191. We Will Only Slow Him Down
The next morning, I woke up while Rose remained in her slumber. Despite the red glow, she was thoroughly exhausted.
Coming down to the kitchen, I grabbed the milk bottle from the fridge and poured myself a glass. Just as I finished drinking and was about to leave, I saw Keisha emerge from the other bedroom and come downstairs.
She looked at me and said, "I thought you are going to leave with Rose."
"She is going back to Seattle." I replied.
"Where are you going?"
"General Grant asked me to go to Vancouver when I have time, please bid farewell to General Laurent for me."
I recalled the conversation between the two Nemean Lions—the old Leviasaur was about to break through. Now that I am the H.A.R.M. General of Vancouver, I am responsible for the city's security.
"Do you mind if I go with you? There isn't much to do at Surrey for a Vampire Hunter now."
While I was hesitating, Rose appeared at the top of the stairs. "Aunt Keisha, we'll only slow him down."
We'll only slow him down. Keisha pondered these words as I walked out of the house.
After the figure in black transformed into a gentle breeze and vanished from the yard, Keisha Ellis reluctantly lowered her gaze to find Rose Hightower beside her, neck craned toward Vancouver.
… …
Beyond Cascadia, amid towering mountains and ridges.
Among the rolling peaks roamed countless birds and beasts.
Two figures strolled through the forest, wearing heavy armor plated with fish-like scales. The one on the left had a pale, beardless face and an elephant trunk that hung down to his abdomen. The one on the right was a wolf vampire with withered fur—aged and emaciated.
The pair approached what appeared to be an ordinary waterfall.
The wolf vampire came to a halt, with the elephant vampire standing behind him. In a calm voice, he announced, "The Blood Moon Vampire King has come to visit, requesting an audience with the Ascendant King."
The Blood Moon Vampire King showed no impatience, standing calmly with his hands clasped behind his back.
The valley lay silent, broken only by occasional bird calls echoing through the mountains.
At last, the waterfall parted, revealing a smooth, damp stone cave behind its curtain.
A tall bull vampire sat within, his knotted muscles rippling with power, radiating an overwhelming presence.
He gazed out indifferently, though a hint of apprehension flickered in his copper-bell eyes. "Interesting. You seek me out during my recovery—a first. What do you want?"
The aged wolf vampire gave a slight smile, shook his head, and strode into the cave.
Though shorter than the Ascendant King, he sat casually on a stone platform. "Ascendant King, you need not worry. I mean you no harm on this visit. I merely wish to remind you of something."
"Remind me of what?" the Bull Vampire asked, looking down at him.
"To remind you that because of this incident, I lost a great general. And to appease the old Leviasaur of the Pacific, I had to send precious medicinal herbs to compensate for the deaths of his three brothers.
The Blood Moon Vampire King grinned, baring his sharp teeth. "I know you want to prove you're not weaker than Aisha Patani, but you've made too many attempts. Each time, I must sacrifice the lives of my subordinates to cover for your."
Upon hearing these words, the Bull Vampire's eyes narrowed slowly, his tone taking on a dangerous playfulness. "Old wolf, are you blaming me?"
Though he acknowledged that Blood Moon had silently done a lot for him, he would not tolerate being questioned like this.
"Insolence!" A chilling aura emanated from the elephant vampire as he abruptly stepped forward.
At the Bull Vampire's feet, a dying old dog vampire opened his eyes, fixing a cold stare on the elephant vampire, and rasped, "Step back."
The Blood Moon Vampire King stretched out his hand, halting the tense stare-down between the two. "Ascendant King, you've misunderstood my intent. I merely wish to offer counsel. Ascending Realms is as much a measure of strength as anything else. There's no need to be so fair with that woman in everything."
Seeing the old wolf soften his stance, the Bull Vampire's attitude eased as well. "Once I've recovered, breaking through will be merely a matter of course. At that time, I will eliminate your greatest concern. I won't touch your little territory—I only want Cascadia."
Blood Moon worried that once Aisha Patani broke through, all of Cascadia would launch a counterattack.
Like many ancient vampires, he has lost his ambition and now sought only stability. The bull vampire thought to himself.
He also noticed the old wolf showed no indignation and sought no revenge for his wife's death. How pathetic?!
"Then I shall await the good tidings, Ascendant King."
Weariness filled the Blood Moon Vampire King's eyes. Having received the Bull Vampire's promise, he breathed a sigh of relief and said, "In that case, I will offer another small gift of thanks. This dog is unlikely to survive, and since he's of my clan, let me take him back. I'll nurture him with essence and blood, and save his life."
Weariness filled the Blood Moon Vampire King's eyes. Having received the Bull Vampire's promise, he breathed a sigh of relief and said, "In that case, I shall offer another small gift of gratitude. This dog is unlikely to survive, and since he is of my clan, let me take him back. I'll nurture him with essence and blood to save his life."
At these words, the dog vampire's eyelids twitched with apprehension.
The Ascendant King hesitated slightly. Looking at his subordinate—whose body was covered in bloody wounds from the Will Embodiment of Profound Ice Dragon—he recalled how this loyal follower had escorted him all the way from home to Cascadia without a single complaint.
Though he felt reluctant, he couldn't bring himself to refuse. "Thank you."
"My King!" The old dog vampire struggled to rise.
"Don't concern yourself with me—just focus on your recovery," the Ascendant King said coldly with a sigh.
The elephant vampire then stepped forward to help the dog vampire up. Gripping his long spear tightly, the dog vampire had no choice but to comply.
Blood Moon stood up and walked out of the cave, turning back for one last look. "Please hurry... time is running out."
The Bull Vampire's expression turned cold again. "Don't nag and wear out what little goodwill I have left for you."
After the three figures gradually disappeared into the distance, he closed his eyes, and the wide waterfall slowly sealed shut.
Hours later, atop the moss-covered stone beside the waterfall, a little girl's figure slowly materialized.
After centuries of tranquility, Chloe's heart suddenly surged with intense emotion.
Nervous tension crept across her delicate face.
An opportunity she hadn't dared dream of now lay effortlessly before her.
The revelation left Chloe momentarily disoriented.
The heavily wounded Ascendant King...
This discovery was the most significant advantage Cascadia's Vampire Hunters had gained in years.
Struggling to control her emotions, she quickly formed hand seals with her fingertips as wisps of escaping aura gathered in her palm.
The aura condensed into a cluster of flickering flames. Chloe stored it in the gold bell, turned around, and reactivated both her Turtle Silent Shell and Shell and Chrysalis Mirage techniques before quietly vanishing from the spot.