518.Chapter 516: 515: Murphy and his Auntie Shani’s Darkness

Chapter 516: 515: Murphy and his Auntie Shani are having a secret affair
The first match of the “Governor Challenge”, the grand finale of this year’s Sacred Blood Festival, came to an end. Although it wasn’t very long, this pair of 40 battles was challenging and topical from the start.

Murphy’s performance did not disgrace the Transylvanians.

Especially in the last moment, less than five seconds before and after Lady Trish’s reinforcement, His Excellency the Governor responded firmly with a large-range “Dimensional Chop”, a cool scene that made everyone who saw this scene exclaimed that it was outrageous.

A layman would think that Lord Murphy had gone off the deep end, but for an insider, that move just now could already tell a lot.

“You chose the Star Realm Guardian for yourself?”

When Murphy returned to the lounge, it was no surprise to see Lady Shani leaning against the door, the Golden Assassin playing with her double braids, looking at Murphy with a “fearful” gaze.

She said:

“Which one of the Astral Demigods is it? I just vaguely saw a serpentine spirit energy vision, so is it a descendant of the Star Realm Dragon? The ‘Rain God’ Li Ji?”

“No, His Excellency Lixi’s scandalous ex-boyfriend.”

Murphy shrugged.

There was absolutely no need to hide this kind of thing, for the powerful, the identity of the Endless One could be locked down by the characteristics of its power when it was unleashed.

“Oh, Mannis the Endless.”

Shani was clearly a knowledgeable Blood Grand Duke, immediately capturing the information she needed in Murphy’s flirtatious reply, her eyes changed for a few moments and she said:

“But that seems to be an evil demigod from the chaos camp?

How did you get involved with such a difficult guy? And don’t you know? Manis has a poor relationship with other demigods, and you becoming its collaborator means you won’t be able to get assistance from other demigods in the Astral World.

How could such a shrewd person like you make such a choice?
I’m curious.”

“Isn’t the power it gives me enough?”

Murphy was obviously unwilling to tell the awful truth that he had been tricked by a snake, so he blinked his eyes and made a pretense of speaking to Shani:
“You don’t think that the Acceleration and Retardation I cast just now is all the power Mannis has given me, do you?”

“Oh? It gave you more?”

Shani came to be interested as she asked:

“Is it the kind of powerful force that can directly change the trend of a battle?”

“Uh, yes.”

Murphy pushed open the door to the lounge and said casually:

“Even you will be played by me when you are unlucky Speaking of which, would you like to give it a try?”

He asked in a flirtatious tone and Shani shrugged and said:

“I wouldn’t mind having a little fun with you little guy, but I think Tris would get jealous, and considering this is the Scarlet Witch’s territory, I can’t afford to go too far, so it’s better to do it another time, and when it’s just you and me, I don’t mind letting you see how far our Thorn Clan’s girls can get when they’re hot.

You youngster probably can’t stand up to the rampage of an old aunt like me.

And while I do realize that it’s a terrible sin to interrupt a vampire’s search for pleasure while the Festival of the Holy Blood lasts, the situation is such that we have to get down to business, Murphy.

I must get satisfactory answers from you regarding the investigation of the last incident and that jackal servant of yours, Hoggle.”

“Of course, it is necessary.”

Murphy’s expression turned serious.

He invited Shani to enter the rest room to discuss in detail, but before even a cup of tea was brewed, Tris entered the rest room directly without knocking with a cold face.

Obviously, she was very dissatisfied with the matter of Murphy and Shani’s “secret meeting”.

However, the news brought by Mrs. Chani is very heavyweight, so that Tris also have no way to attack can only sit in Murphy’s arms in front of Chani’s face, as if swearing sovereignty.

This action makes Shani blink with a strange expression, she looked at Tris and Murphy with a subtle smile, very precise control in Tris angry before she took the initiative to take out a document and handed it to the two.

After evoking Tris’s anger, she actually got down to business.

This damn Yankee goblin!

“I took a trip to the headquarters of the Thieves’ Guild on the Genoa Peninsula, exerted my influence and gained the support of several Steam Lords, and was able to view secret documents from the last few decades.”

