The Forgotten Rescue

Because of this unexpected event, everyone's original enthusiasm for sightseeing naturally vanished. After Li Lin and his group returned to the inn, they learned from the mercenaries that the fat merchant needed a few more days to organize and prepare his goods, so they let him be. In any case, a little more time wouldn't make a difference. From Li Lin 'Li Lin perspective, he naturally hoped to have enough free time to handle the current unexpected situation. He hated surprises, and any unexpected events in his plans were always the first thing he had to deal with. That's why he was so concerned about Fina's matter. Fortunately, to avoid attracting attention, Li Lin and his group hadn't shown their faces when entering the city, so even if a problem had arisen, it was unlikely to provoke them. Moreover, as a direct descendant of the Fina clan, Fina could be instantly reduced to ashes with a single thought from Angela, so Li Lin wasn't worried about any further unexpected events.

Mina was clearly very dissatisfied with Li Lin's decision, but she had no right to protest, neither in terms of status nor qualifications. Moreover, since Li Lin had promised to rescue Fina, she could only wait quietly. However, Mina was also well aware of what methods the Temple would use against undead creatures, so it was impossible for her to be completely at ease.

"Don't worry, if that kitten dies, you and I will both sense it."

The situation might have been better if Angela hadn't tried to offer such comfort.

Sitting in the luxurious and comfortable guest room, even fine wine and food failed to liven up the atmosphere. Li Lin gazed at the Temple not far away outside the window, lost in thought. Nia, as always, looked at the various books she had bought from the bookstore; for her, there was nothing to do unless Li Lin gave the order. Angela, perhaps because of the loss of Fina, had also abandoned her usual habit of going out to find food, and instead idly slumped over the table, toying with her wine glass.

"What a stupid idiot!"

She cursed under her breath, her voice filled with malice.

"I really don't know why I ever took those idiots as servants. Now it seems they can't even do the job properly!"

As she spoke, Angela her head and looked at Li Lin.

"Master, let's just wipe them out completely before finding new servants. There's no point in bringing in those who will only be a burden. Since that foolish brat has already chosen his own death, why should we bother?"

"I remember you once said that the death of a direct bloodline would affect your strength as the mother vampire."

Li Lin said without turning his head.

"Are you really willing to do this? You should know that your power didn't fall from the sky."

Naturally, as a pure Vampire Species, Angela had spent countless hours and absorbed the blood of countless beautiful virgins to acquire her current power. Fina's death would also affect her. At that time, while the power she had painstakingly accumulated over hundreds or even thousands of years wouldn't completely dissipate, even losing just a small portion would be a very serious matter for Angela. After all, women are easy to find in this world, but beautiful virgins are extremely rare. Once she lost her power, she might have to spend hundreds of years traveling to every corner of the world to make up for the loss.

Therefore, although Angela's tone was very serious, Li Lin knew that it did not mean she was truly serious.

"Since you put it that way, Master, I naturally have nothing more to say."

Angela pouted, following Li Lin's gaze to the Temple's silhouette outside the window, her crimson eyes beginning to gleam with a faint red light. She must be imagining storming into the Temple, cracking open the heads of those stubborn fools, and using their blood and limbs to paint a beautiful artistic scroll on the Temple floor.

"Li Lin, I think something's strange about this."

Nia closed the book in her hand and began to speak.

"According to the doctrines of the Temple of the God of Justice, if Fina were truly captured, she should be purified in front of everyone. After all, that's what the Temple has always done. Not only would it allow the people to witness the horror of undead creatures, but it would also proclaim the glory of the God of Justice. The fact that Fina is being kept under guard without being executed is truly strange."

"I do know why, Sister Nia."

Angela chuckled and turned to look at Nia, who fanned herself with a silk folding fan and revealed an arrogant smile.

"After I came into this world, I discovered that most of the undead creatures here are aesthetically displeasing failures. They are either skeletons whose lower bodies have turned to ash, or rotting flesh so bad that no one wants to look at them. Why do humans hate these undead creatures? It's simple: their forms are ugly. Humans are jealous of the infinite life they once possessed, and currently possess, so they went mad to drive them away, calling it purification, to restore the world's order to normal. But what has become of them now?"

A faint, chilling glint flashed in Angela's eyes, like a drawn blade.

"Look at Fina, what is she? She's just a little girl, unlike those skeletons who possess powerful magic. Her skin is still smooth and delicate, unlike those rotting, stinking zombies. Her mind still exists; she hasn't become a brainless idiot like those mindless undead soldiers... She can even still enjoy the pleasures of love between men and women and respond with the appropriate emotions. She has everything a human should have, and she also has things that humans don't have. The only price she has to pay is to drink blood and avoid sunlight."

At this point, Angela chuckled softly.

