A few minutes later, in Lady Lainia's tent, a blood crystal stone covered in runes glowed brightly as it floated above a wooden table.
It was an activated psychic device, with a long-range communication function even more powerful than an orb of calculation, and it could remain active for a long time. It was said to be a rather ancient psychic technique; just looking at it, you could tell it was full of mysteries.
Murphy knew Triss had a few of them too, but he had never seen her use one and had no idea where those rune stones led.
According to her, these were made by the elders of the Secret Blood Clan, the most skilled in psychic powers among the seven vampire clans. Their construction was so complicated that even someone as powerful as Triss found it beyond her.
They were rare, then, and circulated only among a handful of important figures in vampire society.
The greatest feature of the device was that it was a one-to-one communication tool. Once made, it was permanently bound to an individual's psychic signature—in other words, it was like a private cellphone, and naturally carried the risk of one's private number being leaked.
"My lord agreed to meet with you very readily. The whole process of reporting and making a decision went so smoothly it was almost unbelievable. To be honest, I can't understand it."
Lady Lainia gave Murphy a strange look.
"What kind of magic do those two words have? And what do they even mean?"
"Of course I'm willing to tell you. It means you'll be tied to us on the same dangerous carriage for good. But, milady, are you sure you're ready to learn this secret?"
Murphy stood with his hands behind his back, watching the curious mounted archer.