Shani leaned back in her chair in a gentle and dignified seated position of a human wife as she held her hot tea and blew on it while speaking softly:

“The list of remains confirmed to have been stolen has now been compiled, the information is recorded in the documents you hold in your hands, I said last time that eight golden remains were stolen, now this information needs to be corrected.

Three of them have been recovered and purified.”

“Hmm?”

The news caused Tris and Murphy to look at each other, and the Scarlet Witch asked:

“Who did this?”

“An alliance.”

Shani didn’t hide it, she said with a straight face:
“We’re not the only ones who have found out about Dusk’s theft of the bones of the departed, the legacy families who have lost the remains of their ancestors have formed a loose organization in the shadows, sharing a common goal i.e. reclaiming the desecrated remains of their ancestors.

Seven years ago and four years ago, this organization conducted two successful and victorious hunts, but unfortunately after that, Dusk’s trail became more secretive and harder to follow.

I spoke with their representatives in the Cato area, they call themselves the ‘Helms Rangers’ and are made up of members of six ancient clans disturbed in the peace of their ancestors, as well as many peripheral members.

The home base is in Cato and on Glynny Island.

After confirming my identity and the information I brought with me, they said they could work with us in this matter.”

“Helms? Isn’t that an island city in the north of the Antani region? It’s said that that city has been unwilling to submit to King Louis’ leadership, and has been heckled by the Kingdom of Goldfinch as a ‘traitorous island’.”

Tris asked:

“So, these people are Caitians?”

“Well, some of them are staunch Greenie Zionists, acting in a rather rough manner, and have even plotted the assassination of King Louis, but since that majesty understands the importance of security, the Helmsmen’s actions have not been much of a success.”

Madame Shani ruffled the ends of her hair and said:

“They and you should have something in common, and as for me, I’d be happy to see them enter into a partnership with the Royal Intelligence Service of Nordtorf. Well, I know you guys don’t like politics, so let’s get back to the matter itself.

I have informed the Helms Rangers of the information regarding the stolen remains of the powerful in the eastern part of the central region of the continent, and they have said that they will try to send an elite squad into Transylvania in the near future during the Black Plague to assist us in the hunt for that ‘source’.

In addition, through this checking on my part, I can be sure that different factions do exist amongst the Dusk, and that the ‘source’ should be in charge of all matters related to the Necromancy.

Because the source of the Helms Rangers’ tracing in the past ten years or so can all be attributed to that ‘source’.

The best part is that I’ve gotten some unverifiable tidbits of information.”

Shani narrowed her eyes as she stared at Tris and said:

“A Helms Ranger patriarch told me that she confirmed that the ‘source’ is a vampire, and a vampire of the Blood Vulture Clan at that! That guy has an amazingly large pair of wings. So, Tris, are you hiding some information from me?”

“No!”

Tris replied with a straight face:
“If there was, I would have told you, Shani, we’re partners now.”

“Oh, I’ll give it the benefit of the doubt.”

Shani didn’t dwell too much on this matter, she wrote down all the information of Helms Rangers on the documents, and while Murphy looked down to check the documents, this Golden Archduke talked about the second thing.

“I talked to that Hogg in Batasin City, and I have to admit, Murphy, your ability to temper Jackals is simply astounding!”

Shani put down her teacup and marveled unabashedly:
“That Hogg gave me the feeling like the cunning soul of a halfling was hidden underneath the jackal’s holster, and what’s even better is that it had already regarded ‘Murphy-sama’ as an absolutely trustworthy backup, so much so that it didn’t even show more cowardice when I was talking to it.

I appreciated that cunning soul, so I chose to cooperate in the face of the request it made.

I will mobilize the Thorn Clan’s hunters in the Dark Mountain Range to the Barren Mountain defense line, hunt down that jackal warlock called ‘Torn Flesh’ and assist Hogg in doing something it can’t do afterwards, but I can’t do this for nothing.

Murphy!

Your jackal servant is poor and has little oil to spare at the moment, so it’s up to you as the master to come up with a payment that will satisfy me.”

“Shani, Hogg’s cause is related to whether or not the Black Plague will be ended, in this kind of matter, you shouldn’t ask me for a reward, you should go to Venerable Lord Paying.”

