Chapter 521 The Colin family vampire's head, as always, has a serious problem.
As March arrives, the city is always shrouded in drizzle. The sky is like a rag that can never be washed clean, covering everyone's mouth and nose.
In the hotel attic, not far from the central cathedral, the air was filled with the smell of damp, moldy wood, and there seemed to be the sound of mice scurrying under the floorboards.
Eileen, wrapped in a long wool shawl that dragged on the ground, curled up on an old wooden chair by the window, her tall and slender back looking somewhat lonely.
It wasn't just the "Radiant Knights" who were trapped by the "Bishop," but also the legends of the Campbellians.
She's been here for almost half a year, and the court shows no sign of leaving. She doesn't know how much longer she'll have to stay, or what the point of continuing is.
She also remembered that the Northern Rescue Army had come to deal with the Chaos Corruption that was eroding the Dusk Province.
But perhaps only she still remembers.
"Theresa".
“I am here, Your Highness.”
Hearing the voice behind her, Eileen didn't turn around. After a moment of silence, she spoke.
How's it going outside lately?
Theresa answered respectfully.
"Twilight City remains the same, but there have been significant changes outside the city. Spring planting has already begun in Stillwater Beach Territory, and in the Turbulent Pass area... Thanks to you, the warriors who followed us to Twilight Province have all been allocated their own land."
"Yeah."
A sense of relief filled Eileen's heart, and the dark clouds that had been weighing on her brows were somewhat dispelled.
Her gaze passed through the dusty windows and fell on the desolate and muddy street, where patrolling soldiers occasionally passed by and emaciated citizens sat by the roadside.
Although many people still live in fear, at least those who stand behind her are spared from death and fear.
It seems... there's nothing to regret.
Just as she was thinking this, a sharp pain suddenly crept up her chest without warning, causing her to involuntarily tighten her grip on the shawl.
It wasn't a physical ailment, but rather like a string tied to the tip of the heart, plucked by some unseen finger, producing a short, trembling sound.
"Your Highness?"
Theresa keenly noticed Eileen's unusual behavior and quickly got up and walked to the chair, her eyes filled with concern.
Are you... feeling unwell somewhere?
Sarah, who had been silent, also looked up. Her cat ears, hidden in the shadows, swayed gently, and her amber pupils revealed no emotion.
"It's nothing, it's just... I suddenly feel a little panicked."
Eileen took a deep breath. The feeling of palpitation came and went quickly, leaving only an empty, phantom pain.
She slowly shook her head and loosened her grip on the shawl.
Theresa was somewhat at a loss and was about to try to comfort His Highness when Eileen, who was bowing her head, suddenly spoke softly as if in a dream.
"Teresa, do you remember the summer when I was eight years old?"
Theresa pondered for a moment.
“I remember the year you awakened your extraordinary power, His Majesty the late King seemed very pleased.”
Awakening extraordinary power at the age of eight is quite rare, and can even be described as a gift.
In the continent of Os, the period of concentrated awakening of extraordinary power is generally between the ages of twelve and sixteen, while the period of growth is after the age of sixteen.
As for the specific growth rate, it depends on the growth environment, the upper limit determined by nature, and the extraordinary encounters experienced later in life.
Some people are still bronze at sixteen, but in the short span of four years until they are twenty, they grow to platinum or even diamond.
For example, Eileen is like that.
Theresa remembered clearly the joy on Grand Duke Aaron Campbell's face at that moment. However, to her surprise, Eileen gently shook her head.
That's not what she meant to say.
"That summer, I found a redfinches with an injured wing in the castle garden. It stayed in my palm all summer, singing to me every morning, waiting for me to wake up."
Sarah pondered for a moment, then muttered something to herself in a voice only she could hear.
"It's probably hungry."
Eileen didn't hear her unromantic interruption and continued talking to herself.
"...It accompanied me through a pleasant summer, but when the autumn wind blew the birch leaves away, it flew away from my sight and never returned."
As Eileen spoke, her eyes became dreamy, as if she were recalling that summer from her childhood.
"I remember searching for a long time but I couldn't find it again. That's pretty much how I feel right now... I always feel like something important is slipping away from me."
