130 Sun-Shattering Bow
H.A.R.M. General's Mansion, Surrey.
Albany Laurent opened his eyes, his gaze sweeping across the assembled crowd. He weighed his next words with characteristic deliberation, each decision carrying the gravity of careful consideration.
After a moment, he nodded. "You will surrender your identification badges and uniforms, and your salaries will be suspended. For the next ten years, you must find honest work in the city and assist with H.A.R.M.'s city guard duties. If your performance proves exceptional, you may apply to rejoin H.A.R.M.—though you will start again as ordinary agents."
"Should you fail to learn from this and commit further transgressions..."
The middle-aged man paused meaningfully. The agents cried out in panic, "We will take our own lives—without a moment's hesitation!"
Hearing this, Albany Laurent gave a slight shake of his head. "That won't be necessary. While I may not excel at many things, killing is something I do quite efficiently. No need for you to handle that task for me."
… …
Shortly after, attendants removed Kourosh's body, while the Black Stone Spring colonels and agents were led out of the courtyard.
Only three figures remained in the courtyard.
Albany Laurent looked at Rose's wrist, his voice filled with tender concern. "Rose, were you wounded by the vampire of that cold spring?"
"I was just a little careless." Rose shook her head dismissively. Getting injured was an occupational hazard for Vampire Hunters.
Albany took a step closer to Rose, his voice tightening with worry. "You should rest and recover at the mansion for now. After I finish the matters at hand, I will go to Black Stone Spring to teach the Toad a lesson."
To his surprise, Rose suddenly averted her gaze and blushed. "There's no need. It's... it's already dead."
Rose, usually so composed, had lost her composure twice in a short while.
Laurent froze, his gaze instinctively shifting to the young man at Rose's side.
Anyone who had risen to the rank of general was no fool.
His eyes widened as he turned to look at me. "Could it be Brother Kane..."
"Who else could it be?" Before I could speak, a smile appeared on Rose's lips, tinged with pride. She vividly described the scene—the black jacket billowing, fists moving like a storm, one man stepping into the sky to fight alone against the four-thousand-year-old Toad Lord.
My eyes twinkled with amusement as I listened. She had completely left out her own role in the battle, and her retelling grew more exaggerated with each detail.
"At that time, I thought he won't make it." Rose finished in one breath, still with lingering fear on her face. "When he walked towards me, I was completely stunned."
Taking in Rose's expression, Albany Laurent's gaze quietly swept back and forth between the two of us, his lips tightening almost imperceptibly.
After so many years as a Vampire Hunter, what storms hadn't she seen?
Her vivid memory of the scene revealed not just its shocking nature, but also how deeply she cared for the one at its center.
Despite Rose's embellishments, the mere fact that the Toad Lord had been slain at Black Stone Spring's doorstep was enough to astonish Albany Laurent.
Having been away from Seattle for so long, he had missed the emergence of such a capable and extraordinary person among the Vampire Hunters.
He should have felt jealous, even harbored resentment and rage. But above his emotional turmoil loomed something more urgent, more sinister, more fateful to everyone in Cascadia—including Rose and himself—that changed his perspective.
General Laurent shook his head, his voice resonating with deep appreciation and respect. "On behalf of H.A.R.M., I thank Brother Kane for eliminating such a grave threat to Cascadia."
At this, Rose snapped back to her senses. She had wanted to tell Albany there was no need to thank Kane on behalf of H.A.R.M., since he was part of H.A.R.M....
But before she could speak, I bowed my head respectfully. "As a Vampire Hunter, it is both my duty and honor to serve, General."
Accumulating merits within H.A.R.M. to exchange for rewards would take too long. It made more sense to have this achievement recorded under the Vampire Hunter's banner instead.
"There's no need for modesty." Laurent said seriously, "Cascadia is on the verge of great chaos. Every additional expert like Brother Kane gives Cascadia a better chance of surviving the vampire scourge."
His words made me look at him in confusion.
Arnold Stark had told me that while Cascadia might be somewhat short on experts, we still had more than enough strength to protect the twelve cities and 205 counties.
