The First Pope - Chapter 62
Chapter 62
Pegel was on the far eastern edge of the Sitatul Continent, while the Slade Sea Region was at its northernmost tip. The distance between them spanned nearly half the continent; even at the speed of the Elves and werewolves, it was not a journey that could be made casually.
After settling the Wolf Race, Olivia remained in Helen's room to discuss how to stop the Vampires from destroying the temples. She informed Helen that Cynthia would be accompanying them, and just as the two were deciding on a time to depart for Pegel, Cynthia and Joanna returned from the witches' territory.
The door was pushed open gently, and Joanna and Cynthia walked in, one after the other. Helen turned her head slightly, sensing Joanna's presence. "Have you apologized to the witches?" she asked with concern.
Joanna walked over to stand behind Helen. "I have already apologized. Don't worry, Clan Leader," she said softly.
"The witches are getting along very well with the God Race and the humans now." Joanna lifted her gaze and glanced at Cynthia, who had very naturally taken the last seat at the table. Her sky-blue eyes narrowed, but a faint smile remained on her face. "This place is more suitable for them than the ice fields."
Olivia thoroughly disliked Joanna's roundabout way of speaking and replied coldly, "It's not a matter of suitability, but of willingness to help their allies."
"Her Majesty the Queen is right." Joanna sighed, her voice laced with guilt. "It was my fault for not realizing they had come seeking help in time."
Helen was silent for a moment before proactively changing the subject. "Alright, Joanna didn't mean it. Since the witches are fine now, let's continue our discussion about the Giant God's Temple."
"The reason we failed to prevent the collapse of the Fire God's Temple this time was because the Lasombra deployed a Second Generation Vampire. They've already obtained the Fire God's Godhead. Their next move will surely be against the nearest Giant God's Temple or the Earth Mother's Temple."
"We should get to Pegel as soon as possible. That way, we can figure out their next target sooner and intercept them," Helen said, turning her face toward Cynthia. "I heard from Olivia that you'll be coming with us? A Second Generation Vampire is very dangerous. We might not be able to guarantee your safety."
In Helen's view, she was reluctant to bring a member of the God Race along. The God Race was too weak. Even if they had learned Light Magic, their frail bodies couldn't withstand a single blow from a vampire if they got too close.
Helen didn't want to assign extra people to protect this God Race member.
Even though Olivia said this silver-haired God Race member was strong, Helen couldn't imagine where that strength lay.
Cynthia understood the meaning behind Helen's words but paid it no mind. "I can protect myself," she said calmly. "I have my own reasons for going to the Giant God's Temple."
The race of human-torsoed, snake-tailed beings she had seen at the Beast God's Temple in Ochester had left a deep impression on her. She wanted to see if similar phenomena would appear at the other temples.
Cynthia didn't care what others thought of her, but Olivia disliked seeing Cynthia being looked down upon, even by Helen. Her brow furrowed, and she said in a cool tone, "I will be responsible for Cynthia's safety."
"The Wolf Race should just focus on dealing with the Vampires."
Cynthia hadn't expected Olivia to defend her in front of Helen. She was stunned for a moment, then the corners of her mouth turned up involuntarily. She tilted her head to look at Olivia, her body instinctively leaning toward her. Her golden eyes were full of mirth as she teased, "It seems this weak member of the God Race will have to rely on Her Majesty the Queen for protection after all."
Olivia glanced at her and raised a hand to her shoulder, signaling for her to sit up straight. "Be serious," she said, displeased.
Although she couldn't see the interaction between Olivia and Cynthia, Helen could still pick up on some clues from their tone and the atmosphere. She raised a hand to touch the white gauze over her eyes and, as if suddenly remembering something, asked, "Olivia, is your Twin Flower about to bloom?"
Cynthia had heard the Elves mention this "Twin Flower" more than once, but she still didn't know what it was. Hearing Helen bring it up again, she looked at Olivia curiously. "What's a Twin Flower?"
Olivia's expression changed slightly. She stared at Helen, her tone somewhat stiff. "Why are you asking about that?"
After speaking, she turned her head away, showing Cynthia her profile and completely ignoring her question.
Helen rubbed her nose and let out a soft chuckle, shaking her head with a hint of resignation.
This generation's Elf Queen was too thin-skinned.
Olivia was actively avoiding her gaze, and Helen's expression was incredibly subtle. This only made Cynthia more curious. Just as she was about to probe further, footsteps suddenly sounded from the doorway.
Cynthia and Olivia turned their heads in unison. Polly entered from outside, her face grave. "Your Majesty, the elves on patrol have discovered traces of a Third Generation Vampire in Ochester."
"Also, the teleportation array the God Race placed in Pukaman City has been destroyed."
Pukaman City was the one Cynthia had conquered with Chelsea and the others.
Hearing Polly's words, Cynthia's brow furrowed. "Have Chelsea and Hanni returned?" she asked.
