By the time we returned to Higginsville, Sinid was long gone. Loth didn't tell me where he went, and I didn't ask. Likaea

The prince did leave me something, the first one being a letter.

My dear Ariana,

As a Nightcrawler, you're a nice guy, and I'm sure we'll see each other again when you're an adult. I'm looking forward to it, and I left you two things to show my gratitude.

The first is an introduction to how to properly use charms, including some tips, meditation techniques, and my favorite subtleties. I wrote it in two days, as if in a trance! The next time we meet, let's have a little competition and see what you learn.

The second is half a gift and half an apology. I realized that you might not have drunk my blood the way you wanted, so I asked Loth to take a little of my essence and put it in a precious container. Take it with you, always. If one day you are in danger of dying, no matter how painful your wound is, drink it and it will undoubtedly save your life. This contains the essence of the elven prince, and it is given away for free. Don't waste it! I'll know!

Goodbye, baby.

"Wheels.

I was determined to wear that little silver tube around my neck forever. It hung right next to the pendant with my father's message on it. These two are my lifelines, one is the body and the other is the soul.

Over the next few months, we developed healthy habits. Most nights, I help Roth with all sorts of research-related tasks, magical, mundane, and metallurgical. I even assisted him as a nurse when his hospital traffic increased. My good friend would insist that some of the tasks I was asked to do would "forge character", so I didn't feel nauseous at all, and that was well utilized. I quickly learned that this expression was a hypocritical substitute for "this is offensive, now that I have a subordinate, I don't have to do it anymore."

Loth also tested the limits of my physical strength and, naturally, asked me to carry heavy loads for him. He concluded that I was "as strong as a gravity troll, and slightly better-looking." ”

I never know how he used his tongue to coax all the widows of the county into his bed.

The rest of the night I spent in a variety of activities. I continued my research on the Western standard rune system and studied several forms of shamanism. Despite Jime

A suggested that I try music, but I still took up painting as a hobby. The experience of my failed attempt to practice the violin when I was seven years old still weighs heavily on my soul to this day. I ran through the woods as fast as I could, and practiced throwing knives and shooting with Loth.

Dalton settled into his new responsibilities with great ease. Unless he wants to get the attention of others, he has a way of appearing unimportant to others, which makes him suitable anywhere, and his dark charisma is enough when he needs to make an impact. He quickly won the affection of the male and female residents of our town. The only problem is the rumors about us, which I don't mind too much. His presence makes bounty hunting trivial and fun. I don't have to worry about my own inadmissibility anymore. I'm only responsible for the fun part, and my subordinates are responsible for the rest. Many times, we collaborate to capture our marks in an entertaining way. This quickly gave him a reputation for ambivalence and also brought him a lot of respect. I also took advantage of this opportunity to practice my senses and charms. We continued like this for a while, until I received a letter from my dear Jimina.

My dearest A

ia

e:

I can't express the many emotions I experienced when I learned about your recent adventures! Pierced hearts? A disobedient vampire? I haven't been so anxious since I helped you escape. Young man, please be considerate of my poor heart, and be considerate of your poor heart! Chicks are not supposed to be destroyed, especially not twice in a year! Seriously, if you weren't a descendant of the Devourer, I'm afraid we'd have lost you long ago.

First of all, I should advise you on something that I mentioned in my previous letter, if I thought that you would challenge the courtiers with military training! These issues relate to armed conflicts between our kind.

The way to deal with vampires is not the same as the way to deal with other things. Few creatures can match our speed, so vampires killed in battles with other races will be knocked down with overwhelming damage. Vampires, on the other hand, always have the heart as their primary target. Even the smallest wound can lead to your death.

The next time we meet, I'll teach you how to protect yourself with martial arts. Until then, don't use deadly methods because you'll develop bad habits. We don't move and fight like humans, so their art is not for us. If you don't come to me with a preconceived idea, things will be a little easier.

