The Warden of The Witches-Chapter 222:

Chapter 222: The Reason for Insisting on a Meeting

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"No, no, you didn’t remember wrong. Ever since becoming a vampire, it’s pretty much been 'sage mode' every day," Kyle said with a grin. "The only reason I collect these photos is for the aesthetic appeal they hold; it’s simply an appreciation of the artistic potential within the human form. Many vampires develop a fixation on the lines of the human neck due to their bloodlust, but to me, that’s no different from how ordinary people with certain preferences view works of human art. I purely pursue artistic beauty, and I don’t have any particular preference for body parts. I like the entirety of a beautiful young woman equally."

Aiden thought to himself that this just sounded like pure lust… or perhaps the undifferentiated appetite of a monstrous gourmand.

"Uh, so, I wonder if..." Kyle carefully steered the conversation toward the main point, "the request I made in my letter—how’s that going?"

"Well, I understand your desire to see your family, but per regulations, it’s absolutely not allowed," Aiden replied firmly. "Prisons are places where sentences are carried out according to the law; rules are necessary to maintain order. Your sister has attempted to escape twice recently. In one incident, she participated in a riot and even attacked the guards herself. She still has about a month left in her observation period, during which she has no visitation rights. Plus, she got into a fight with other inmates today and is currently in solitary confinement."

Kyle was stunned for a moment, processing Ophelia's record of misdeeds, then finally covered his face with his hands. "That idiot of a sister..."

After a while, he raised his face again. "Is there really… no room for negotiation at all?"

"Sorry, her actions have been far too serious. If I were to grant her this privilege without cause, it would be considered dereliction of duty. If the Prosecutor's Office found out, even I would have to face consequences," Aiden said, folding his arms.

"I see." Kyle sighed helplessly. It sounded like this was indeed a dead end, but then he thought of something. "Wait a minute..."

Kyle frowned and looked at Aiden. "Then… those photos…"

"Oh, the photos you 'gave' me—I’ve kept them safely stored," Aiden replied without a change in expression, putting particular emphasis on the word "gave."

"…" Kyle stared at Aiden in silence.

"…" Aiden met his gaze without flinching.

After a long pause, Kyle broke the silence. "I mean, don’t you feel the slightest bit guilty?"

"Not at all. Look, what you gave me doesn’t count as bribery, so I can accept it without implicating you. But if I did anything in return, that would be a dereliction of duty. But in This way, I took what you offered, didn’t do anything in exchange, your gesture was acknowledged, and neither of us has broken any laws. Isn’t it a perfect arrangement?" Aiden shrugged.

Kyle found himself speechless, thinking, *How is it a ‘perfect arrangement’ when I’ve just lost a whole set of collectibles?*

"Alright, just joking," Aiden chuckled. "I wouldn’t casually take something precious from someone. Since you’re here, wait a moment—I’ll go fetch those photos and return them to you."

"No, no need!" Kyle waved his hands, suddenly changing his mind. "I have plenty of collectibles. If the Warden appreciates them, consider them a gift."

"Much appreciated, then," Aiden replied, not hesitating to accept.

"Still… it's a shame about the visit," Kyle muttered, scratching his head in frustration.

"You can come back after a month, once Ophelia’s observation period is over. In the meantime, you’re welcome to write to her, though the letters will have to go through screening," Aiden suggested, offering a practical solution as a prison officer advising a family member.

"I plan to send letters, but I still want to see her as soon as possible," Kyle replied.

"Do you have a reason that absolutely requires a face-to-face meeting?" Aiden felt a trace of caution rising within him.

Occasionally, prisoners would use visits to communicate with accomplices and continue criminal activities from inside the prison. Although Kyle and Ophelia were siblings, they were both high-ranking vampires, so Aiden felt it necessary to understand why Kyle was so insistent on meeting in person.

"To be honest, I’m currently... entangled in a life-or-death situation and could die at any time," Kyle said, folding his arms. "Since I know Ophelia happens to be here in the autonomous State, I feel I should meet with my only family member, just in case something happens."

"So, if I’m hearing you right, this ‘situation’ of yours is taking place here in the autonomous State?" Aiden keenly picked up on Kyle's use of the word "happens."

It sounded like there might be an upcoming incident here. Even if this matter didn’t fall under his jurisdiction, Aiden felt he had an obligation to gather information and notify the relevant authorities. As a prison officer, he was still a policeman, and he took that responsibility seriously.

Besides, for a vampire prince, something posing a life-threatening risk was unlikely to be trivial. It was probably a case that would require the intervention of the Inquisition.

"How should I put this..." Kyle hesitated to divulge more, but then he seemed to remember something. "Oh, earlier you mentioned you once served as an inquisitor in the Inquisition?"

"Yes," Aiden replied, feeling his suspicions starting to be confirmed.

"Then I suppose it’s fitting for me to ask—have you heard of the name ‘Blood-Red Moon’?" Kyle raised a finger as he spoke.

Aiden’s heart skipped a beat, and he instinctively held his breath, though he managed to keep his expression neutral.

"The Blood Moon Cult?" he asked calmly, masking his reaction. "What about this cult?"

"So, you *have* heard of it." Kyle nodded with a look that seemed to say, *just as I expected.* "I’ve heard that a few years ago, they started resurfacing here in the autonomous State but then went quiet again. I assume the local Inquisition handled them?"

"Why don’t you tell me what’s going on with this cult first?" Aiden pressed.

Kyle’s sudden mention of the name caught Aiden's attention. He couldn’t tell if Kyle was just making casual conversation or if he had somehow learned of Aiden’s past connection to the Blood Moon Cult and was testing him. For now, Aiden decided to reveal as little as possible.

"The cult has started its activities again," Kyle replied, "and I’m here specifically to put a stop to them."

"The cult is active again, and here?" Aiden’s pulse quickened.

The Inquisition had all but wiped out the Blood Moon Cult, leaving only its founder, the infamous "Mr. Bloodcloak," at large.

If the cult was resurfacing, could it mean that… that man had returned?