, spinning at will. We'll fight, but I don't mind saying a few words until then. In this case, time is on my side. Without his leadership, his rabble would have collapsed, and my camp now has all the advantages, including numbers.

When he stopped at a considerable distance, I didn't think I had much interaction with Lambert. I know why now. He's a thug and I'm an errand runner. In a sense, it's a blessing that we don't see each other often. Before killing a person, he perverts the desire to defile and destroy everything a person has, a sign of a sick mind, a person who is detached from morality, and whose only amusement is destruction.

I study him with silence as he studies me.

Arrogant.

That's what he embodied. His posture is relaxed and confident. His handsome face was distorted with contempt and contempt. My enslavement and death are not games for him at all. They are a chore. Before he returns to a more civilized place, he will inflict some damage by the way.

He only wore one weapon, which was a luxurious sword in the sheath of his left waist. His hands are covered with white gloves, and his spotless beige suit fits perfectly on an athlete's shoulder. In comparison, I was dirtier than a farm worker after slaughter. I don't mind. These are our hallmarks.

I guess Lambert wants me to threaten, beg, or negotiate. My cold silence wore down his patience, and he was the first to speak.

"We meet again, country girl. I have been sent to rescue you so that you can be judged for the crimes you have committed. You can come calmly, I'll basically be gentle. Or you can resist, and I'll cut off your legs and arms and drag you back to New Orleans in a children's coffin. ”

I pretended to think about it for a while.

"Such a generous offer...... Are you sure you can do it?"

"Mrs. Moore allowed me to put it in the way I thought fit

You drag it back. ”

"You're a little sluggish, Lambert. I doubt your abilities. Do you really think you can catch me? Which army are you with?"

"I don't need mortals, you idiot!" He hissed, "Especially the Frontier Dogs." ”

"Then why bring them here?" I snapped, "Don't answer, I know why." You want to punish me for dragging you into this mud pit, do you?"

Lambert clenched his fists, then relaxed, still in control.

"You think you've won, as one would expect from someone who lacks vision. None of your pathetic accomplishments matter. When we kill you, you'll beg me to help you burn this place. ”

"You're delusional."

"You really don't understand the situation you're in," he scoffed, "the kill order on your body is still in effect, and even if you miraculously escape from this place, the knight squad behind you won't waver." I make sure they know everything. You have no choice. ”

"Of course they're coming, I called them."

I didn't, I called Jimena, but as long as she was there, I was fine.

"What are you? !You're crazy! If you thought Anatoly would have mercy on you......"

"Of course not," I said contemptuously, "but I am sure he will respect the Agreement." You see, there's a way to get around the kill order. ”

I've got his attention now. Every minute of conversation brought his army closer to destruction. He may retreat to avoid being surrounded by enemies. I did want to kill him, but I also wanted to take a risk. I'm so close to safety, close to recognition......

Constantine, with his great wisdom, made amendments to the law. City lords have been considered the target of many conspiracies, and in order to ensure that the Speaker is not dragged into local conflicts, a squad of knights cannot be sent to kill one. They must be brought before the Speaker for trial. ”

"You can't be serious, ......"

"I was recognized by the Rosenthal family, the local branch of the family. A copy was sent to Boston. It's done, Lambert, I'm going to officially enter society this time, and you can't stop it. It's useless to burn the whole city, it's useless to threaten me. Even that cunning and shameless blonde bastard wouldn't do anything to me unless he wanted to openly break his oath to knighthood. The game was over when you came, Lambert. I'm going to Boston to get my due. I did it. After thirty years as a slave, untouchable, and fugitive, I finally succeeded. ”

"No, you don't," he growled, "I'm going to take you back tonight, and you'll be our slave forever." No one laughs at us for being able to live freely. ”

"Your army has failed, your plot has failed, all in the hands of a 'peasant girl'. And now you're threatening me with violence again? I don't think so. ”

"Wait and see, hillbilly, wait and see. It's still early at night, and I have a lot to show you. ”

Lambert draws his gun and shoots. I quickly threw him away with a punch, and we started circling each other. I spied on his defenses and found them intimidating. Even my fastest attacks will be blocked by the tip of his sword. When he attacked, he tried to shoot the spear away, but the quick footwork and getting the spear back kept me at arm's length.

Thank you, Nami, I can't imagine how hard it would be to deal with him without your training. Lambert is clearly a fencing master, and only my experience of facing stronger opponents will keep me from getting hurt when fighting him. He's as fast as me, but he's better than me in both strength and technique. Patient hunters. I'll take my time. He looked down on me. His overconfidence will give me a chance.

We walked up and down the streets. He lined up in a row, and I went around in a circle, mostly to fight him. We're going faster now because we're used to each other's styles. Then he stopped and squatted down. Get out of the way and get aside.

In an instant, he vanished, and a fiery line crossed my left cheek.

"Better. Now you shut up for me. ”

His sword shone with silver runes. Magic weapons, of course. The unfamiliar sensation of the cold wind blowing on the teeth almost overshadowed the pain.

Lambert blinked and checked his left flank, where I left a little surprise. One throwing knife was used, and there were two left. The Lancastrian snorted and took my weapon from his flank. Black blood seeped into his beige coat.

Merritt's runes glow red. It's definitely going to sting a bit.

"You'll pay for your arrogance."

