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Chapter 167: The High Priest Auguslatin's Kin
🕑 Added 2025-01-13 02:50:06 +0000 UTCCharlot truly brought Julian back to the camp, arranged for him to bathe, and even had him share a carriage with himself.
Charlot's aim was clear: to extract more intelligence about the Byron vampires from Julian.
A spy like Julian Arsilo, young and inexperienced yet possessing extensive knowledge and an extremely loose tongue, was a rarity that could scarcely be found in a hundred years.
Julian hadn’t anticipated that this "senior" of his held such a high position within the Knight Order. Charlot openly led him into the camp, where everyone treated him with deference, not daring to question him. When Charlot brought Julian into the carriage, many even wore expressions of "blessing" on their faces.
Truly... “so wholesome.”
Having just completed his training, Charlot was energized and had no desire to sleep.
Julian, after his bath, also practiced for a bit. Being young and gifted, he quickly regained his vigor.
Though he longed for the comfort of deep sleep, Julian was well aware of his precarious situation. In this enemy camp of Byron, he could hardly afford to be careless.
Seeing that Charlot wasn’t sleeping either, Julian couldn't help but ask, "I haven’t yet asked for your name, senior. I am Julian, Julian Arsilo."
Charlot replied, "I am Kainan. I don’t bear the Arsilo name. In the camp, I use another identity. It’s inconvenient for you to know it, so don’t ask further."
Charlot was well aware of his own reputation. If he were to reveal the name Charlot Mecklenburg, it would be impossible to keep anything concealed.
If his identity were exposed, he might have no choice but to kill Julian.
Silently, Charlot prayed for the god of luck to favor both himself and Julian.
Or not. That would work too.
Julian immediately had a look of understanding and exclaimed, "Kainan? You’re an irregular descendant!"
Charlot’s face showed a mix of envy and subtle shame. Julian’s expression flickered between unease and realization. One acted as a consummate performer, while the other remained earnest and sincere.
Vampires prided themselves greatly, looking down not only on ordinary humans but also on irregular descendants who hadn’t received the "First Embrace Certificate." Such discrimination was ingrained.
However, kind-hearted youths like Julian, who bore no prejudice against irregular descendants, were not unheard of. He consoled Charlot, saying, "Senior, there’s no need to mind your identity too much. As long as you can condense a blood core and ascend to become a high-ranking vampire, Byron will recognize you."
"I believe in you; you’ll surely become a high-ranking vampire one day."
Charlot knew that Byron’s laws offered a "special channel" for irregular descendants. By advancing to high rank, they could gain nobility, be issued a First Embrace Certificate, and officially become vampires.
Charlot smiled and nodded, forcing a uniquely meaningful and complex expression onto his face to mask the turmoil in his heart.
Julian held Charlot in high regard and took the opportunity to ask about the swordsmanship Charlot had used during their duel. Charlot had inherited the Arsilo Family techniques from the Blood Rose, but many details remained unclear. Initially hesitant to ask Julian about these, Charlot was pleased when Julian brought them up himself and eagerly cooperated.
The two began discussing swordsmanship, the Arsilo Family's secret techniques, the Angel’s Twelve Movements, clan gossip, and the military situations of various nations. The conversation grew increasingly congenial.
The vampires’ thirty-seven clans had formed a vast compilation committee of elders and leaders to collate all their secret techniques. The resulting Vampiric Scrolls could only be accessed by the vampire elite and the most exceptional young talents.
Julian was one of these "young talents." Not only was he proficient in the Arsilo techniques, but he had also delved into the secret arts of other clans. Although it was uncommon for vampires to practice cross-clan techniques—such practices slowed cultivation and hindered one’s advancement in their own clan’s arts—prodigies like Julian were exceptions.
The emergence of individuals like Protagoras had taught the vampires that ordinary clansmen should focus on their own arts, while extraordinary geniuses could achieve even greater heights by exploring other clans’ techniques.
Charlot, wary of revealing his expertise in the Arthur Clan Scrolls and Adonis Clan Scrolls, as it didn’t align with his irregular status, nonetheless benefited greatly from Julian’s insights. When Charlot admitted that his inherited Arsilo Scrolls were incomplete, Julian even recited passages to fill in the gaps.
Charlot found himself reluctant to “dispose of” this young man.
By daybreak, the two were still engaged in lively conversation. Satisfied, they stepped out of the carriage together.
Few had noticed Charlot bringing a handsome young man into the camp the previous night. However, with the two emerging from the same carriage in broad daylight, rumors quickly spread throughout the camp.
Anastasia and Belisa heard the gossip about Charlot bringing a handsome youth back to his carriage for the night, arranging a bath for him, and staying together for hours. They dismissed it as a baseless rumor.
When they saw Julian with their own eyes, they were shocked, their expressions shifting from disdain to utter confusion.
Anastasia, whose mother was a spy handpicked by Lady Nancella for her beauty, had inherited her mother’s charm. Despite her social standing limiting her popularity compared to campus idols like Annie or Dolores, she still had many admirers.
Belisa, having been raised alongside the duchess, had seen countless eager suitors.
Both young women had heard of Charlot’s supposed girlfriend. Now, however, they couldn’t help but suspect whether Charlot’s "girlfriend" was actually a man.
Unbeknownst to Charlot, he had already been equated with the High Priest Auguslatin in their minds.
Charlot ordered the Knight Order to prepare for departure. The plan was to return to Machubi, select a team of several dozen, and head for Strasbourg. If High Priest Auguslatin indeed became the special envoy of war to the Ingrima Empire, Charlot would need to prepare for the journey there.
While Charlot wasn’t sure what official position he might hold in the envoy group, his only goal was to ride out the war peacefully within their ranks.
Charlot disliked war, and since it was unavoidable, self-preservation seemed the wisest choice.
When Julian heard Charlot mention Strasbourg, his eyes lit up. "Senior, may I come with you?"
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