Sarah didn't want to interrupt, but she had so few opportunities to speak each day that she couldn't help but chime in.
"In my experience, if spring doesn't come back... it's probably nested somewhere else, or it's been eaten by wild cats."
Theresa: "..."
“Really…” Eileen paused for a moment, then smiled gently. “Then I still hope it finds its own happiness and doesn’t get eaten by wild cats during its migration.”
Sarah didn't say anything.
Campbellians don't eat birds, but the demon who eats everything is a different story; when she's starving, she'll even steal the demon king's food.
Eileen turned her gaze away, staring unfocusedly out the window, and murmured something under her breath.
"Please don't leave me..."
She didn't know why she suddenly blurted out such a sentence, but she felt that the emotion she was about to express was exactly like that summer in her memory.
Although her father later gave her a talking parrot, she could never find that pure and simple joy again.
Not everything in this world has a substitute, and not everything can be obtained with money or supernatural power.
Theresa remained silent.
Although she read just as many books as Eileen, and even had them borrowed by Eileen occasionally, she still couldn't understand the princess's poetic metaphors.
After all, most of the books she reads are very pure, just like the sword in her hand, often bold and straightforward.
"Your Highness, I think... you might be experiencing some discomfort due to the change in environment."
Theresa tried to analyze it.
"The Twilight Province is too cold and damp, and resources are too scarce. When you were in Thunder City, you loved the sweet cherries from South Creek Valley, but you can't even buy a fresh apple here... I'll go to the black market later and see if I can get some honey."
“I’ve been there, it’s not there,” Sarah interjected casually, lowering her arms and sighing. “I’ll take care of it.”
Although she doesn't like humans, especially the Campbell family, they've spent some time together, and she's begun to let go of some of her prejudices.
friend?
Perhaps that's the word.
Humans always like to complicate simple relationships. She still prefers the rules of the Great Cemetery; she only needs one master to serve her for life.
Everything else is superfluous.
"Thank you."
Eileen nodded slightly at Sarah, gave the sharp-tongued but kind-hearted girl a grateful smile, and then buried her chin in her curled-up knees.
Perhaps—
As she answered Sarah's question, she also answered Theresa's guess in her heart. She also felt that perhaps she was just homesick.
The sun in Thunder City must be warm now, right? Are all the flowers in the manor in bloom? Perhaps the spice merchant from Mist Harbor has brought some nuts from the eastern shore of the Whirlpool Sea.
Her favorite food is figs.
And all kinds of sweet fruits.
After all, practicing swordsmanship and horsemanship really takes a lot of physical exertion.
And the happiest thing in the world is to eat a salted pineapple after sweating profusely... She can boast about three of them in a row!
"Theresa, what do you think... Prince Colin is doing right now?"
The sentimental hero suddenly murmured something again, and this time Sarah's ears perked up. It meant nothing by it; it was purely an unconscious reaction.
"I heard he's currently setting up Thunder City University. Speaking of which, Thunder City has changed so much lately, I'm sure you'll be amazed when you get back."
"Really? I hope he hasn't gotten into any weird trouble."
A woman's intuition can sometimes be incredibly irrational.
Although they were hundreds of kilometers apart, she always felt an evil aura approaching the simple-minded Prince Colin.
When Teresa heard the princess's concern, a reassuring smile appeared on her face, and she placed her right fist on her upright chest.
"Rest assured, Your Highness. Prince Colin is the most capable person I have ever met, in no way inferior to your brother. Even dragons would have to bow down before him... I think he can easily handle any trouble."
Upon hearing this, Sarah's perked-up cat ears folded to the sides, seemingly agreeing with the statement.
Hearing Theresa's reassuring words, Eileen finally smiled, a smile she had reserved for herself, and said in a very soft voice.
"I hope so."
...
The setting sun bathed the courtyard of Colin Manor in a blood-red glow, and a neatly trimmed hedge in the front yard was suddenly blown away with a loud crash—
It wasn't just the hedge that flew away.
Amidst the swirling dust, eight-year-old Duke Richard was scrambling to his feet from the broken branches and leaves. His exquisite silk shirt was now covered in grass clippings and dirt, and his young face was filled with confusion and fear about the world.
That was fast!