However, there are many ways to improve yourself. One of them you already know. Those hikes under the moon that you mentioned will help you get used to your body and improve your natural flexibility. When moving, go with your instincts. I also highly recommend that you wear a set of armor when fighting. You can find a blueprint for a standard Harcourt breast protector in this envelope. I'm sure your friends can help you with that.

It is worth repeating that if fed with the blood of powerful enemies, your bloodline can grow quickly. This puts your innate abilities on par with those of seasoned courtiers. It won't give you the experience of being alone. The creature you're facing is defenseless and half-insane, so it's not equal in any way to the opponent you'll face if a tribe decides to take you down. If you are discovered, I beg you to escape. As soon as you leave their territory, they will most likely abandon the pursuit and will only report your presence to the Knights' Club in Boston. I hope you heed my warning.

Now that this matter has been settled, allow me to be the first to congratulate you on coming of age as a vampire! Ah, but I remember like yesterday, a timid and confused woman awkwardly standing on my training ground! Even at that time, your personality is distinct and sets you apart. Now, you've got your own! My heart is filled with pride and I hope I can celebrate this auspicious night with you.

Now that you are a courtier, don't let anyone say you're not. In 1810, more than five years later, all the vampires in North America would hold an important secret meeting. I would like to take this opportunity to request the current Speaker to take your office. If accepted, we can register you as a member of the Independent House by agreement, and you will be free from Lancaster control forever. Constantine will certainly give you a task or two as compensation for your illegal encroachment on his land, but I won't worry too much. He was a tolerant ruler, and the New World was both a refuge and a place of opportunity.

I'm glad to hear that you want to use your time to build expertise and capital. The pursuit of excellence is a defining attribute of the followers of the path, and the Cadiz clan belongs to this faction. As a new vampire, I suggest you learn an instrument. Art helps us stay human, and music is the most important thing.

You also need to think about building wealth. As you can imagine, secular institutions are not suited to our needs, so I suggest you go to the port city of Savannah, where you will find a small branch of the Rosenthal consortium. They are neutral entities in the supernatural world, and they are both reliable and efficient. Open an account with them and remember that we all start with small things.

Finally, we're pretty sure that Gabriel will no longer spy on your father, so you can now communicate more freely.

Ancha and I miss you, Ariana. If time permits, I will meet you in person. I have to be careful, because most of my actions are now under scrutiny, and in fact, I have a chance to regain my status and join the ranks of knights again! My next mission will take me to the swamp and last for a few months. If all goes well, I will be assigned a task, and when the task is completed, I will be reinstated. I can't express how much it means to me, dear. Good luck to me!

With sisterly love,

Jimena of Cádiz. September 7, 1804

Savannah, Georgia, February 1805

The Rosenthal Consortium (Rose

thal Co

so

Tium) building is quite small, only slightly larger than my childhood home, but it attracts the attention of people from an entire block away. I would call the local architecture basic, just because I feel generous. The most common decoration is to apply a coat of paint to the ubiquitous horizontal planks, even in public places such as town halls.

The house of this aristocratic institution is orange.

Yes, orange.

Its walls are made entirely of vertically carved white stone and bricks in fiery red colors. It stands like a jewel, or a pustule, in the middle of a serious neighbor. Iron-barred windows and reinforced gates only deepen the impression of outsiders.

Dalton disappeared into the shadows without saying a word, and I approached the guards.

He pretended to ignore me until politely asked him to respond. He looked serious, dressed in black with a white shirt, and had an impressive beard on his pale face. I smelled gunpowder from him, and interestingly, he spelled something, although he wasn't a mage himself. I tasted it and recognized a special aura. When I met him, my suspicions were confirmed. These protections are meant to avoid influences, which extend to charm.

Finally, this is an exercise Si

Ead mentioned tips for chance!

The rope between us peeked out from the smooth shield. I slowly changed the color of our relationship to match his current mood. He doesn't trust people, but he's not worried. In half a second, the wire merges with the shield and passes through.

I gave him a polite smile and gave him a little advice, and he responded to me.

It works!

"Good evening, sir, is this the Savannah branch of the Rosenthal Group?"