Yet from General Laurent's words, I sensed a looming shadow of catastrophe.
Rose's expression darkened. "Is the situation truly that dire?"
Cascadia had enjoyed years of peace. Now, only one thing could disturb this tranquility—the breakthrough of the Ascendant King.
This alone could cause the vampires encircling Cascadia to grow restless once more.
Albany Laurent slowly stood up, the weariness between his brows becoming more pronounced. "I received a reply from Master. The capital has once again refused Cascadia's request for aid. Those Wards of Nature have more important matters to attend to. Even if Cascadia is truly overrun by vampires, we'll have to wait until they finish their tasks before they consider helping us reclaim it."
A resolute look appeared on his scholarly face. "We must rely on ourselves."
Perhaps to lighten the tense atmosphere in the courtyard, he relaxed and walked back to the table. "Holding back three harmonizing vampire lords by myself has left me exhausted... But no matter. Let's turn to more pleasant matters."
Albany lifted the teapot and poured tea for both of us, his smile warm as he said, "Congratulations on your successful Martial Abbey Cleansing, Rose!"
I averted my gaze. From Rose's earlier teasing about junior brothers and sisters, I had already pieced most of it together.
Standing before me was the Admiral's eldest disciple—the one Chandra Banerjee had ranked as second strongest among all Cascadia generals.
"I'll give you my next opportunity for the Abbey Cleansing—you'll only need to wait about three more months. I look forward to seeing you return with even more vigor." Albany finally poured himself a cup of tea.
"What about you?" Rose frowned. Being a Nascent harmonizing warrior nurturing a Redeemed Spirit, he too needed the Martial Abbey Cleansing to replenish his depletion.
"Cascadia can have only one Seeker of Redeemer. I've already reached my limit—taking more won't help. Besides, I don't have time to travel to the capital."
Albany Laurent sat down calmly and took a sip of tea. "I only have two junior sisters. Since I can't help the older one, I must help the younger one." He smiled at Rose. "The merits I've accumulated over the years are enough to give each of you three juniors a chance. As for the youngest, Junior Brother Vierkant—I haven't met him yet. I wonder how he's faring, and if he's bullied by Alex Bai."
Though he smiled, a hint of loneliness lingered beneath his expression.
"We're all doing well, including Senior Sister Patani... Though for a general, couldn't you get better tea?" Rose, sensing Albany's melancholy, skimmed the tea leaves from the cup and pushed it toward him.
"Let's return to the matter at hand." Albany Laurent smiled at me. "I had originally intended for Rose to handle this task, but given her injury, I must ask if Brother Kane might spare some time to assist me with a small favor. Naturally, I understand the proper protocols."
He withdrew a small vial containing the heart's blood of a nascent crystallizing vampire and slid it across the table toward me.
Albany Laurent continued, "Someone has stolen the Sun-Shattering Bow from the mansion. It's a treasure that Master entrusted to me for protecting Surrey. Since I'm rarely in the city and concerned about Surrey's safety, I left it with my personal attendant who is stationed here."
Rose tensed at these words, and what followed confirmed her suspicions.
"A few days ago, a Sun-Shattering Arrow fired from this bow destroyed the Hall of Valor of the Sanctum of the Cloud Citadel. During the ensuing chaos, the thief made off with the Sanctum's secret manual on the Will Embodiment of Sword. The Sanctum sent an envoy to inquire whether I had authorized this attack." Laurent's expression showed clear helplessness.
"You want him to chase after Peter Volare, who's holding the Sun-Shattering Bow?" Rose stood up.
"No." Laurent shook his head as he observed Rose's reaction. "I simply want Brother Kane to visit Cloud Citadel, deliver two hundred thousand dollars as compensation for their Hall of Valor, and assure them that H.A.R.M. harbors no hostile intentions. Nothing more."
"As for the Sun-Shattering Bow, Rose must handle that matter personally. However, given her injury, if Brother Kane is willing to accompany her and help retrieve the bow, he may keep it temporarily for self-defense. When I return to Seattle, should our paths cross, he can return it then."