On the Rhine River at night, fishing boats and merchant ships were still bustling, their lights twinkling on the gently flowing water. Fars quietly watched as Lilith fell asleep, marking the true beginning of his day. After coaxing Yuna to lie down, he gently lifted the tent flap, avoiding the watchful eyes of the adventurers on guard, and flew straight towards Yao City, two hundred miles away.
At the pace of the merchant convoy, the journey of two hundred miles would take until noon the next day to complete. However, Fars could easily cover that distance in just an hour. His purpose for visiting Yao City was not only to find some delicious food but also to scout this major city in the Rhine Kingdom for any hidden dangers. After all, now that he was disguised as a mage, he had to blend in with the merchant convoy during the day. If anyone noticed something amiss, it would be difficult to ensure the safety of Lilith and the others.
The city gates of Yao City were already closed, but that wouldn't stop a vampire from entering through the skies. It was said that during the Nesser era, many large cities would activate anti-air magic formations after closing their gates to prevent unlawful intrusions. At that time, the number of mages was significant, representing a multitude of uncontrollable factors. To maintain order within the city, strict regulations were imposed on mages, even fostering a certain aversion towards unfamiliar mages. Unlike today, where a high-ranking mage would be treated with great respect.
The layout of the city was quite ordinary, with several main streets crisscrossing to form over a dozen districts. The most prominent building was the Yoseta, which Fars had already heard about. It was said to have become the territory of the Magic Guild, and Fars deliberately avoided that area while flying to prevent attracting the attention of any perceptive mages. For ordinary people, this was the time to rest and recharge for the next day's labor. However, for mages engrossed in the arcane arts, it was not uncommon to lose sleep over sudden inspirations, sometimes even studying for days on end. Therefore, Fars was unwilling to approach the brightly lit Yoseta.
But it wasn't just the Yoseta that was lively at night; many places in Yao City were bustling with activity. In a large city, there were many wealthy individuals, and the noble merchants who indulged in a life of excess loved to revel while others were peacefully asleep.
With his exceptionally handsome face and dressed in noble attire, Fars easily blended into a lively mansion filled with music and dance. His unfamiliar yet striking appearance drew countless glances, and beautiful noblewomen approached him to strike up conversations. It felt as if he were wandering in his own home, and no one suspected why someone with such charisma would be at the banquet.
Most of the hosts and guests gathered in the main hall, which Fars avoided. In such crowded spaces, it was difficult to navigate the complexities of identity. Instead, he preferred the quieter gardens and small sitting rooms, where many noble youths engaged in secret affairs and melancholy ladies lingered. If he wished, he could easily charm someone willing to spend a long night with him.
Lady Osyka, having indulged in a few drinks with her friends, felt slightly tipsy and sought a private room to rest. Half-reclining on a soft sofa, she didn't care about her slightly disheveled hair. Such private resting rooms typically went undisturbed, preventing any unwanted encounters. Feeling the tightness of her waist-length gown making it hard to breathe, Lady Osyka forced herself to sit up and loosen it, unaware that a pair of fiery eyes were watching her from outside the door.
The person outside was Fars, who had been searching for prey. He had encountered a few attractive young ladies in the garden, but under his predatory gaze, they seemed almost inviting. Believing that the best was yet to come, he temporarily let them go. Just then, he spotted the slightly intoxicated Lady Osyka outside the resting room. He watched her enter, and the closed door couldn't block his magical sight. When she half-opened her eyes, revealing a hint of melancholy, Fars made up his mind and pushed open the door.
Lady Osyka was naturally beautiful, and after a few years of marriage, her figure had become even more voluptuous. With her somewhat aloof demeanor, she was known as a stunning rose in Yao City's high society. Many had long coveted her, but her husband, Marquis Osyka, held significant power in Yao City, deterring anyone from pursuing her. The sudden sound of the door opening startled Lady Osyka. Although her attire was somewhat disheveled, she quickly covered herself with a blanket and firmly addressed Fars, who had fully entered her line of sight, "Please leave. Disturbing someone's rest is hardly gentlemanly."
From her gaze, Fars could read a lot, especially under the unmasked desire he projected. Lady Osyka quickly realized his intentions, and when her warning fell on deaf ears, she screamed in terror.