I returned the favor with an unbalanced smile and we continued to fight. Lambert changed his style. He used his power more, desperately trying to push me into a corner. His sword stabbed into my left gauntlet, but it mostly stopped. The pain is still manageable. I countered with more sweeps and took advantage of his opening. Finally, when I stretched out my spear, he tried to step on mine. I swooped down and grabbed his shin with a horizontal swing, knocking him into a nailed window. Before I could enjoy my victory, he roared to his feet, but a new black stain had on his pants. He went the extra mile. When his attacks became more and more aggressive, I was on the defensive and had to retreat. He manipulated me into an alley. Then I jumped up and jumped from wall to wall until I reached the roof so as not to get stuck at close range. I was patient. I can't match him physically. I just need to persevere, and then, punish.

"Tired of running?" He asked arrogantly.

I keep my distance. I am a patient hunter. I won't let anger conquer me.

"You think being a part of the vampire society will change your life. It won't. You won't be ostracized because you're unlucky. You are ostracized because you are a monster created on the whims of an ancient terror force. All of your owner's offspring are sick puppies, and you are no exception. The only thing that will save you from immediate execution is that you were chosen not for intimidation, but for fun. ”

I went around a chimney. Lambert jumped on it and lunged at me. The vibration of our weapons caused me to slide off the roof. I twisted to the side to avoid swinging downward. We rushed from the rooftop into a cluttered store full of cooking and gardening tools. I walked back and forth around the stove and piles of pans, avoiding crashing into the furniture and the metal flying. I almost lost my balance on a jar that was out of direction. Lambert's eyes narrowed.

He lunges. I kicked the jar of sin, and it shattered in his chest enough to make him turn. The sword was still piercing my right arm.

Lambert bumped into me and I managed to put my foot on his sternum and push him with all my might. He hit a support beam on his back as he jumped. I threw out a second knife. Somehow, Lambert twisted in mid-air, leaving only a bloody streak on his temple.

Lambert landed lightly on the ground and carefully touched his now split ear. He didn't show anger, which worried me more than the blood slowly dripping from my clothes. I used my tongue to move around my mouth and found that the first wound was basically healed and I was able to speak.

I have nothing to say. He's just babbling gibberish. He tried to shake my stability. I'm a patient, I'm a patient. and powerful. He's just bluffing.

"That Russian Mujik is alive only because he is an attack dog of Vittiazi, tightly chained to a leash by oaths and agreements. There's nothing in this world that you want to join. You will always be a pariah, barely tolerated or hunted down outright. Anatoly is not a special case. He is the standard. ”

I fended off the next onslaught and counterattack. Lambert grabbed the doorknob and used it to throw me out the front door. I got up and faced him.

The executor emerges from the ruins at the entrance of the store. When he threw me out, he nonchalantly examined the small wounds I had caused on his hands. He didn't care at all, his eyes were cold.

"I will remember all the words and contemptuous words you have spoken to me. I want you to repent of your arrogance. An hour of pain for a second of annoyance. Every limb that hurts. I will skin you, break every bone of yours, cut your tongue, and burn your wounds every night. I'll let the burly sailors line up and ravage you for a penny a shot. You might even like it. ”

That idiot... I...

Once again, Lambert rushed from under my guards. I turned around to block his attack and hit him in the shoulder.

I might as well crash into a train.

His hand reached down my throat. I lowered my spear and tried to grab him. He lowered his sword, grabbed my wrist, pushed me away, and dragged me back without letting go.

The light in my eyes. Pain.

I vomited blood. There was no time. I dived before he kicked me in the face again and bit his unarmored sleeve. I barely punctured the skin, and he let me go. I blocked a punch with my gauntlet, but still flew into the air.

I slammed into the wall. Nosebleeds. Bleeding from the mouth. Dizzy. I shook my head and pushed myself back. Climb up with a wall. Need to be faster.

Lambert did not take advantage of the opportunity given to him. He still looks down on me, and it's not that I really blame him.

"Yes, country girl, stand up. The trip here is long and tedious, and I really need to relax. Tell me, did you go home when you left us? Did you give your thirst to your family, or did they throw you out like a beast?"

"Nope."

"I wonder if your father knew that his precious daughter bled to death in some damp cellar, only to be replaced by you?" Did he think of you when he was dying? Did he know that the soulless monster that had defiled her body was still roaming around, selling itself to the sweaty miners?"

"I ......"

"Did you lie to him?" Are you seeking comfort? How long did it take him to kick you out, you filthy rascal? How long did it take him to find out what had become of you?"

Not long.

In fact, it's not long at all.

We never discussed the soul, but he could sense that I had changed. I'm different. I told him I was dead. I did it. I told him I didn't know if I was the girl.

I think about it now. How stupid. I tormented myself and wondered if I had betrayed his trust, but I didn't. I told him everything. This question was never what I should answer, it was what he should answer. He did it. Decades ago, I hadn't even asked myself if I was still myself.

Suddenly, I remembered his words clearly. The words rang in my ears as clearly as the night he said them. That was after I walked home freely for the second time.

"I remember you telling me you weren't my Ariane, but you were wrong. You still keep the same spirit, the same ambitions, God forgive me, the same love for those unladylike things. ”

Yes.

"The reason why you think you're human is my daughter. This is not the case. You are my daughter. You are always changing and growing, and this particular change is the latest and most terrifying. Don't despair, don't give up your past and the time you've spent with us, okay?"

Yes.

Yes.

I am who I am. I've always been me. Not just a monster, not just a person, not just my father's child and not just a vampire. I'm all of it, and even more. i。 I.