152. She's Quite Nice
Through the deafening commotion, a distant village descended into chaos.
Soon, a few brave fishermen cautiously peered out. Upon seeing the chilling sight of three Leviasaur corpses on the seashore, they trembled. Just as they were about to retreat, they recognized a face that was forever etched in their memories.
Moments later, a crowd of fishermen burst from the village, led by the madman and the widow at the front.
After verifying the earlier messenger's words were true, they immediately fell to their knees, praying in unison toward the horizon.
… …
Skyler Grant turned to look with a weary sigh.
In mere weeks, John Kane had single-handedly built a reputation in this place that rivaled even H.A.R.M.'s.
These people might not know who the H.A.R.M. General was, but they could definitely recognize their Sea God.
"You must have important matters to discuss. Surely you didn't come all this way just to catch up with me."
Skyler Grant turned back with a wistful smile, his heart swelling with a mix of pride and regret. Of all the H.A.R.M. Generals, he was surely the most conflicted. He should have felt aggrieved. It had been weeks since he'd personally appointed Kane as his attendant, yet the young man was only just now setting foot in Vancouver.
With a bow, I said, "Sir, General Patani asked me to inform you that the Vampire of Crown Mountain has been eliminated."
At the mention of this familiar name, Max Vierkant tensed up, uneasy feeling washing over his entire body.
Wasn't Kane out being a Vampire Hunter? How had he ended up working with Senior Sister Patani?
Also, what was the deal with those three Leviasaurs falling from the sky? Had Kane really killed them all by himself?
He opened his mouth to speak, but Skyler Grant shot him a stern look. "What are you doing eavesdropping like a child? Get out of here."
When important matters were being discussed, even the most talented young people needed to keep their distance.
"Yes, sir." Max Vierkant wanted to protest, but instead retreated silently back among the other agents.
"Continue," Skyler Grant said as he turned back to me. He was intensely curious about which powerful vampire would have issued such a warning.
My expression remained stoic. "General Patani was tracking a vampire when she was ambushed at Mount Strachan by three harmonizing vampires—Moonfeather, the Ascendant King, and a dog vampire. The Ascendant King and dog vampire managed to escape, but Moonfeather was killed."
Studying the young man's calm expression, Skyler Grant arched an eyebrow. "Let me get this straight—Aisha Patani was ambushed, and somehow Moonfeather ended up dead?"
I gave a slight nod. "Yes."
General Grant closed his eyes for a moment before opening them again. He studied the young man carefully from head to toe.
He hadn't noticed before, but the young man had a subtle way with words.
Up until now, not a single harmonizing vampire had fallen to Aisha Patani because they were too cunning. They would always flee at the first news of her approach, never giving her the chance to confront them.
Of all of them, Moonfeather was the least likely to face her.
Being both timid and swift, it would never risk a direct confrontation with Aisha Patani, even with the Ascendant King's backing.
If Moonfeather had indeed died, Patani couldn't have been the one to kill it.
"I see." He had pieced most of it together. Despite his many years as a H.A.R.M. General and all the strange things he'd witnessed, Skyler Grant couldn't help but marvel at the absurdity of the situation.
After a long silence, he sighed and shook his head. "She's making a point to me."
She deliberately sent Kane to Vancouver to deliver this message to him for two reasons.
The first was that she had already evaluated this young man, found him highly capable, and vouched for his trustworthiness. There was no need for others to doubt him.
Second, she was returning this promising talent to his rightful mentor.
"I understand." Skyler Grant gripped his silver halberd tightly. Though reluctant to acknowledge it, he could no longer deny his age—he was simply too old. "You should hurry back to Seattle. When the Admiral returns, I will ensure Aisha receives a fitting reward."
Observing the changes in the old man's expression, I noticed a melancholy air about him, like the fading rays of a setting sun.
I turned my gaze toward the ocean. "About this Leviasaur clan..."
"They are led by an old harmonizing Leviasaur, Do you plan to turn the entire Pacific Ocean upside down to find it?"
