Published at 28th of August 2026 10:30 am

Chapter 1966: Vampire King’s Desire

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At the same time, on the other side of the Lamiyan Mountains, Genevieve recounted her experiences.

"After we returned from our scouting mission, we were told that the reason for the sun temple incident had been discovered," she said, her gaze involuntarily drifting toward Adam.

"They said it was you," she continued. "That you were captured by the High Priest, and then tortured, and then ultimately sacrificed. And that in the process, the Brand of Evil attracted the Puppeteer and hundreds of other monsters in the vicinity."

Adam stroked his chin, deep in thought. "Well, that’s half right."

Genevieve’s pupils constricted. "So you were tortured by the High Priest!"

Her gaze drifted toward the scars visible on Adam’s exposed skin, and she couldn’t help but shudder. "Just... how?"

"I was stupid enough to enter the sun temple," Adam replied with a bitter smile. "After that, well... things happened. I figured the only way to escape was through sowing chaos, and that is exactly what I did."

He pointed at his right hand, then continued, "I drew all the monsters toward me. When the werewolf and the invisible puppeteer began their battle, I escaped."

Adam severely downplayed what he had gone through. He figured Genevieve did not need to know more. He could see that she wanted to press for more answers, but he didn’t give her the chance to.

"And then I met Luca," he said, pointing to the Paladin, who was pouring meat stew from the large pot into four bowls.

"We were on our way to the other side of the mountain," Adam continued. "Luca believes that if there’s a way to leave this cursed world, then it must be on the other side."

"And what a wonderful coincidence that we ran into you," Luca said as he came over with the food. "I dare say, if it weren’t for us, you might have already been taken away by the ghouls."

Genevieve’s expression turned grave. It was as Luca had said. Had he and Adam not appeared in such a timely manner, the ghouls would have surely taken her away.

"Now tell us about this conspiracy unfolding in the City Hall," Luca said as he placed the bowls on the floor.

He made sure to give Adam an extra serving because, goodness arcana, the man needed it.

Genevieve nodded. She brought the bowl to her mouth and sipped on the broth. It had been a few days since she’d eaten anything. The ghouls naturally didn’t feed her. Though they were kind enough to give her some water. How ridiculous.

"I went to Lady Kesha to inquire how they found out about your death," Genevieve began, gesturing to Adam. "She said it was a deduction made by the leader of the council."

Luca sneered. "Deduction? How convenient. Now that we know they’re in league with the monsters, he might as well have received the information directly from one of them."

"That is what I believe as well." Genevieve nodded.

"What happened after?" Adam pressed.

"They figured I started asking too many questions," Genevieve said, a wry smile on her face.

Soon, her smile vanished. Her cerulean eyes flickered with traces of fear.

"And then, he appeared," she murmured. "I don’t know who he was, but if I had to guess... he was most likely the leader of the council."

"Aramen!" Luca spoke in a grim voice.

"You know him?" Adam turned to him and asked solemnly.

"I saw him once," Luca said with a nod. "He’s definitely the most powerful man in the City Hall. And... he’s dangerous."

Adam’s eyes narrowed, and his lips curled into a smile.

"Traitors hide among the upper echelons of the City Hall," he said. "But the question is... why? Why are they working together with their sworn enemy?"

"There could only be one reason," Luca said casually as he ate food. "The enemy must have promised a way to leave the secret plane."

"But can the words of a monster be trusted?" Adam sneered. "If they did sign a mana oath, what makes the traitors think the monsters won’t find loopholes in the contract?"

"Desperation more often than not leads to silly mistakes that one generally would never make," Luca said with a shrug.

"There’s something more." Genevieve suddenly chimed in.

"What is it?" Adam’s expression turned solemn.

Genevieve hesitated, wondering what she’d gathered was true or just a product of her drug-muddled mind.

"While I was with the ghouls," she began. "I overheard their conversation a few times."

"What did they say?" Luca frowned.

"You should take this with a grain of salt," she said as she turned toward the Lone Wolf. "I was not in the right state of mind at the time."

She turned back toward Adam and said in a serious voice:

"I overheard parts of their conversation. Something about the vampire king, his castle, a ritual, a celebration, and... desire."

Adam’s pupils constricted. He subconsciously murmured:

"Welcome to the land of King Jacob de Vile... May you fulfill his deepest desire."

Luca frowned intensely, finding those words familiar. "Where did you hear that?"

Even Genevieve found it extremely familiar, but she couldn’t recall where she had heard those words.

"From those gypsies," Adam said in a low voice.

"Before we were swallowed by the mist and transported into this secret plane, the gypsy leader had recited the tale of a warrior. Those were the words she had said in the end."

He looked at Luca and Geneive, then said in a grave voice, "The reason why we were sent here... it is to fulfill the vampire king’s desire."

"His desire..." Luca’s words trailed off. He turned to Genevieve and found that the woman was utterly frightened.

Just what was he planning to do with her? He couldn’t help but wonder.

Adam could only guess. It was like shooting an arrow in the dark and hoping it hit the bullseye. He might as well not try to guess the reason.

Instead, he turned to Genevieve and said in a reassuring voice, "Nothing’s going to happen to you."

Genevieve could only nod. The fear in her heart did not recede one bit.

This vampire king was undoubtedly an existence at the Mana Seed Rank — perhaps, even at the peak of that arcane stage. And he had set his eyes on her.

How could she not be afraid?

Suddenly, Adam asked her about something that had completely slipped her mind.

"Hey, Genevieve," he called out.

"...Yes?"

"Where’s Michael?"

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