Chapter 87

The use of Witchcraft is essentially about purchasing miracles that distort reality by consuming the currency of life... This practice is undoubtedly extremely evil, at the very least, raising livestock requires herders to provide meticulous care and put in considerable effort...

By what standards and methods should humanity determine whose lives will be saved and whose lives will be sacrificed?

The Teekaz of the past were rebelled against for this very reason, and Kazdel of today has been split in two because of this issue... Even the Sarkaz of today are still suffering because of this historical legacy.

Nana wasn't Sarkaz, so she didn't need to think about such an unsolvable problem... The altar was completed, the Witchcraft was successfully activated, and she successfully led the Sarkaz out of the Landship's firing range... Her deal with the Sarkaz was finally established.

No one discussed whether the lives Nana collected were truly used effectively; those who were still alive probably already knew the answer in their hearts.

As for Nana, she still can't stay idle.

Two trucks carrying Bloodfiend Cat and her 'assets' were heading north along the Ursus Military's map route. On one hand, Nana needed to rendezvous with the Exploration Vehicle to revert to 'Medic' and solidify her alibi... On the other hand, only Landship vehicle like the Exploration Vehicle could allow these Sarkaz followers to evade possible pursuit.

Without a doubt, now that the old man has admitted they were eyewitnesses to the battle between Rhodes Island and the Ursus army... call it 'bribery' or 'destroying evidence,' the best way to make them take that matter to their grave without physically silencing them is to make them Rhodes Island employees as well.

Ideally, it should be placed in a location where it will never be exposed to the outside media... such as the Rhodes Island main ship... This way, while also considering Nana's religious and moral needs, the issue of Rhodes Island defeating the Ursus Border Guard and being witnessed by others can be perfectly resolved.

Looking back at what the old Sarkaz did, he first confirmed that Nana did not want to harm the 'wanderers', and then released the bait of having everyone follow Nana as a test.

After confirming that Nana and Ursus were at odds, he agreed to cooperate and taught Nana to use Witchcraft to bind the two factions together. Finally, he revealed that they all knew the truth that Rhodes Island did not want others to know... In this way, Nana would have no reason to abandon any of them.

It can only be said that this tactic is very effective against 'Medic,' Rhodes Island employee who still has some sense of shame and must at least maintain a certain level of moral integrity... However, if Nana were to physically eliminate him according to the rules of assassination, then the Witchcraft possessed by the 'butler' would become an unpredictable hidden danger...

And so, things have turned out the way they are now.

"So... you're actually a cleanup crew member from Rhodes Island?"

"From now on, call me Minister, Minister of the Human Resources Department... Of course, that's after we reunite with Rhodes Island... So what about you? You possess the skills to use Witchcraft, wear maid outfits, and carry that prince's belongings... Are you really just ordinary refugees?"

"Of course, we haven't told you a single lie..."

Looking at the old man driving, his relaxed expression as if the wrinkles on his face were blooming like flowers, Nana sat silently in the passenger seat with her hands folded... She was very familiar with this routine; everything he said was the truth, only some parts were concealed, right?

"Mr. Butler... Putting aside the fact that I don't even know your names except for Eileen and Ms. Athena (the seamstress)... while I still have the intention to properly settle you down, I think we should have an open and frank talk."

"Of course, I am Alfred... just an ordinary person who has lived a long time and therefore knows a lot... I once served in the Court Army, but later, due to the Sarkaz Civil War, I left the army. His Highness invited me to teach the Sarkaz children at the Babel school, mainly teaching history... Of course, after the Babel organization failed, I also occasionally taught the Mercenaries Sarkaz writing and made a living by it, earning some fuel money for the team."

"Without your help, I think our refugee group would have ultimately succumbed to reality, either being absorbed by those Mercenaries or dying silently in the wilderness..."

"Your name is a bit long... Can I just call you Ah Fu?"

"Of course, I am your butler, and you may call me whatever you like."

Seeing the old man's relaxed demeanor, as if he had achieved his goal, Nana assessed the credibility of his 'loyalty' and spoke again:

"So, Ah Fu... First of all, you escaped from the Babel... Judging from the fact that you still have some Sarkaz noble items, you... took some items from there and then started your escape?"

