Divergence

Inside the castle.

The battle in the banquet hall was raging on.

The crisp clashing of rapiers and the heavy, muffled whistles of broadswords through the air mingled together, creating a chaotic din.

Rosie didn't recklessly rush into the fray.

Keeping her body low, she moved along the shadows of the banquet tables with light footsteps, trying her best not to attract anyone's attention.

Slowly, she made her way over to where Lucius was.

The pointed-chin knight's lips were pale, his eyes unfocused. On the armor at his flank was a clean tear, from which blood was steadily oozing.

Rosie squatted down and reached out to check the side of his neck; his pulse was still beating, but it was very weak.

She rummaged through the knight's belongings for a moment, then muttered under her breath, “A martial class, and he doesn't even carry a single potion on him?”

Sighing softly, she slipped her hand into the inner pocket of her gambeson and pulled out the Seed of Life given to her by Alysia, a look of utter heartache on her face.

Wearing an expression that practically screamed how much of a loss she was taking, she stuffed the red fruit into the knight's mouth and pushed his pointed chin up, sending the fruit down his throat.

Within a few breaths, the paleness on Lucius's face began to recede.

His unfocused pupils regained their center, focusing back onto Rosie's face.

The skin around the wound on his flank began to contract, and the bleeding stopped.

Recognizing Rosie, he squeezed out two words with difficulty: “Thank you.”

“This is an elven Seed of Life. You should thank its effects.”

This time, Rosie didn't say 'you're welcome.' Instead, she repeatedly emphasized how powerful and rare the Seed of Life was. Norman Knights were all nobles; shouldn't a life-saving favor be rewarded handsomely?

Of course, offering himself in marriage was out of the question—she had zero interest in that. As for the Seed of Life, she could only go back and keep tricking the elf later, seeing if she could fleece another one out of her—or maybe two, or even three...

Lucius, after all, was a highly educated noble. How could he not understand Rosie's subtle motives?

“I owe you my life. A Norman Knight always pays his debts.”

“Hehe... That's not what I meant. Rest up a bit more.”

After confirming that the knight's wound was healing, Rosie turned her head to look toward the battlefield.

“My Lady Countess, do you really believe a vampire can grant you eternal youth?”

Vera's rapier thrust several times in quick succession, its tip raining down like a storm toward the countess, but every strike was avoided.

Without pressing the attack, Vera continued, “That is nothing but a lie. The only way to attain eternal youth is to become one of them—to turn into a monster forever spurned.”

The countess took a few steps back, creating some distance.

Tilting her head slightly, she reached out and caressed her own cheek, her fingertips sliding gently from her cheekbone down to her jawline.

“As long as I can remain beautiful forever, I am willing to pay any price,” the countess said.

“If that's the case, then don't blame me.” Vera's eyes suddenly turned cold.

Taking a large stride forward, her right hand brandished her sword rapidly, tracing a bright silver trajectory in front of her. A pentagram symbol appeared in midair following the movement of her sword tip, its lines composed of fine white light. It lingered in the air for a brief moment before abruptly exploding outward.

Blinding white light burst forth across the banquet hall.

In that instant, nothing was left in the entire room except an expanse of pure, dazzling white.

The countess let out a short gasp the moment the white light exploded. Blinded by the brilliant light, she instinctively raised her arm to shield her eyes.

Vera didn't waste this moment of vulnerability; her sword tip pierced the air, aiming straight for the countess's lethal spot in the lungs.

This strike wouldn't kill the countess immediately, but it would certainly deal a heavy blow. Doing so would neither saddle her with the reputation of killing a noble, nor leave the opponent with any remaining combat capability.

As for whether the target lived or died afterward, that was no concern of hers or the Dawnguard.

However, Vera's near-guaranteed hit failed to reach its target.

A figure swept past like the wind.

A blood-red rapier drew a dark-red arc of light, deflecting Vera's strike away from the countess's vital spot. Capitalizing on the momentum, the figure pulled the countess into his embrace and dashed through the door on the far side of the banquet hall in a few quick strides.

