After confirming that there were no targets in sight, Siloque lowered his binoculars.
“OK, they’ve completely disappeared, and there are no monsters nearby. Let’s go down.”
“Although Hill has many questions… well, whatever. Hill will listen to Brother!”
Hill shouldered the bamboo basket covered in black cloth, which couldn’t be stored in her Ring Chart. Even with the extra weight, she climbed down the tree with agility.
“Your legs are shaking. Do you need me to carry you, Inafa?”
“Stupid human, your vision and perception are flawed. This is merely the excited state of a vampire after nightfall. I am definitely not afraid,” Inafa said righteously.
If she weren’t clinging to the tree trunk like a koala with her limbs trembling slightly, her words might have been more convincing.
As for why Inafa, who was afraid of heights, had climbed a tree in the first place, it could only be said that she had been led astray by Hill.
— ‘It’s not safe on the ground at night. According to the classic tropes, standing on high ground makes it easier to observe and makes one look more like a cool mastermind.’
‘Wait, that actually makes sense… but Hill…’
“Illyon, what’s wrong? Aren’t you coming up?”
‘ — You’ve already climbed up?! Hill, are you a monkey?!’
“Of—of course I’m coming up. I was just thinking about whether to have the Blood Spirit carry me up or use vampire strength far exceeding you humans to ‘splat’ my way up, kaka.”
And so, to avoid exposing her fear of heights, Inafa had closed her eyes and leaped, jumping directly to the top of the tree dozens of meters high — and then regretted it immensely in her heart.
A conversation like this had happened earlier.
Siloque didn’t mock her; instead, he looked at her with a serious and gentle expression. “Everyone has one or two secrets. Being afraid of heights is nothing to be ashamed of.”
“Kaka, human, that’s a funny joke. I am a noble vampire who can walk through walls and command thousands of servants. How could I be afraid of heights? You go down first; I want to look at the scenery a bit more.”
She clearly intended to wait for them to leave before having her Blood Spirit help her down.
Siloque reached out his hand to her. “Let’s go.”
“…Human, you’re suddenly being so serious, it feels weird.” Inafa lowered her head, pouting defiantly.
“Naturally. I am an upstanding young man, after all. Don’t worry, I didn’t tell Hill. Only the two of us know about this.”
“Ugh…”
Inafa’s eyes widened slightly. Even with only a sliver of moonlight, her flushing cheeks were clearly visible. She muttered in a small voice, “Stupid human… the fact that only the two of us know is even more of a problem…”
“What was that?”
“Nothing!”
She stared at Siloque’s hand, then slowly raised her right hand, tentatively reaching out. Her tiny, pale hand opened and closed slightly in mid-air.
“Ac—actually, never mind… mew! “
Inafa let out a strange cry.
Siloque simply grabbed her hand and pulled her over. Caught off guard, the little vampire was drawn into his embrace.
“It’s okay. I’m right here.”
By the time Inafa realized what was happening, she was already hugging him.
Confusion, helplessness, agitation, and the sense of security brought by his warmth made her heart beat frantically. She quickly pushed away a little, but still gripped his trench coat tightly.
In a slightly distorted voice, she said, “This is a special circumstance, an act of God! That’s right, human!”
“? What are you talking about…”
The golden-eyed vampire suddenly grabbed his collar and slammed her forehead against his, making Siloque’s eyes tear up. With a sharp tug, the distance between them closed instantly.
“…Ka—kakaka! Since you already know my secret anyway, I’ll specially allow you to serve as my ladder!”
Her attitude was condescending, but her bright red face and panicked eyes completely betrayed her.
“Brother, Illyon, aren’t you coming down yet? It’s been so long…” Hill shouted from beneath the tree.
The tree was over ten meters high, and it was night. Even with her good eyesight, she couldn’t see exactly what was happening up there. She gently placed the bamboo basket on the ground. Although a Soundproof Barrier had been set up at the roots, she still raised her Tower Shield, struggling to resist the urge to pull out her mobile phone to play games.
At that moment, Siloque and Inafa were preparing to descend.
Unlike a week ago — aside from the occasional accidental brush in the kitchen — this was the first time Inafa had taken the initiative to let Siloque hold her hand or even grab his collar.
The method of descent involved Siloque carrying Inafa on his back, secured with a rescue harness.
“Hey, Inafa, you have to wrap your arms around my neck. You can’t just hold my waist.”
“Is… is that so?”
“Not enough, tighter.”
“Hmph!”
Inafa hugged him tightly from behind, her hot breath puffing against the side of his neck.
“Hehehe…”
“Human, don’t make such perverted laughs!”
“I didn’t. I was just trying to lighten the mood.”