In order to protect his three-year-old brother, he moved instinctively and took a solid flying kick to the arm.
He couldn't even see Princess Vivian's afterimage!
On the lawn not far away, Vivian was clutching her chest with one hand and supporting herself on a flower bed with the other, looking as if she had been shot in the chest.
"grumble--"
A trembling sound came from her mouth.
What happened?
An unprecedented, intense ache was welling up from the depths of her soul, resonating with the ripples from the unseen realm.
Those damned relatives—
How dare she covet her own brother!
Vivian's lips trembled with anger.
Padridge's vixen is one thing, but doesn't that guy have his own brother? Why is he trying to steal someone else's toy?!
Seeing Vivian in unbearable pain, young Richard was stunned.
I was the one who got kicked, so how come it was Miss Vivian who got hurt?
Could it be...?
I'm actually very strong?!
Out of gentlemanly manners, the little boy did not press his advantage against the injured lady, but instead offered a word of concern.
"Vivian, are you alright?"
"Me? I'm fine! Very fine!"
That's clearly not a good sign.
Richard knew perfectly well that people only emphasize the same thing more than once when they are trying to cover it up.
Just like a drunk person who keeps insisting that they are not drunk.
Poor little Campbell was only just reached the age where he would be surrounded by a bunch of sycophants, but before he could enjoy the flattery of his peers for even a few days, he was forced to learn to read people's expressions.
Seeing Miss Vivian grinding her teeth to powder, he swallowed hard and tried to negotiate in a trembling voice, just like his composed father.
"But, but you look quite badly injured? How about we call a truce... and settle things another time?"
Saint Sis, he really didn't want to play with Miss Vivian anymore.
This is terrifying!
Alfred, trembling and clutching his head, was the same.
His father said Miss Vivian would play with them, but it was not her playing with them at all; it was clearly them being unilaterally beaten.
In the past, Vivian probably wouldn't have been so ruthless, but today she clearly couldn't control her emotions.
Through the glass windows of the manor, she could clearly see the expression on her elder brother's face—an embarrassment he had never shown her before.
Why is this happening?!
A blood-red wedding flashed through her mind, guests drinking the blood of the Minotaur, clinking glasses in celebration, but she wasn't the one celebrating... The thought of that tragic world sent a pang of pain through Vivian's heart, a pain so intense it was hard to breathe.
She was the one who arrived first!
hateful--
An unvented rage surged through her narrow chest, finally transforming into two fierce gazes that fell upon Richard and Alfred, who were just about to slip away.
"Who are you saying is seriously injured?"
Seeing the purple-haired witch clenching her fists so tightly they were cracking, Richard panicked completely and yelled at his brother.
"Alfred, run!"
"Brother!! I can't leave you!"
"Hurry! Campbell's honor cannot end with us!!"
What a tragic couple!
Compared to the invincible little tyrant of Shanghai, Campbell's "country nobles" were ultimately a bit too old.
Of course, the same would probably happen if the nobles of the Holy City came.
After all, the human world is civilized. Even Marshal Eberg was never beaten by a platinum-level expert when he was eight years old.
Even though Vivian kept her promise and didn't use any supernatural powers, nor the sharpest claws and teeth of the vampires, her little fists, capable of subduing a group of second-generation demons in the Demon City, were ultimately not something two human cubs could withstand—the latter were also reduced to afterimages in the courtyard in an instant.
"I don't want to play anymore! I want to go home! Waaaaah—"
"Cry? Crying counts as time!"
"You...demon!"
"Kukuku, Campbell's brats, this is the adult world! Kneel before the Colin family and feel fear!"
In the spring of 1054 AD, the future Archduke Richard left a riddle in his diary that has baffled countless historians—
That day, the Demon King descended upon Colin Manor.
No one knows what he experienced that day, or what astonishing secret he witnessed.
Darkness enveloped the entire field of history.
Research on the Demon King has once again hit a bottleneck.
...
As evening fell, the tea party in the manor's drawing room finally came to an end, and Archduke Edward and his entourage left the main building to take their leave.
Luo Yan tried to persuade the couple to stay for dinner, but Edward said that Sir Andes had already prepared a banquet to welcome them.