"Indeed, miss, we are happy to help. Unfortunately, we are closed. ”

It's okay, I'll try to convince him until he thinks I'm important and deserves special treatment.

"I'm sorry, I've heard you'll be moving after sunset." At least Jime

A said so.

The reaction of the guards was unexpected. His face was noticeably pale, and his pleasant smile vanished.

"Ah, yes, I'm sorry, ma'am, we didn't expect you to come."

He turned to the door and tapped on the pattern. He then took a key out of the groove of his coat, and after a few nervous attempts, he succeeded in handing it over.

The door seductively opened.

"Say it, ma'am."

Buzz. Queers. Did they deduce my true nature from a single comment? It's not going to be a trap, is it?

Unlikely. Otherwise, Jimena would not have sent me without prior notice.

I walked down a nice hall. I thought it looked fancy, but I was wrong.

The floor is made entirely of polished black stone with a huge white circle in the middle and a diameter of five steps. I don't recognize the golden runes that surround its edges. The bottom of the wall is the same black stone, and the top is bronze. The room was narrow and led to a tall mahogany counter behind which a teller was hard at work. In addition to the table, only a few chairs and a piece of medieval armor with a halberd serve as visible furniture.

Next to the door I had just walked through, there was one on the left, one on the right, and, oddly enough, a window locked with iron bars. I also noticed a corridor on the far wall, as well as a staircase up the stairs.

I immediately stopped. This place is full of magic. When I crossed the threshold, I had already triggered some kind of alarm, which could not have been avoided. I could also feel the tremendous power coming from the circles, the armor, the many doors, and the surprising counters.

The people in the back of the car stood up, noticed me, and froze. The iron window on the right opened, allowing another frowning man with a gun to look in. As soon as he saw me, he stopped.

It's embarrassing, isn't it?

"I'm here to open an account."

I'd rather make my intentions clear before the armor starts moving on its own.

"Ah, well, I ......"

The man behind the counter is the accounting I would expect. He nervously tried to replace the monocle from his nose, but his trembling hand knocked it out of his eye socket and landed on his chest.

There was silence all around. I waited.

Soon, footsteps could be heard on the stairs. They move slowly and measuredly.

After a while, a man calmly walked into the room and walked in my direction. He was slightly shorter than me, with black hair combed back and piercing gray eyes. He is characterized by a perceptive, aristocratic one, and his expression is polite and respectful. His black suit is well-cut and shows understated taste. He was also a courtier, a powerful courtier. I will put him on the edge of a greater cause. His aura is also one of the most disciplined and controlled I have ever felt.

"Hello ma'am, welcome to our humble place. I am Isaac of House Rosenthal. I welcome you here tonight. ”

"Thank you, Isaac, I'm, uh, Ariana of House Nilari."

A mixed emotion moved on his calm face.

"Really? Gorgeous, splendid! It's an honor and a pleasure to finally meet you. Please follow me. ”

I accepted his invitation and we walked side by side. You can hear a pin drop here because none of us make a sound when our feet touch the ground.

He led me up to the second floor to his office at the end of the alley. We walked into a spacious room with only one candle lit. There was a large window at the back of the house where we could see the roof and the cloudy sky. Two comfortable leather chairs sit on either side of a large table that represents hard work and compulsive organization. Stacks of folders are neatly arranged on wooden partitions, and not a single document is currently outside, which is necessary when guests can see it so clearly. Bookshelves filled with legal, economic, and philosophical works give a sense of comfort.

"You may be seated. Don't be inhibited. ”

He sat dignifiedly, stared at me for a moment, and then leaned forward with a slight interest.

"Before we begin, I want to confirm your identity. Can you, ah, forgive me for my rudeness, can you show me your fangs?"

I waited for him to show signs of insulting me before admitting that it wasn't an unreasonable request. I didn't have any identification documents with me.

"Ah, yes, eight people. Unbelievable. Half a century ago, I had the privilege of meeting your Master in Geneva. He caused a lot of commotion!"

"I've heard he tends to do that......"

He gave me a sharp look.

