[Chapter 16] Vampire Emperor Anderson’s Setback

Painter Huang Lihua brought Xie Huijun to the Sky Castle and met Princess Maria in the council hall.
“Your Highness, I have brought her,” Huang said.
“Leave her with me,” Maria said. “I will heal her body and return her to Xiaoyang.”
“Are you sending her back to Xiaoyang?” Huang asked.
“Yes. Only then will Xiaoyang devote himself fully to opposing Anderson. This arrangement has its purpose.”
Huang nodded respectfully.

In the Bat Castle on Sicily, scouts returned to General White Wolf:
“Sir, Kace and Rona are missing.”
White Wolf asked where.
“On the train to Milan. I suspect they met a formidable opponent—killed or captured.”
“With their skills, what opponent could overpower them?”
“The Vatican informants report that John Chen, the Ghost’s Dread, boarded a train to Milan with an Eastern youth.”
“So, they likely encountered Ghost’s Dread?”
“Yes. Otherwise, their disappearance is inexplicable. With Chen’s skills, Kace and Rona have little chance.”
“Then why did Ghost’s Dread head to Milan?” White Wolf asked.
“I’m investigating,” replied the scout.

A messenger arrived: “Sir, the leader requests your presence at a meeting.”
“Ghost Scout, let’s go,” White Wolf said, heading to the hall together.

In the hall, Anderson sat smoking a cigar, frustrated. Beside him stood General Black Bear; Master Mage Rufus crossed his arms, composed.
Anderson said, “The scouts report: Jack and George failed in Switzerland, and the accompanying brothers were captured by Maria.”
Rufus: “Sir, you underestimated her. The Princess has formidable people.”
Anderson clenched his fists, “I will settle this with Maria!”
Rufus: “Sir, we must act carefully. With her current influence, our chances are slim.”
Anderson: “So we just let this go?”
Rufus: “No, we need a thorough plan. I will go to Switzerland, gather intelligence, then strategize.”
Anderson agreed.

White Wolf and Ghost Scout arrived. Anderson asked about Rona and Kace.
White Wolf: “They should have returned, but I fear something happened.”
Anderson: “Something happened? Who could restrain them?”
White Wolf: “Ghost’s Dread John Chen may have intercepted them on the way to Milan.”
Rufus: “If Chen personally intervenes, Maria is preparing for a direct confrontation.”
Anderson, angered, demanded: “Strike first! What are we waiting for?”
Rufus began advising…
59

The flames in the fireplace flickered faintly, casting the heavy obsidian walls of the hall in alternating light and shadow, while the air was filled with a strong scent of cigars.

On the Grand Master’s chair, Anderson sat with his legs crossed, his expression dark and brooding as he exhaled cigar smoke, his knuckles tapping the armrest, as if his patience was being worn down bit by bit. Beside him, General Black Bear stood upright, his imposing figure like an indestructible iron tower, arms folded across his chest, silent and unmoving.

“Master Mage!” Anderson finally spoke, his voice low and carrying suppressed anger. “The scouts have reported: Jack and George, whom I sent to Switzerland to investigate the Sky Castle, have been completely annihilated! Maria not only captured them alive, but even the accompanying brothers were all apprehended!”

Ruf slowly raised his eyes, the shadow of his robe covering most of his face, his voice hoarse yet composed: “Master, you underestimated them. The Princess has no shortage of capable and exceptional subordinates.”

“Damn it!” Anderson abruptly pressed out his cigar in the silver ashtray on the table, his fingers clenched into fists, veins bulging. “This debt, I will settle with Maria sooner or later!” He turned to Ruf, his tone agitated: “Mage, shall we plan the next wave of action?”

Ruf regarded Anderson without expression, his gaze deep as night: “Master, given the current situation, we cannot act hastily. With Maria’s reputation and strength, we do not have absolute certainty of victory.”

Anderson snorted coldly, suddenly stood up, slapping his hands on the table, his voice rising: “Do you mean to have me swallow this anger just like that?”

Ruf smiled faintly, a certain unfathomable gleam in his eyes: “It is not about swallowing it, but about redeploying our forces to ensure a strike that will surely hit its mark.”

Anderson’s narrow eyes squinted slightly, his mood calming a little, and he asked in a low voice: “You tell me then, what is the plan?”

“Master,” Ruf slightly bowed his head, his tone still calm, “I will personally go to Switzerland, ascertain Maria’s movements, and then formulate an operational plan.”

Anderson stared at him, silent for a moment, then slowly nodded: “Very well. I know you have always acted with caution, so do as you see fit.”

At that moment, steady footsteps came from the hall entrance. General White Wolf and Ghost Night Dog entered side by side, both still carrying the lingering chill of the night air on their bodies.

Anderson turned, his gaze sharp as a blade settling on White Wolf, and immediately asked: “White Wolf, have Rona and Case returned?”

White Wolf paused slightly, replying in a deep voice: “Leader, according to schedule, they should have returned by now, but at present… there is still no news. I fear something may have happened to them.”

Anderson’s brow suddenly furrowed, his eyes cold: “Something happened? Who has the ability to restrain them?”

Ghost Night Dog spoke in a low voice: “Gui Jian Chou—Chen Yuehan. Our informants in the Vatican reported that he was seen boarding the train to Milan, and Rona and Case disappeared on that same train.”

Anderson’s hands slowly clenched, his knuckles turning slightly white: “Gui Jian Chou…”

Ruf, standing beside him, squinted his eyes, lightly tapping his staff, and pondered: “If Gui Jian Chou personally intervened, this would mean that Maria is already prepared to launch a direct action against us.”

Anderson, burning with anger, slammed the table suddenly and shouted in a deep voice: “Strike first and strike hard! What are we waiting for?”

Ruf, however, remained unaffected by his fury, calmly reminding him: “Master, we have already lost two generals. We cannot act recklessly at this moment. The enemy is in the shadows while we are in the open; any lapse could allow Maria to counter us.”

Anderson glared at him, his knuckles producing a faint “clicking” sound. Finally, he drew a deep breath, relaxing his fists, though his tone still carried reluctance: “Very well… we will wait for your reconnaissance report, then discuss our strategy together.”

The firelight reflected off his face, shadows flowing across his handsome features, as if a storm about to erupt was quietly brewing.