https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-150-Lanchi-I-ll-Hunt-Down-a-Count-for-You/12584090/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-152-Lanchi-Said-Let-There-Be-Light-/12584092/
Chapter 151: Welcome, Cardinal Lanchi
Chapter 151: Welcome, Cardinal Lanchi
Several hours later.
On a cliff overlooking the river that marked the border of the Horning Empire.
In the dimly lit night, shrouded by a thin mist that occasionally obscured even the moonlight, Castle Lichtenstein loomed eerily.
It was almost midnight.
A figure streaked across the night sky, stirring up a strong gust of wind in the jungle below, accompanied by the rustling of leaves and a bone-chilling cold.
The figure's speed was incredible, as if the stars in the night sky were mere streaks of light in his eyes.
With a slight lowering of his eyelids, the cliffs, the broken bridge, and the castle rushed into view.
Soon after, he gradually slowed down, as if nearing his destination.
Under the moonlight, the figure hanging in the air became clearer. With chiseled features and a sculpted physique, his body exuded both elegance and power, suggesting an exceptional combatant even among the vampire race.
His deep gaze, shimmering like rubies, pierced through the darkness like icy chains, missing nothing.
"Did my excellent progeny meet their end here?"
The voice of Count Palokas resonated like a whisper from the abyss, carrying an air of unquestionable authority.
As he dove, soaring over the precipice, the castle of Lichtenstein came into clear view, piercing through the clouds and fog.
The murderer had no means of escape from this cliff. There were no signs of life in the forest, and the lights in the castle were still on, indicating that the culprits were hiding within.
The castle was exceptionally sturdy and surrounded by a powerful protective barrier, which even Palokas found impressive. A long-range magical attack might not only fail to breach the defense but also alert and scare off those inside.
In an instant, Count Palokas' body descended like a falling star, landing on the ground at a distance from the castle.
Moonlight draped his black garb, adorning him with a thin silver cloak, enhancing his noble and mysterious aura in the night.
"..."
Count Palokas gazed at the castle from afar, his face cold and stern.
The lights were still on in the castle's foundation layer, and through the faintly glowing curtains, he could make out several shadows moving about.
It seemed like they were in the midst of a cheerful feast, oblivious to the consequences of their actions and the wrath they had invited from a formidable vampire count.
However, Palokas' eyes soon narrowed in realization.
"Mere petty tricks."
Count Palokas let out a soft, mocking laugh. His cold and indifferent voice carried clearly through the quiet night.
The answer was simple. These cunning individuals had set a trap within the castle, pretending to be at ease to lure him into a false sense of security. They intended to spring their trap once he entered, ambushing him with their full force.
Occasionally, there were humans, weak and insignificant creatures, who dared to harbor foolish thoughts of defying the vampire race.
But the outcome was always the same: shattered dreams and death.
Yet, Count Palokas relished humans who dared to rebel against him.
For the more he crushed their resistance, the more he savored the timeless pleasure of their futile struggles.
This was the difference between the superior race and the worm-like creatures.
The count strode forward in the darkness, his reflection elongating with each step.
His ability, 'Blood Frenzy,' could temporarily double his attributes and grant him immense control reduction, a source of his fearless demeanor and pride.
Countless powerful demons and werewolves had perished at his hands, not to mention the mountains of human corpses that were beyond counting.
If an enemy did not completely outclass him in strength, they would only end up being crushed like insects beneath his feet.
Any amount of wisdom, scheming, or peculiar control magic was utterly meaningless!
Soon enough, Count Palokas reached the grand entrance of the castle's foundation layer. Without hesitation, he pushed open the massive door.
He was intrigued by the prospect of playing with these wriggling worms who dared to struggle. The harder they fought, the more satisfying the crunch under his feet.
The door swung open with a thunderous sound, revealing the bright lights and warmth within. Count Palokas strode in, his terrifying magical power and oppressive aura causing the entire castle to tremble.
"Where are you, pitiful fools, hiding?"
The door slowly closed behind the count, shutting out the cold wind and the silence of the night.
He stood in the grand hall of the castle, his deep eyes slowly scanning the room, anticipating the moment when these weak and foolish humans would rush towards him in terror.
But.
The scene that unfolded left Count Palokas momentarily stunned, his confident and mocking gaze turning slightly bewildered.
Everything was different from what he had imagined.
Count Palokas' attention was drawn upward by the radiant light emanating from above. The crystal chandelier, adorned with golden floral patterns, sparkled like a galaxy of stars, casting a warm glow that illuminated every corner of the grand hall. The spectacular light reflected off the dark stone sculptures on the walls and left bright trails on the smooth white stone floor.
