The grand hall on the ground floor of Lichtenstein Castle was briefly enveloped in silence.
Elegant stone corridors, a lavish fireplace, and the paintings hanging upon the walls—all were steeped in the hazy light of dawn.
With the rich young master being so forthright, revealing so much information, his identity no longer seemed doubtful.
As for the twin bodyguards behind him, they had no intention of speaking so soon.
Frey gave a slight nod, mentally tagging these three as “The Young Master and His Two Thugs,” then turned his gaze toward the three women standing in the far corner.
“We are from the Empire of Kreit.”
The one leading them—a girl with an air of nobility—bowed gracefully in greeting. Her movements carried elegance and humility, her long brown hair smooth and silky like a flowing ribbon.
But she, too, seemed unwilling to say much, meeting Frey’s cold, sharp eyes without retreat.
The magical aura surrounding her was strong and steady, marking her as a traditional mage. At her sides stood a tall, heroic female knight with swordlike brows and starry eyes, and a small, timid cleric in white, her blue eyes shimmering with tears.
A textbook mage-knight-priest formation.Since their words went no further, Frey did not waste time, tagging them as “The Empire’s National Women’s Team” before turning to the last trio.
“We hail from the Northern Continent, servants of the Holy Maiden of the Church of the Goddess of Fate.”
The priest, his robe pure white and trimmed with intricate golden embroidery, stepped forward respectfully. His gaze was gentle, overflowing with compassion and kindness.
Behind him stood an executioner in heavy armor, draped with a red cloak, and a paladin in gleaming silver plate.
Their faces bore expressions of unwavering resolve, eyes burning with the flame of justice.
“Do you three know Loren?”
Frey asked casually.
The tone in his words carried a weight as if he stood on equal footing with Loren himself. The three were visibly startled, unsure of Frey’s standing within Ikerite Academy.
“Of course. Even in the Northern Continent, we are familiar with the deeds of the great High Priest Loren.”
The priest answered, prompting his companions to each demonstrate a divine art.
Judging from their clerical magic, their claim of being clergy seemed genuine.
But it could not be ruled out that the Resurrection Church might have planted infiltrators even within the Goddess of Fate’s ranks.
These three, then, Frey labeled as “The Holy Maiden’s Lackeys.”
By now, Frey had pieced together the general origins of everyone present, though he knew among the nine, two identities were false.
Specific roles, unless voluntarily revealed, would have to be delivered privately to him in writing.
“You two—anything to add?”
Frey stepped back, moving to stand beside Lan Qi and Huperion.
Huperion found it difficult to directly state her role. Instead, she subtly signaled Frey and Lan Qi to look back, then traced faint letters in the air with her finger behind her back, revealing she was an “Actress.”
“…Got it.”
Upon learning her role, Frey and Lan Qi grew more certain that other challengers might also have such roles—identities of little direct use to the detective. Revealing them openly would only invite suspicion and danger.
This raised the difficulty of Frey’s deductions even further.
Even if he pressed each one for their roles, traitors could easily invent flawless identities.
As long as the traitors were clever enough, discerning them by role alone was nearly impossible—such was the very mechanism of the Shadow World.
When Huperion finished, Lan Qi stepped calmly forward, raising his palm to address the others.
“Greetings, everyone. Allow me to say a few words.”
“My role is Lawyer. I am well-versed in the laws of the Horning Empire. As it stands, the Empire has wholly embraced worship of the Vampire Ancestor. Any act defying vampire rule is punishable by death. Likewise, humans wishing to enter or leave any city must undergo strict identity registration.”
“As for the Geographer’s information, I can add this: the Empire’s national defense barrier is now fully under vampire control. It grants dominance over the skies—non-vampires cannot use any flying spells or artifacts. I trust this can be verified in due time.”
Lan Qi’s words fell like a stone into a still lake, sending ripples through the hall, casting everyone into deep thought.
Another self-revealed identity—open and upright.
And the boy’s emerald-green eyes shone with clarity and sincerity, his words carrying a calm strength that seemed to dissolve doubt and unease.
Such untainted gentleness made it difficult to believe he could be anything but good.
Or perhaps—
If someone like this truly were the villain, it would be a horror story beyond imagination.
With a sigh, Lan Qi added helplessly:
“If I’m not mistaken, I bear grim news. The sole bridge leading to the city-state has likely already been destroyed. We are trapped atop this cliff, hemmed in by the defense barrier and the terrain.”
“So, the Shadow World’s demand is that we correctly deduce and capture the traitors. Should we mistakenly slay the wrong ones, when the Vampire Count arrives, none of us will escape?”
Frey chuckled faintly, glancing at Lan Qi with playful amusement as he posed the question.
At his words, the others’ expressions all darkened.
Faces shifted—some startled, some contemplative, some solemn—as though painting a scene in shifting hues.
In this sealed hall, everyone grew more alert, more sensitive. The tension was palpable, spreading like a tightening web.
The mere mention of sealed terrain and Vampire Count was enough to make every challenger blanch.
Even in the real world, they knew—vampires were monsters no equal-ranked being could withstand.
Born with authority and immortality, every clash between humanity’s strongest and vampires had ended only in wasted lives.
Theoretically, vampires weakened greatly beneath the sun, but lasting through even one full night against a Count was impossible.
In terms of raw power, the challengers here—hovering around Tier Five—were not even in the same realm. A Count could decapitate any one of them with a glance, reducing them to nothing but playthings for his sadistic amusement.
“Of course, there’s no escape.”
Lan Qi’s tone remained calm, his state of mind as still as a tranquil lake.
Even in the face of such danger, he did not waver.
Huperion glanced at Lan Qi, her heart settling somewhat.
So long as Lan Qi remained like this, she had nothing to fear.
Tomorrow: Bonus Chapter!