will be very dangerous."

"If it's not dangerous, can it be called training?" Although Eva's attitude toward Tang Qiu had changed somewhat because of past events, the sight of her Holy See robes still made Eva want to speak to her with cold words.

However, Tang Qiu didn't seem to mind. She smiled at Eva and turned her attention back to Jemma. It was Eva who looked away, a bit uncomfortable, upon seeing the golden-haired bishop's smile.

Jemma curiously asked Tang Qiu, "Why are you here? Are you the bishop of the Gru Empire now?" She looked down at Tang Qiu's bishop robes, touching the sleeves one moment and the embroidery on them the next, a look of novelty on her face.

Seeing Jemma's curious gaze on the staff in her hand, Tang Qiu casually handed it to her and said softly, "I'm here on some business."

While studying the staff, Jemma asked offhandedly, "What business?"

"To save someone."

Jemma looked up from the staff, blinking her eyes. "Save someone? We can help you."

"Vice-Chief Fanny said you are a friend of our Wolf Race."

After Jemma finished speaking, the werewolves beside her all nodded in agreement. Even Eva and the other werewolves had an air of tacit approval and said nothing in opposition.

Although Tang Qiu's original plan was to sneak in alone on the night of the full moon, after seeing Jemma and the others, she didn't mind making a few small changes to her plan.

Tang Qiu smiled at Jemma and nodded in acknowledgment. "Thank you."

Jemma waved her hand. "No need. It's what friends should do." Vice-Chief Fanny had said she was a friend of their Wolf Race, so of course, they had to take it seriously.

Besides, Jemma genuinely liked the golden-haired bishop; she was gentle, generous, and very good-looking.

With that thought, Jemma glanced at Tang Qiu and pursed her lips, smiling secretly.

The rescue still needed a plan. For now, Tang Qiu could only lead Jemma and the others back to her nearby lodging. Eva watched Jemma and the others flocking around the golden-haired bishop, pouting in dissatisfaction. Only after their figures had receded into the distance did she start to follow.

Jillian walked beside her. After taking two steps, she suddenly stopped. She sniffed the air hard, her brow slowly furrowing.

"What's wrong?" Eva asked, looking at her in confusion.

Jillian turned to look at a certain spot, her tone a little uncertain. "I think I smell one of our own."

As she spoke, she flashed over to where the scent was coming from. The place was empty, but judging by the fluctuations in the surrounding aura, she hadn't been mistaken.

Eva followed her over, glanced around, and said with a frown, "...Is that Chief Faye?" The scent was similar, yet not quite the same.

Jillian shook her head; she couldn't be sure either.

---

Tang Qiu's lodging in Tavis Town was a simple wooden cabin at the edge of the village. There were no villagers nearby, making it quiet and secluded.

After Tang Qiu returned with Jemma and the others, Erin and Lola, who had been scouting the castle separately, also came back one after another. They were all a bit surprised to see the werewolves camping outside.

"Are... are these the helpers you found?" Erin asked admiringly, peeking at the werewolves outside through a crack in the door she was leaning on.

"A chance encounter," Tang Qiu said faintly. She walked to the table and sat down, then took out several bottles for Holy Water of Light. She opened the stoppers and lined them up neatly. Using a small knife, she slit her wrist and filled the bottles with her blood. After filling five or six of them, she cast a healing spell on herself.

The scent of blood drew Erin's attention. She looked back and, after a moment's thought, said, "Are you really going in alone?"

Erin was still worried.

Tang Qiu capped the bottles one by one, her fingertips stroking the still-warm blood. She nodded. "I'll go in alone. You and Lola will provide support from the outside."

Taking Erin and Lola with her would divide her attention; it was better to have them provide support from the outside.

"What about the werewolves?"

"They'll be responsible for dealing with the fifth-generation vampires outside."

The number of fifth and sixth-generation vampires guarding the outside was not small. Entrusting them to Lola and Erin was unrealistic. Tang Qiu's initial plan was to have Lola and Erin create a small disturbance, and she would use that opportunity to sneak in.

But now, Jemma and the others could take over this task from Lola and Erin. Moreover, a disturbance caused by werewolves would be far more threatening and would better attract the attention of the vampires inside the castle.

This would make it more convenient for her to rescue the person.

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