A Vampire Who Believes in God

Willie's words put the Collins family on high alert. No one doubted the truth of what he said. He was a servant of the Collins family and had spent his entire life serving them. Though bald, alcoholic, and unkempt, he was still a good servant.

The Collins family had seen magic before. Barnabas Collins had become a Vampire because of a witch's curse, and that witch had once caused the Collins family enormous trouble. Barnabas Collins leaned on his cane with its brass head, the ten fingers tipped with sharp nails twitching restlessly.

"All right, Willie," Barnabas said. "Why don't we invite that wizard in? Perhaps he's merely passing through. I imagine he may be friendly enough. Otherwise, an iron gate wouldn't be enough to stop a wizard."

"Yes, Master Barnabas." Willie wiped the cold sweat from his forehead and shuffled unsteadily out of the hall. Don't misunderstand—he wasn't afraid of anything. It was merely a side effect of his drinking. Willie had never had a good impression of anyone who could use magic. The last witch to cause trouble here had even led to Collingwood Manor being burned down. Fortunately, with the support of Master Barnabas and Mistress Elizabeth, the current Collingwood Manor was far better than the old one—at least it had central air conditioning.

"Come over here, children." Barnabas patted the sofa beside him. "We may be receiving an ancient guest. We cannot let anyone think the Collins family has forgotten its manners."

At Barnabas's insistence, Caroline Stoddard and David Collins reluctantly sat on the sofa to wait for the guest. But when Willie brought the guest inside, everyone in the Collins household breathed a sigh of relief...

"Ha!" Barnabas could not help laughing, startling David so badly he nearly sprang off the sofa. Behind Willie stood a boy with short black hair, dressed in a dark crimson robe. "Halloween hasn't arrived yet, has it? Willie, why don't you give our little wizard some candy? I never knew you had such a Sense of Humor. But never mind."

He stood, picked up his cane, and walked toward the boy dressed like a wizard. With his chin raised, he said, "Congratulations, little wizard. Though you came at the wrong time, you have won a one-day tour ticket to Collins Manor, including food and lodging. It will be a memory you never forget. All right, Willie, take our adorable little wizard to eat, then prepare a guest room for him—he looks as though he has never had a proper night's sleep."

Salomon did not relax because of the black-haired man's words. The moment he stepped into Collingwood Manor, he had sensed something strange. Compared to elsewhere, at least half the once-lush shrubs had withered and died, their branches twisted and covered in thorns. Perhaps that only meant the gardener was a drunkard, but Salomon had discovered that there were far more rats in the garden than anywhere else. According to his investigation, the Collins family was not large enough, and the food they threw away every day could not possibly feed such a huge swarm of rats.

Many of the phenomena he had observed appeared near Vampire nests. Thus, Salomon became even more certain that Barnabas Collins was staying at Collins Manor.

"I'm looking for someone," Salomon said. His words made Barnabas, who had just turned to return to the sofa, turn back again. "This person knows the information I seek."

The Vampire glanced at Salomon from the corner of his eye. Now he knew that this oddly dressed little wizard was not some lost child, but someone with a purpose. Salomon's words also drew the attention of the other members of the Collins family. Caroline Stoddard, who had been sitting boredly on the sofa, immediately leaned forward, a low growl rumbling in her throat.

Elizabeth reached out and pressed a hand onto Caroline's shoulder. "Who?"

"You are asking the Collins family for help." Barnabas walked over again, pushed Willie aside, and lowered his gaze to meet Salomon's eyes. Suddenly, his voice became incomparably gentle. "Tell me... who sent you to Collins Manor..."

"Of course, I sent myself." Salomon smiled. "Your magic is useless against me, but if you had not cast a spell on me, I could not have been certain of your identity, Mr. Barnabas Collins."

The Vampire suddenly leaped backward. His eyes widened as he raised his cane and pointed it at Salomon. "You... you really are a wizard? How old are you?"

"More precisely, I am a mystic," Salomon said. "I'll be thirteen soon... Ahem, please be serious. On behalf of the Mystic Order, the masters of Earth, I have some questions for you."

Salomon snapped his fingers, and the symbol of Kamar-Taj appeared before him. It was enough to prove his identity.

The moment Barnabas heard Salomon's age, he immediately relaxed. He nodded casually, saying that he would absolutely cooperate fully. As for what the Mystic Order was, he had no idea at all. But if they wanted to eliminate a Vampire, how could they send a thirteen-year-old mage apprentice? At that age, it was questionable whether he could even recognize every word.

"First question." Salomon looked toward those sitting on the sofa. "Where is Angelique Bouchard?"

"Then I must ask, what is your relationship with her?" Barnabas asked doubtfully.

"None. She simply possesses something she should not possess," Salomon said. "For instance, the curse that turned you into a Vampire... Such profound magic could only have come from an extremely dangerous book of Grimoires. The Mystic Order suspects that she once came into contact with that book, or rather, with knowledge passed down from it."

"Didn't she sell her soul to Satan?" Barnabas's mouth fell open in surprise.

"Anyone who studies the knowledge in that book sells their soul to a terrifying existence, but not Satan. Another one." Guided by Barnabas, Salomon sat on the sofa. Across from him, Caroline was watching him with ill intent. But Salomon had no desire to pay attention to her. His eyes remained fixed on Barnabas until the Vampire sat opposite him.

"Who?" the Vampire asked, continuously gesturing an M with one hand. "Isn't this Satan's symbol?"

"I cannot speak that being's name. That being is the progenitor of Dark Magic. That being created a book, and the knowledge within that book created the first Vampire in the world. Mr. Barnabas, you are not the first Vampire. Sorry, I don't drink tea... Do you think an ordinary witch could create a Vampire of such high standing as yourself without paying any price?" Salomon said. "I found portraits of the Bouchard family... Everyone in the portraits was the same person. Clearly, Angelique Bouchard gained immortality through that knowledge. That book is exceedingly dangerous. I must recover it, and that includes copied knowledge."

"Now, please tell me where Angelique Bouchard is. My magic can completely counter her Dark Magic. She will not be my opponent."

"You mean... you can turn me back into a human?" Barnabas Collins suddenly leaned forward. "You said you can counter her magic, which means... you can lift my curse?"

"Yes, but that relates to my second question..."

"Thank God!" Barnabas clearly had no patience for what came next. "Thank God! I finally won't have to drink blood anymore!"

What was going on? Salomon stared at Barnabas in complete confusion. He had been extremely cautious throughout the conversation. Not only had he refused all food and drink, he had also kept a hand seal ready at all times, prepared to cast a spell at any moment.

Yet now, the target who had put him on high alert—this Vampire—was loudly thanking God in front of him? He even knelt down to pray! Was there something wrong with him?

Why hadn't this Vampire turned to ash already?

Good morning.