Chapter 1007: 16.53 First Red Star - Before the nightfall
Chapter 1007: 16.53 First Red Star - Before the nightfall
Earl Thana Daybreak had sped up the preparations for her husband's rescue owing to the urgent letter that had been delivered to her, but the preparations were only completed after three days, and it was only on that day that she notified her children of her departure.
On the third day of the preparation period, she prepared a modest feast for these youngsters to enjoy and watched them eat joyfully. Even Athan Vladimir, who seldom consumes human food because he believes it is painful to seal his lineage, couldn't say no to the Vampire Princess and still did so.
He was hesitant to consume human food because the last time he ate one was when humans only seasoned their food with salt, regardless of whether it was boiled, fried, steamed, or whatever. Everything is salted, leaving him with a scar on his tongue and preventing him from consuming human food for generations. But as he took a bite of the chicken curry Earl Thana had prepared for them, his eyes opened with excitement.
Gulps!
Athan Vladimir was in awe, "What is this? This is food? How can it be... How can it be yummy!? Munch. munches." He started eating like a starving one.
Asher Light asked with a strange expression on his face, "When was the last time you ate human food? You don't even know what chicken curry is?"
"It's useless to ask him. I heard the last time he ate human food was during that time food innovations hadn't been discovered yet." Conri Lycaon shared this private information about the former Blood Clan's Heir.
Esther Dawn looked at Athan Vladimir with a pitying look, "That's a few centuries before. Good thing you didn't die from malnutrition. What have you been eating before?"
"Mostly animal blood. Though that itself is also disgusting, at least it is more adjustable than human blood." Athan Vladimir answered after cleaning up his rice bowl while asking for seconds.
Amber Dawn said, "The scent itself was disgusting. I couldn't hold back puking unless I'm in battle."
"You are already good enough to control your thirst in last night's fights. Even when I puke the first time I smell human blood. It's hard for those with pure bloodline, the scent itself felt like the smell of a rotting corpse." Athan Vladimir said.
Asher Light banged his bowl to the table and glared at Athan Vladimir, "Stop talking! We are eating. Don't be disgusting!"
"Fine. I'll focus on eating then." Athan Vladimir once again buried his face in his rice bowl after getting his second big serving of rice.
Esther Dawn Instead looked at his younger sister. Even though he is half-blood, the aroma of blood is still quite appetizing for him but he had witnessed his sister vomit even at the scent of their mother's blood.
"Just how strong is the person that must be for you to be unable to control your thirst for blood, Amber? Are you okay with not drinking some?" Esther Dawn asked while feeling worried for his younger sister.
Amber Dawn answered, "Yes, I just feel a bit sleepy if I don't drink blood. Overall, I'm alright. As for how strong the person must be... I am also not sure. When I smell the scent of Instructor Skoll's blood it smells delicious but I don't really feel like drinking it. His blood felt like an expensive alcohol with a fragrance that is tantalizing but I don't dare to drink it. It's that kind of feeling."
A voice interrupts their conversation saying, "That's because the owner of the blood had the ability to make it unpalatable for others as he is not willing to give it to you. Especially for a special being like Fenrir Skoll."
Everyone unexpectedly turned around and saw the casually smiling young priest whose age is almost a millennium.
"Instructor Keylan!" The students all called while Earl Thana bows in a respectful greeting for the Ancestor of all humans.
Keylan Light gestured to the children to continue eating while he passed a clearance letter for Thana Daybreak. "Your request has been approved but only for you and your son. Your daughter still hasn't completely controlled her bloodline so the Progenitor of Blood didn't approve of her leaving. Instead, he allowed her to go home when your family had completely gathered."
When the Earl learned that her daughter hadn't been granted permission to go, she was a little disappointed. She wanted to save her spouse as a family so that they could reunite as soon as possible. Yet she also understood the Progenitor's concerns. While this is most likely not Cassius Ambrosia's intention, a just awakened pureblood with no control over her lineage is indeed perilous. After all, blood suppression may become deadly based on it's user. Esther Dawn realized why their mother had requested a trip for him and his younger sister. Luciel Dawn, their father, must be involved.
"Mom, is there something wrong with Dad?" Asked Esther Dawn which instantly made Amber Dawn worried.
The Vampire Princess asked urgently, "Did something happen to Dad?!"
"It's nothing dangerous yet. Well, all of it was thanks to that boy, Yoru-kun. The first time he realized your Dad's identity, he helped him escape from the chains and dragged him out of the ice pool. Right now, your Dad is about to heal completely. It's just that the Cardinals are a bit hasty lately because the Pope wouldn't wake up. You know that most people in the Templar Temple only feared the Pope but not revered him completely. So those two cardinals tried to control those who weren't in groups. Yoru-kun happened to be one." Thana Daybreak said.
Knowing that Mayonaka Yoru might be in danger, Esther Dawn panicked. Even though he denies that he had any relationship with Mayonaka Yoru, no one can see the worry in his eyes.
