"Now, I am a vampire."
Vera spoke with a calmness as if discussing someone else's affairs.
"So, what do you plan to do? Arrest me, Mr. Guard?"
Levin pondered for a moment before asking, "How do you address your necessary physiological needs?"
Vera crossed one leg over the other, a subtle smile curving her lips. "Oh, how delightful. It seems you are not the type of guard who jumps to conclusions. But if I say I am a vampire, will you simply believe me?"
What's the big deal about being a vampire? The sheriff who came in the day was a werewolf—can we even talk about that?
Nevertheless, Levin had to consider the possibility that Vera could be a malevolent fiend responsible for numerous bloodshed incidents. However, given the security situation in Weima City, it would be quite difficult for someone to commit widespread evil without detection.
Moreover, Levin had reviewed the unsolved case files and missing persons reports from Weima City before his visit. None of the missing persons' cases matched the characteristics of a vampire's predation.
Considering Weima City's already low number of missing persons, even if all of them were consumed by Vera, she would still starve. Furthermore, almost all missing persons cases corresponded to specific incidents, with no unexplained disappearances.
In other words, even in the worst-case scenario, if Vera were indeed preying on humans in the traditional vampire fashion, she had at least not caused any fatalities.
"I have my own methods of assessment," Levin said, leaning his elbows on the table, his hands clasped under his nose, his gaze deliberately deep and inscrutable.
Vera hesitated before responding, "I… drink chicken and pig blood."
?
A small question mark seemed to appear above Levin's head.
He quickly reviewed the vampire-related information he had just examined earlier that afternoon.
…It seemed there was no strict requirement to drink human blood.
Levin maintained a composed expression, nodding with a feigned understanding. "As expected."
"To live long in Weima City, abiding by the law is indispensable."
Vera smirked sarcastically. "Oh? You're quite the stickler for the law. But according to Weima City's regulations, beings such as werewolves, vampires, and undead are to be apprehended and imprisoned, aren't they?"
"That's Weima City's law, not mine," Levin said, slightly lowering his head, casting his upper face in shadow, and letting his lips curve into a meaningful smile.
…This is exhausting to maintain.
"But if you rely solely on chicken and pig blood, don't you ever yearn for human blood?"
"I… occasionally hire people for blood collection under the guise of alchemical experiments. You can ask around. Afraid of suspicion as a vampire, I don't do it often, only on rare occasions." Vera's tone dropped as she looked away.
Your situation is pitiful. Drinking only chicken and pig blood and having to pay for human blood on the side—how embarrassing for a vampire. Levin's inner thoughts were a storm of criticism.
"I will conduct an investigation. I hope you haven't deceived me, or there will be more than just myself visiting you."
"Since you're not here to arrest me, your visit in the dead of night must have significant intent," Vera's playful demeanor vanished, replaced by a serious tone as she addressed Levin.
"I do have some personal objectives," Levin said. He was transparent about his intentions. This visit, which involved risking his own safety and coming alone rather than reporting to higher-ups with professionals, had three main goals.
The first goal was to eliminate an unstable factor without revealing his abilities as a guard. A vampire in the city was a hidden threat. Levin could report it to the guard's higher-ups, but this would require crafting a plausible explanation. Otherwise, he would have to explain the origin of his Chaos Probe ability, potentially leading to a thorough investigation and his exile as an otherworldly entity.
Of course, Levin could also make an anonymous report, but this would not achieve his second objective.
The second goal was to avoid wronging a good person. Although Vera might not be a paragon of virtue, Levin came from a society with a well-established rule of law, accustomed to the presumption of innocence. Additionally, Ellie's conduct as a werewolf had led Levin to question this aspect of Weima City's laws.
Is it truly right to handle different species with such a sweeping approach? If Ellie had been imprisoned by the law, Levin would have been killed by that scimitar-wielding extraordinary long ago.
Based on current results, Vera claimed to sustain herself on pig and chicken blood and occasionally purchased human blood, which seemed relatively reliable.
The third objective was to try and recruit Vera as an informant.
Admittedly, under Weima City's laws, this had a certain coercive aspect. But it was better than directly reporting her and having her arrested.
Naturally, Levin only mentioned the third goal to Vera.
After these thoughts flashed through Levin's mind, he spoke, "The primary purpose of my visit is to propose a transaction with you, Ms. Vera."
Vera eyed Levin with suspicion. "What transaction?"