“Ugh… as I thought, using the Blood Spirit would have been better… this is such a waste of magic…”
Through his trench coat, he could still feel her slightly elevated body temperature. Her body was pressed close against his, her small arms wrapped around his neck, and her legs hooked around his waist.
For safety, Siloque even supported her buttocks with his left hand. To this, she showed no reaction.
He could somewhat understand Tiana’s feelings when she acted as a chair. As the saying goes — children’s bodies were the best to hold. He even felt a slight urge to shake her a bit just to scare her into hugging him tighter.
Inafa suddenly leaned into his ear and whispered, “I have shown great mercy by allowing you to touch me. If you dare use ‘the wind is too strong’ as an excuse to shake me, I will twist your head off.”
“I absolutely wasn’t thinking that.”
Despite her dangerous words, she hugged him even tighter.
It had only taken Hill 30 seconds to get down the tree. It took Siloque and Inafa a full 5 minutes to reach the ground. Siloque even intentionally circled behind the tree before bringing her out to meet Hill.
“Brother, why did you two come out from that side… what were you doing up there? You weren’t being lovey-dovey, were you, Brother?”
“You’re the first one to suspect me, dear sister.”
“Not really. We were just…”
“Kaka, the little game we played tonight was all for this.” Inafa crossed her arms and lightly kicked the bamboo basket with her foot.
“Right, right! Hill, let me show you.”
Whether intentional or not, Inafa successfully changed the subject. Siloque took the opportunity to lift the black cloth and open the bamboo basket.
The attention of the other two was immediately drawn toward it.
Inside the basket was a little Snake-kin girl. Her snake body seemed to have only undergone six moltings, making her about 8-year-old. Her long hair was messy, and her tiny hands were stained with mud, clearly showing she was a playful child. She was sleeping fitfully, and when she turned her head, she was even drooling.
“…Tsk, this feels unpleasant.” Hill wanted to reach out and touch her green scales, but Siloque stopped her. He frowned, using a tissue to gently wipe the girl’s face.
“Those two snake women… so they were human traffickers.”
Although it was a common, evil act involving Human Alchemy, it was still nauseating.
The departing Yalier and Anmiu would surely report this incident. For the next month, they would be investigating the mastermind, and no more abductions would occur during that time.
And this month was the key — it depended on whether Cass and the others could complete their Dungeon Task and eliminate the Hidden Boss, Baruma.
Yalier and Anmiu had been ordered to send the girls of their tribe to Baruma. Baruma would violate them first and then murder them to use as ingredients for refining medicine. This behavior had been going on for a year, with at least ten girls having been victimized.
“That damned old beast…” Siloque took a deep breath, suppressing his killing intent.
“As expected of a child. Is she food or material?”
“Refining medicine.”
“Inafa, your guess was spot on. These children are bargaining chips for a deal.”
“Kaka, mages without Talent love to waste resources.” Inafa covered her mouth and chuckled, her tone filled with contempt.
“Brother, what do we do next? If we let her join us, we’ll have enough for a game of mahjong. But more than that, Hill is more curious about that thing from before…” Her gaze drifted toward the direction of the Secret Chamber they had just left.
“Oh, Hill, actually, there’s another important matter I need to entrust to you. You’re the only one who can do it.” Siloque diverted the subject before Hill could press her question.
Hill looked at him suspiciously for a moment before smiling helplessly. “Fine. What is it? Hill will definitely help Brother finish it.”
Under Siloque’s lead, they arrived at the outskirts of the Serpent-kin Territory. Hill put on her Bluetooth headset and entered ‘Stealth Walker’ mode. Carrying the bamboo basket, she bypassed the gates and guards under Siloque’s direction and delivered the girl back to the doorstep of her mother’s home.
Shortly after, the sound of a woman crying tears of joy echoed through the silent forest.
***
June 1, Tuesday.
How many times had it been now?
The echoes of clashing weapons, battle cries, and skill explosions from the Mock Battle Arena rang through the hallway. After school, these sounds gradually faded.
Sunlight poured in through the window. Cass stood at the entrance of the Health Room, only 3 centimeters from the door, yet he hesitated to move.
Ever since Siloque had stopped coming to school, Cass would come here from time to time. Yet, he always stopped at the door.
He gathered his courage and reached for the doorknob — then stopped and let his hand fall.
“Maybe I’ll forget it for today…”
“Yeah, definitely next time.”
“I’ll go grind some monsters to calm my mind first and come back tomorrow.”
According to the information, they had to set out for the Dungeon Task on the 10th, or the quest would expire. Theoretically, there was still one week left, so it wasn’t too urgent.
Though he had thought the same thing yesterday, the day before that, and the day before that…
Click —
The door suddenly opened.
“I saw a shadow flickering by the door the whole time. So it was you.”
“Hello, Classmate Cass. Is something wrong? Do you have a stomachache, or are you on your period?”
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