Fars didn't stop her; he calmly waited for her to cease her cries. He knew that her screams wouldn't penetrate the barrier he had set. Lady Osyka's initial fear gradually morphed into dread, an emotional shift that was hard to conceal. Slowly, she began to appreciate the struggle of her prey, finding it a delightful prelude to her meal.
A weak woman facing an evil vampire, Lady Osyka gradually transitioned from fear to pleasure, as her primal desires began to overwhelm her rationality. The effects of alcohol heightened her sensitivity, and she quickly reached one peak after another. Just as she was about to lose herself in the ecstasy of her body, an unusual pain surged from her neck, sweeping through her entire being. Pain, too, can be a form of stimulation, and in her heightened sensitivity, Lady Osyka surrendered to the explosion of pent-up desire.
Fars listened to the woman beneath him moaning in pleasure, greedily drinking her blood. As her body grew colder in his embrace, he finally ceased his feeding. This time, he didn't bother to hide the evidence; the significant blood loss left Lady Osyka in a poor state, easily noticeable to any passing priest. In a city as large as Yao, the appearance of a vampire wouldn't be too shocking. Moreover, after tonight, Fars would return to the camp and accompany the convoy into Yao City the next day, making it unlikely for anyone to suspect him.
After irresponsibly departing from the mansion, he circled above Yao City for a moment before heading back to the camp under the moonlight.
The next morning, the merchant convoy continued its journey towards Yao City. They finally arrived at the place that many young adventurers had longed for by noon. However, upon entering the city, Fars sensed that something was off in the atmosphere. After inquiring, he learned that the alluring woman from the previous night was no ordinary person.
The news of Lady Elena, the wife of Marquis Osyka, being attacked by a vampire quickly spread throughout the city. The marquis, a significant figure in Yao City, was furious and ordered a citywide search for the vampire who dared to sink its fangs into his wife. Of course, only the host of the banquet that night and a select few knew the full story. To the public, it was declared that she had merely been attacked by a blood clan and had fallen into a coma due to excessive blood loss.
The most active and pleased party was likely the church. The activities of dark forces had been significantly suppressed, and aside from the eastern regions, which remained a stronghold for darkness, the scattered blood clans were few. With no targets to strike, the church lacked opportunities to promote its doctrines, which it was naturally reluctant to see. In recent years, their focus had shifted primarily to combating heretics. Thus, the sudden appearance of a blood clan incident in Yao City delighted the local church officials. If they could resolve this matter for Marquis Osyka and bring the vampire that attacked his wife to the stake, the church would undoubtedly establish a deeper foothold in Yao City.
What Fars hadn't anticipated was that a bishop was stationed here, a result of the Magic Guild's influence. The church, which had long struggled against mages, was now keenly aware of the Magic Guild's dominance. Therefore, they had dispatched a young bishop to oversee church affairs in Yao City, making it a significant place that could rival the capital once the two most powerful forces settled in.
The status of white-robed priests was now on par with high-ranking mages, and the bishop's prestige was not inferior to that of a sorcerer. As the entire city grew tense, Fars observed the large groups of patrolling guards in the streets and wondered if he had jumped into a fire pit by entering the city. Regardless of whether this incident was related to him, if his identity as a vampire were exposed, the church officials would undoubtedly give him no chance to explain.
The handover of the escort mission was quickly completed, and Fars called aside the portly merchant convoy leader, who was as rotund as his wealth, to discuss some matters.
"Your Excellency, the mage requests your presence," was not something a mere merchant could refuse. The merchant, fearing he had offended the mage with inadequate hospitality, felt relieved when he learned that Fars was merely inquiring whether the Rhine River transport would eventually lead to the Roland Empire.
"Could we possibly board your ship?" Fars asked.
The merchant, known for his cunning, quickly calculated in his mind. Refusing was not an option; he knew his place and could not afford to offend Fars. However, accommodating a few extra guests while ensuring the best spots on the ship would be a headache.
Seeing the merchant's dilemma, Fars offered to take on the role of a guard. This proposal was perfect, and the shrewd merchant immediately agreed. Even on the water, a necessary escort was required, and having a mage on board was ideal. Initially, he had feared that Fars would simply consume food and drink without contributing, leaving him helpless if trouble arose. Now, with Fars committed to continuing as an escort for him and his cargo heading north, everything seemed to work out perfectly.