Chapter 114: Assembling the Silent Hill Expedition Team

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Life is a wild pendulum of rise and ruin—what an impossible thrill.
That was Linxiao’s first thought. A moment ago they had been on the verge of total annihilation, and in an instant the situation had flipped: the Vampire Blood Duke who had been bellowing for blood and battle now knelt as Michael’s servant.

Such a divine twist, you wouldn’t even dare to script for those overblown anti-Japanese war dramas.

Set against this, what they call “logic” in those shows—grenades hidden in one’s groin, tearing demons apart barehanded, a grenade blowing up an aircraft, a single shot snuffing a life at eight hundred li, or a grandfather killed at eight years old—starts to seem almost reasonable.

Michael was just as dazed, staring in a stupor at Duke Kalen on one knee, utterly at a loss, as if wondering whether he ought to say, “My lord, you’ve labored greatly,” or perhaps, “You are pardoned, no fault to you,” or something of that sort. After all, that is how it is often played in dramas and films.

But Duke Kalen stood up on his own, his face burning scarlet with embarrassment, as if his action had been shameful to the point of disgrace.
Fortunately, he had trained in this life for a long time; his hide was as thick as bulletproof plate. He calmly pulled Michael aside, whispered in confidence, explained himself, and at the same time released seven blood shadows before returning to the Blood-Shadow Mirror.

They exchanged hushed words; nobody knew what exactly was said. Soon Michael returned and, after a cough, announced:

“It was a misunderstanding. A complete misunderstanding. Duke Kalen did not know who I was, and thus he accidentally wounded you all. He offers his apologies and asks your forgiveness for his discourtesy.”

Duke Kalen stepped forward and bowed three times before the crowd, muttering apologies.

What could anyone have said?
What would they dare to say?
With so many of them together, none were truly his equal. Had he not suddenly withdrawn, they would probably have been erased together.

Linxiao accepted the apology outwardly, even seeming to believe Kalen, yet inside him a sharp dread rose. The mighty Blood Duke himself kneeling before a rough, unripe youngster was strange enough to be unnerving.

Given the title he had used, it was not hard to guess he had recognized Michael’s power—the power of divinity, of bloodline source—and so called off the attack, staging this strange performance instead.

Then came the question:

Was this Blood Duke, like Zhuge Liang, faithful to the lord and determined to steady the master’s son on the throne? Or like Sima Yi, kicking the master’s son aside to sit on the throne himself?
Though such cases are rarer in Western history, there are indeed more than a few. Even Pepin the Short once put a lord down and took the throne.

Even if Linxiao guessed that Duke Kalen’s intentions were not pure, he could only act unaware. To call him out then, to reveal it on the spot, was out of the question.

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At least they had won time again. If he could get a little more time and rise to level twenty, then even if Duke Kalen truly had treacherous intent, he might have the will but not the power.

“Now that Duke Kalen’s misunderstanding is cleared, we go at once to pursue the people of the Church of the Holy Paradise. Duke Kalen, you come with me. I need Nancy back.”

Michael never forgot his sister. Their relationship had rarely been smooth, but at this moment the old truth of blood ran true.

“Master, wait. The Church of the Holy Paradise is not easy to handle. This extraordinary organization has many methods, and there are three very powerful witches within the church.
One is their archbishop, Daria—truly a super-witch. She has two daughters: one is said to be on the way to becoming a super-witch, the other became one years ago already.”

Duke Kalen suddenly interrupted. A super-witch is a third-tier supernatural, strong enough to rival a blood-prince. He had no certainty he could rescue anyone from their grasp unless a prince was called in.

Unfortunately all three princes were not in the Americas but on the far continent of Europe, and could not return quickly. Besides, in his heart he did not truly want them back.

“No, Duke Kalen. Your information is outdated. The Church of the Holy Paradise had internal strife years ago. Their archbishop Daria went mad and tried to use her own daughter as a sacrifice to open the Gate of Paradise and summon their god to descend.
When the daughter lay dying, she used her power to leave her mother severely wounded. Daria is no longer a super-witch; now she can only hide deep in the church and linger on.”

Misty spoke then, revealing a number of hidden facts.

Linxiao fell into thought. He remembered hearing that the Coven of Witches had once clashed with the Church of the Holy Paradise, and several witches had been lost. Was that why?

“Listening to you, I do remember. Wasn’t it that witch who called for help to your witch gathering, and you sent people to rescue her, only to take heavy losses?” Duke Kalen said with a half-smile. He might serve Michael as master, but he was no flatterer toward them.

Misty’s expression darkened, yet she did not argue. The facts seemed to stand: they had suffered badly at the hands of the Church of the Holy Paradise.

“I don’t care how strong they are. I’m going to save Nancy. No one stops me.”

Michael was intent. He spread his wings and moved as if to shoot into the sky.

“Wait. Michael, do this instead: we take my yacht and give chase while we think things through. If you charge in recklessly like this, don't count on saving your sister—you might be killed yourself.”

Linxiao stepped in to reason with him; among everyone present, only he could still restrain this boy from reckless action. Duke Kalen watched him closely, a streak of amusement passing through his eyes. The boy’s rank was not high, but his strength and methods were nothing to scoff at—his lightning attack had nearly struck his own duke then. Not an easy opponent at all.

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With Linxiao’s urging, Michael finally settled down. In truth, all had said the other side was formidable; to rush in headlong would not only fail to save his sister, it might cost him his life.

Remembering when Duke Kalen had gripped his throat, the extreme breath of death that hung around him, Michael’s reason gradually returned.

“Then we head to Kampaas Lake first, then decide how to deal with the Church of the Holy Paradise. Captain Hope, stay and handle the aftermath. Joy and Will—I entrust them to you.”

Captain Hope readily agreed and promised to keep both from harm.

Then, almost by reflex, Linxiao looked to Stephan and asked him to transform and carry him. He suddenly realized his old man had appeared, and, embarrassed, quickly moved his gaze to Michael.

Michael transformed at once and rose into the air. Linxiao jumped hard and clutched his ankle.
The three women from Team Eleven also activated their abilities and flew up. Dustin, eager and bright-eyed, tried to transform and chase after them, but Eric held out a hand and kept him from following.

“Teacher, why are you stopping me?” Dustin asked, displeased.

Eric looked up as they left, then shook his head.
“What can you do there? At your power, going would mean suicide. I’ll take you to our Blade Warriors’ base and strengthen you; perhaps then we can still make it in time for the final clash.”

“The final clash?” Dustin asked, confused.

Eric’s face grew serious and he nodded.
“Exactly. This is the final clash. The Church of the Holy Paradise has mobilized massively; they must be quite certain they can open the Gate of Paradise and summon their god.

Such a move will create a great upheaval. Many supernatural organizations will head for their church headquarters—Silent Hill—to stop them.
I must return to report to Blade Warriors headquarters, then dispatch manpower there. So you needn’t worry about falling behind; just raise your strength steadily.”

Dustin only then seemed to cheer up. Nick and Eddie, standing beside him, exchanged a glance at his words and immediately decided in their hearts, then reported the incident at once to Green Headquarters.

High in the sky, gazing toward Kampaas Lake, Linxiao had no idea that the Church of the Holy Paradise’s actions had already drawn attention from many sides. They were not fighting alone.