Thinking about this, Ed couldn't help but sigh, "This [ Aluode ] is truly remarkable; in just a few minutes, he came up with such a scheme to use one enemy against another..."
Sure enough, when freed from moral constraints, players' minds were able to unleash unprecedented creativity.
However, although Weeping Willow Town has been occupied by the Fallen One, how innocent are the common people there?
He wanted to strengthen the Second Holy See, and those people would eventually become commoners under his rule.
Thinking about this, Ed felt that since he had entrusted the players with some rather immoral tasks, he should also cover for them and prevent anything too indescribable from appearing in his game.
After all, in this real world, human lives aren't the millions that are commonplace in some strategy games from my previous life.
Sitting alone in his study, Ed slowly exhaled.
At this moment, he could only hope that the bishop of Weeping Willow Town still possessed the most basic judgment and earnestly carried out Antiya Lisi's order to fortify the town, hold out, and await reinforcements...
" Weeping Willow Town?"
The Blood Corpse Earl frowned upon hearing this:
"I've never heard of this place. Is it to the west of here?"
[ Aluode ] nodded:
"Yes."
"Oh, it seems this land was renamed while I was asleep for decades, otherwise I would know exactly where it is... Since it's the Tree Worship Church, changing it like this is quite reasonable."
The count muttered to himself:
"Although they changed it to some 'province' without changing its name, it means they haven't forgotten me."
[ Aluode ] followed the Count quickly, bowing low, but the more he listened, the more he felt something was amiss.
He suddenly remembered something the old man had said when he agreed to be converted, "No matter the era, there is no shortage of true wise men, like you, and like me."
This BYD is a traitor too!
Just as [ Aluode ] was shocked by his own reasoning, perhaps because the atmosphere was too serious and boring, the Count suddenly turned around and looked into [ Aluode's ] lifeless eyes:
"You are Blood Corpse that I directly transformed into, so you should have some basic thinking abilities. Ask whatever you want."
"Yes, sir."
[ Aluode ] bent down again:
"Great master, may I ask if I am worthy to know your name?"
Hahahaha.
As if scratching an itch, the previously stern count burst into laughter, as if this was exactly what he had been waiting for.
"Good question, very good question!"
He patted [ Aluode ]'s shoulder forcefully:
"My Bennett Antos, the noble vampire count."
"However, a hundred years ago I was still a human being Bennett Bennet Aduolin, and back then people generally called me—"
The old man paused, his tone instantly becoming solemn:
Marquis Aduolin.
Upon hearing this, [ Aluode ] was completely certain of his inner suspicions.
Damn it, our own squad dug up a grave and ended up digging up the former owner of the Aduolin Province!
And the former owner is now a vampire!
However, [ Aluode ] felt nauseous looking at the other person's expression, as if a million people were worshipping him—byd, you traitor! You swore allegiance to vampires, even giving up your surname and losing a rank in your title. What are you so superior about...?
The former Marquis Aduolin, now a vampire count, was naturally unaware of his lackey's inner turmoil, remaining hopelessly immersed in a non-existent admiration.
After a few seconds of basking in his reverie, he regained his composure and looked at his follower:
"Great, this information is very useful to me."
"Once I conquer Weeping Willow Town, I can hold a large-scale blood sacrifice using the humans there. Although it won't be enough to awaken the Grand Duke, it will be no problem to awaken a few blood relatives of the same rank."
[ Aluode ] was even more shocked upon hearing this.
One count had already tormented their squad to the point of near ecstasy; what would happen if a few more came?
Taking on a dozen or so opponents single-handedly was the limit for their team, but it wasn't the limit for this unfathomable old man in front of them.
After all, he was the only one left out of more than a dozen of his men, and he hadn't even managed to leave a single wound on the enemy.
The only effective attack throughout the entire process was perhaps the spit that Captain [ Gill's Cuisine ] spat on the coffin lid, and even that was a mental attack that wasn't guaranteed to work...
Oh no, this is terrible! I've really discovered a huge problem with my survival attempt. I have to post this immediately after logging off, or the Second Holy See might collapse!
Despite the turmoil churning within him, [ Aluode ] maintained a composed expression, and the Count failed to notice anything amiss with his subordinate.
Seemingly because he had been sealed away for too long, the count couldn't help but mutter to himself. He didn't care about [ Aluode ]'s reaction to his words, and with his hands behind his back and chest puffed out, he adopted the air of an old nobleman and walked out of the cave.
The living stone gate, which the players had chopped into mincemeat, seemed not quite dead yet. Sensing the arrival of Count Bennett, it first humbly made way for him, and then stretched out two barely cobbled-together arms to try to grab his shoes.
However, the vampire only returned a cold look, and the indistinguishable monster instantly turned into a pool of lifeless, foul blood, never to be seen again.
Upon reaching the cave entrance, Bennett looked up at the moon hanging high in the sky, his long-aged eyes suddenly filled with Vitality.
[ Aluode ], who had invested two points in [ Psionic Energy Compatibility ], felt a surge of Psionic Energy swirling and converging on the old count. His mouth remained still, but his thoughts were already reaching the minds of every Blood Corpse:
"My Bennett Antos. Come to my side and share in my blood feast!"
As soon as he finished speaking, [ Aluode ] felt the urge to get closer to the other person.
He immediately understood what the old man was thinking.
The other side is really efficient; once they said they wanted to attack Weeping Willow Town, they didn't hesitate at all.
He had been wondering how the meager hundred or so Blood Corpse in the cave could possibly attack a town that might have walls, but now he knew that the shameless old man had actually chosen to call in reinforcements!
Given the opponent's strength, this Psionic Energy Formula should have been able to be activated inside the cave, but why did they insist on coming out to release it? Did they just want to catch a glimpse of the moon?
The following time felt both short and long. After casting the Psionic Energy Formula to summon the Blood Corpse, the count returned with his entourage to the stone hall deep within the cave.
He casually crushed two Blood Corpse to death, and their flesh and bones quickly wriggled to form a chair of mottled crimson and pale white beneath Bennett's buttocks.
He straightened his robes and sat down, beginning his long wait.
His only capable subordinate, [ Aluode ], was now allowed to sit on a protruding rock near the high-backed chair.