After our talk, Skyler Grant's opinion of me had shifted—he did not question my ability to challenge a harmonizing elder Leviasaur. Instead, he simply sighed at the immensity of the Pacific Ocean.
"Don't worry too much about them," he continued. "The Admiral will return to Seattle within ten days. When he arrives, these powerful vampires will settle down considerably."
A Seeker of Redeemer's power is enough to safeguard an entire State.
This was no exaggeration.
Hearing this, I felt somewhat regretful. Having acquired the Leviasaur's blood gifts, I had no fear of the vast ocean.
But searching for a hidden Leviasaur in these waters would be futile—that time would be better spent hunting other vampires on land.
Moreover, while I had managed to kill Moonfeather, each harmonizing vampire was different. I couldn't count on being lucky enough to face another vampire whose abilities I could counter so perfectly.
"From what General Laurent said, the Admiral was searching for aid to Cascadia. What's brought him back so early?" I wondered aloud. I felt curious about this person—the most powerful figure in Cascadia—whom I had yet to meet.
What extraordinary power must someone possess to ensure peace and tranquility across twelve cities and 205 counties by his mere presence?
"You've met Albany Laurent as well?" General Grant glanced at me with surprise. Why did it seem his personal attendant was acquainted with everyone but him?
"Well, since the capital wasn't able to help Cascadia, there was no point in staying there."
Skyler Grant continued, "The Admiral is about to return, and Chloe can't wait to get out of Seattle. You should catch this opportunity to report your achievements when they are both there, and pack up for a trip to the capital. I'll be returning to Seattle to report on my duties as well, so there's no need for you to remain here any longer."
"Go to the capital?" I asked, taken aback .
For someone who had just arrived in Seattle from a small county town, the so-called capital felt both unfamiliar and remote.
I didn't even know how many States New Terra had, what the president's name was, or where the capital was located.
"For Martial Abbey Cleansing, of course you need to go to the capital. It'll be a quick trip." With the young man beside him, Skyler Grant's tense nerves visibly relaxed.
A genuine smile spread across the old man's face.
What was the Admiral's judgment of potential compared to his own foresight? Or Aisha Patani's, or Albany Laurent's? They had all come late to recognize this talent. He, with his aged eyes, had been the first to spot this rising star.
Though the astonishing speed of his rise made even Grant doubt his own judgment,
Aisha Patani's endorsement had put those doubts to rest.
After all, these true geniuses of martial arts possessed qualities that he, a mere ordinary old man, could never fully grasp.
"Then I will be on my way, sir." Even though my strength had improved by leaps and bounds, I still hadn't lost my respect for the old general.
Using his banner, I had eliminated the Kongo Shintai Academy and obtained the Resurrected Body technique, which led me to develop the Nine Cycles Sanguine Resurrection.
As I turned to leave, Max Vierkant rushed to stop me, brimming with excitement.
"John, have you seen Senior Sister Patani? What do you think of her?"
"She's quite nice," I replied, recalling how she had brought dying vampires to my feet and offered genuine praise.
"Quite nice?" Max was nonplussed by such a casual description.
Never before had he heard anyone speak so casually about Senior Sister Patani.
As expected of Colonel Kane...
Max could barely contain his excitement. The sight of John soaring through the air earlier had left him utterly dumbfounded.
Despite having already set high expectations for the individual he once taught Shadow Touch to, Max found himself repeatedly amazed—each new encounter forced him to revise his understanding of just how remarkable John truly was.
He wanted to ask about the three Leviasaurs and how they had died so silently, but was interrupted by a question. "Are you going back to Seattle?" John asked.
"I'm not going back. I haven't accomplished anything since I left," Max said, lowering his head sheepishly. Compared to John's achievements, he felt like he'd been idle the whole time. "By the way, John, I've put your H.A.R.M. salary in the drawer of the nightstand."
This suddenly reminded me how long I'd been away from Seattle. Before leaving, I had allowed Max stay at my house and given him an entry code.
"Alright, we'll catch up later then." I nodded and stretched, working out the stiffness in my muscles.
After being away for so long, I was finally heading back.
Based on General Grant's words, it seemed I was in for quite a generous reward.