Chapter 148:

The first night’s experience of using the sleep connection function of the game helmet was quite good. The little players entered sleep mode starting from 10 pm at night, playing continuously until 6 am the next morning for a full eight hours. In the game, when time entered midnight, they were forced to log off and rest for six hours before re-entering the game, which was just in time for dawn in the game world. Therefore, when the little players logged back in, it was just getting light, but the Thorn Clan vampire tied to the cross outside the village had already started screaming in agony. Although the sun had not truly shone yet, the Solar Spirit had already become active, filling the heart of this obviously non-“local” foreign vampire with dread, causing him to shout and scream on the cross. However, having his heart pierced left him weakened, and his limbs were bound by the thickest chains found in the village, rendering him powerless to break free. At Lady Palen’s request, the villagers from the entire village had risen early and gathered here with the little players to witness the execution of the vampire, a rare event in the Transia region. Without much prompting, the villagers of the entire village had already assembled. They had a feeling that the extraordinary events they would witness today would undoubtedly serve as talking points to be shared with others who had not seen such things in the future. “You have no right!” the Thorn vampire shouted ferociously, “I am a protected White Mountain Blood Descendant of the Thorn Grand Duke! I am the son of Torrez! You dogs of Lessenbra! You will pay the price for this shameful private execution!” “Make him shut up! So noisy. Just a dog, how would Lord Murphy punish us cuties for it?” The still grumpy Sister Pomegranate said impatiently to the nearby Little Ashina, who was chewing on some malt candy. The petite sharpshooter drew her exquisite crimson revolver and fired a shot forward, the speeding bullet precisely entering the Thorn vampire’s mouth, shattering his teeth and causing blood to gush forth. His roars and howls turned into pained whimpers. In fact, when the first batch of little players had just entered the game, they had often heard Lord Murphy mention the Sunscorching Punishment, using it as a means to intimidate others. At that time, they had already known that this was a terrifying method of torment for vampires, one that did not hesitate to employ cruelty akin to lingering execution. But the players had never seen a lingering execution in person, so everyone was filled with anticipation and curiosity about what was about to happen. Soon, the first rays of sunlight tore through the darkness and shone upon the land. The light seemed to be attracted by the vampire bound to the cross, as if a golden beam danced and ignited the “candle” as the formless Solar Spirit became active. The bound vampire’s entire body was set ablaze. His hair caught fire first, like a lit sky lantern, followed by his body continuously emitting ashen dust under the sunlight, accompanied by uncontrollable screams as he convulsed and thrashed on the cross like a shaken sieve. The fire of the sun not only ignited the vampire’s body from the outside but also seemed to be burning within him. The players clearly saw the bound vampire open his mouth and spew forth billowing smoke, as if he was being ignited both inside and out, causing his struggles to rapidly weaken as the sun’s rays intensified. A few minutes later, the once handsome Thorn vampire had become nothing but dangling bones on the cross. It was as if he had been tossed into lava and then fished out, his entire skin turned to charcoal, with cracks revealing dark red glowing embers beneath. All the blood and moisture within his body had been evaporated by the sunlight. But he was not yet dead. His shuddering body showed that even in this state, the agony inflicted by the sunlight had not diminished, still tormenting his body and soul. It was said that a true Sunscorching Punishment would last three full days and nights in rotation, allowing the vampire guilty of unforgivable sins to experience the most terrifying torment in the world before being permitted to enter eternal rest. However, most vampires could not endure the suffering of even a single dawn and would turn to ash and dissipate. Under this punishment, the vampires who died would truly be reduced to dust and ashes, with not even their vampire hearts remaining. Thus, the Sunscorching Punishment was not frequently used within the Blood Clan itself. It was more a symbol of dread! It also represented the power of punishment. It was said that during the two Night Wars, the Old Church had once erected large-scale crosses as the most cruel means of this religious war. And so, the little players personally carried out their first Sunscorching Punishment. It was not until a few minutes later, when the Thorn vampire exhaled his last breath in a whimper and completely turned to ashen dust that dissipated, that they finally realized that describing it as a lingering execution might be a bit inaccurate. “Damn, that was too brutal, wasn’t it?” Cheche covered his eyes throughout the ordeal. His young mind was greatly shaken, and at that moment, he felt like a tainted villain with bloodstained hands. He whispered to Ah Yuen beside him, “Weren’t we a bit too excessive?” “Well, if you really want to say it, I think it was a bit excessive too.” Ah Yuen’s expression was also not good, but he soon noticed the gathered villagers around them. Although these people living on the dark lands had no dignity to speak of, at this moment, they were unusually quiet. Many of them stared fixedly at the cross, which now only