Reincarnated as a Vampire Who Acquires Skills Through Blood

Chapter 47: 47 - An Assault

(Kael’s POV)

”...”

Right now... I couldn’t help but let a deep frown settle on my face. The Saintess and the rest of our group are currently sat down, forced to eat a formal dinner at the City Lord’s Residence.

Me and the others were officially summoned by him earlier. Out of a sense of basic courtesy— and to avoid making unnecessary enemies— we complied and answered his call, even though we had just returned from a whole day of expedition down in the dark levels of the labyrinth dungeon.

But when we finally arrived at his massive mansion, we weren’t greeted with a quiet place to rest. Instead, we were met with a full-blown party.

A large number of knights were already there, mingling and drinking alongside the local barons and various other high-ranking officials.

We were all so confused when we first saw the scale of the event, and that was when the City Lord himself stepped forward to greet us. He welcomed us with a fake, wide smile and told us that he had prepared this ”small” gathering specifically to celebrate our group’s safe arrival in the city.

But we all knew better than that. His true intentions were not welcoming at all...

’He’s just flaunting his power to the other nobles, basically telling them that he is important enough to summon the Saintess and her paladins on his call whenever he pleases.’

And knowing that simple fact was incredibly annoying, not just to me, but to the rest of the squad as well... Especially the Saintess, who was already in a very bad mood ever since that incident yesterday with those arrogant young knights at the church.

Anyway--

”Haaaah...”

I couldn’t do anything but let out a long, tired sigh. It’s not like we could just stand up and leave after having arrived not long ago.

If we walked out now, it would be us who appeared to be the rude ones, not the City Lord who forced this on us.

’I really hate politics and these complicated, fake schemes they all play.’

At times like this, I can’t help but remember our journey on the way here; everything felt so much more peaceful and simple back then. Now, after being in this city for barely a day, we’re already reaching our wit’s end.

Speaking of our journey on the way here--

’I wonder how Verc is doing right now.’

I had really grown to like him during our travels. He’s a super diligent and disciplined guy when it comes to his training. I’m sure every person in my squad felt the same way, and it goes without saying that the Saintess did as well.

Neither of those two would ever actually want to admit it out loud, but they had become a bit close recently— more so after Onyx joined us.

”Well, I’m sure Verc will be doing just fine on his own. He’s a calm and level-headed guy, after all.”

I mumbled that quietly to myself.

Just then, as I was about to put a small piece of expensive steak into my mouth--

”M-Master, there is a serious problem!”

I heard a guard exclaim those words as he rushed into the room, heading straight for the City Lord.

His voice was so loud and panicked that it made every single person in the room stop what they were doing. All heads turned toward him instantly. The Saintess was sitting at the same main table as the City Lord and the other local nobles, so her attention was immediately caught as well.

”What is the meaning of this? Don’t you see that we’re having a welcome party here? This better be something extremely urgent.”

The Lord of the City said, looking clearly annoyed as he was interrupted while talking with the other nobles, probably right in the middle of bragging about his power.

”A man has just assaulted the eldest son of Count Auden and his entire group in an inn near the dungeon!”

But ignoring his annoyance; the guard stated that news with a grim and terrified look on his face. His words made me perk up my ears, and the rest of the people in the room did the same.

”Apparently, they had thrown some dog out into the street, and when the owner of the dog showed up and learned what they had done— he beat them all up!”

The guard added that, and hearing the motive behind the fight made my brows furrow even deeper. I looked over at my squad members and they all looked back at me with wide eyes. We all turned our gaze toward the Saintess, and seeing the sharp frown on her face, it seemed like we were all thinking of the exact same person.

”What did you just say?”

The City Lord asked the guard, his voice dropping an octave.

”How badly hurt are they?”

He followed up quickly.

Then, as the guard’s face darkened further—

”All of their limbs were crushed beyond any hope of recovery, and they were left right at death’s door.”

The guard slowly opened his mouth and declared that horrific detail.

”...!”

The City Lord’s eyes widened in shock and he unconsciously stood up from his chair. The other nobles at their table were equally surprised and horrified by the news.

”...”

I was completely speechless. I really didn’t know how to react to that news.

”Where is the madman that did that to them?!”

The City Lord asked in a massive hurry, his face turning pale.

”I must personally present his head to the Count as an apology for this!”

He said, sounding desperate.

But with a very nervous and shaky look on his face—

”The man beat up the guards stationed at the dungeon entrance and fled inside of it.”

The guard mumbled that.

”...”

I could see the City Lord’s face turning a bright red in anger. He was literally trembling with annoyance and fear. He turned to the other knights who were in the room, the ones who had been drinking and feasting just a moment ago, and opening his mouth—

”Form a search team immediately! We must quickly seize that bastard as fast as we possibly can!”

He ordered that, his voice echoing loudly inside the large room.

The knights in the room immediately started moving around busily, grabbing their gear. The City Lord began asking the local barons for their personal help to catch the criminal, and while all that chaos was happening— the Saintess slipped away from the high table and joined us.

”Did you guys hear all of that clearly?”

She asked as soon as she arrived at our side.

We all nodded our heads in a solemn manner.

The Saintess frowned, and with her lips parting—

”Are you guys thinking that it was Verc and Onyx that they were just talking about?”

She asked that directly.

”...”

None of us said anything for a long while. We just looked at each other, but eventually— we all slowly nodded our heads.

We were all just assuming that it was Verc; there was no absolute certainty based on the vague description we had just heard... but for some reason, our guts were telling us that we were right.

’If it really is him... he didn’t hold back at all.’

I thought to myself, feeling a chill run down my spine. Crushing the limbs of six people beyond recovery was a level of violence that spoke of pure, unbridled rage. I remembered how Verc treated Onyx— he really did love that little guy. If those knights really did hurt the dog, then Verc’s reaction made sense, even if it was terrifying.

The Saintess looked like she was deep in thought, her eyes flickering with a mix of worry and something else I couldn’t quite name.

Before we could discuss it any further— the sound of heavy footsteps approached our table.

The City Lord walked toward us, leaving the other nobles behind. His face was no longer just red from anger; he looked desperate now, his hands slightly trembling as he adjusted his expensive clothes. He stopped right in front of the Saintess and gave a stiff, hurried bow.

”Saintess Elianna, I apologize for the chaotic turn this evening has taken.”

He said, his voice straining to remain polite.

”But surely you understand the gravity of the situation. The eldest son of Count Auden is a very important figure. If he dies here, or if his attacker is not caught, it will be a stain on this city’s reputation— and mine.”

The Saintess didn’t say anything immediately. She just watched him with a cold, neutral expression that made even me feel a bit nervous.

”What is it that you want from us, City Lord?”

She asked.

The City Lord took a step closer, his eyes darting toward me and the rest of the squad.

”That madman is hiding in the labyrinth now. My own guards are... well, they are competent, but they are not seasoned dungeon explorers like you and your holy knights.”

He paused, licking his lips nervously before continuing.

”You have been down there all day. You know the layout of the upper floors better than anyone currently in this room. I am formally asking for your cooperation in this hunt.”

He looked at each of us, his gaze practically pleading.

”Help my search team find this criminal. With your skills and the Saintess’s guidance, that bastard won’t be able to hide for long. We must bring him to justice before he can escape deeper into the dark.”

I felt my stomach drop at his words.

’This is the worst possible situation.’

I thought, glancing at the others. We were all stuck between a corrupt Lord and a friend who had apparently just gone on a rampage.

”Please, Saintess... tell me we can count on your support.”

The City Lord added, waiting for an answer that none of us wanted to give.