"... That's a difficult question to answer... First, I must correct one of your misconceptions. The Babel isn't a tower... it's a town, as you should know, especially since Rhodes Island's main ship is docked outside the Babel... in fact, Rhodes Island had to set sail urgently on the day we left..."

"That day was no different from any other day... The soldiers were still frowning, food prices in the market were still rising, and the False King's forces launched their attack very suddenly... And our soldiers unexpectedly offered little effective resistance. It seems that something went wrong with His Highness and His Highness's commander, Babel was suddenly captured."

Listening to the old man's rambling story, Nana asked with some concern:

"Rhodes Island... is it alright?"

"The False King still needs Rhodes Island's medicine to support his warlock forces in maintaining their combat capability, so the departure of the Rhodes Island main ship will not encounter any difficulties... However, the Court's attitude towards those who follow His Highness is very clear... Those who refuse to surrender will be exterminated."

"You're clearly civilians?"

"... After all, our identities are somewhat special. Whether it's called faith or unwillingness to betray, we are indeed among those who are to be exterminated..."

"Eileen is a Council maid who can get close to His Highness, and Lady Athena is His Highness's personal tailor, although she also sews clothes for the people... As for me and those young men, as long as we are still here, we will continue to advocate the elimination of hatred... His Highness's influence will not disappear."

"This is incomprehensible to the members of the Court... They see us as traitors, and they want to settle scores with the Sarkaz... Although, in our view, there is nothing more ridiculous than that claim..."

Hearing the old man's distressed sneer, the altar forged from mountains of corpses and seas of blood flashed through Nana's memory, and the young assassin, still dressed as Bloodfiend, shook her head to shake it out of her mind.

"In other words, you were actually hunted down to the border."

"Yes, the journey was extremely arduous... We used up all our accumulated wealth to bribe the Mercenaries of the False King... Although those things are insignificant compared to what Your Highness described as the creations of various countries in modern times, they were indeed the fruits of our labor... We used those things to bribe the Mercenaries... With the secret help of the soldiers who originally belonged to Your Highness, we escaped to the border... For us, that should have been our limit."

"Then you encountered us... So... do you know the situation with the pursuers?"

The old man nodded, and the previously relaxed atmosphere became serious.

"At first, it was the army of Carrion Eaters that drove us out of the Babel. Later, as the fleeing groups dispersed, the Bloodfiend Court... the Sanguinarch's men replaced those brainless skeletal soldiers... That's why we all thought you were dead the moment we saw you."

"... Is my disguise really that easy to see through?"

"Haha, your actions seem completely unrelated to the Court to us, so when you said you weren't one of them, we immediately believed you... If your actions are truly imitating a certain Bloodfiend, then you must be a follower of His Highness... Those vampires are indeed approachable, and as far as I know, they have even overcome their thirst for blood... I hope Mr. Blood and her people can escape this war."

"... So, we actually have Sanguinarch's soldiers chasing us?"

"Yes, that's right... But don't worry, their attitude towards us... is extremely contemptuous... Just like we said before, even if we get caught, as long as we endure their so-called torture... after about five people die, they'll lose interest... The rest will die easily... And that was the original situation. Now, with your help, I think we're probably safe."

Have you considered the possibility that I might not be able to beat them?

"... If that situation really occurs, it can only be said to be fate. You should escape quickly, sir... We will have no objection to it."

Seeing the white-haired girl beside him, who remained silent after hearing his words but whose face clearly showed 'I'm not happy,' and moving like a cat with her hands tucked in, Alfred smiled and asked:

"So, what are your plans next? Besides joining up with Rhodes Island... As a company with close ties to His Highness, I don't think you'd have nothing better to do than come to Ursus, a place with such a terrible attitude towards the Infected... This is a country where even fleeing from civil war is a last resort."

"... Some official business... Their emperor wants Rhodes Island to go to the countryside to conduct some... Oripathy education."

"That's all?"

"Meanwhile, international opinion is very curious about why Ursus persecutes the Infected just like when the disease was spreading... After all, isn't this kind of thing the worst in the Snowfield...?"