had dangling shackles remaining. Some even had their eyes on the players. This scene made Ah Yuen hesitate for a moment, and he said in a low voice: Tsk tsk, a big-breasted, stockinged, aloof half-elf maid, those dog designers really know their stuff, don’t they? And even if we could truly have blood servants and descendants, we’d definitely have to do dedicated follower quests. The devs have to consider balance and can’t let vampires be too overpowered.” “You’re right, I was thinking too much.” Gugu Chicken sighed and rested his chin, gazing at the scenery outside the carriage. He suddenly said, “What if this was real? Wouldn’t it be nice to find an elf or half-elf wife here? If not, even a vampire would do. I haven’t seen any particularly ugly vampires.” “You’re dreaming too much. Do you want to ask Lord Murphy to give each of us a blood servant sister to serve us?” The other student players exchanged glances and then burst into raucous laughter, filling the carriage with a lively atmosphere. This was just a game, not actual reincarnation. How could there be such a good deal with beauties throwing themselves at them? —— “Betrayal! Betrayal! The blood servant devours the master!” In a manor in the small border city of Bataxin in Transia, an enraged roar echoed through the dark room. A tall vampire wearing the Thorn Clan’s night hunter garb, his face contorted, berated, “My descendant died under the scorching sun! In his dying reflections, I saw those lowly humans bearing weapons! The local blood servants are really too rude! Do you of the Blood Vulture Clan really indulge these lowly food supplies so much? To actually let them dare point weapons at the noble midnight aristocrats? How do you train your blood servants?” The other vampires in the room exchanged puzzled looks. Although they were all wearing Blood Vulture Clan uniforms, they felt they should not bear any responsibility for what had just occurred. After all, those were not their blood servants causing trouble. “Are you certain they were truly blood servants, Lord Vesta?” A gaunt and gloomy Blood Vulture renegade said softly, “I do not think the humans in the Transia region have the gall for that, or perhaps they were witch hunters disguised as blood servants? I’ve heard they are still active in these lands.” “They were all wearing the Blood Vulture insignia! I saw it clearly in my descendant’s dying reflections! Are you questioning my eyesight?” The Thorn vampire named Vesta coldly retorted, rendering the others in the room speechless. “Never mind, it’s just a trifling ripple.” The Thorn Clan member quickly adjusted his mood. He sat back down in the chair, assuming an arrogant air as he addressed the few Blood Vulture renegade leaders present, “Those who need to be contacted have been contacted. Summon your remaining people to join us in returning to the Kingdom of Nordtov tomorrow night, to pay respects to Grand Duchess Shani of the Blood Thorn Clan. After you shed your Blood Vulture blood and drink the blessed wine of the Thorns, you will have ample opportunity to return here and win glory for the clan. Of course, before leaving, you must do one final thing.” The Thorn Clan envoy raised a finger, narrowing his gray-red eyes as he said, “Those killers are heading towards Bataxin. They will arrive here by afternoon at the latest, midnight. Bring me their heads! Surely that should be simple for you?” “Those are other people’s blood servants. Hunting them is tantamount to declaring war,” a hoarse Blood Vulture renegade said. “I think we should refrain from causing further trouble at this juncture.” “Heh heh, gentlemen, your concerns are valid, but forgive my bluntness, I simply do not care what you think,” Vesta sneered, leaning back in his chair with folded arms. “You are all already aware of the news of the new Blood Vulture Grand Duchess’s ascension, yet failed to go and pledge allegiance, proving you have made your choice. At this point, do you still intend to maintain your pitiful dignity? I do not know how the Blood Vulture Clan used to operate, but for us of the Thorn Clan, such provocation is intolerable! Do you understand?” The Blood Vulture renegade leaders felt the disdain. But they could not refute it and could only slink away dejectedly. The manor in the small city fell silent again. The previously arrogant Thorn vampire Vesta stood up, took a deep breath, and fiddled with a round mirror on the table. Soon, ripples of spirit energy caused the mirror to reflect the gaunt, stern, yet youthful face of a man. His eyes were gray-blue, with only a flicker of blood light in the pupils, complementing his countenance like a stern, howling northern wind, yet invoking an innate sense of chill in the beholder. “Your Highness,” Vesta said very humbly with a bow. “My efforts to rally the Blood Vulture renegade faction will conclude tomorrow night. I will bring you a decent number of new servants.” “My loyal servant Vesta, there has been a change of plans,” the young vampire addressed as “Your Highness” said softly. “Grand Duchess Shani has set out for Fort Crimea, and I too shall arrive in Bataxin tomorrow night. My new servants need not return to the Blood Thorn Duchy. Have them join me directly towards the Dark Mountain Range. This will be their first battle of blood with me.” “Your Highness? Why the Dark Mountain Range?” Vesta asked in astonishment. “It is extremely dangerous there! For someone of your noble standing...” “Vesta! The Black Calamity is coming!” The young vampire in the mirror said coldly. “My country and my clan need me to fulfill my duties, that is all! Assemble your troops tomorrow night and await me in Bataxin. Remember! Do nothing foolish. I dislike tardiness and accidents.”