"Your descendant also died in the demon worship incident this time? Why didn't the Church report it?" Katrina asked with a trace of surprise.
Vampires were just as "evil" an existence as mages in the eyes of the Church — they could have easily pinned the blame on the vampire as well.
Viscount Carlandia swirled the red wine in his glass. "He was a descendant I sired during a previous visit to the Shahran Empire — an accomplished noble. So when the Church identified him as a vampire from the corpse, the nobles pressured them to keep it quiet, to avoid tarnishing the nobility's image. Besides, the 'evil' mages were already shouldering all the blame."
"Is that so. Then, Viscount, have you found any clues?" Katrina nodded slightly, her doubts eased, and asked with genuine expectation — hoping this vampire viscount who had also found the cemetery might have more to go on.
Viscount Carlandia leaned lazily against the tree trunk, looking nothing like a vampire who cared about his image. "Although I can sense a descendant's death from a distance, I can't tell which one it was. By the time I gathered intelligence and got here, most of the useful clues were long gone. I probably have less than what you've already uncovered."
"Have you examined the knight's body? What seal was used on his bloodline power?" Katrina asked while using arcane magic to open the crypt, though she hadn't abandoned her basic precautions. An "acquaintance" was still an acquaintance — that didn't mean danger was ruled out.
"I am quite skilled at identifying all manner of marks on corpses." Viscount Carlandia looked as though Katrina had asked exactly the right person, then gave a slight shake of his head. "But there has to be a body for me to examine."
Katrina paused. "You mean there's no body in the crypt?"
The crypt opened, and the coffin floated out slowly under the power of magic. Then the black lid swung aside, revealing the interior — containing only a few noble garments and an urn of ashes.
"If we could think to suspect the body, do you think the people who organized the demon worship gathering wouldn't? From what I've gathered, even though the nobles hushed things up, the dual identity of vampire and demon worshiper made them anxious — so they performed a 'purification by fire' first, then buried the remains." Viscount Carlandia stood bathed in silver moonlight, his features shifting between light and shadow.
Dual identity — vampire and demon worshiper? So this knight was indeed the viscount's descendant… Katrina thought to herself.
"I've looked into his family and found nothing suspicious. The people he regularly socialized with are all part of noble circles. With Heavenly Knights and Cardinals watching over them, a systematic investigation on our end isn't really feasible. It'd be simpler to sneak into the Tribunal and look through the Church's investigation records." Viscount Carlandia let out a bitter laugh.
That sounds remarkably similar to my own "plan," Katrina muttered inwardly. "I could request assistance from a high-ranking mage through the Council."
You could ask your father or someone similar to help — they should be powerful vampires of the Count or Duke class.
"When it comes to a descendant who hasn't yet faced real danger, I — as the 'head of the family' — must personally track down the killer." Viscount Carlandia said this rare earnestness on his face.
Head of the family… Looking at the viscount's youthful, handsome face and his striking golden hair, Katrina felt a sudden sense of the absurd — these long-lived races truly were something to marvel at. Much like high-ranking mages who had extended their lifespans while preserving their youth, if nothing went wrong, they could live to see their great-great-great-grandchildren… For a woman barely in her twenties, it was beyond imagination.
"During this time, I started by investigating the mage who died here, tracing everyone he'd had contact with. But aside from a few people who saw him during certain transactions, nobody ever saw him while he was adventuring or working. No one knew who he was operating with — he must have been concealing his appearance. Do you have any leads on that?" Viscount Carlandia had finally revealed the real purpose of showing himself.
Katrina considered her situation — alone and thinly supported here. Even with Hedy's latest research in hand, Kalkat City was the third-largest city in the northern provinces, and there were plenty of people on par with or stronger than her, including several Heavenly Knights and Cardinals. Another ally would only improve their odds. So she selected the key points from what she'd learned from Yakov and shared them with Viscount Carlandia.
"Sir Duda — my descendant also moved in circles that included him. It seems he really is quite suspicious." When Viscount Carlandia said this, his voice took on an almost poetic cadence, the languor sweeping away from his expression as his golden eyes gleamed with light.
More importantly, Sir Duda had always seemed mysterious — he was already one of the viscount's persons of interest.
"So far, most of the leads have gone cold. The two or three that remain all point to Sir Duda. Perhaps we should find an opportunity to 'pay him a visit.' Katrina — care to join me?" The viscount had apparently decided they were on familiar terms, addressing her by her first name with easy warmth.
Katrina offered a faint smile. "I was actually going to invite you myself, Viscount. But Sir Duda is currently staying at a villa in the Nobility District, very close to the Count of Kalkat's estate and the Heavenly Knights' residence. We'll probably have to wait for a better opportunity."
"He'll leave the city eventually." Viscount Carlandia drained the last of his wine, flicked his right hand, and spread his black cloak behind him like a pair of bat wings. "When that happens, I'll come invite you."
He seemed to merge with the darkness, rising higher and higher, until only a faint laugh and a parting quip drifted back: "He has powerful backers behind him — but do we not have our own? Perhaps even more powerful, more… eccentric. Heh heh…"
"More eccentric…" Katrina unconsciously repeated, then glanced left and right before patting her own chest. "I almost followed his lead and used 'eccentric' to describe the Teacher. Good thing she isn't here…"
Time passed quickly. In a swirl of anxiety and anticipation, Yakov accepted his knightly commission and became Sir Yakov, receiving an estate outside the city and a parcel of land in the wastelands. He packed his belongings and set out for the estate with Anna and the rest of his retainers.
"Sister Katrina, are you really not coming with us?" Anna's eyes were brimming with tears, reluctant to part with this older-sister-like friend. Having lost her mother in childhood, she was starved for the care of an older woman.
Yakoff coughed and stammered, "Actually — actually, Katrina, you also need to find somewhere to stay… Staying at an inn costs money, you know."
Katrina shook her head with a smile. "I've found a few companions who want to explore the underground of the wastelands together, so I'll be moving with them. I appreciate the offer, truly. Once this expedition is over, I'll come visit you at the estate."
By then, it would be time for a proper farewell.
"Sister Katrina, you found new companions? How come I didn't know?" Anna asked, puzzled.