261. Girlfriend Treatment
A little girl had arrived at the Vampire Hunters Headquarters. Even more surprising was the wisp of crimson Nemean Lion's heart blood she carried.
"Another harmonizing vampire lord from Cascadia?"
"Another Silver Bell Vampire Hunter?"
"Is this Silver Bell also named John Kane?"
Inside the headquarters, the woman in charge found it increasingly familiar and simply asked directly. She knew Chloe a while back, when they were both in the State of Great Appalachian moving up the ladder.
Inside the headquarters, the woman in charge found the situation increasingly familiar and asked Chloe directly. She and Chloe had history together from their early days climbing the ranks in the State of Great Appalachian.
Chloe coughed twice, surprised by John Kane's rapid rise to fame in the capital. He had left Cascadia only two months ago, yet even the Vampire Hunter's Headquarters knew him by name.
The woman gave a knowing smile. "Rose Hightower, huh? She can go straight to the front of the line—no waiting necessary."
"Thank you, but I hope this won't cause any problems for you," Chloe said, incorrectly assuming the woman was doing her a personal favor.
"Don't worry," the woman said with a reassuring smile. "Just follow me."
Puzzled by this response, Chloe left the office with a furrowed brow. Since when had Cascadia earned such respect at the Martial Abbey? As the woman guided her to the front of the line, Chloe bowed apologetically to her colleagues who had been waiting far longer than she had.
To her surprise, everyone in line smiled back and returned her gesture without a hint of resentment.
After the news from Florida spread, people across every state were eager to gain the Inspector's favor, knowing they might need his assistance someday.
In comparison, what was cutting in line worth?
"Strange," Chloe muttered. She couldn't quite understand what was happening, but she returned to the car to inform Rose Hightower of the news.
"I suppose I'll go..." Rose Hightower said with a noticeable lack of enthusiasm.
Chloe instinctively glanced back and, sure enough, those two figures had already departed.
"Don't worry. Go for your cleansings first, and afterward I'll take you to find him."
"I don't want to find him." Rose rubbed her face, struggling to maintain a neutral expression, then walked into the Abbey with a gloomy demeanor.
All she wanted now was to return to Cascadia.
Gazing at the thirteen magnificent golden statues, Rose kept her head down, sitting on the meditation cushion just as she had last time, while her thoughts wandered elsewhere.
Now he was gone, and the heart blood he'd given her was gone too—not even a single memento remained.
Thick white mist sealed the Abbey doors.
"Stop daydreaming, focus."
A slender, fair hand gently stroked her hair as a familiar, calm voice spoke from behind.
Rose's entire body trembled as she spun around in surprise.
She saw the handsome young man withdraw his hand and stand tall, his clear dark blue eyes meeting hers. His silk black robe swayed gently, highlighting his slender yet commanding figure.
Rose's cheeks flushed crimson.
She hadn't expected to see John here at all and was completely caught off guard, with no time for mental preparation.
"Tsk." The remaining three abbey priests watched with interest as the young girl interacted so familiarly with their Junior Brother Kane.
"Why are you here?" Rose asked, her voice barely above a whisper as she turned to look at the abbey priests. "I..."
"Take your time to catch up. We're not in a hurry," the abbey priests said with strained smiles, displaying uncharacteristic patience.
During Rose's previous cleansing visit to the Martial Abbey, she had encountered these same priests. Back then, all except for the unattractive elderly man had maintained stern, cold expressions—nothing like the friendly demeanor they now displayed.
Wait—
It suddenly dawned on her why John's black robe looked so familiar.
Such attire would seem peculiar anywhere else.
However, at the Martial Abbey, only priests who conducted the Cleansing had the privilege of wearing black robes!
Slap!
John gently tapped her head with his Golden Ledger. "I told you to focus."
What could possibly be on her mind that's more important than breaking through to the harmonizing stage?
"Oh," Rose responded with an exaggerated groan, but obediently closed her eyes.
John formed a hand seal with practiced ease. Despite being an abbey priest for only a few days, he had already mastered this basic technique.
As John formed the hand seal, the patriarch's Golden Body on the platform slowly opened his eyes.
Shortly after, a golden light separated from the first Golden Statue and gently descended upon Rose Hightower.
Moments later, a golden light detached from the first Golden Statue and softly descended upon Rose Hightower.