Esther Dawn asked, "Did something happen to him? Mom, did something happen to Yoru?"
"Calm down, Este. Yoru-kun is okay. He was lucky enough that the spell used on him was something he could block. He is alright but if he doesn't rescue them as soon as possible they might get in danger. Especially, if the news of your sister being the heir reached their ears. They would definitely try to keep your Dad by their side as a bargaining chip. That's why your Dad sent us a letter informing us to hurry up the preparation three days ago. Tonight we will go." Thana Daybreak said.
Asher Light spoke, "If you are going use the hidden routes to enter from the underground. Your goal is the Water Dungeons, right?"
"Asher... You don't need to help us with this. That place is still... Your home after all." Esther Dawn said.
Asher Light frowned and said, "That's not my home. At the very least I don't want to live in a place that stands on countless corpses." He learned about the dark secrets of his master who kills his disciples for their power and to extend his life. He was so disgusted with the Pope that he no longer wishes to call him his master.
Esther Dawn didn't comment on the Holy Son's words, as he knew more dark truths about the Templar Temple.
"Indeed, the Templar Temple had said to change a lot ever since Pope Kenan Light took the throne. Thank you for your help, Asher." Esther Dawn said to his friend.
Asher Light smiled and said, "No need for thanks. We're friends."
"I want to go too!" Amber Dawn said.
Keylan Light stopped her and said, "Unfortunately, you cannot go little girl. The purer their bloodline is the more it is harder for a vampire to enter a holy temple. That Temple is made from blessed holy stones so... For a pureblood vampire to enter that place without even not being capable of controlling her own abilities is just seeking death."
"Then..." Amber Dawn looked at her mother worriedly as she thought of a way for a Noble class Vampire to enter the Temple.
Thana Daybreak smiled and patted her daughter's hair, "Mom will enter as a human. Your brother is okay as his vampire bloodline being sealed wouldn't affect him much. He would be much stronger than me there."
"Don't worry. I will protect Mom for you, Amber." Esther Dawn promised.
Amber Dawn gave up asking to go even though she is worried about her family. Seeing her like this, Asher Light felt sad for her and made a decision to help them personally.
Asher Light said, "I will go with you. If I show my face then there would hardly be anyone who would dare to move me. At least, I can hold them back until you save Uncle and bring him away."
"NO!"This time Amber and Esther Dawn both didn't agree. They didn't want to put Asher Light in a position where he had to directly confront the whole Templar Temple for their family.
Thana Daybreak said, "I also don't agree. Child, there is no need for you to take action. Even though you are the next heir, as long as the Pope is alive those old men in your Temple would be on his side and not yours. Moreover, don't you know how the Pope increases his strength? What would you do if they started targeting you, in the Temple their authority is still a bit higher than yours as a Holy Son."
When the earl is worried about something or someone, she tends to speak a lot. Although Asher Light is the Holy Son of their enemy faction, he is still a friend of his son and an admirer of her daughter, and he is much younger than Thana Daybreak's generation. She couldn't help but be concerned about him, especially because he is prepared to risk his life for the sake of her family.
Asher Light said, "Then... At least let my people help. They should listen to Esther's commands even if I am not there. Please at least let me do this."
"Okay, I will bring them with me." Esther Dawn remarked.
Conri Lycaon was being silent as he listened to their conversation and mentioned something about his side, "It should be easier to sneak in today. I heard some of the elders of the tribe were planning to infuriate the Templar Temple while the Pope is away. You can use them as a diversion."
"Well, werewolves love to attack head-on. It's better to take that as an opportunity an sneak through the hidden routes and do as you plan to do." Athan Vladimir said. "How nice~ I wanted to watch but I can't just abruptly leave the academy without permission. I don't want to get expelled after all."
"That's why it's a good choice to ask for leave before taking the children away. You did a good job!" Keylan Light said to Thana Daybreak.
Esther Dawn entrusted his sister's care to the other three after lunch. Though he doesn't have much faith in Athan Vladimir, the fact that he helped them that night is enough for him to consider him a friend. As long as Asher Light and Conri Lycaon are around, Amber will be protected while he is away. Amber Dawn sent her mother and eldest brother away after lunch, and they watched them leave from the other side of the gates.
Conri Lycaon thought she was still worried about her family and comforted her, "Don't worry. They should be alright. With Asher's people guiding them, they should be able to sneak in easily."
"Your family will reunite soon, Amber. We will wait for their return with you." Asher Light said.
Athan Vladimir said, "There is no need to worry right? After all, didn't they say that your father is almost completely healed? He is a former cardinal who was said to be stronger than the current one. Would he be not able to defeat two old cardinals?"
The three couldn't find a word to deny Athan Vladimir's words and couldn't only nod in agreement. They all returned to the academy in a lighter mood than before. It seems Athan's words were enough to convince them.