"I see... Although it's still a bit of a stretch, it's a task commensurate with your skills... We will assist you, whatever identity you choose, we will fully cooperate..."

"Oh? For example?"

"For example, what if we deliberately get discovered? A few of us young men have clearly visible mineral crystals on our skin... We can help you gather information from that so-called 'mine'..."

Nana frowned and refused Ah Fu's seemingly flexible suggestion:

"That's not how you use manpower. Didn't you just remind me not to become a true Bloodfiend? If you're still testing me, you don't need to."

Upon hearing Nana's refusal, the old man nodded respectfully and solemnly apologized... but soon, he seemed to remember something else:

"However... the issue of the Infected... perhaps we really can help you in some way... After all, as you know, the Sarkaz are a race sensitive to Originium; once they reach a certain age, no matter how well they are protected, they will still Oripathy..."

"During the past civil war, many powerful and renowned Sarkaz warriors migrated to Ursus because they disliked the war... Ursus wasn't like it is now back then; the previous emperor promised his people an opportunity to earn rewards through military merit..."

"I remember, the Wendigo clan... the former Ogre Court migrated en masse because they opposed the civil war... and considering the timeline, a large portion of them, if not all, must have suffered from Oripathy..."

"Given Ursus's current anti- the Infected policies, they're probably quite troubled... If Rhodes Island were willing to help them, you could receive considerable assistance, whether it's in the Infected investigations or rural science education missions."

Listening to Ah Fu's explanation, Nana thought about it intently and found it very reasonable:

"... Can you contact them?"

"No... but Witchcraft is something in the Sarkaz bloodline... We've built an altar, and for a time, we'll be as conspicuous to the Sankta Sarkaz the night... Although we don't know their attitude, even if it's just to confirm the effects of our Witchcraft, they'll at least come and meet us."

"... So, we're just as conspicuous in the Bloodfiend's eyes now?"

Faced with Nana's questioning, the old man's smile became awkward. Clearly... in that life-or-death situation with bears in front and bats behind, there was no consideration of not using Witchcraft.

After realizing Nana might have narrowly escaped a fierce battle, the white-haired girl frowned even more deeply.

"Besides you, everyone else on your side is a civilian with little combat capability... How about we continue our journey day and night? I need to rejoin Rhodes Island as soon as possible... My assault equipment and the combat personnel I trust are there."

"As you wish, Your Excellency."

At the Third Army headquarters in Ursus, Dunkel, dressed in a magnificent military uniform and sporting heavy dark circles under his eyes, urged the telegraph operator:

"... Still no Echo from our border patrol ships?!"

"Yes... yes, Your Excellency..."

"Where are the high-speed warships? Haven't the mobile fleet's drones arrived yet?!"

"... Not yet... Ah! The mobile fleet has sent a message..."

"Read!"

"Yes, 'We have arrived at the scene of the incident, and reconnaissance drones have discovered two sunken patrol vessels'..."

Swallowing hard, the telegraph operator, sweat dripping down his cheeks, continued reading:

"It has now been confirmed that the silence of both warships was the work of the Bloodfiend."

With a soft snap, the pen in Dunkel's hand broke in two, splattering blood-red ink everywhere. Enraged to find his white ceremonial robes stained with ink, the Viscount slammed the broken pen onto the sand table map.

"What a bunch of good-for-nothings!!"

"... But... Your Excellency, that is the Bloodfiend..."

"Uh... that untrustworthy guy--!!"

It seemed that mentioning a certain Bloodfiend Cat made the Viscount's blood pressure soar even higher... but before he could continue his tirade, the camp's spatial magic defense was suddenly triggered, and the explosion of the defensive equipment triggered a shrill enemy attack alarm in the military camp.

As Dunkel looked out in confusion, a massive sphere of blood solidified in the air, then, like a blood tap being turned on... a crimson aura instantly filled the entire military camp.

A man dressed in white, with white hair, meticulously wearing the Sarkaz military sash and a black Military Commission cloak, stood with a sour expression in the Ursus military camp. As he stepped out of his spotless military boots, a rolling sea of blood surged around him as he advanced towards the camp.