Murphy said without lifting his head:

“I’ve already reported this matter to the Venerable Lord, he’s now the highest person in charge, I’m just an executor like you.”

“But you promised Hogg that after Hogg gets the civilization tablet, you can help him with the certification ceremony for the civilization spokesperson!”

Shani obviously wasn’t that easy to fool.

She stood up and said to Murphy:
“This proves that you have clues to at least one place of creation in your hands, and I’ll even guess wildly that you and Tris have already gotten hold of a hidden place of creation! I have no other demands, but I’m going to tag along with you guys while you certify Hogg!” “Huh?”

Murphy was very shocked to hear this request, and he looked up at the serious-faced Shani and asked:
“You’re a vampire, Shani, why are you so interested in the mysteries of the Creator?”

“Geez, Tris! What do you two talk about outside of your lovemaking? Why can’t you do your duty as an Ancient One and enlighten poor little Murphy about the past that has been plaguing the vampires?”

Shani said to Tris in an exaggerated tone:
“You haven’t told this little cutie about all those visions the Blood Archdukes would have seen about the pre-Epoch, have you?”

“Shut up! Shani!”

Tris said through gritted teeth:

“Don’t add more stress to my little Murphy!
He has enough to think about, that’s the burden of the Archduke of the Blood, not something any other vampire needs to think about, and with His Holiness Paing forbidding us to investigate the visions in private, I don’t want to be viewed by His Holiness as a danger that must be cleared away.

You can seek death if you want, don’t drag me along!”

“Nonsense!”

Shani chided nonchalantly:

“That’s not a matter of whether I want to or not, Tris! Ever since I became the Archduke of Thorns, almost every midnight dream I’ve had, I’ve seen fragmented memories that I can’t understand at all.

It wasn’t even something I experienced, but it just won’t be forgotten!

I guess every Archduke goes through something like that, and it took me a hundred years of quiet investigation before I learned from a Thornhaven priest passing through Nordtorf that the ones I was seeing had something to do with the lost history of the Creator.

I must make a trip to the Land of Creation.
But now that all known places of creation on the continent are under the control of the Sanghai, the one you explored may very well be the key to unlocking those visions of the past for us.”

“No, Shani! I’ve been there, I’ve studied there, and I’m not getting any better.”

Tris whispered in dissuasion:
“It won’t do you any good to go in there, and Murphy is the curator, so it’s up to him to decide if you can go in or not.”

“Well, then the problem is simple.”

Shani crouched down with an odd smile as she looked Murphy in the eye and said:
“So, little Murphy, what would Auntie Shani have to pay for you to allow poor Auntie to enter your Murphy’s Wonderful House in search of a little soul-soothing answer?”

“Please stop picking on me and Trish, that’s all I’m asking.”

Murphy sighed and said:

“You can go if you want, I’ll be happy to take you in if it strengthens the level of trust between us both. But I still have to ask, are those strange images you just mentioned really only visible to the Blood Archduke?”

“Uh-huh.”

This time the one who answered him was Tris, the scarlet witch stroked Murphy’s hair and said:
“That’s a legend, and I used to not believe it either, until the first night I became an Archduke of the Blood Vulture.

I saw with my own eyes the fragments of unexplainable images, illogical and unruly, like smashed glass, and you couldn’t understand what those images depicted until you finished putting them together.

In the Land of Creation, I had wanted to spend as much time checking it out as Shani did, and not only did I come up empty, but it made those memories in my mind even more offensive…”

“Hmm, so your unexplained anger the other day actually had nothing to do with our contact that night? It’s just because you’re having trouble resting on a psychic level?”

Murphy said with a wink:
“That’s nice, I thought I’d really pissed you off with that excessive request of mine.”

“Ahem, if you two don’t mind, I’d love to know what you two have been up to in the land of creation?”

Shani showed a nosy face as she asked:

“Was it the evil Tris who finally got her hands on the pure Murphy? How far did it go?”

“Shani!”

Tris screamed as she rose up in anger.

She clearly didn’t want to talk about it, and with a huff, she grabbed the file and glared at Murphy before turning and teleporting out.

Now the Magicianess-sama was really angry because of Murphy’s blabbering.