"Yes, it is. An apt euphemism. I just want to say I'm glad to meet you. We were told that Mistress Nelari had laid a new egg, and I was furious when I heard that you had been killed. ”

"Rumors about my death are exaggerated."

"It seems so!" Now you come to us to open an account, so that you can hold Ni

a

The number of people has increased to three. This is a historic moment for our family. ”

"Yes. Before we get started, I have a few questions for you if you don't mind. ”

"Of course not. If you wish, I can explain to you our services, terms and conditions. Then, if there's anything you want to know, I'd be happy to elaborate on it to you. ”

"Sounds perfect. First, however, I would like to clarify a few things. My existence, so to speak, was not approved by the current authorities of this land. Is this going to be a problem?"

"Ah, yes. Your concern is understandable. We are a completely independent entity, linked to all governments, and are not obligated to enforce their rules. Privacy is taken seriously enough, and our autonomy is protected by consensus. Therefore, not only can I provide you with a full range of services, but I can also guarantee that your existence will be kept confidential as you see fit, until you enter society as a debutant. ”

His expression was serious.

"Then rest assured, sir. I would like to know if you have any service suggestions. ”

"Excellent, excellent! We offer a full range of financial services. This includes various forms of personal banking, asset and wealth management, trading, and safekeeping. We also provide legal advice, administrative assistance such as changing the status of our regular clients, which I promise you will need one day. We also deal with insurance and estate issues......"

Isaac's full statement lasted an hour and was quite exhaustive. I suspect I won't need to transfer ownership of a company between two fake identities anytime soon, although it's still good to know that this possibility exists. In the end, I chose to open a checking account and invest the rest of my money into a fund with a high rate of return but was volatile. This cunning man made me open a safe, and as a business gesture, I accepted, but did not take advantage of it. After all, my most precious things can be hung around my neck and in a holster.

I went down and signaled Dalton to come with me with our goods. I got a total of almost $400 from bounty hunting and helping Loth complete various quests. When one does not need to spend money on food and accommodation, it is easy to save money even after giving my vassals a fair share.

Isaac invited me back and waited for my money to be counted.

"Can I ask you a few questions?"

"Of course, Miss Ariane, of course. I must warn you, though, that I will not share any information that may infringe on the privacy of our other customers. ”

"I see. You have confirmed that I have a sibling and I would like to know if you can tell me a little bit about them. ”

"Yes, it's easy. I forgot that you have always stayed away from politics. Your brother is Svyatoslav. He is currently the most dominant figure in St. Petersburg. ”

"Really? Is Russia one of the main factions I've heard about?"

Isaac thought for a moment, then continued.

"Clans rarely respect borders, Miss Ariane, so we never call ourselves 'Portugal' or 'Switzerland', but by the name of the clan or the Union."

First question, I've exposed myself as a hillbilly. Well done, Ariana.

"There are two factions in Russia. One of them is a collection of bandits, witches, and cults, a nominal alliance, not an actual one. The second group is definitely belligerent, and their closest allies are knights. They call themselves Vityazi and are dedicated to picking dangerous magical animals. In 1756 I had the opportunity to visit their headquarters, and I admit I was pleasantly surprised. ”

"You have a good memory."

"This is the characteristic of my bloodline. We all have a clear mind, served by a clear memory. ”

"Forgive me for saying that, sir, but I've been with you for less than two years, and there's already a lot I'd rather forget."

"Not at all, not at all. Luckily, we were able to keep our worst memories at arm's length. Otherwise, I am afraid that people will not be able to tolerate pain-fighting training. ”

He spoke expressionlessly, and I thought he was joking, but there was no expression on his face. I feel like Isaac is open to me.

"We're getting distracted. Your brother acts as a buffer between local interest groups. His friendships with various key decision-makers are usually sufficient. If not, he warns everyone of the dangers of provoking him. ”

"Is he that strong?"

"He is seven hundred years old, miss, he is the prince of the Russian Federation in Kiev."

