Bear School Astartes

Chapter 421. Join the Journey

"You are a high-ranking vampire, such powerful creatures I’ve only seen described briefly in books."

Lann calmly looked at Regis across from him.

"Extremely hard to kill, even if dismembered for decades can resurrect, can move like black fog, even fly high in the sky on full moon nights... Just now when I thought you were a spy, you had plenty of opportunities to attack me, but you didn’t. So I’ll temporarily assume you’re like me and won’t suddenly go on a killing spree, okay?"

"Perfectly reasonable."

The high-ranking vampire nodded politely yet warmly.

"Actually, when you invited me into your cabin... it felt a bit like a plot from a knight’s novel."

The Demon Hunter raised his eyebrows and spoke with a slightly curious expression.

"It’s like the ’powerful recluse, hides identity to follow the novel’s protagonist, observes character, then decides to reward or punish’ thing... Is that my misconception? I must admit, the way you observe me is one reason I initially mistook you for a spy."

Initially, when Lann began sharing his feelings, Regis was able to maintain a calm demeanor.

But as the Demon Hunter continued, the expression of the high-ranking vampire became increasingly awkward.

He started instinctively averting his gaze, licking his lips... a clear sign of guilt.

At least these high-ranking vampires aren’t far off from humans in small gestures.

The Demon Hunter looked at the other, the atmosphere in the cabin fell silent again, but unlike before, the lull this time was—awkwardness.

"Slap-"

Lann slapped his forehead, his charming cat eyes revealing confusion.

"So it’s true?! You want to observe me? Like a sage from a knight’s novel observing the protagonist? I..."

Lann almost couldn’t help but curse.

And this time it wasn’t out of anger, it was because of absurdity.

Regis seemed to realize his impulsive idea was indeed somewhat theatrical, and being ’observed’ by Lann had directly revealed his original intentions, which made it even more awkward.

So the high-ranking vampire’s cheeks went as red as a tomato, and he tilted his head sideways.

Like a comedian who botched his performance on stage.

"What’s become of the world? Vampire ’sage’ tests Demon Hunter ’knight’?!"

Lann still found it hard to believe this absurd scenario.

While Regis finally seemed to have broken free from his sense of shame, muttering quietly.

"I’m not a typical vampire! I’m a high-ranking vampire! Plus, I’m a ’Blood Prohibition Faction’ abstainer! I’ve lived among humans for years."

This statement, Lann could indeed confirm was true.

Although the Demon Hunter’s extraordinary sense of smell was captivated by the herbal scent on Regis, upon confirming the other as a vampire, Lann had already used [Spirit Vision] to observe him.

Although Lann’s [Spirit Vision] hasn’t progressed to seeing ’ghosts’ or ’grudges’.

Yet [Spirit Vision] now provides visual ability far surpassing Demon Hunter’s senses, allowing Lann to see the long-term residue of blood.

Regis’ teeth and oral cavity not only had no traces of human blood, but hadn’t touched a drop of animal blood in years.

Therefore, when Lann confirmed Regis was a vampire, his initial attitude seemed favorable.

"So, a high-ranking vampire from the Blood Prohibition Faction invites a Demon Hunter to spend the night in his cabin, actually because he heard I killed ruthlessly and wanted to see if justice needed to be upheld?"

Lann snorted coldly.

And with his words, Regis, who had just raised his head slightly, lowered it again.

"...I got it right again?! You’re really here to stand for justice?!"

The Demon Hunter’s already large eyes widened a bit more.

He could understand Regis’s mindset to stand up for justice, after all, he had slaughtered over two hundred soldiers in one night, the first reaction anyone hearing that story would probably be ’too terrifying’, ’mad killer’, or something like that.

Truly patient people who want to understand the reasons aren’t many anywhere.

If someone capable and conscientious comes across it, surely they’d ask.

It’s just like when he insisted on handling Steza’s mess back then.

A simple sense of justice.

Regis is a high-ranking vampire, to be honest, this species indeed holds superiority over humans.

He believes himself capable, so he wanted to observe Lann’s true character, it makes sense logically. But...

But Lann truly hadn’t thought he’d encounter this!

"I apologize for suspecting you, Lann."

Regis suddenly lifted his embarrassed, flushed face.

"I’m very sorry! But now I know you aren’t a power-hungry, indiscriminate killer with psychiatric issues. You have your own moral values and principles, insights, your actions are decisions made based on this foundation."

Regis didn’t expect, as a high-ranking vampire of such great age, an impulsive idea to observe a rising human, but the other had seen through his inner thoughts directly.

No matter the age, one can’t handle such embarrassing things!

"No, don’t say anything."

Lann rubbed his forehead, sighed.

"I now know you’re a vampire from the Blood Prohibition Faction, you now know I’m not psychotic... this comedy at least has a good ending, rather than a clichéd happy start sad finish. So that’s it."

"I... absolutely agree."

Regis replied with a sigh of relief.

And so, this night passed under the gaze of the awkward vampire and the resigned Demon Hunter.

The next morning, as Lann was loading saddles onto Bopai again, Regis also stood outside the cabin.

His hand gripping the leather strap of his messenger bag across his chest, looking like a tax collector ready for a journey.

The previous night’s awkwardness and tension had vanished, the barber physician running a shop in Dillingen transformed back into his composed and wise demeanor.

The long lifespan high-ranking vampire ultimately has accomplished much in emotional regulation.

The vampire claimed that he would support the Demon Hunter in the journey ahead as compensation for his abruptness last night.

It’s just that Lann felt, maybe his impulsive desire hadn’t entirely passed, so he wanted to accompany him a bit further.

Long-lived species aren’t shy about spending time doing something.

The Demon Hunter didn’t refuse, after all, many abilities of high-ranking vampires are indeed powerful and useful.

Like vaporized form, low-altitude flight, and such.

Another thing, Regis could tell him stories about vampires.

A vampire worthy of initial trust is hard to find.