Chelsea, Hanni, and some members of the God Race were still in Ochester.
Polly shook her head. "No."
Not only had Chelsea and Hanni not returned, but the other two city-assault teams hadn't either.
A Third Generation Vampire was a genuine threat to the God Race and the witches. Cynthia pondered for a moment, then said to Olivia, "Let's go and provide them with support."
With a Third Generation Vampire present, it seemed their plans to go to Pegel would have to be reconsidered.
After a simple search of Pukaman City to get a preliminary understanding of the God Race's strength, Iman cautiously led the Vampires to withdraw from Ochester. However, eliminating these God Race members was an order from above, so after much thought, Iman decided to retreat to the border. She planned to wait there quietly for the Sethite wizards to rendezvous with them before discussing their next move.
In truth, her caution wasn't entirely due to her wariness of the God Race or even the Elves. The vampire scouts Iman had sent out had discovered the presence of the Wolf Race.
With the Elf Race and the Wolf Race together, even a Second Generation Elder would have to think twice before making a move.
Although vampires sometimes grew weary of their eternal lives, they would still carefully avoid any threat of death when it appeared.
They could choose to enter a deep slumber to offset their long lifespans, but very few vampires were willing to solve their problems with death.
White castles rose from the ground one after another, and a misty drizzle hung in the air like clouds of white fog. Avira stood on a terrace, enjoying both the rainy scenery and a glass of fresh blood. Her long black dress could barely conceal her stunning figure.
Iman was far too cautious, which Avira, who had been eager to see the God Race's strength for herself, found rather dull.
She wondered if the God Race was as cautious. Would destroying the little witch's array make the God Race discover their arrival sooner?
Avira's red lips slowly curved into a smile. She raised her glass and took a sip of blood, her red eyes filled with a playful glint.
All vampires loved indulgence and amusement, and even the prudent and careful Iman was no exception. A new round of banquets had already begun inside the castle.
Listening to the sounds of laughter coming from the hall below, Avira finished the last of the blood in her glass. She turned, about to join the other vampires, but a sudden scent made her pause.
Vampires had extremely keen senses, and Avira was at the apex of her kind. She took a deep breath, then turned her head to look in a certain direction. A dark light flickered in her red eyes as she mused, "This scent is a werewolf…"
Avira thought carefully for a moment before recalling the name of the little wolf who had thwarted her plans several times. "Hanni, is it?"
Her eyes darted around. Licking her lips at some unknown thought, her sharp fangs were faintly visible between her red lips. She chuckled to herself, "Little children who run around might get snatched away."
After dealing with the vampires in Pukaman City, Cynthia no longer participated in the city assaults. Chelsea and the other Morgan Family witches, however, continued to follow the God Race around, eager to test their witchcraft and arrays.
Hanni, wanting to change the witches' impression of the Wolf Race, insisted on staying near Chelsea and the others to protect them. But she knew she wasn't welcome, so she only dared to follow from a distance.
Ochester was vast, and they had to avoid the death swamps. Chelsea consulted the map in her hands countless times, but in the end, she still couldn't find the city they were looking for.
The witches who knew Chelsea were aware she wasn't very good with maps, so they hadn't taken her directions seriously from the start. The witches gathered with the God Race, studying the map together. Chelsea stood alone on the periphery, her expression impassive, still stubbornly staring at the map.
Suddenly, wolf howls echoed from all directions. Chelsea, who was looking at the map, froze. When she looked up, her expression had turned icy.
White and gray wolves burst out from the woods, stopping about twenty meters away from Chelsea and the others. The wolves crouched down, and silver-haired, golden-eyed members of the God Race leaped from their backs.
When Chelsea and the other witches saw the God Race, their cold expressions softened slightly.
After jumping off a wolf's back, Sarah ran toward Chelsea's group. "Cynthia sent us to bring you back," she said as she ran.
"It seems a Third Generation Vampire has appeared in Ochester."
If a Third Generation Vampire was nearby, it was indeed no longer safe to be wandering outside. Chelsea was silent for a moment before putting away her map and nodding at Sarah. "Alright, we'll head back now."
She exchanged a look with the other witches, then found an open space and began to set up a teleportation array.
The werewolves didn't know what they were doing. A more curious one tentatively approached to peek, but the witches' cold glares made it retreat dejectedly.
A white wolf turned its head, scanning the surroundings, then sniffed the air. "Where's Hanni?" it asked, puzzled. "Isn't she with you?"
The witches were focused on setting up the array and didn't answer. After waiting a moment, the Wolf Race had no choice but to turn their attention to the God Race members in their group. One of them spoke up. "You mean that white wolf? She's been near us the whole time."
The white wolf sniffed the air carefully again, then turned and left to search the area. It finally ran back, looking confused. "She's not here."
Hanni was nowhere nearby.
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