In the most prominent position within the grand hall, a large table dominated the space, spacious and grand. Silver candlesticks gleamed in the firelight, casting dancing shadows across the air, while intricately carved high-backed chairs made from brown oak were neatly arranged on either side of the table.
In this luxurious banquet hall, filled with symbols of power and status, several men and women were gathered around the central table, sharing a meal. They toasted each other, their laughter and conversation echoing throughout the hall.
The scene before Count Palokas was one of opulence and extravagance, reminding him of grand balls filled with golden lights and joyous revelry.
Yet, there was an eerie harmony to the atmosphere of this feast, as if it were a lavish banquet of infamous tyrants throughout history, forever etched in the annals of the world.
As Count Palokas made his unannounced entrance, their laughter gradually ceased, and all eyes turned to fix upon him.
Count Palokas: "?"
Could this group of people...
...really be holding a banquet?
...
It was late at night at the Ikelite Academy, and soft white light illuminated the Gera Memorial Square.
The clock tower's hour hand was approaching midnight.
Yet, the square was unusually bustling at this late hour.
Compared to the lively and expectant atmosphere of the afternoon, the mood now was heavy and oppressive, even as students gathered once more on the steps before the giant outdoor screen, awaiting the inevitable.
Ever since Fred had defeated the Destroyer Saintess at dusk, Lanchi had only briefly met with the clergy and the three representatives from the Chamber of Commerce to inform them that they would be hosting the Count that evening. After that, he had shut down the Shadow World recording program.
It wasn't until eleven o'clock that Lanchi reactivated the live feed.
Knowing that the end was near, some students couldn't help but stay up and gather in the square once more, despite the futility of their situation.
And what they witnessed was a true late-night banquet.
A literal interpretation of 'hospitality!'
"What is Lanchi thinking?"
"Is he really not going to make any attempt at all?"
Many students asked, perplexed.
In fact, right up until Count Palokas' arrival, some still believed that Lanchi would make some crucial preparations, that he had a plan up his sleeve.
If this group of challengers could somehow survive five full days of the Shadow World's rampage, it would be nothing short of a miracle.
Their only hope now was to make it through the night, and then, tomorrow evening, work together to repair the bridge and continue their escape. The following night, they would need to play a deadly game of cat and mouse with the vampire count within the Hornung Empire for three long nights.
This was their slim chance, their only chance, to catch the traitor and survive with everyone still alive.
If the threat of the traitor remained, they wouldn't even be able to work together to build the bridge or flee through the empire!
But no matter what, the first priority was to make it through this night.
And then there would be four more days of nightmare ahead.
Perhaps surrendering to the vampire count tonight would be a form of relief.
But the truth was—Lanchi seemed to have lost his will to fight, hosting this final feast, calmly awaiting death.
On the road at the edge of the square, Modan Gaseges watched the giant outdoor screen with a calm expression. Finally, as if he couldn't contain himself any longer, he let out a mocking laugh.
As the marquis' son, he had once had a good opportunity to possess Huberian, only to be thwarted by Lanchi, who even threatened him with legal action.
He still remembered Lanchi's words, "You admitted it yourself," which had left him humiliated.
Unlike most of the students, he felt nothing but immense satisfaction at this turn of events.
"What a pathetic fellow... Has he finally reached the end of the road?" Modan sneered. He couldn't wait to see Lanchi die, and he hoped that Huberian, that troublesome wench, would perish alongside him.
Overwhelming confidence always led to ruin.
In the face of the vampire count, a race that completely overwhelmed and crushed humans, an unstoppable force of nature, all their petty schemes seemed laughable and futile.
Soon, there would be a pitiful soul, trembling with fear, tears streaming down their face, as they were brutally ravaged and humiliated, their insides torn out in a gruesome end! Modan could already envision the scene.
His only curiosity now was—
How long could Lanchi keep up this charade in the face of the vampire count?
However.
On the giant outdoor screen.
Lanchi, seated at the head of the table, gently swirled the light rose-colored liquid in his tall glass, releasing a unique fragrance—a blend of ripe fruit and a hint of spice, the signature aroma of fine wine.
He didn't drink, even as Count Palokas arrived. Lanchi's expression remained unchanged.
He leaned back in his chair, his eyes half-lidded, exuding an air of world-weariness.
With a slight turn of his face, he glanced at Count Palokas from the corner of his eye.
"Little Pala, you've arrived."
(End of Chapter)
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