142 Preemptive Strike
H.A.R.M. General's Mansion, Surrey, Cascadia.
Several gatekeeping agents saw Gordon Yang get out of the van from the driver's side. They approached with eager smiles, a touch too wide and bright for the morning hour. "Colonel Yang," they greeted him, "why have you suddenly returned?"
"Get lost, get lost," Gordon Yang waved his hand dismissively. With a practiced air of respect, he walked to the passenger side, opened the door, and stood waiting.
One by one, several people emerged from the van. The agents' expressions grew more deferential with each face they recognized.
Despite their uncharacteristically cheerful smiles that belied their expert status, the two old Templars were instantly recognizable.
Master Arden and Master Rhys of the Cloud Citadel were present. Their status was such that if General Laurent happened to be in the mansion, they would warrant a personal audience.
Following them were Colonel Hightower and the handsome young man they had encountered before.
What puzzled them most was the unusual deference these two renowned elders showed to the young man.
"Prepare several rooms, and have someone deliver this letter to H.A.R.M. Seattle. Also, report to General Laurent that the Sun-Shattering Bow has been recovered," Rose Hightower interrupted their thoughts.
The letter contained information about Peter Volare. The final decision on how to handle the Okanagan Valley Bandits would rest with Granny Chloe, the "temporary Acting Admiral."
Involving official matters, the agents quickly sprang into action.
Five minutes later, someone led me to a small courtyard.
"If you need anything, just let me know." Though uncertain of my identity, the agent's tone carried extra respect, influenced by how the others had treated me earlier.
"Thank you," I said, stepping into the room.
After his departure, I closed the door, settled on the edge of the bed, and entered a meditative state to examine the Vampire Devouring External Crystal within my sea of essence.
Since the battle with the peacock vampires had relied solely on the Sun-Shattering Bow, the essence within the External Crystal remained unchanged.
Now, there were three vampire cores left in the silver bell: the remaining tiger core from last time, and the crystal cores of the other two peacocks.
To be safe, I chose to start with the tiger core since it had little essence remaining. This way, I could test if the Melting Sun Furnace could handle more crystallized essence without risk.
As I took out the Vampire Devouring External Crystal, its domineering absorption power manifested once more.
I couldn't help but marvel at the sheer efficiency of the External Crystal. While others had to refine vampire cores into elixirs using rare plants and then spend time cultivating with these precious medicines, this crystal offered a direct path.
It violently absorbed other vampires' essence for immediate use. Being such a brutal method, side effects were to be expected.
After consuming the tiger core completely, the essence within the external crystal rose to sixty percent.
After returning it to my sea of essence, I noticed the Melting Sun Furnace remained completely still. This gave me more confidence.
Following the same method, I extracted Rajitha's nascent crystal core. I methodically increased the essence in the external crystal five percent at a time, returning it to my body each time to assess the effects.
When the nascent core was fully depleted, the essence within the external crystal reached eighty-five percent.
The dark red veins of the Melting Sun Furnace finally trembled, showing signs of strain.
This is probably the limit.
I adjusted my breathing. Just a fraction remained before the External Crystal would be completely filled, granting me power equal to a fully crystallized vampire.
Better yet, I could replenish it with vampire cores whenever needed.
With this level of power, defeating a Mountain Lord would be well within my capabilities.
Armed with this newfound strength, I retrieved the wisp of golden essence from the silver bell, studied it intently, then turned my gaze southward.
Knock knock.
A gentle knock on the door was accompanied by a woman's inquiry. "May I come in?"
After receiving my response, Rose Hightower, a vision of fiery elegance, entered the room. Her crimson dress, a masterpiece of modern design, clung to her curves like a second skin.
The rich, vibrant hue seemed to radiate from within, a stark contrast to her pale complexion. Her blonde hair, a halo of gold, framed her face, accentuating the sharp angles of her jawline and the delicate curve of her lips.
Her eyes, a piercing blue, held a mysterious depth. As she moved, the dress swirled around her, a dance of red and light.
"You rarely come to the city. Would you like to go downtown..."
She raised her eyes with a bit of anticipation, and then she saw the Mountain Lord's essence sample in my fingertips. A look of astonishment flashed across her elegant face.
I politely declined her invitation. "Next time. I want to rest for a bit. I'll be leaving Surrey tomorrow."
General Laurent's earlier warning about Cascadia's impending doom still echoed in my ears. Until I possessed enough strength to feel secure in this chaotic world, I had no room in my heart for anything else.
...
"You're planning to go after the Mountain Lord of Chuckanut Mountains?" Rose asked.
She couldn't understand why John was so busy. Ever since Pinewood County, she had never seen him stop. He was either killing vampires or making plans to kill vampires.
Cascadia had the Admiral, twelve H.A.R.M. generals, and gold bell Vampire Hunters.
No matter what, disaster wouldn't fall on someone so young and talented like him first. That's how it should be, anyway.
...
"I can sense its thoughts are fixed on me." I slowly stood up. I had destroyed its bloodline completely. If I were in its position, I would lurk in the shadows, waiting for the perfect moment to plunge a knife into my enemy's heart during their sleep.
Just then, Rose's eyes filled with apology. "I... I wasn't honest with you before. This wisp of essence sample was merely meant as payment. As for killing the Mountain Lord—that's impossible."
Appearing anxious about my potential anger, she glanced up at me as she spoke. Finding my expression calm, she visibly relaxed. "It should have already fled to the vampire territory outside of Sacramento."
"Why would killing it be impossible?" I asked calmly, feeling a bit touched in my heart. When we first met in Pinewood County, Rose had been proud and confident. Now, seeing her display such hesitation and concern surprised me.
I had mentally prepared myself for entering vampire territory. Even if I encountered a harmonizing vampire lord, my perfected Whispering Gale Technique would give me a chance to escape.
"Because Moonfeather controls the coast ranges west of Sacramento. When the Mountain Lord left, it said it would go to seek refuge with Moonfeather. Moonfeather is its sworn brother and won't just stand by and watch you kill it." Rose's serious expression was tinged with fear. "Moonfeather is a true harmonizing vampire lord who has committed countless atrocities in Cascadia and survives to this day. It's far beyond our ability to handle."
She noticed that I listened attentively and without overconfidence, yet I continued to twirl the essence sample between my fingers.
"If I remember correctly..." I looked towards the door, curious. "Sacramento is pretty far from here."
I handed over the essence. Rose was surprised initially, but quickly grasped my meaning as she took the sample and carefully sensed it.
A flush of embarrassment colored her fair face. "How foolish of me," she murmured, "to have believed a vampire's empty boasts."
The essence revealed that the tiger vampire remained within tracking range, lurking near the Chuckanut Mountains.
"It's not necessarily that simple." I shook my head, interrupting her. The Mountain Lord had lost its sons, yet it neither sought refuge nor came after me directly. And with General Laurent away from Surrey, held back by harmonizing vampires...
What, then, was it waiting for?
There was little value in trying to understand a vampire's mind. If its motives remained unclear, I would prepare for the worst—assuming it plotted against me.
Therefore, I needed to strike first.