You Got Put on the Watchlist at Such a Young Age-You Guys Sure Have a Bright Future Ahead

Older people always had an unrealistic urge to protect their descendants.

It was an instinct born of the continuation of life, and even Kudell, a tough vampire magistrate, was no exception.

He claimed that becoming a vampire had stripped him of most human emotions, but the truth was, those feelings hadn't simply vanished.

He had just carefully hidden them beneath his vampire shell.

Murphy had once thought he was an oddity among vampires, but compared to the impossibly awkward Kudell, he was actually a fairly normal vampire.

Could you imagine that in the hundred-plus years since Kudell had become a vampire, he had used "bloodlust"—a power other vampires considered a core ability—in combat fewer than five times?

Kudell had forcibly suppressed the vampire's craving for blood with a will as firm as steel. That alone was a minor miracle.

"I could come up with plenty of reasons to explain why I 'lured away' your granddaughter, but I know they'd only make you angrier.

So I'll be direct."

Murphy held up his hands as he explained:

"You know about the deal between the Grayclaw faction and the gnoll warlord Kenport. Whether the gnolls learned the layout of the defenses throughout the entire Cato region is still unknown.

And Anjou lies directly north of Cato, with only the Dilana Mountains between them.

The mountains are rugged, and the Plantagenet Kingdom has built fortresses there, along with several Silver Dwarf outposts. But do you really think Anjou will be safe if the Black Calamity chooses that route to advance?

I admit, I'm stoking a fear that shouldn't exist. But the truth is, sending your granddaughter back to her hometown is no less risky than letting her stay here in Transia, by your side.

At least here, you can protect and teach her.

Biqi