Time slowly passed.
Finally, another twenty-five percent of the golden light emerged from Rose and returned to the Golden Body.
The three abbey priests nodded with approval. Another Cascadian with remarkable aptitude.
A single Nemean Lion had earned her eight cleansings.
John remained patient, forming hand seals occasionally while keeping his primary focus on the Martial Abbey patriarch.
He based the technical side of his Golden Body Method on the patriarch's. Yet, the back of the Great Paladin surface had no crimson markings.
He based the technical aspects of his Golden Body Method on the patriarch's Mount Sinai Golden Body Method. However, the Great Paladin's form lacked the crimson markings on its back.
During the fourth Cleansing, I sensed Rose had fully Crystallized.
"Take some time to consolidate your Realm. Don't rush it," I reminded her.
"Yeah, our old bones have nothing better to do anyway," the chubby abbey priest said with a warm, playful smile.
These two are clearly smitten with each other, thought the three abbey priests with knowing smiles. They were happy to extend special treatment to Junior Brother Kane's girlfriend.
Day shifted to night and back again.
The eight Cleansings finally ended.
I could tell that Rose Hightower's seed had not yet fully developed.
I raised my hand and formed additional seals. The other abbey priests followed my lead, awakening the Martial Abbey patriarch once more.
A ninth beam of golden light descended instantly.
Rose opened her eyes in surprise, then anxiously shook her head slightly.
She didn't want John to misuse his position for special favors.
"Focus on your seed," I said with a pointed glance.
I recalled how she had once suspected me of robbing the citizens of Pinewood County. Now she was being suspicious again. Did I really have such poor credibility in her eyes?
The other abbey priests exchanged knowing smiles and shook their heads.
Besides, Junior Brother Kane still had three cleansing opportunities left from last time. Even if he didn't, they'd already given him the Golden Ledger—what difference would a few extra cleansings make?
… …
The white mist at the Martial Abbey entrance dispersed.
The young man in the long robe stepped out, followed by a young girl who exuded a brilliant aura.
"Did you come here alone?"
"Chloe is also here."
Upon hearing this, I nodded and led Rose to the adjacent H.A.R.M. headquarters.
The woman with the sword was already waiting for me there.
I bowed my head politely. "Madame Carter, sorry to keep you waiting."
Earlier, I had met a couple from Aegis Defense Systems of the Great Southwest in Courtyard B. She was Madame Carter, Beau Carter's wife.
"Inspector, you're too kind," Madame Carter said, quickly returning the gesture.
Inspector? Rose stood quietly behind John, observing his back with curious eyes.
He seemed to become a highly significant figure wherever he went.
Even after knowing him for so long, Rose Hightower still found it hard to get used to.
This was the capital.
Yet everyone she met was extremely courteous to John.
He was no longer the humble police officer who had once shared a cramped room with her, eating simple fire-baked bread...
"I've lived in seclusion at the Martial Abbey for years and don't know much about the situation. If the Inspector wants more information, I can send someone back to Southwest to inquire."
"Having lived in seclusion at the Martial Abbey for years, I'm not familiar with the current situation. If you need more information, Inspector, I can send someone back to the Southwest to inquire."
This time, it was Madame Carter who had actively sought me out.
Aegis Defense Systems was a renowned powerhouse in New Terra, known for their secretive weapon-forging techniques.
However, for years, they seemed unable to produce anything beyond top-grade treasures.
"When Aegis Defense Systems sought help from Fox Wonderland, I didn't approve—they're not trustworthy creatures," Madame Carter said, shaking her head with disapproval.
In an attempt to overcome their technical limitations, Aegis Systems had recruited the most skilled fox vampires from Fox Wonderland to provide their expertise.
That was hardly a secret. Although Fox Wonderland was a vampire organization, it was special—even if they came to the capital, the Martial Abbey would likely welcome them.
After all, no one wanted to offend such a powerful neutral force without good reason.
However, the real issue was their uncontrollable nature.
A fox vampire with unclear intentions had sent an invitation to Cascadia, falsely claiming to represent Aegis Defense Systems.
Upon discovering this deception, Aegis Defense Systems' CEO immediately recognized the danger but hesitated to confront the fox vampires directly. Instead, he quickly sent a representative to the capital to report the situation.