Dunkel uttered the man's name in a hoarse voice... even though he didn't actually know the man's name.

"... Bloodfiend... Great Lord!?"

Just as the Viscount was at a loss, another figure wearing a ram's head mask suddenly appeared beside the Sanguinarch.

"You've acted without permission again, Your Majesty..."

"Ha, with 'Bloodfiend' leading the rebels to escape the pursuit... Don't you think this is a test of my loyalty...?"

"Well, as far as I know, aside from a few traitors, almost all the Bloodfiend no longer support that claim... And putting aside whether those dealing with Ursus are truly vampires, even if they are... your current actions have crossed the line... Your unauthorized actions have put His Highness in a very difficult position... Please do not continue."

"So... you're telling me to sit idly by and watch potential traitors tarnish the glory of the Bloodfiend Court?"

Staring at the man in the ram's head mask... the Sanguinarch glanced at the longsword at the man's waist, and finally let out a cold snort... As screams filled the camp, a crimson red arose again around the Sanguinarch, the viscous life and souls wailing and howling, and the Sanguinarch disappeared from the camp.

Looking at the devastated camp and the now-inoperable 'Blood Beacon,' the male 'Confessors' smiled bitterly as the Ursus army surrounded them.

"Alright, it seems we need an explanation here too... I remember those Mercenaries saying... the Ursus border patrol ships attacked the refugees... oh, Sarkaz citizens, and then got taught a lesson by a passing Bloodfiend ... Hmm, so, you're in the wrong here?"

As he spoke, two sword blades, each tens of meters long, suddenly appeared on the ground and slashed down. The Confessors smiled as he looked at Baikal Baigal, who was protected by a group of shields and had a gloomy expression... Obviously, the Ursus people could not see the smile behind his mask.

"... Then, sir, I'm here on behalf of the Sanguinarch to negotiate terms..."

PS: Waaaaa, cat... fox!

PS2: It seems no one is considering discussing those foreshadowing elements... Oh well... it's alright... I'll just keep writing QAQ

PS3: Um... I'd like to ask for a vote... QAQ, I feel so lonely.

4th Crimson Warm Winter: 090 Villages, Local Braves, and Unruly People

Nana was unaware of the psychological pressure her disguise and impersonation placed on the Ursus Third Army.

Ursus craves war, but not a war that yields no results.

Having been ravaged by war time and again, Kazdel has long since become a graveyard to be avoided at all costs... Getting involved would only be a futile waste of energy. Ordinary countries simply cannot cultivate a normal life on that land filled with hatred. Let the Sarkaz regime wallow in that quagmire on its own... This is the current international consensus.

But just like how Nana had no idea that the moment she jumped away with the altar, the Sanguinarch would find her by following her scent.

The patrol boat, spared by Nana, was then approached by the true Bloodfiend, and its fate was self-evident... True Bloodfiend don't even need to communicate; they find everything they want from blood and soul.

In a sense, Nana effectively accomplished the task of diverting attention and clearing the area, so no one would suspect that Rhodes Island was behind it.

But this doesn't mean the trouble is over.

Blood is the carrier of life, the currency of the soul... Yi Lin Yi Qi Si Wu IV (8) extracted the blood of Ursus soldiers and learned from their memories that a little 'fellow' had defied him... Even if he was ordered not to continue his actions due to so-called international circumstances, the Sanguinarch would certainly not swallow this insult.

Having demonstrated his absolute loyalty to the Court through his actions, the Sanguinarch still needs to purge the 'descendant' who dared to defy him in order to reaffirm his supreme authority within the clan.

To appease this staunch hawk who supported him, Theresis dispatched one of his most capable subordinates to investigate the unknown Bloodfiend and its abduction of the remnants of the Babel...

Nana was completely unaware of how things had changed.

"... So, is there any way to make Witchcraft less... evil?"

As always, with their hands tucked in, Nana and Ah Fu's tone of voice was much more normal now, as if the two had truly become the runaway Bloodfiend Miss and her loyal butler.

"At least it won't be so awful to use... Of course, it would be even better if it could avoid the side effect of affecting one's personality..."