Academic gathering with a lich-Chapter 490 - 452 Arriving at Degonris

```

The fleeting shadow raced across the seldom-trodden deep woods, tracing its path while flowers of frost bloomed continuously amongst the grass and leaves. The towering vegetation, untouched by humans, collided with the massive illusion, and in the next instant, everything was clad in a silvery garb.

Most of the vegetation had died in the process, with only a few hardy, cold-resistant plants tenaciously surviving this early arrival of winter.

The road left behind by the coach driven by the Wanderer was a path of chilly gloom, but Lyle and the others within the heart of this deathly cold hurricane felt warmth inside the carriage, even a bit of heat.

"The Wanderer is an Ice Soul, also known as a Frost Specter, a special kind of spirit. Ice Souls can steal the surrounding temperature, and in wind and snow, they can display their greatest speed," Beatrice caressed the soft cushion beside her, "As for this carriage, it’s my father’s creation. After coachman Ivan became the Wanderer, this alchemical equipment and the Ice Soul formed a connection."

This carriage was channelling the temperature absorbed by the Ice Soul to ensure the comfort of the passengers within.

"I’ve never encountered the Wanderer during my time in Naslan," Lyle’s gaze was drawn to the snowflakes drifting past the window, while Kevin was completely pressed against the window on the other side, watching the blurred scenery speeding backwards just like Lyle. "Ice Souls are very different from Naslan’s spectral servants."

"They are unique, but their loyalty to Naslan is the same as everyone else’s."

"They?"

"In the study of spirits, every individual is a unique existence. But some are more special, exhibiting certain traits on a spiritual level. Naslan once suffered a disaster that killed all its retainers in an instant, turning them into ghosts. They were the first of the revived spirits and, due to their uniqueness, they spontaneously complied with their former oaths, guarding the unwatched Naslan until Helena, my sister, freed herself from madness and became the Soul Reaver. Afterwards, they voluntarily relinquished the power of Naslan, transferring their allegiance from my father to us three sisters."

"Their souls are independent, not controlled by Helena, because their oaths have already been proven by the fact. These special ghosts travel extensively around the world, but are always ready to respond to Naslan’s call." Beatrice tucked her hair behind ear with pride, "If you encounter a powerful ghost outside in the future, Lyle, it might be one of Naslan’s retainers. Even if it isn’t, they will certainly know the name Naslan."

"The Wanderer Ivan, the War Seeker Vaul, the Dexterous... and so on, they form the protective force of Naslan. These guardians of Naslan live all around the world, pursuing environments that promote their growth. Like the Wanderer, he is always chasing winter, or rather, he is winter itself."

"But Naslan is as warm as spring as it always was, unchanging. Every time I feel deeply apologetic for causing damage to Naslan’s turf." The voice of the Wanderer rose from the front of the carriage, the speed of the carriage unaltered, obviously the skilled coachman was multitasking.

"Alianna wouldn’t mind, and besides, you’re travelling down the riverbed. I actually quite like the winter brought by the Wanderer because that annoying sun will be buried in the blizzard."

Beatrice’s voice made the howling of the wind and snow considerably more cheerful and the flying snow seemed to tinkle with melodious bell sounds as the Wanderer spoke with ease, "I’ve even fantasized about playing the part of Santa Claus, dear Beatrice. But at that time, you all were dead and lifeless, as if even the air had been frozen by me. Now, the idea seems to have some practical value. Is this the benefit of having an extra human companion? Mr. Lyle, I’m starting to like you." 𝒻𝓇𝑒𝘦𝘸𝑒𝒷𝓃ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝒸ℴ𝘮

The Wanderer was much more talkative than his appearance suggested. The bell sounds of the Frost Carriage echoed through valleys and streams, as the thundering hooves danced upon rocks and air. The carriage, of course, could not fly, and even as a Ghost Carriage, it hovered only about thirty centimeters off the ground, but its semi-transparency provided Kevin and Lyle with a quite novel experience.

The carriage, an Alchemical Artifact, granted the passengers a sensation akin to Spiritualization. Lyle and his companions, along with the carriage, faded from color, and branches encased in icicles merely passed through their bodies. Each time, Kevin would cry out in surprise, never tiring of the experience.

Without physical collision, the carriage’s speed was unimaginable.

```

After a day and night, as the sun once again sank into dusk, Lyle and his companions were able to see their destination.

The opulent castle, partially embedded in the mountainside, cast a huge shadow under the setting sun, covering the small town at its foot. With decorative styles resembling that of Cassandra’s, pointed tower roofs, and wooden fences surrounding each household; on the gates, every home had a long string of things cobbled together from individual spheres, and rough white crosses painted on the door panels.

Those things hanging were garlic. If it weren’t for Beatrice’s clarification, as an insider, Lyle wouldn’t have guessed that this place was a town ruled by vampires. Now, those garlic cloves and other theological symbols seemed full of irony.

The Wanderer’s carriage stopped at a slope, which had a good vantage point to easily overlook the entire layout of the town. The four areas demarcated by wooden fences were separated by a central clearing, which was almost half occupied by a building that looked like either a church or the mayor’s residence, echoing the noble castle afar, always enshrouded in shadow.

"Just a bit further and we will enter Degonris’ territory," Beatrice inclined towards the town, pointing at the space where some townspeople were gathering in front of the enormous building. "A large part of the town’s population is made up of ordinary humans, kept as livestock or servants. Don’t be so surprised. Their lives aren’t as bad as you think. The Blood Clan’s control over them is even better than that of human kings, except that they’re a bit strict when it comes to blood food supplies. You know, there are plenty of lords who eat people without spitting out the bones. But here, they only need to shed some blood."

"It sounds like Loshutar is a decent family of vampires."

"The world isn’t black and white. Loshutar’s preferential treatment isn’t out of kindness, but a reluctance to overly interact with the so-called rabble. The original vampires were all aristocrats of distinguished families. But now, the cultivation of new vampires has fallen just like their power; when I left, their eyes were already filled with bloodlust, and by now, I guess some of the vampires have become indistinguishable from wild beasts. And Grand Duke Degonris turns a deaf ear to it all."

"The Grand Duke Vampire has grown negligent."

Beatrice stepped forward, "No, he’s just too lazy to pretend anymore, vampires, they’re all fiendish monsters at heart." Beatrice looked at the distant castle with disgust, "Forever hiding in their dark castles, they will eventually be swallowed by darkness."

Lyle clapped his hands.

"Beatrice, your righteous indignation is truly beautiful. If only I could give you a mirror now."

Kevin raised his hand. "The side wall of the Wanderer’s carriage is the best mirror, isn’t it?"

The Wanderer answered coldly.

"Mr. Kevin, didn’t you realize that Lyle was mocking Miss Beatrice’s poor lifestyle?"

Beatrice’s face flushed with embarrassment as she clenched her teeth.

"I’m not some shut-in! I’m not like them! I go to manage the tavern in the City of Wandering every day and interact with the guests."

"Plus binge drinking and late-night balls, girl, that’s very vampire of you."