Sam gained valuable knowledge during the conversation, including insights into the clairvoyance abilities of the Uranashi clan. They also learned about the current vampire king, who is considered the progenitor of vampires and one of the oldest beings in existence, as well as the existence of Nightingale, the renowned Moonlight City.
Unlike Sam, vampires do not rely on cultivation for power. Instead, they harness their superior physical strength and remarkable regenerative abilities. Even if all their limbs were severed, vampires would swiftly regenerate them, making them virtually indestructible. This resilience contributes to their reputation as formidable creatures.
To permanently eliminate a vampire, both their heart and brain must be destroyed. Merely killing one of these vital organs would result in complete regeneration. Sunlight can be lethal to vampires, and exposure to it has the potential to cause their demise. Additionally, vampires can be poisoned using werewolf venom as another method of killing them.
However, the specifics of werewolf venom will be explored at a later time.
While vampires possess an almost eternal lifespan, they are not truly immortal, as they can be killed. Unlike humans, vampires do not require cultivation to extend their lives since they already possess inherent longevity.
Their power and strength are primarily determined by their age. The older a vampire is, the stronger they become. This progression mirrors the concept of evolution, similar to how humans evolved from primates and birds evolved from theropod dinosaurs. Just as snakes evolved from legged reptiles, vampires and werewolves have also undergone their own evolutionary transformations. The key factor in their development is the passage of time.
In summary, vampires and werewolves possess distinct attributes and abilities that set them apart from ordinary beings. While vampires rely on their regenerative powers and physical prowess, werewolf venom and sunlight can prove fatal to them. The longevity and power of vampires increase with age, akin to the gradual evolution seen in various species throughout history.
"They are such mysterious beings," Sam contemplated silently.
However, their lineage held immense significance, as it was the primary source of their strength. That's when things became intricate.
Most vampires could trace their ancestry back to five ancient beings: the four vampire progenitors and the vampire king. The fifth progenitor currently held the position of the king.
Vampires could be categorized into two types: noble vampires, who possessed superior abilities and were considered the ruling class, and Plebian vampires, who were inferior due to their conversion from other beings of different races, such as humans, through a vampire ritual devised by Sam's ancestors.
In the past, there existed a harmonious relationship between the Magi and vampires, characterized by mutual support and collaboration.
This relationship was built on reciprocity. The vampires would gain access to the Magi's craftsmanship, artifacts, technological designs, and various resources, enabling them to live luxurious lives. In return, they would share their wealth and resources, and never resort to attacking, killing, or invading Arcane.
When Sam discovered the connection between Arcane and Nightingale, he was taken aback.
"How is it possible that we were unaware of this relationship?" Sam inquired, genuinely surprised. He had no knowledge of any kind of transaction or interaction taking place. There were no signs of foreigners mingling with the residents of Arcane.
"That's because any meeting or potential interaction between us and the vampires was kept strictly secret," Jin explained. "Only our mages traveled to Nightingale to transport or receive resources. Besides, how do you think people would react if they knew about our relationship with one of the most self-centered and enigmatic races? We had to go through great lengths to maintain peace."
Sam simply nodded, his mind racing with thoughts. Suddenly, he remembered something and turned to face his grandfather. "Did the vampire reveal the location where he keeps the people he abducted?"
Both his grandfathers exchanged weary glances, recalling the events that unfolded after Sam had lost consciousness due to excessive blood loss.
"No, because he never kidnapped anyone," Anos declared, his voice tinged with fatigue, as memories of Kinley and Eiyu's ordeal resurfaced.
Everyone was startled by his revelations, expressing disbelief. They had been convinced that they had finally captured the long-sought-after killer. However, upon discovering the truth, their concerns escalated instantly.
"We have verified the information, and we are certain," Anos said, grasping his head as if experiencing a severe headache.
"If he didn't abduct those individuals, then who did?" Xenovia inquired, her voice filled with worry.
...
The scene was distressing, as a man cried out in his final moments before collapsing to the ground, lifeless. Onlookers found themselves torn between relief that he no longer had to suffer in this terrible situation and sadness over his tragic demise.
Numerous individuals were in a similar state as the deceased man, with some gasping for their last breath, while others clung desperately to a glimmer of hope, yearning for someone to rescue them from their wretched existence.
"Hey, save some for me," a vampire with blonde hair remarked callously, sinking his teeth into a hero in his late thirties. The hero writhed in agony, struggling to remain conscious, but his efforts were futile due to severe blood loss.
"Rest assured, I won't consume all of our provisions," the other vampire responded to his blonde companion. This vampire had long, dark brown hair and wore only pants, leaving his chest exposed to the audience.
"We still need them for that machine, so try not to drink too much," cautioned one of the vampires. Three more vampires approached, all bearing the same expressions, hair color, and eye color. One of the triplets wore glasses.
"Hey there, folks. How's that machine of yours coming along?" The blonde vampire chuckled at his own joke as he tossed the hero's lifeless body into the dark forest.
"Actually, we're triplets, not 'dicklets'," one of the siblings retorted, unable to hold back a snort. "And to answer your question, yes, the machine is progressing quite well," added another triplet, picking up where his brother had left off.
"I estimate that we'll have it completed in just three days," the brother with the glasses chimed in, adjusting them with two fingers while displaying a sadistic grin.
WHIZZ! WHIZZ!
A soft, whirling sound caught their attention. They turned to see a sizable formation, nearly thirty meters in diameter, housing a large, multicolored stone that emitted a vibrant, radiant glow. As the waves of energy intensified, the surrounding mana grew stronger, accompanied by a series of mesmerizing sounds that piqued the interest of nearby creatures.
"Ah..."
"Please, make it stop..."
"Just end it all..."
Sobs and pleas mingled with the enchanting sounds of the stone.
"This is going to be quite entertaining," one of the vampires remarked, their voice filled with anticipation.