Wow. If he had lived that long and fought as I believed, then he must have been a force of nature. That's the reality I have right now, because I forgot about it because I wasn't with my family. Some of us witnessed the fall of Rome. Maybe they even participated.

"If you want, I can bring him a letter for you."

Do I want to meet someone who reminds me of Master?

"No thanks."

I hate him, I love him, I hate him, I'm being a bad girl. I should save up enough money to buy a boat, find his resting place, and dig him out, so that we can ...... No!

Damn it!

"Miss?"

"It's nothing. Ah, do you have any way to petition the Speaker for me to be here, so to speak?"

"Unfortunately, we are not signatories to the agreement. We can't petition the Lancasters because of conflict within them, if we are strict. However, we can send a message. I can tell you now that there is no one to vouch for you, and it is very difficult to obtain recognition from the Independent House under the Agreement. ”

"What is an agreement?"

"They are a set of rules that regulate the rights and duties of all vampires who live in the New World. They are quite lax. Most of them are concerned with protecting individuals from spilling over into distant conflicts. Do you know that these three alliances are at war?"

"Yes, although I don't know the specifics."

We, as allies, will not change our position long before the news arrives. According to the Agreement, the participation of local branches is prohibited, and so far the locals have managed to remain non-participatory. ”

"How are these rules enforced?"

"The current Speaker of the Parliament, Lord Konstantin (lo

d Co

sta

ti

e) Have a small number of troops, and you can also call up more. No local tribe has yet reached a critical mass, and none of them pose a real challenge. Right now. ”

"Interesting. This place is for exiles and refugees. Ah, I don't mean to be disrespectful. ”

I don't know if Isaac will be angry. The man's facial expressions are as many as a marble statue. If it weren't for my habit of doing the same thing to Rose, it would be unsettling.

"Nope. To be honest, I'm here for a vacation. ”

Well?

"Vacation? Really?"

"Real".

I stared at the neat table and the piles of papers. From Niagara Falls to Key West, this man can go anywhere, but he chooses to stay here and do paperwork? In Savannah? The Silent Watchman saved me from this madman.

"Don't let circumstances fool you. My workload is light, especially when compared to home. I'm catching up on some books I've been looking forward to for ten years. ”

"Of course I know bankers work hard......"

"That's a conservative statement, and it's in a relatively normal situation. Now that Europe is burning from Napoleon's wrath, we expect trade war measures next year. The Legion of the Masks is in the midst of a civil war, and Ese

The followers of you and the road are also killing each other. Believe me, I need an idyllic retreat. When I learned that my tribe was looking for a two-year position in a remote location, I gladly accepted the opportunity. ”

It was the first time I saw him really show his feelings. Even then, it was mild at best.

"I see. I only wish my country had something more to offer than that. ”

"Don't worry, I have my books. The only thing I'm missing is my companions, so your visit is the luckiest, indeed the luckiest! Say ......"

"Really?"

"No...... No, I shouldn't. I'm so unprofessional. I ask for your forgiveness. ”

How strange! This was unexpected. This man behaved very elegantly, I should say, a little conceited, and now he speaks like a rake who wants to carry out evil plans? I'm curious!

"Isaac, now that our affair is over, I ask you, not as a customer of the Rosenthal family, but from one vampire to another, what is this?" Say it. ”

He looked flustered.

"Ah, well, well. Let's stop here for now, and then move on to the outside. ”

It's getting weirder and weirder. The calm banker suddenly loses his composure? All my expectations were dashed. I followed the strange man out of the hall, and Dalton was right next to me. The guards looked at it in surprise, but did not comment.

We soon came to a small garden, which was empty at this point. Isaac turned to me and stopped. He struck me as cautious in his words, so I gave him some time to make clear what I was sure would be a request. Vampires cannot be supplicants because they can defend themselves, so this requires equal trading between peers. I'm looking forward to hearing about it.

Finally, Isaac took a deep breath, just as Dalton began to be a little worried about our unnatural immobility.

My patience will be rewarded! I'm sure it's going to be a wonderful story.

"Ariana of the Nilari Clan, I want your support when I kill."

Yes.