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What worried Bernardo wasn’t just the situation at the cathedral.
'I’m worried about Matteus too…'
The situation in front of the cathedral was already a mess, so he could only imagine how disastrous the auction house, the starting point of all this turmoil, must be.
But that didn’t mean he could rush over to help Matteus.
If he wanted to increase Matteus’s chances of survival, it was better to wait here until preparations to face Menorah were complete, rather than recklessly charging into the auction house alone. Bernardo knew that too.
However, the wait seemed endless, and the battle made no progress.
Growing impatient, Bernardo looked down at the purple thread bracelet around his wrist with clear displeasure. It felt like he was wearing handcuffs, and the sensation annoyed him. Eventually, he clicked his tongue and looked away from his wrist.
His gaze naturally shifted to the city guards stationed on the front line. Just like Bernardo, they appeared anxious, shouting back and forth, scrambling for a solution.
Then, finally, something arrived to support them.
"We brought more consecrated silver arrows!"
"Finally!"
"Shoot them now!"
As though they had been waiting for this, the guards quickly nocked the arrows, consecrated by the bishop, and fired them at the high-ranking vampires.
Whizz-whizz-whizz!
The silver arrows infused with holy power were undeniably threatening. Even the high-ranking vampires hesitated, momentarily halting their advance as the arrows flew toward them.
One of the vampires suggested to the high-ranking vampire leading them.
"How about we retreat for now? Judging by the strength of the local bishop, it seems like they don’t have that many consecrated arrows. Once they run out…"
But the high-ranking vampire shook his head firmly.
"Dawn is coming soon! We have to conquer this city no matter what before then! If we fail, our father will never forgive us!"
Although this high-ranking vampire could withstand sunlight, the addition of silver arrows posed a serious threat even to them.
Only then did the other vampires realize how little time they had left. Their faces went from pale to ghostly blue.
They knew how much effort Strigon had put into this operation, and how much of a perfectionist their father was.
Realizing the gravity of the situation, the vampires’ eyes changed. At the same time, Bernardo also sensed a shift in their aura.
'Damn it… Looks like they’re preparing for an all-out attack.'
Just look at those menacing red eyes. They were clearly planning to charge forward without a care for their own injuries.
If the vampires launched a full offensive now, even the freshly delivered consecrated arrows would be depleted in no time.
And waiting for the bishop to perform another round of consecration would take far too long. They might run out of silver arrows before then.
Once that threat was gone, the high-ranking vampires would be free to wreak havoc. Even the holy knights, who were barely holding them off now, would start to fall, one by one.
And if the vampires managed to set foot in the cathedral, the last stronghold of the city, everything would be over. If the cathedral’s forces weren’t fully prepared by then, all their efforts would be in vain…
Growing more anxious, Bernardo bit his lower lip hard.
I never skipped a single prayer, morning, before meals, evening… So why is everything going so wrong today?
'Damn it, Holy Dragon, are you punishing me for joining hands with vampires?'
Just as he was about to spiral into despair, a deacon came running from afar, shouting.
"Preparations are complete, Holy Knight!"
"I believed in you, O Holy Dragon!"
Bernardo, who had been scowling just moments before, suddenly lit up with joy.
This was the reason he had been conserving his divine power all this time.
The sacred relic stored in the cathedral of a major city, the very thing that had allowed humanity to survive against vampires like Menorah.
The final line of defense against the vampire army.
[The Lighthouse of Dispelling Evil] had been activated.
***
Vasha and Bernardo had left the villa first. As soon as Oliver regained his strength, he immediately mounted his horse.
Melina tried to stop him out of concern.
"Butler, are you sure you’re alright? Your injuries are still severe…"
"Both Lady Vasha and the holy knight must be too busy focusing on Menorah to spare any hands. Only the young master and the lord himself went to the auction house. They’ll need help."
And in this situation, the only one who could truly help was Oliver.
Without another word, Oliver galloped off toward the auction house. But before he could even reach the city of Noctiluca, he saw a group of people riding toward him from the distance.
Since there was nothing else near the villa, the only possible destination at the end of this path was Count Renfield’s estate.
Still on alert, Oliver didn’t slow his horse, narrowing his eyes behind the monocle perched on his nose as he scrutinized the approaching group.
But the moment he recognized a familiar and welcome face, his expression softened with both surprise and relief.
"My Lord!"
The other party recognized him as well. Oliver pulled on the reins and brought his horse to a halt. Dismounting quickly, he rushed to greet his master, who was in someone else's arms.
The person carrying Laurus was a tall, slender woman with long, violet hair. Naturally, Oliver assumed it was Vasha and took a step forward, asking.
"Weren’t you supposed to be facing Menorah? How did you end up with the master? Still, thank goodness, wait, don’t tell me… Lady Lucy?!"
Realization dawned, and Oliver’s face paled in shock.
Unlike Oliver, Lucy greeted him with a smile, as if she’d expected this reunion.
"Hello, Oliver."
Behind Lucy and Laurus, Todd, still being carried like luggage by Matteus, belatedly noticed Oliver’s arrival.
Still dangling from Matteus’s side, Todd stared intently at Oliver.
He knew Oliver had been at the villa with Vasha. So how had Vasha known about Menorah's appearance and arrived in time to rescue them? What had happened at the villa? Surely, Oliver could explain.
Of course, Todd was well aware that simply understanding the situation wouldn’t change their current predicament.
But at the very least, it might ease his growing frustration. If he didn’t start piecing things together soon, he felt like his head might explode.
But there was a problem.
'…Is Oliver even in the right state of mind to answer anything right now?'
Considering how Laurus was barely able to speak properly after reuniting with Lucy, it wouldn’t be surprising if his devoted follower, Oliver, also took a long time to regain his composure.
However, contrary to Todd’s expectations, Oliver quickly collected himself and offered a polite bow to Lucy.
"It’s an honor to see you again, Lady Lucy… Have you been well?"
In fact, his attitude toward her was almost cold. Lucy, however, simply smiled with familiarity.
"You haven’t changed one bit."
"…Neither have you, Lady Lucy."
Lucy gently laid Laurus, who she had been holding, down on the ground. Oliver immediately stepped forward to support his master.
Then Lucy gave Oliver firm instructions.
"Take Laurus back to the villa, and don’t move a muscle for the rest of the day. The city of Noctiluca will be in chaos all night long."
The vampire army under Strigon’s command would continue their rampage across the city until sunrise.
The only small blessing was that Laurus’s villa was located far from the city center. With so little time left until dawn, the vampires likely wouldn’t reach it.
"And especially, stay away from the cathedral. Got it?"
The most dangerous place in Noctiluca right now was the cathedral.
Since most of Strigon’s kin had gone to attack it, the area around the cathedral was just as dangerous as the auction house, where Menorah was lurking.
"Still, I’m relieved you’re here, Oliver."
"Lady Lucy… are you leaving now?"
Hearing Lucy’s parting words, Laurus couldn’t hide the look of disappointment on his face.
After all the hardships they’d endured to reunite, he couldn’t bear to let her go so easily. Desperation welled up in him as he tried to stop her.
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