"So what does this mean? She's an undead being, which means she won't die. So, don't these humans want to know how she obtained this identity? Don't they want to achieve immortality? They didn't want to before because they didn't have the strength. Even a skeleton, according to their master, requires immense power to achieve this. How could those weak, incompetent humans possess such power? But now, Fina's appearance has clearly opened up a new path for them. They don't need to become zombies covered in rotting flesh, nor do they need to expend effort that may never yield any reward to become liches. It's that simple, 'snap' it."

Angela her fan shut.

"They could enjoy eternal life. How wonderful that would be for those incompetent fools who tremble in the face of death and resist it with their lives. If I were to announce now that I could grant all of humanity immortality, in exchange for turning them into dogs to serve me, would any of them still be so bored as to maintain that so-called fragile human dignity? Those guys would surely be on all fours, barking and groaning in front of me."

Angela's words do make sense.

Li Lin nodded in agreement.

"Vampire Species are creatures that have never appeared in our world before, so it's understandable that the Temple is so nervous. That's why I'm so confident. After all, the Temple of Justice that fights against the undead and darkness and evil, shouldn't let go of a special case like Fina."

"Moreover, unless detected using divine magic, it's impossible to tell the difference between her and an ordinary human."

Nia understood.

"It looks like the Temple will be quite nervous."

Just as Nia suspected, the Temple would naturally be nervous about such an existence, because currently, Fina was no different from an ordinary human, except when detected by divine magic. So, what would the Temple think after learning this information? They certainly wouldn't treat Fina as an exception, so...

"I suddenly had a great idea."

Li Lin began to speak, then turned to Angela.

"You should be able to get in touch with Fina, right?"

"..."

After a moment's thought, Angela smiled elegantly at Li Lin's words.

"That's natural, Master. What do you intend to do?"

"Tell her this for me..."

As he spoke, Li Lin leaned down to Angela's side and whispered something to her, which immediately brightened Angela's expression.

"As expected of my mistress, you actually came up with such an interesting idea."

"Killing doesn't necessarily have to be done with one's own hands."

Li Lin raised his head, a slight smile appearing on his face.

"Although the Goddess of Dawn and the Elf Goddess may not approve of my actions, this is an opportunity they can take advantage of. Those beings are, after all, gods; they can't be so confused as to not understand whether their divine destiny or that of humans is more important."

"Do you need my help, Li Lin?"

Although Nia didn't hear what he said to Angela, the wise and Eternal Library could easily guess the answer.

"At that time, I will naturally need your help."

Just as Li Lin was answering Nia's question, a commotion suddenly broke out outside, including Mina's angry shouts. Then, a loud crash rang out, followed by the return of silence.

"Come in."

Li Lin stared at the doorway, then spoke.

The door slowly opened, and Mina walked in first. Behind her, a girl in a priest's robe followed closely behind. She was rather thin, and one side of her originally pretty cheek was flushed red. Judging from her gait, it was obvious that she was injured. Looking at Mina's angry expression, Li Lin didn't even need to guess who the culprit was to know.

"Nice to meet you."

The young priestess bowed slightly to Li Lin and the other two, but even so, her expression remained cold and indifferent, as if even if something terrible had happened, it had nothing to do with her.

"Mina, who is this female?"

Angela remained hunched over the table, but her voice carried a chilling, murderous intent that sent shivers down one's spine.

"Reporting to Miss Angela..."

Mina placed her hand on the hilt of her sword, forcefully suppressing her anger. In fact, if Li Lin hadn't spoken up earlier, she would have already drawn her sword and killed this despicable woman.

"She's the woman who betrayed Fina and handed her over to the Temple!"

Upon hearing this, everyone's expressions changed.

Angela squinted, observing the girl before her as if appraising the authenticity of a work of art. Li Lin shifted his posture, scrutinizing her expression. Only Nia watched with pure curiosity—the very girl who dared to walk in alone. What gave her the confidence to appear here alone? Wasn't she afraid these people might harm her?

"Hello, miss."

After gesturing for Mina to calm down, Li Lin spoke.

"I'm surprised how you found this place, and why you dared to come here alone."

"I have important information to report."

Even when faced with Li Lin's questions, the girl remained expressionless, as if Li Lin words meant nothing to her, and she didn't care whether she would be killed the next moment. This was different from the despair of someone who had lost all hope and begged for death. She seemed to have no interest in anything, whether it was living or dying.

Noticing this, Li Lin frowned. He carefully observed the girl's eyes and finally discovered a faint blue hue deep within them, like the brilliance of a starry night sky.

"That really surprised me."

Li Lin hurriedly stood up, bowed gracefully and solemnly to the girl in front of him, and performed a standard mage's salute.

"I never expected that you would personally appear, Your Majesty."