“Huperion, don’t worry. With us detectives and lawyers by your side, those thugs won’t be able to do anything to you.”
Frey nodded. Whenever his companions needed help, he always extended a hand.
He just hadn’t expected the topic to jump this far.
What he thought would be a simple reception job—just the three of them performing steadily as usual to see off their guests smoothly—
turned out to be hiding a conspiracy that touched upon the very relationship between the Hedon Kingdom and the Yaloran Kingdom.
If their student council trio, role models of Ikerite Academy, managed to unmask an elite Resurrection Cultist while hosting the Yaloran academic delegation—
His Majesty the King would have to commend them for such merit.
And the reward money wouldn’t be small either!
“Indeed. With you two here, I always feel it’s the enemy who’s in danger, not me.”
Huperion finally understood her role.Turns out—she was the perfect bait.
With their team running in such a positive cycle, gaining wealth and everything else so quickly, she was an indispensable piece.
“We’re the face of Ikerite Academy’s new generation. This time, we must win glory for the school!”
“That’s right. Dean Loren will definitely thank the three of us properly then.”
“…If something goes wrong, promise me you two won’t abandon me when you run…”
Chatting like this, the three had already reached the familiar chapel on the first floor.
Whether it was the arched ceiling or the ornate stained-glass windows, all revealed a sense of tranquil beauty, with only their footsteps echoing inside.
Crossing the chapel slightly, they came to a stone door set into one corner, decorated with an old iron ring. This was the entrance to the underground wine cellar.
“This is the place?” Frey asked.
“Yes,” Lan Qi replied.
Frey pushed the heavy stone door open. A rush of icy air poured through the crack. They continued down the stone steps, soon catching the aroma of oak barrels—the unique fragrance of time mingling with wine.
When they lit the lamps inside the cellar, they saw rows upon rows of massive oak casks lined neatly, the dim glow thick with the rich scent of aged wine, mixed with damp stone and the must of old wood.
This shadow-world was truly well-stocked with fine ingredients and drinks.
“According to Stisela, dripping blood on the cellar floor will trigger the underground magic barrier’s reaction.”
As Lan Qi spoke, he took out a small vial from his pocket. Inside was a little blood he had collected during the Saint of Destruction’s earlier battle.
Can’t let this blood go to waste.
He uncorked the bottle and let the crimson drops fall onto the empty stone floor at the center of the cellar.
The next moment—
Like water rippling across a still lake—
A transparent crimson wave spread outward.
The stone floor trembled faintly, as if some mechanism were hidden beneath.
Lan Qi crouched, pressing a finger to the ground, sensing the flow of magic. Soon his gaze turned to one side of the cellar.
He poured the rest of the blood there, and immediately pale-red magical surges erupted across the surface. The slabs rumbled deeply, then slowly sank—
Revealing the secret buried beneath the cellar—
Set into the depression was a coffin-like super-ancient magical device, metallic in form, inscribed with complex sealing circuits. The symbols pulsed and flickered as if alive.
Lan Qi didn’t rush into the next step, but led Frey and Huperion closer to observe.
“Just as I thought. This formation is identical to the one in that sealing grimoire from the library. But it’s a fifth-tier spell—even if I understand it, even if I learn it, I can’t cast it.”
His green eyes locked on the ancient human magic glyphs inscribed across the coffin.
Once sealed within, one would be locked in stasis, incapable of any recovery.
Its name: Eternal Punishment of the Undying.
“When you reach tier five, does that mean you could actually use this to seal vampires?” Huperion asked.
“In theory, yes. The cost isn’t death—just massive mana depletion and some backlash. But for practical use, it requires immobilizing the vampire first, with a witch and a werewolf as mediums.”
Lan Qi explained patiently.
He only grasped the surface of this ancient magic, but he was oddly confident. Perhaps this Eternal Punishment of the Undying would be the very first spell he could wield without relying on magic cards—
even though he couldn’t cast a fireball.
When that day came, he’d flaunt it before the faculty of the Sage’s Practical Studies course—look, even he could use magic now!
“My understanding is, since it’s night, you two just need to drip your blood on the coffin. The seal will reverse on its own and undo.”
Lan Qi stepped back, gesturing to them.
“Oh, and such a fine moment—it’s worth starting the [Shadow World Recording Program] again. Nothing here needs secrecy, and it’ll serve as a warmup for tomorrow morning’s important broadcast.”
If the Yaloran delegation arrived by noon, they could even catch the stream.
“Understood.” Frey nodded.
“Should the three of us subdue him together once he’s out?” Huperion asked.
“No need. You two won’t have to lift a finger. One sentence from me will handle him.”
Lan Qi smiled, full of confidence.
“…,” Huperion nodded doubtfully, still ready to shield Lan Qi at a moment’s notice.
Because she truly couldn’t imagine how a sixth-tier vampire could be handled just with words!
Frey and Huperion pricked their fingertips, dripping a drop each onto the coffin sealing Viscount Augustine.
In an instant—
The cellar fell into absolute silence, as though sound itself had been confiscated. Then the embedded coffin boomed thunderously, shaking the ground.
A blinding red radiance surged upward, flooding the cellar, even staining the chapel above.
The magical wave in that crimson glow swelled more and more terrifying, a calamity about to arrive.
The coffin lid slid open. Cold mist spilled forth, like the abyss of a frozen age.
And from that abyss, a pale hand emerged, skeletal and deathly, nails black and gleaming with chill light.
He gripped the coffin edge, rising slowly—Viscount Augustine.
His crimson eyes blazed, sharp and freezing. His face was ashen white, devoid of life, only raw hunger unhidden.
“You… awakened me.”
His voice was low, cold, every word laden with dread, like a scythe poised above their necks.
He was ravenous. Even if they had freed him, he needed to feed. These three frail mortals—ripe for slaughter.
Yet—
Lan Qi, as calm as a castle butler, smiled and said:
“Viscount Augustine, we’ve prepared three humans for you. And Count Palocas is already waiting for you upstairs on the third floor.”
He opened his palm, revealing Count Palocas’s ring.
Augustine’s eyes, still edged with malice, immediately calmed.
The powerful aura of a higher vampire lingered on the ring. Even he felt a shiver.
If this ring were entrusted, the bearer must be a trusted retainer of the Count.
“Count Palocas…” Augustine murmured.
If the Count had sent them, then he mustn’t harm them. And of course, the Count would know his hunger, and had already arranged a feast.
“So, three fine humans as a welcome gift…”
Satisfied, he smiled. It was clearly night; these three had freed him with sincerity.
“Take me to the Count.”
“This way, please.”
Lan Qi gestured gracefully.
In the gloom, Augustine swept past him like a black storm, stride fierce, a beast unleashed.
As he passed, Lan Qi stole a glanced at Frey and Huperion, and winked—
See? He’s going willingly.
Frey silently raised a thumb, like a smuggler proud of his scheme.
“...!”
Huperion bowed her head, refusing to react.
Never had she imagined one day she’d be complicit in trafficking vampires!
The Goddess is watching her!