Seeing that Mrs. Jude truly intended to fight him this time, Shade did not draw his longsword. Instead, he faced the blood mist barehanded.
The blood mist itself was merely corrosive; the real danger came from the shapeless Bloodkin hidden within it. Her two sharp claws slashed at Shade through the mist, while his hands repeatedly reached into the fog to strike her elbows and palms.
Their strength was not on the same level at all. Even the corrosiveness of the blood mist was insufficient to injure Shade. After only two or three exchanges, Shade knew that Mrs. Jude posed no threat to him whatsoever.
But their contact lasted only a few brief seconds, because Mr. Bernhardt's voice rang out clearly from behind the cloud of blood mist:
"Praise My Lord—the God of Vampires!"
A red light instantly struck the blood mist. Mrs. Jude was forcibly restored to human form and thrown to the ground. But she paid no attention to her disheveled state, instead turning in shock toward Mr. Bernhardt behind her:
"The old fossils of Wilundell gave even that to you?"
Mr. Bernhardt held a bright crimson metal holy emblem in his hand. Even with his eyes closed, Shade could sense the power of this Divine Art Item.
Against Ring Arcanists who were not Bloodkin, the holy emblem could be considered a decent enhancement item for blood Thaumaturgy. Against Bloodkin, however, its power was far greater.
"The Cult has provided me with every form of assistance except manpower."
Mr. Bernhardt said, then sternly warned her:
"Do not lay a hand on my friend! This is only a warning. If you dare attack again, I guarantee you won't be standing to see the next day's sun."
He had already temporarily placed the coachman and maid inside the carriage. He