Edward reiterated that he had come to Thunder City for the summer hunt, and had just received a reply so he took a detour to visit, not specifically to bother them.
“Ms. Mitia, please get some rest. If you need any help with anything, please let me know.” Mrs. Antony held Miss Yaya’s hand, her face full of concern and heartache.
Mia smiled shyly and said apologetically.
"Um...I will."
"In addition, please keep a close eye on the matter of establishing the Art Department of Thunder City University for us."
Following his wife, Edward also nodded to Mia to say goodbye, and at the same time mentioned Thunder City University.
Whether for the future of the Duchy of Campbell or for her sister's happiness, giving Miss Yaya, who has come from afar, something to do is a good choice.
We can't let her stay here indefinitely.
This is too dangerous.
Edward, being a man himself, knew all too well how difficult it was to resist such temptation...
Meanwhile, the accompanying imperial physicians were examining the two young masters' injuries and healing their bruises with holy light.
Just then, the royal physician who was applying the ointment to Richard suddenly exclaimed in surprise, calling out to the Grand Duke who was walking towards them.
"Saint Sith above... Your Majesty the Grand Duke, look!"
All eyes immediately turned to that direction.
On Richard's previously bruised arm, a faint golden glow was now visible.
Although the light was faint, it carried a pure and unsettling aura, and was autonomously repairing the bruises under the skin.
That was clearly not magic cast by the accompanying imperial physician.
Grand Duke Edward's pupils contracted sharply. As a Gold-level expert, he recognized it at a glance as a sign of the awakening of extraordinary power!
This is--
Iron grade?!
Edward stepped forward and grabbed his son's wrist. Feeling the subtle yet real force flowing like a pulse, an unbelievable, ecstatic expression spread across his face.
"Richard, you've awakened!?"
In the history of the Campbell family, being able to awaken "divine energy" before the age of ten is already considered genius, but Richard actually stepped into the threshold of the extraordinary at the age of eight!
As expected of his son!
This talent is already on par with Eileen's!
Although extraordinary power is not as crucial to nobles as ordinary people imagine, it is better to have it than not.
Moreover, based on Edward's experience, a healthy body is essential for handling work; at the very least, superhumans can endure more than ordinary people.
Richard was also a little stunned. Looking at his excited father, a proud blush involuntarily rose on his cheeks.
"Okay, it seems so?"
At that moment, he had no idea what kind of childhood his father had arranged for him after seeing his talent.
In contrast, Alfred was much luckier.
Having experienced the Winter Coup, Edward had learned his lesson and was determined to fully implement the joyful education he provided to Princess Reno and his second son.
Campbell's Future -
The eldest son must shoulder this responsibility!
"Miss Vivian!"
Edward put down his son's arm and walked excitedly toward Vivian.
Seeing Richard's father approaching, the experienced Vivian assumed he was there to interrogate her and hurriedly glanced around, searching for her brother.
It wasn't that she wanted to talk to her parents, but her older brother forbade her from using her supernatural powers. However, if she didn't use her supernatural powers, she might not be able to defeat a Gold-level expert who was going all out.
No--
I'm pretty sure we can't win, right?
Just as she was about to assume a defensive stance, Edward's action took her by surprise. The noble human duke actually gave her a slight nod in greeting.
“Miss Vivian, you are truly the most outstanding teacher I have ever met! The Campbell family’s knight instructors were all helpless against him, but you awakened him in just one afternoon! The Campbell family will forever remember this kindness!”
Vivian was stunned for a moment.
ah??
This works?!
"Wait, wait a minute—"
By Bayeri, she, the dignified Lady Vivian, did not help humans awaken their supernatural powers; this is a blatant frame-up!
In truth, she didn't care about Bayeri, just as few human nobles cared about Saint Sith. Her main concern was that Miss Padridge would find fault with her and use it to threaten her brother.
That's not good!
The young master of the Colin family has never hesitated to speculate about the vixen of the Padridge family with the worst possible intentions, although she doesn't realize that wasting her intelligence here is completely unnecessary.
Even if Mia had thought of this, she would never have risked being disliked by Colin by doing something that only goblins would actually do.
The reason a lowly succubus threatened a lowly human in the auditorium was simply because she was anxious to see her beloved jumping into a fire pit, and couldn't help but act a little willfully with the power she held.
