About a hundred kilometers west of Backlund, near Lake Bordeaux, which was formed by the convergence of multiple rivers, a pitch-black, gloomy ancient castle covered in creeping vines stood backed against a precipitous cliff. One spire after another pierced the clouds, resembling a dark forest.
On the surface, it belonged to a merchant and was said to be used as a vacation estate, with people often dispatched to carry out maintenance… but in reality, this castle was the property of a vampire marquis, Lady Helen, a grand archbishop of the Evernight Goddess Church.
At this moment, a banquet was being held inside this castle, which bore the architectural style of the Fourth Epoch Trunsoest Empire. One side of the banquet was led by "Full Moon" Olmer, one of the three great vampire dukes, and included three marquises—including Nisbay Boyar—and two counts of the vampire race.
Emlyn, acting as the middleman, had also blended into their ranks.
The other side was led by "Miracle Invoker" Alvin Abraham, surrounded by a "seller" group consisting of the five-colored Saintess "maid corps"—black, yellow, red, blue, and gray.
Although among them, the Yellow Saintess was merely a marionette, the Black Saintess was a projection used to make up the numbers, and both the Blue Saintess and the Gray Saintess were controlled "puppets," this lineup nonetheless greatly enhanced Ebner's side's presence. At the same time, it also displayed the source of their "goods" to the vampires, putting them at ease.
Just as Ebner had expected, upon seeing five high-ranking members of the Demoness Sect all dressed in maid outfits and standing neatly behind Alvin, even vampires—long-lived and well-traveled as they were—had never seen such a spectacle.
For a moment, the marquises all thought that Alvin had absorbed the Demoness Sect entirely!
Especially Nisbay. He had once served under the Night Emperor and had even been conferred the title of Knight of Virtue by Him. He was no stranger to high-ranking demonesses, and both the Black Saintess and the Blue Saintess were even his acquaintances.
Seeing them now standing obediently behind Alvin, his mind momentarily went blank, as if he had returned to the era when the Night Emperor was still alive.
Ebner's true body was standing beside Lady Helen, the hostess of this place. He glanced around once and smiled as he spoke:
"Everyone's time is precious. Since you've come here, it means you trust both Emlyn and me. There's no need for further probing—let's proceed directly with the transaction!"
As soon as his words fell, Alvin nodded "very considerately" and said, "Agreed."
On the other side, 'Full Moon' Olmer, who was over three thousand years old, had once followed the progenitor Lilith, and had existed even before the Cataclysm, also gave a slight nod to the three marquises who looked over and said, "Begin."
Once both sides' angels had reached a consensus, their wills would naturally be executed. Thus, the transaction involving the Fountain of Youth proceeded in an orderly fashion.
Only then did Ebner have the leisure to observe Duke Olmer of the vampires more closely, and he discovered that Olmer's condition was far better than in the original story.
One had to know that in the original, He had not only been forced to "sleep" in a grave, but had even been unable to effectively restrain His own power, allowing it to spread and affect the environment.
But now, in Ebner's eyes, this vampire duke not only had a fully restrained aura, but even His appearance was merely that of a middle-aged man—completely different from the original description!
What caused this? Because Lilith's state is better, so He benefited as well? Or is it because that Sequence 1 of the 'Primordial Moon' was reclaimed, meaning the vampire angels no longer need to rely on self-sealing methods to resist the invasion of Outer Deities?
As Ebner pondered this, Olmer seemed to notice his "peeping" and turned to look over.
When their gazes met, Olmer's expression suddenly became slightly dazed. He then gave Ebner a meaningful smile before withdrawing his gaze.
Just as Ebner was frowning in confusion, Lady Helen's pleasant voice reached his ear:
"His Highness Olmer is one of the few friends my ancestor had among the vampires, and he has taken good care of me as well."
So he's Rhine's friend… Did He recognize me? Pallez did so, and now this one too… Do I share so many similarities with Rhine that even His friends can identify me so quickly?
Eh? Wait, something's off—why would Lady Helen tell me this?
Thinking of this, Ebner turned his puzzled gaze toward the beautiful silver-haired, silver-eyed lady beside him.
Helen naturally understood what Ebner was confused about and smiled as she explained:
"My ancestor had a very romantic nature and left behind many descendants…
"I suspect you also carry my ancestor's bloodline. That's why Cullen and Lydia felt close to you upon meeting you."
No, you guessed wrong. The reason you feel close to me is entirely because I am actually Rhine… Ebner grumbled inwardly, while also understanding why Olmer had been able to recognize him.
Vampires, even at the low and mid Sequences, could distinguish different people by scent, easily seeing through disguises… At high Sequences, especially at the angel level, they could even identify the "scent" of the soul itself…
And with Ebner being only dozens of meters away from Olmer, He could naturally detect him through "scent."
Perhaps Olmer's excellent condition also has something to do with Rhine…
As Ebner was thinking this, the transaction had reached its final stage. Just as they were about to complete the final step of delivering the Fountain of Youth, Alvin suddenly spoke up:
"It's because you're close to 'decay' that you chose to trade with me, harboring the 'wish' to extend your lifespans—correct?"
Hearing this, the marquises and counts exchanged glances. While that was indeed the truth, why was the other party emphasizing the word "wish"?
They were all old "monsters" who had lived for thousands of years. Vigilance was something they naturally did not lack, so none of them answered Alvin's question.
The scene fell into a brief stalemate.
Only when Olmer spoke in His rich, mellow voice did it break:
"Yes. This is precisely our 'wish.'"
Upon hearing this, the vampire demigods immediately focused their gazes on their angel. Only after He gave a slight nod did they carefully respond one after another:
"Yes, it is my 'wish.'"
"My 'wish' is to escape decay and obtain an 'undying' body."
Seeing this, Alvin smiled. Leading the maid corps, he proactively bowed to Olmer, then handed over the Fountain of Youth water—which had just been inspected by the vampires and confirmed to be effective.
...
At the same time, within a secluded palace hall of Sodrac Palace.
Having just returned to Backlund, "Pride" Hvin Rambis received a "command," or rather, a "mission," sent by George III:
"Have me cooperate with MI9 on Friday night to apprehend criminals who may attempt to seize 'cargo' from the Southern Continent at Pritz Harbor?
"This 'cargo'—could it be the mummy of Tutankhamun II?
"I was just planning to use the identity of 'Pride' to apply some pressure on 'World' and 'Justice,' and now I'm going to run straight into them?"
(End of chapter)