noveldrama
Chapter 86 - 85: Racing Against Time
Chapter 86 - 85: Racing Against Time
Chapter 86: Chapter 85: Racing Against Time
Too slow.
Standing on the altar, looking down at the bustling cultists, the Black Robe’s face was gloomy. He reached out his hand and, looking at the flame that was flickering in his palm, it was as if it mirrored his mood at the moment. The dark red brilliance between his fingers also grew steadily brighter.
According to the plan, that fool should have already brought the captives to this ruined city by now. Why is there no sign of him yet? Could something have happened, or did some trouble cause a delay? That shouldn’t be the case, right? That guy has my Communication Technique. If there’s a problem, he should get in touch with me right away…
Of course, the Destruction Mage didn’t know that Bald Mage Charles naturally wanted to contact him, but the issue was that his brain had been invaded and locked down by Nymph. As a result, he was completely unable to use even the slightest bit of magic. This was also why the Destruction Mage remained completely oblivious to everything that was happening at the camp so far.
But it was nearly reaching the limit.
“Snap.”
The Destruction Mage stood up and snapped his fingers. Soon, he saw a Little Demon flying in circles in the sky, respectfully kneeling in front of the Destruction Mage.
“Go check out what that idiot has gotten himself into.”
Hearing the Destruction Mage’s command, the Little Demon let out a low cry, then spread its wings and flew into the sky. After turning a circle, it headed towards the mountains.
“Trouble.”
Meanwhile, Fang Zheng had also received word on the situation there through Nymph’s report.
“It seems they’ve become suspicious. They’ve sent a Little Demon to check on the camp.”
“To have stalled for so long is already not easy… What should we do, should I send someone to intercept the Little Demon?”
“You had better not do that.”
No sooner had Shi Dong’s voice fallen than the gaunt old man in the Bishop’s robe shook his head with a grim expression.
“Little Demons are summoned by the Summoner. They share a telepathic connection. Once you make a move, even if you kill the Little Demon, if that Destruction Mage notices, then all our efforts will be in vain.”
“Then what should we do?”
Upon hearing the old man’s reply, Shi Dong furrowed his brows.
“We can’t just let it scout out the place. If the Little Demon discovers the camp…”
“Leave it to me.”
However, before Shi Dong could finish speaking, the old man interrupted him.
“I’ll handle that Little Demon. This should buy us some time, but…”
As he spoke, the old man glanced at the sky.
“If reinforcements haven’t shown up by the time the Guiding Star appears, then we’ll have to take action. If the Destruction Mage realizes something is amiss, things will likely get even more complicated…”
“Alright.”
After hearing the old man’s response, Shi Dong thought it over and eventually nodded helplessly.
“That’s the only way, then. Please, take care.”
“Don’t worry.”
In response to Shi Dong’s words, a shadow of a grim smile emerged on the old man’s icy face.
“I’ve lived longer than you have. To me, this is as simple as can be.”
“Swish!”
Suddenly, a pair of pitch black wings, resembling those of a bat, sprouted behind the old man. At the same time, the old man’s previously desiccated and lean body began to swell, his white hair darkening. In the blink of an eye, what was once a tall and thin old man on the verge of his twilight years had transformed into a handsome and dashing young man. His expression no longer carried the icy aloofness, but rather a courteous, spring-breeze-like smile.
The “old” Archbishop gave Fang Zheng a nod with that smile, then spread his wings, and, like a bolt of lightning, quickly soared into the sky.
What in the world?!
Fang Zheng stared, dumbfounded, as the figure of the “old” Archbishop receded into the distance. His mouth agape, he had no idea what to say. He blinked his eyes and then turned to look at Shi Dong beside him.
Clearly, he needed an answer.
“Surprising, isn’t it?”
Shi Dong obviously enjoyed Fang Zheng’s reaction. Only now, with a grin on his face, he began to speak.
“Don’t be fooled by Bishop Carl’s stern and rigid demeanor. He’s a Vampire Earl and a devout believer of the Sanctuary.”
“…There are vampires in the Sanctuary?”
Fang Zheng felt like all the novels he had read in the past were utterly bogus.
“Of course.”
In response to Fang Zheng’s question, Shi Dong nodded.
“The Order Sanctuary upholds order. We welcome all like-minded members to join us in our mission to safeguard order. We do not discriminate based on race, profession, or origin. As long as one is willing to protect order and oppose Chaos, they are our friends.”
“But… shouldn’t vampires need to feed on blood?”
Fang Zheng was completely at a loss.
“Of course, normal vampires do need blood. But devout followers like Bishop Carl are able to draw sufficient strength from the Holy Light, so unless it’s a dire situation, he doesn’t need blood.”
“So that means the Sanctuary has a lot of vampires?”
Wow, the Sanctuary really plays big.
“Of course not.”
Confronted with Fang Zheng’s inquiry, Shi Dong shook his head.
“In fact, only a very small portion of vampires can resist the temptation of blood and join the Sanctuary, becoming one of us. The majority of them cannot forsake the power and pleasure that blood brings. They cannot abandon such wicked deeds, so we only accept those vampires who share our ideals and are willing to give up their bad habits to become our allies.”
“Then… don’t you worry they might say one thing and do another?”
“Of course not. These vampires, while gaining strength through the Holy Light, also make sacred vows. If they betray their vows, the Holy Light within them will turn to flame and burn the oathbreakers to ash. Of course, this isn’t limited to just vampires.”
“I see…”
Hearing this, Fang Zheng nodded, finally understanding Shi Dong’s point. It’s as if the Sanctuary was likened to a drug rehabilitation center, and if vampires wanted to quit their “addiction,” the Sanctuary would help them, becoming their companion. Of course, this only applies to vampires willing to willingly accept the guidance of the Order’s Holy Light (Shi Dong’s words). As for the vampires who are still immersed in blood and power, they are also their targets.
“What about Liches?”
“Liches are different.”
Upon reaching this topic, Shi Dong’s expression immediately became serious.
“Vampires can be forgiven, as many of them were forced to become such creatures, but Liches are a different story. They have actively abandoned their own lives to transform into Undead beings. Liches play with the souls of mortals, denying them peace. Such actions will never be tolerated, so Necromancers and Liches have always been our targets.”
“I see…”
Having heard this, Fang Zheng finally had a clear understanding of the Sanctuary’s stance. Clearly, it wasn’t just their origins that the Sanctuary judged to be their enemy; it was more their actions. Like the Liches and Necromancers, the reason the Sanctuary eradicated them was not because of their identities but because of their nefarious deeds… Hmm, with this in mind, Fang Zheng decided to hide Malthael and Arthas’s Soulstones even deeper… It seems that in the Main World, these two could definitely not be used anymore.
The actions of the Vampire Bishop were obviously swift. Before long, Fang Zheng and Shi Dong saw him return. However, unlike before, this time a Little Demon followed behind the old Archbishop. At the moment, this Little Demon had none of its previous cunning and ferocity; rather, it had a vacant look in its eyes, appearing like a puppet — Hmm, considering the old Archbishop was a vampire, Fang Zheng felt he guessed what had been done to the Little Demon.
The crisis had temporarily receded, but the situation hadn’t improved.
Time ticked by, second by second, until nightfall, when finally the reinforcements arrived just in time.
But they brought with them even more surprising news.
The Order Fortress was in danger!