Shade shook his head.
"I don't know you, but a friend of mine does. He mentioned that the current curator of the [Apna Library] was an elderly gentleman of the Twelfth Ring."
Old John had told Shade this after the Pantanal War. Since there were no members of the Hermit Order in the Pantanar Area, Old John had temporarily been sent to the Great Swamp to witness the birth of a Chosen One.
After that incident, Old Dad John had mentioned to Shade that he had met the curator of the [Apna Library] on Lake Heart Island, known as the "Heart of Pantanal" (Chapter 1131). Although Old Dad John had only roughly described the man's rank and appearance, Shade remembered him now.
"A friend? These days, apart from library members, there aren't many people who know me. Which friend might that be?"
The old man asked curiously, and Shade replied:
"He is also Mr. Finch's friend."
The old curator immediately understood that Shade meant the Hermit Order and did not press the matter further.
"Yes, I am Dull Higgins, the current curator of the [Apna Library]. These two are library members as well."
Mr. Bernhardt then introduced himself.
"Good afternoon, Mr. Higgins. I lead the visiting Bloodkin. You may call me 'Ventrue.' The young gentleman beside me is not Bloodkin, but he is a friend to all Bloodkin."
The alias Mr. Bernhardt had given was the surname of the last leader of the Bloodkin Camarilla, a surname with an unmistakably Bloodkin flavor. It was practically the same as openly saying that it was false.
"You two are truly young. Good afternoon. Let us sit and talk."
Both sides sat down, though only the old curator took a seat on the Apna Library's side. Of the other two, one stood by