After all, the maze in Thunder County back then wasn't like it is now, a coveted spot for younger students; going there was practically suicide.
Eighteen demon generals were reduced to only four. In the entire hell, that was a high-intensity war. Humans and demons usually don't fight each other so ruthlessly.
Moreover, even disregarding Mia's cunning, she couldn't possibly hurt Vivian.
Miss Padridge still considered Vivian her sister in her heart.
However, this younger sister is a typical Colin vampire, not quite right in the head, and not just your average food-grubbing type, forcing Colin to use his real skills to deal with her.
If Vivian were to surrender half of her losses, she could immediately take Vivian's hand and agree to a reconciliation, treating her affectionately like her own younger sister, just like before.
Who knows, we might even be able to share some with her.
However, Edward ignored Vivian's hurried explanations. Seeing that she was about to refuse, he continued speaking without stopping.
"I hope Miss Vivian will be generous with her guidance. I will be sending my two good-for-nothing sons to bother you frequently in the future! Please don't hold back!"
Whether or not I receive instruction is secondary.
Even extraordinary power is secondary.
The main thing is to come and bother Prince Colin a few more times!
Richard and Alfred, who had just woken up, almost fainted on the spot when they heard that their father had used them as bait.
Vivian wanted to refuse, but feeling the gaze behind her that burned brighter than holy light, she could only force a smile that looked worse than crying.
"...Chirp, chirp is my honor."
grumble?
Edward was taken aback for a moment, but didn't think much of it, assuming that Vivian had bitten her tongue while running too fast.
After bidding farewell once again to His Highness Colin, who had escorted him to the gate, the esteemed Grand Duke, along with his children and wife, boarded the carriage waiting at the manor gate and headed towards the Andes Manor.
The carriage finally started moving.
The sound of wheels, carrying the last vestiges of noise, blended into the night outside the manor.
Richard and Alfred sat in the corner of the carriage with tense faces, vowing never to see anything purple again, not even an eggplant.
Princess Lino alone remained full of energy.
She leaned against the car window, waving vigorously at the purple-haired boy who was standing at the door seeing her off, her eyes shining.
"Brother Gutaf! You have to take me butterfly hunting next time!"
"You must wait for me—!"
She thought her father was incredibly clever; she had never imagined that simply praising her brother Gutaf would turn the manor hedges into afterimages.
Hehehe, she'll play like this again in the future!
Nanfu stood at the entrance of the manor, a shy yet happy smile on his face, waving until the carriage disappeared at the end of the road.
Then, he cautiously glanced at his older sister, whose expression was uncertain, and shrank back into the main hall.
Although his older sister's face was gloomy, he felt that the sun was shining exceptionally brightly today, and his favorite night seemed to be so long.
He had never looked forward to tomorrow’s sun rising as much as he did today, even though its scorching rays would almost burn him to ashes.
However, compared to Miss Lino's smile, nothing else matters.
No one had ever praised him for running fast, climbing high, being smart, being capable, or being remarkable before...
But Miss Lino is different!
In Miss Lino's eyes, he seemed to be an omnipotent hero, his bright eyes always sparkling with adoration.
The feeling of being praised and needed made him feel like he was soaking in a honey pot.
It is on this day that he has many precious memories of his first time.
His heart pounded; he had never felt so alive. Nanfu touched his burning cheeks, his resolve stronger than ever before.
Human beings—
That's fantastic!
The Colin family's talent for love continues to shine steadily.
The goblins of Shanghai will never know that the greatest threat to Hell is neither the mentally unstable Vivian Colin, nor the stammering Mia Padridge.
Instead, he is a rising legendary lover king—
Nanfu Colin.
Night fell on Colin Manor.
Miss Padridge was talking to the teapot with a silly grin, while Miss Colin, trembling, was being lectured by her brother.
Meanwhile, the Kingdom of Ryan's three-level conference convened as scheduled, concluding the first day's agenda on this unremarkable evening.
This is not an isolated incident.
The citizens of Rowland City were equally unaware of what Mr. Newcastle, sitting at the long table praising the royal chef's skills, was actually discussing on their behalf.
(End of this chapter)
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