"Rest assured, I have no intention of threatening your life. I hope our transactional relationship can be founded on equality and mutual respect."
Vera's suspicion remained unshaken. "Very well. So, what are the terms of this transaction?"
Seeing that Vera was still on guard, Levin reluctantly detailed the terms.
"First, you abide by the law, and I won't arrest you for being a different species."
Vera nodded. "I already abide by the law; that's not an issue."
"Second, if you discover potential threats to public safety, report them to me. In return, I will conceal the identity of the informant and offer you a financial reward."
"Oh~ So, Mr. Guard, you want to recruit me as your informant," Vera said lightly, though her inner wariness remained palpable, giving her words a somewhat sardonic tone.
Levin noted the undercurrent but didn't dwell on it. As long as Vera agreed, that was what mattered. "Exactly, an informant. So, do you agree?"
Vera nodded. "I have no objections. Living in Weima City, I would report public safety threats anyway. With the added bonus, I have no issues with it."
"Then… is there a third term?"
Levin hesitated before saying, "Yes… You're an alchemist, right? I hope you can give me a discount when I purchase potions from you."
"Huh? Are you out of your mind? I run a business with fixed prices. What's on the label is what you pay; no room for negotiation."
"I will provide you with 400 milliliters of extraordinary blood."
"Really? Deal! You get it at cost price," Vera's eyes lit up immediately upon hearing this.
Levin stood up and extended his hand. "Then, here's to a fruitful collaboration, Vera."
Vera shook his hand in return. "To a successful partnership, Mr. Guard. By the way, what's your name? I didn't catch it."
"…Levin."
"Alright, Levin. Is there anything else? If not, I need to get back to my experiments."
"There is one more very important matter," Levin's expression grew more serious.
"I need to discuss your 'eldest' with you."
...
After harboring doubts about Vera's identity, Levin, using his deputy chief's authority, swiftly reviewed various potential non-human species files.
Among these, vampires, being one of the most dangerous types, naturally took precedence. Like werewolves, vampires discovered in Weima City are to be apprehended and imprisoned.
According to the records in Weima City's guard archives, vampires, self-styled as Bloodclans, are a type of species with an advanced civilization. In ancient times, there existed a dark empire ruled by vampires.
Unlike the feral and bloodthirsty werewolves, vampires are generally cruel and cold, with seldom any emotional fluctuation. They have a penchant for drinking human blood and enhance their power through the blood of humans, especially extraordinary beings.
Once turned into a vampire, conventional methods of reproduction are no longer effective. Vampire population growth relies on a ritual called "The First Embrace."
"The First Embrace" involves draining the blood of the one being transformed and then infusing them with the blood of the transforming vampire. Upon completion of the ritual, the transformer becomes the "eldest" of the transformed.
Through this ritual, the "eldest" gains absolute control over the transformed, with the power over life and death resting solely in the hands of the "eldest."
The transformed are thus referred to as "blood slaves."
Vera pondered for a moment before saying, "Rest assured, he is not in Weima at present."
Levin responded, "That eases my mind significantly. After all, if your eldest were to order you to commit illegal acts, you would be unable to resist him despite your reluctance. But that alone is not enough; I require more information."
Vera shook her head. "I am prohibited from disclosing information about him."
"If I were to reveal it, I would immediately become a corpse."
"This is a blood oath contract between him and me… I am his eternal prisoner…"
Vera's expression darkened as she spoke.
Seeing the mood grow heavier, Levin decided to change the subject.
"Very well, for now, knowing that your 'eldest' is not in Weima City suffices. However, if he should ever arrive, I hope you can find a way to inform me while ensuring your own safety."
Vera nodded in response.
"Now, let's discuss your potions. I came here intending to make a purchase."
Vera seemed to regain some of her composure and began to introduce her products to Levin.
"Certainly, I have several effective potions. For instance, this one—Strength of the Minotaur. Once consumed, it grants you strength akin to a bull for three minutes, ideal for critical combat situations," Vera said, pointing to a green potion.
"And this one—Pain Suppression Elixir. After drinking it, you could be hacked to pieces and still not feel a thing for at least an hour…"
"Wait, if you're hacked to pieces, you wouldn't be able to feel pain anyway…"
"Oh, right. If you're cleaved in half, you wouldn't feel pain either," Vera swiftly corrected her description.
"Does it provide any tangible increase in defensive capabilities?"
"No."