But right after Tris left in shame, the expressions of Shani and Murphy in the room became serious at the same time, Murphy bent down and propped up his chin as he said in a whispering voice to Shani who was squatting in front of him:

“What else have you found out about ‘Source’? Why do you think she must have something to do with Tris?”

“Do you?”

Mrs. Shani revealed a human wife’s warm smile as she asked rhetorically without giving an inch:
“You didn’t say a word just now, but from the action that you deliberately mouthed off to piss off Tris to have a secret talk with me as well, I can be sure that you are also hiding something from Tris! You already know the secret that Tris has been trying to hide, don’t you?
If you want to get information from me, you’ll have to give me something I’m interested in first.”

“Source.”

Murphy said hesitantly:
“Her name is Luna Christine Emagil, a forest elf, most likely Tris’s first bloodline, and according to the clues I found, this one should have died, right at the moment when Salokdar hurt Tris.

She was decapitated by Salokdar with Necessary Evil to protect Tris.

Honestly, I don’t think Salokdar would make such a mistake, he wasn’t crazy at that time, and as an Archduke, he certainly wouldn’t leave any loose ends if he wanted to kill someone.

So, I’m leaning more towards the idea that this ‘source’ is most likely a special undead.

It would also explain her specialization in necromantic powers.”

“All wrong!”

Shani said, shaking her head:
“Gen is a fresh vampire, that the Helms Rangers can confirm, and since the last time they fought Gen was just four years ago, I trust the judgment of those ancient families in that regard.

As for why she specializes in necromantic powers
Perhaps it’s because of ‘Gen’s’ experiences in the Songhai Empire?”

Archduke Thorn smiled as she took out a piece of paper with a unique “aroma” from her close-fitting clothes and stuffed it into Murphy’s palm as she whispered:

“The traces left by the source in the Songhai Empire have already been found by the nightwalker I placed in the Land of Origin, that guy had mixed into the Moon Sacred City together with Tris, or perhaps she went there in an odd way after being beheaded by Salokdar.

Anyway, I confirmed that you can fight to the death for Tris, so these bits and pieces of fragmented and unsystematic intelligence that doesn’t have much value are in your hands.

If you have a chance to go to the Songhai Empire, you might be able to help us uncover that bastard.

But I want you to be patient, the most important thing in confronting an organization like Dusk is patience, don’t try to take shortcuts to get it over with as soon as possible, we have to take it one step at a time, contact me when you’re ready for the hunt, your Auntie Shani is more than willing to help out in this matter.

Also, all this news related to your Kissing Tris will be considered as my admission money into the land of creation, this won’t make you feel bad in your heart now, will it?”

Murphy looked at the papers iterated in his hands.

After a moment, he revealed a smile and said to Shani:

“I finally know why your nickname is ‘Winter Fox’, Mrs. Shani, you are really cunning and know how to utilize your intelligence, I can finally be at peace with myself and regard you as a credible friend.

Also, about those crippling visions you mentioned, can you describe them?”

“Why do you need to know this?”

Shani said as she got up and ruffled her hair braid:

“While I don’t agree with Tris’s overly coddling ‘parenting style’, I agree with Tris in this case, and any vampire other than the Archduke knowing about this is just asking for trouble.”

“Then what if I told you.”

Murphy gripped the hilt of Necessary Evil as he whispered:
“Would it surprise you to know that I’ve seen something similar?”

“Hmm?”

Shani turned back expansively, looked at Murphy, and said:

“Are you serious?”

Murphy then explained all the strange visions he had seen when he tamed the necessary evil, and the more Shani listened, the more “wonderful” the expression on her face became.

Until Murphy finished speaking, Archduke Thorn rubbed his aching brain and sat back in his chair.

She said:

“Well, it does sound consistent with the scattered images we’ve seen, so I’ll tell you about the images I’ve seen of that unknown land.”

“It’s called ‘Eden’!”

Murphy interrupted Shani, saying:
“I’m guessing that the images we’ve seen are from when Eden was destroyed by some event. I’m just curious as to why the vampire archduke could see that.

I have a hunch without any proof, I guess, that this reason could effectively help us solve the mystery of the birth of the vampire clans and why we use the ‘seven original sins’ to describe ourselves.

Yes!

This answer is very important to all vampires.”

(End of chapter)