Academic gathering with a lich-Chapter 488 - 450: Degonris, The Land of Blood Origin

The air seemed to solidify, Lyle felt as if his hand holding the letter was nailed in midair by numerous gazes, unable to move.

Alianna had a comparatively gentle look in her eyes, those questioning orbs laden with confusion interweaving with Lyle’s gaze, anticipating the explanation that would tremble forth from his lips. Her lips curved in a subtle smile, suggesting that she was more interested in Lyle’s predicament than being concerned about Karen’s identity.

"Who is Karen Pembai?" The suspicion in Beatrice’s piercing gaze was like needles stabbing into Lyle. Kevin thought he had made a mistake again; his heart raced as he watched the fork previously spiraling through flesh now stuck in a piece of meat in her hand, no longer a spiral figure seconds before.

Even more chilling was the presence behind them, as Specter Maids one by one revealed their figures, lurking behind shadows, chair backs, curtains, and peeking out from beyond display windows— like Beatrice—fixating their gaze on Lyle, emanating a cold malice.

With Helena’s soft complaints, the frosty atmosphere vanished, the eldest Naslan daughter’s obvious ridicule followed.

"Lyle, if you don’t explain quickly, I fear they’ll tear you apart~"

"Karen Pembai is a Paladin, a friend of mine, a devout follower of the Holy Light. Because I am known as a Holy Light Purifier, she has come to regard me as a sort of savior."

The doubts of the Naslan daughters disappeared, they were well aware of Lyle’s identity, Evil God, Spirit Summoner, Honorary Lich, any of these revealed, would lead Lyle to a trial by the Holy Light. Lyle, having joined Andrey, had no future with the Holy Light.

The sound of chewing, the noise of juicy bites taken, ran down Beatrice’s crimson lips as she dined, acting as if what had happened before never occurred. But soon, the strange exchanges of glances between Lyle and Kevin crumbled the pretense of her nobility.

Beatrice simply threw in the towel, resting her cheek on her left hand, right hand pushing meat into her mouth, glaring fiercely at Lyle as she chewed, as though she was devouring his flesh.

"What are you looking at! Don’t you have a letter from your Holy Light ’little friend’ to read? Didn’t you say it was urgent!"

Sitting opposite, Alianna bowed her head, covering her mouth as she shook with silent laughter, her body trembling alongside the flickering flames from the candlestick on the table.

Amidst the strange atmosphere, Lyle opened the envelope.

[To the Purifier Lyle:

Lyle, I am Karen. Having received the grace of Sir Raymon’s valiant spirit, I was chosen by the Earth Angel Raphael to begin my path as a crusader’s successor. Please forgive my abrupt departure, Lyle, as my pilgrimage has been under watchful eyes of Raphael. He says that I am tied to the fate of the Holy Light’s future; rumors also swirl within the protector’s ranks about me being the Fifth Angel. But in my heart, you are key to the Holy Light, I wonder how your pilgrimage has been? Under Raphael’s tutelage, I’ve made significant strides. On our next meeting, I will ensure your safety.

As you receive this letter, please do not inform the church; I’ve come across unsettling news, deciding to investigate it myself.

My former mentor, the missing Ascetic Schuderman, has surfaced again after a while. Do you remember him, the one who studied vampires? It has been three years since I last saw Schuderman. Now, his recent contact fills me with unease. In his letter, he explained that his disappearance was due to tracking vampires and investigating the enigma known as "Antichrist." Now, he has made new advancements in his research and discovered the secret to becoming a Purifier, extending me an invitation.

Mr. Schuderman... must have undergone some changes, but he is my Holy Light Guide. I must go there to guide him back from his deviation. It must be me, and not any other Holy Light Messenger, especially not the Inquisitor Legion. Lyle, your decision to distance yourself from the clergy is right. Those cloaked in black armor, the Inquisitor Knights, are purging our comrades. I believe Schuderman can be brought back; I must see for myself.

I am on my way to Degonris, praying that Schuderman is safely hidden from the vampires.

If possible, Lyle, I need your help. Now, you are the only friend I can rely on.]

Karen had become the Fifth Angel, venturing alone to Degonris to save the potentially fallen Ascetic Schuderman.

Lyle shared the information with everyone, his sharp eyes staring straight into his own reflection in Alianna’s pupils. He watched his somber self utter every word precisely.

"Karen is like my sister, Anna. She’s been too reckless this time, I must go and see..."

"It’s an adventure!!!" The shrill cry interrupted Lyle’s words. Grape fluttered her tiny wings, crawling out of Nia’s cheese-tentacled party, a small clump of cheese stuck on her head like an explorer’s hat. She flew onto Kevin’s shoulder, cheering happily, "A new adventure!!!!" The light bat grape was already bored of the surroundings of Naslan, and she now urgently needed to embark on a new adventure.

The abrupt enthusiasm cooled down as Grape realized her rudeness and the discomfort atop her head. She used her paws to clean her head, intending to remove the piece of cheese.

As a result, Kevin suddenly stood up, and the panicked Grape was catapulted into Lyle’s plate by the human propulsion device.

Kevin’s enthusiasm was ignited as well.

"Lyle! This is exactly what I want! Let’s go challenge the vampires together! I can support you!!!" Kevin punched the air, the unruly young master even carrying a touch of dashing.

"Lyle, I support all your actions, as long as they don’t put you in danger. You need a helper..." Alianna propped her hands on the dining table, holding her cheeks, and smiled.

"Helper... Could it be..."

Grape, "It’s me! I am Lyle’s good helper!"

Kevin, "The helper is me! I’m Lyle’s brother! I’ll take good care of him, Alianna!"

Lyle, "Could it be, Alianna, that you’re going to join me? As my helper..."

"It’s an honor to burst your bubble, but that helper is me." Beatrice’s palm slapped the tabletop, shifting the gaze of two men and a bat from Alianna’s smile to her cold countenance.

"The ones going to Degonris are me and this jerk." Beatrice moved her finger in front of Kevin and Grape. "You, and you, little guy, stay put in Naslan. The work of rescuing that Paladin only needs the two of us."

In the midst of Kevin and Grape’s protests, Lyle’s attention was captured by the word Beatrice had mentioned.

"Beatrice, did you say, ’rescue’?"

Lyle’s pupils contracted instantly, "Degonris, where is that?"

"To the northwest of Cassandra, the border area between Spite Valley and Grelan. A sea-adjacent city-state, it’s located on the border of two kingdoms due to a split in territory and inheritance issues, but the actual rulers are the local landowning nobles."

Beatrice’s eyes gleamed red, resembling the blood moon outside shining on Lyle’s face.

"Degonris is also the place of my first embrace."

"It’s not just any haven for vampires."

"Degonris is a city-state ruled by the Loshutar Blood Clan; there, lies the lair of one of the most powerful vampire families in the world."