Academic gathering with a lich-Chapter 489 - 451 Departure

"Karen has run off to the Blood Clan’s lair Degonris?!" The entire dining room was left with only Nia’s chewing sounds, as the indecently eating Evil God’s devouring method caused meat juice and bits to mix within that abyss-like "hole," just like splattered blood wetting the tablecloth, painting a battered and bruised picture on the surface of the writhing tentacles.

Feeling the gazes around her, a tentacle sneaked up along the table leg and onto the dining table, lifting up the shiny fork as if brand new. Waving the silverware about, Nia’s tentacles curled around another roasted beef leg and continued her gluttonous feast.

Beatrice, "We should punish whoever was responsible for teaching Nia this mess."

Alianna smiled helplessly, "Be a little more forgiving, Benny. ’That fool’ initially didn’t understand these overly intricate etiquettes, given his limited personal abilities. You can’t expect him to teach much about table manners at the academy, where every flat surface owned by Doctor Plague is always piled with various bones and chunks of flesh. I’m already gratified that Nia can squat in her seat and eat using utensils."

Beatrice’s point was not achieved, but that did not prevent her blood-red eyes from focusing on Lyle’s face. If looks could burn, Lyle’s face would surely have been pierced through.

The nearly disfigured Lyle steered the conversation back on track.

"Karen’s situation is very dangerous now, isn’t it, Beatrice."

"Given that clumsy Paladin’s leg strength, we may either encounter her or her corpse in Degonris, or perhaps a new Blood Knight. When I left Degonris, the Roshtar Blood Clan was experimenting with the corruption of Paladins." Beatrice’s chilling words smoothed over the hopes in Lyle’s heart. "That letter was a trap, don’t naively think that any vampires would invite a Paladin to dinner."

Beatrice was a bit uneasy under the continuously dimming glances, as she resettled into her high-backed chair, her palm unconsciously stroking her pale neck, her gaze flitting about, chasing the shadows cast by the lights.

"The situation isn’t that dire. If the Roshtar Blood Clan willingly took the trouble to write a letter to lure a Paladin into a trap, then, they must have a bigger scheme. Complicated goals usually require extensive ritual preparations. We still have a chance."

Beatrice’s speculation allowed Lyle to breathe a sigh of relief. His eyes shifted to his side, where Kevin and Grape were both intently watching the solemn Lyle.

"Kevin, Grape, as Beatrice said, this journey to Degonris is not safe. We may not have the opportunity to protect you, and even we ourselves may face grave danger. So..."

"So we should go with you all the more!" Kevin’s eyes were defiant, exuding an unshakable resolve, "You need help, and we can provide it!"

A human and a Light Bat facing a Necromancer and a vampire, declaring their readiness to offer aid.

Ridiculous, but at the same time, endearing.

Beatrice leaned back, her muscles that were always held in elegant tension relaxed in that moment. Nia stopped her meal and, like a blob of toffee, climbed onto Kevin’s body, her black tentacles messing up his golden hair into a bird’s nest.

"Kevin, Nia will take good care of Lyle, and Kevin can be happy just enjoying his meal."

Facing his good friend’s blazing gaze like a torch, Lyle looked to Beatrice. The vampiress smiled slightly, her marble-like skin reflecting a warm glow from the lighting, her eyes filled with encouragement.

"You are the master here."

Lyle looked at Beatrice in surprise, then at Alianna’s smile, at Helena’s stone sculpture, at the little head of the Light Bat Grape, at Kevin, at Nia, and at his own reflection in the giant eyeball, emitting a strange smile.

"I need my friends, Kevin, Grape," Lyle said with a sincere smile, "but you must promise not to step foot into Degonris’s domain. You’ll be the support for Beatrice and me."

In that moment, Lyle Butler had no idea how wise his decision was.

Before the blood moon appeared, under the grey moon, Alianna saw off the group in front of Naslan’s castle.

This was a hurried march, and they had not brought much luggage.

Beatrice stood by the lakeside, watching the moon’s reflection in the water. Unlike Kevin, Lyle’s excitement was more due to his concern for Karen.

"Beatrice, it’s time to leave."

"Quiet." The rippling water cast a gauzy veil over Beatrice’s face, and her blood-red eyes became clear under the cleansing moonlight, instantly shifting from fierce to flirty with a glance at Lyle. Her voice, accompanied by the night wind blowing through her hair, brushed across Lyle’s face.

"The carriage has arrived."

The vivid red like an overfilled goblet seeped across the surface of the full moon, marking the appearance of the blood moon and the arrival of midnight, the moment when mysteries emerge.

The neighing of horses mingled with the sound of ice crystals forming, and under the blood moon, four pale Spectral Horses pulled the carriage, gliding over the frozen streams of Naslan. The roaring cold wind hardened the lake surface in front of Beatrice, where the ghostly horses, barely visible under the blood moon, exhaled ice crystals with every breath. The frost-dressed coachman doffed his hat in greeting as the carriage door slowly opened. 𝕗𝐫𝚎𝗲𝘄𝐞𝕓𝐧𝕠𝘃𝕖𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝚖

Beatrice stepped onto the carriage and glanced back at the two men captivated by the Spectral Horses.

"How long has it been since we last met, Wanderer?"

The coachman’s voice carried the desolation of wind and snow, the thickness of frost, yet was refined and genteel.

"Many days and moons, my lady. It feels like only yesterday I signed the contract with the Duke, and watching you grow up has been but a blink of an eye. Losing my purpose was a heavy blow, but the beauty of Naslan has always been worth the wait." The coachman and the Spectral Horses ignited with pale flames, yet the temperature continued to drop. "Naslan’s coachman, the Wanderer, awaits your instruction."

The Wanderer’s gaunt fingers pointed at Lyle and Kevin, his uncertain tone inquiring of Beatrice.

"My lady, bringing ’food’ onto the carriage is impolite, and I must admit I am a bit of a clean freak."

Pfft, the Wanderer’s blunt tone successfully amused Beatrice, who covered her mouth to stifle a laugh and gestured with her right hand for the two to hurry onto the carriage.

"They are not my food, but guests of Naslan..."

The Wanderer showed surprise but still bowed to Kevin as he boarded the carriage.

"Truly unexpected guests..."

"And men of Naslan."

"..." The sudden tightening of the reins caused the Spectral Horses to let out uneasy neighs. The unspoken Wanderer simply stared, but Lyle knew the horses had essentially uttered "What the hell" for him.

Lyle climbed into the carriage, and Nia’s tentacles closed the door.

The Wanderer leaned back, passing through the carriage to poke his head into the cabin.

"I am now certain the Duke has perished, although I am surprised that such a powerful Alchemist did not achieve immortality."

"If the Duke were still here, I believe he would turn your man into your food, on a different level."

"Lyle is Alianna’s companion."

"...Seriously, this is ghostly."