Before slipping through the side door, he flipped his palm, dropping a dark-red sphere onto the floor behind him. The moment it hit the ground, it shattered, unleashing a thick surge of deep-red smoke that billowed into a surging barrier around the doorway in the blink of an eye.

Leaves on several ornamental plants near the door began to curl, turn yellow, and wither at a pace visible to the naked eye.

Vera pulled up sharply, shooting a quick glance at the withering plants, and refrained from charging forward rashly.

“Ow! You could have warned me before throwing a flashbang!” a familiar voice chimed in just then.

Vera turned around, looking toward the source of the sound.

Rosie was leaning against the edge of an overturned dining table, rubbing one eye with a hand while holding onto the table with the other. Her eyes were still a bit red as she blinked repeatedly—clearly having been caught off guard by the flash.

After saving Lucius, she had originally intended to sneak up behind the countess for an ambush, only to see that bright, shining pentagram. Unsophisticated as she was, curiosity made her take a second look, resulting in her current state.

Vera lowered her rapier toward the ground. “Rosie! What are you doing here?”

Walking over quickly, she added, “Sorry, I didn't notice you.”

Rosie rubbed her eyes vigorously a few more times until the white spots in her vision finally faded, restoring normal colors.

“We've taken care of things on our end. The kidnapped people were found, but they've been infected with blood poison and need treatment as soon as possible. Do you know how to cure it?”

Vera shook her head. “I'm a hunter, not a physician. However, the cleric can...”

“Dammit! I can't believe we let them get away!”

Just then, a Norman Knight half a head taller than Lucius strode over. Meanwhile, the other two knights were checking on Lucius's condition.

“Lady Vera, is this your friend?” The tall knight pushed up his visor, revealing the resolute face of a middle-aged man.

Before Vera could speak, Rosie took a step forward to greet him. “Of course! Vera is my absolute best sister.”

Vera froze for a moment, realizing Rosie was using her as cover. But in reality, that was no longer necessary. The evidence of Countess Elizabeth colluding with vampires was already conclusive.

The nobles who trafficked people to her were accomplices; even if they weren't killed here, they would be stripped of their noble titles and hanged. Across the human kingdoms, the consensus on vampires was zero tolerance.

Yet Vera didn't correct Rosie, playing along instead. “She is my 'sworn sister,' Rosie.”

“Hello, Miss Rosie. Thank you for saving Lucius. I am Nikus, Captain of the Third Battalion of the Order of Norman Knights.” The tall knight gave her a slight nod, his tone carrying a formal gratitude.

“It's a pleasure to meet you, Lord Nikus. It was my honor to save Lord Lucius.”

Rosie maintained a polite smile on her face, though her mind was spinning with other thoughts. A captain with three men couldn't even handle one vampire? Seeing them in person really was a disappointment.

It seemed the combat strength of Norman Knights wasn't nearly as unattainable as she had previously imagined. Naturally, her smile remained impeccable, giving nothing away.

“The Norman Knights will remember those who aid us.”

Having said that, Nikus turned to Vera, his tone laced with apology: “Lady Vera, my subordinates outside are still locked in a desperate battle. I must return to them immediately. I must leave the pursuit of the vampire and Elizabeth to you.”

Vera's brow furrowed slightly. “I applied tracking oil to Elizabeth. The toxic fog at the door will only last a short while; we can catch up to them.”

Nikus shook his head. “My men are under attack. As their commander, I cannot abandon them.”

“Elizabeth has betrayed Norman,” Vera said, her voice rising slightly. “Once she escapes, you will never find her again.”

“I know!” Nikus raised his voice as well. “But I cannot leave my men to die!”

Rosie looked at the two of them, momentarily speechless.

Just then, a prompt from the Adventure Guide popped up.

【Adventure Quest: Divergence】

【Optional Adventure: Persuade the knight to assist the hunter, and participate in the operation to capture the Countess. Reward Magic: Flash】

【Optional Adventure: Persuade the hunter to assist the knight, rescue the knights, and escort the cleric to the dungeon to heal the survivors. Reward Divine Magic: Holy Light】

Rosie quickly scanned through the two options. Then she raised her head, preparing to speak.