“Oh? They've already arrived? It seems they're a bit earlier than I expected.”
The elegant figure leisurely swirled the glass filled with red liquid in his hand, speaking in a casual tone.
Seeing this, another slightly taller figure standing beside him could no longer hold back and asked with a look of confusion, “Lord Ricks, they are merely a few Bronze Rank humans. I could capture them all by myself. Why must we remain here—”
“—and wait? Is that what you wish to ask?”
“Yes.”
“Kate, you are still far too impatient. Do you know why hunters love the hunt? Do you think a hunter enjoys the process of hunting, or the joy of successfully capturing their prey?”
The elegant figure known as Ricks took a slow sip of the “wine” in his glass, his tone unhurried.
“The joy of successfully capturing the prey, of course,” Kate answered without a second thought.
Hearing this, Ricks shook his head with a quiet laugh. “Correct, yet also incorrect.”
Kate looked hesitant. After pondering for a few seconds, he spoke up: “Is it enjoying the process of hunting, then?”
“Kate, having only one or the other would be far too dull. Don't you agree?”
Seeing Kate's still bewildered expression, Ricks shook his head in slight resignation.
“Kate, once you inherit my title in the future, you will understand.”
Without further explanation, he looked up at the crescent moon hanging high in the sky and drained the red liquid in his glass, a look of intoxicated pleasure on his face.
“Now, it is time to go meet our 'little friend.' I truly wish to taste what she tastes like.
“After all, as the Saintess of the human Church of Light, her angel bloodline must be far richer than those humans before. I am quite looking forward to it~”
At this point, Ricks licked his lips as a bloodthirsty red gleam flashed in his eyes, as though the “prey” was already well within his grasp.
Hearing this, Kate grew excited, his expression filled with greed.
Blood containing a powerful bloodline was a rare “food,” and an even rarer cultivation resource.
In particular, the angel bloodline had an extremely close connection to the legendary true god—the Goddess of Light. Perhaps one could even catch a glimpse of an opportunity for godhood from it.
Although that entity had fallen a thousand years ago, the strength of angels was universally acknowledged by all living beings across the continent of Aenoria.
Back then, merely draining a human with a thin trace of angel bloodline had allowed him to advance by five whole levels!
One had to know that for Class Holders, advancing even a single level was extremely difficult. Situations where one leveled up multiple times consecutively only happened to geniuses with special talents, God-Favored ones blessed by a true god, or outstanding youths from wealthy families willing to shower them with resources.
For ordinary people, rapidly increasing their power was practically impossible.
And ever since experiencing that thrilling thrill of power, Kate had been utterly obsessed with it.
Unfortunately, human blood slaves possessing angel bloodlines were not easy to obtain. Even Baron Ricks possessed only six, let alone Kate.
“Let us go, Kate. Once I drink her blood, I believe it will not be long before I advance to Gold Rank.
“When that time comes, I will be bestowed the title of Viscount, and you will naturally become a Baron. I shall even reward you with a few human blood slaves with angel bloodlines.”
Ricks spoke bluntly, as if reading Kate's mind.
Hearing this, Kate nodded without the slightest doubt: “Yes, Lord Ricks.”
The two concluded their conversation.
Ricks gracefully adjusted his long tailcoat, then took the lead, strolling toward the temple.
Seeing this, Kate followed close behind.
Not far behind them, dozens of pairs of crimson eyes lit up in the darkness. They were Ricks and Kate's “attendants.”
However, the strength radiating from them was much lower than that of Ricks and Kate. Seeing the two head out, they also emerged from the dark and followed along.
As the moonlight fell upon them, their true faces were finally revealed:
Crimson eyes, sharp fangs, and pitch-black bat wings—
They were surprisingly a group of vampires!
Or rather—the Bloodrace.
...
Meanwhile, inside the Temple of Light.
Iluvia, who had been observing Lilith's trio, was pondering how to communicate with these three believers and bring them under Her wing without seeming too abrupt. Suddenly, Her eyes narrowed, and Her divine sense swept toward a distant direction outside the temple.
Outside the hall.
“Lord Ricks, we have arrived. They are inside the temple,” Kate spoke respectfully.
“Mm.”
Ricks nodded. He could feel the mana fluctuations coming from the three inside the building: two mid Bronze Rank and one early Bronze Rank.
Although Lilith and her companions had concealed their presence in advance, it was clearly of little use against high-level Class Holders, especially dark races famous for their keen senses and perception like the Bloodrace.
At the same time, Kate signaled behind him, and two blood servants immediately stepped forward, preparing to push open the temple doors.
Just as the two blood servants were about to open the doors, Ricks suddenly seemed to notice something. His brow furrowed tightly, and he barked out to interrupt their actions.
“Stop! Leave this place immediately!”
With that, abandoning all decorum, his figure moved swiftly as he immediately fled toward the outer edges of the forest.
“Lord Ricks?”
Although full of doubt upon hearing this, Kate did not hesitate when he saw Ricks's receding back. Bat wings sprouted from his back, and he instantly pursued the direction Ricks had fled.
Seeing this, the remaining blood servants hastily followed suit.
Whoosh—whoosh—whoosh—
“Haa...”
“Haa...”
Ricks flew for a long time, only coming to a slow halt when he was sure no enemies were pursuing them.
“Lord Ricks, just now...?”
A moment later, Kate caught up.
Hearing the question, Ricks gave him a subtle glance.
Kate shuddered instantly. “Could it be... that thing?”
“Indeed, but...” Ricks breathed a sigh of relief. “It seems it has no interest in us...”
“We cannot capture them tonight after all. How lucky for them,” Kate said in a regretful tone.
“Kate, you can capture them at any time, but remember—the prerequisite is that you remain alive.” Ricks spoke in a dark, ominous tone.
“I understand, Lord Ricks. Then, what about them...?”
“Isn't there a troll tribe nearby? I am sure those creatures will be very interested in this news.”
“You mean... let them go instead?”
“Precisely. They can check out the situation on our behalf. If they can capture the Saintess of the Light Church, great; if not, it doesn't matter.
“However, if all of them vanish...”
Ricks's gaze turned deep and profound, as if something had crossed his mind.
“Then that would be quite interesting.”
...
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