1097. 1095: Falling from Honored Guest to Wanted Criminal Was No Longer the Most Important Problem

"Cough, cough."

A violent coughing fit sounded from behind Murphy. The Knight of Palanno, whom he was carrying on his back, had gone from handsome man to a pathetic, skinny wreck, and he kept spitting up blood.

Three wooden stakes imbued with blazing sunlight had pierced his body. The wicked things were clearly high-grade vampire-hunting tools. Their tips were coated in solidified sunlight energy, enough to make even Murphy's teeth ache just looking at them. The fact that they had left a Golden vampire this weak was proof enough of their extraordinary nature.

Behind Murphy as he raced through the air with his wings spread, dazzling lightning surged again and again, holding off the mummy dancers leaping out of the shadows in pursuit.

But Triss wasn't at full strength either.

When the sudden attack began, the Grand Duke of the Blood Vultures had taken six Netherworld Bind spells all by herself. She'd escaped only thanks to the protection of the Bloodheart hanging at her chest. On top of that, Triss was flying with Adele on her back, caught in the crossfire. Having to divide her attention so many ways had made the Grand Duke's counterattack far less fluid.

"Where's the Venerable Lord Pain? Didn't he get out?"

Murphy called over his shoulder. Triss answered hoarsely:

"Why do you think only these people are chasing us? The Venerable Lord stayed behind to hold off those six Golden-rank mummy dancers and two Golden priests. Otherwise, you and I would both be dead by now.

Get the players out of here!

Especially the ones at the Palace of Morhan."

"I've already sent out the quest. We don't need to worry about them. The worst that can happen is the players all getting logged out for three days. Right now, we need to get