It’s been a day since we left the City of Stars, I enjoyed my time there pleasantly, at least when I wasn’t being chased.
After we left there in our big carriage, we all entered the Dungeon and held a meeting to decide our next stop.
We decided to go to the Vampire City they talked about earlier, I was a little interested in what a city full of immortal people would be like.
Now I was inside the carriage with Lilian, who was driving the carriage was a Werewolf.
“I wanted to know more about this town we’re heading to, could you tell me a little bit about this town?” (I)
“Of course, its name is City of Blood, that name isn’t just because it’s a city for Vampires.” (Lilian)
“The city was built on a land sanctified by a Saint of the Goddess Selene millennia ago, there are stories that it had been the site of a brutal and bloody war.” (Lilian)
“If there is such a story, then why build a city in such a place?” (I)
“Because no Vampire can be harmed by the light of the Suns in the city, in addition, their hunger also becomes less.” (Lilian)
“For this reason, the Vampires chose that place to set up their city, the city has a Queen, a Vampire Matriarch who was the founder of this city, she is also the oldest Vampire in the Dark Continent.” (Lilian)
“Wouldn’t she be one of those Vampires who hate the Blood Goddess?” (I)
“No, she is not devoted to any God, nor is she against it, one of the reasons she maintains her neutrality is to mediate between the factions of the city that split into three.” (Lilian)
“The factions are the ones you already know, the neutral faction, the Demonic faction, and the Human faction.” (Lilian)
“The Human faction would be the people of the Black Market.” (I) 𝘦𝘯𝑜𝘷𝘦𝑙．𝑜𝑟𝘨
“Mostly yes, but there are also those who are against the Demonic faction.” (Lilian)
“Those from the neutral faction are just Devotees of the Goddess Selene, not people who actually belong to the Temple of Blood like Priestess Vanessa.” (Lilian)
“There must be a lot of conflict with these three factions living in the same city.” (I)
“Yes, but nothing happens in plain sight, there are always covert conflicts, the city itself is divided into three districts, one for each faction.” (Lilian)
,m “(I must remember not to let anyone find out that I am Child of the Goddess Selene, it might get me into trouble.)” (I)
“I know what you’re thinking, but it’s not going to work.” (Lilian)
“How do you know what I’m thinking?” (I)
“You always do the same thing everywhere you go, try to keep a low profile, but I find it difficult this time.” (Lilian)
“Those who hate the Goddess Selene will feel a natural distaste for you, but those who are devotees like me will feel a natural attraction to you.” (Lilian)
“Everything should be fine if I hide my Aura with Orion’s help, right?” (I)
“There are certain things that can’t be completely hidden, Orion can help mask it, but it won’t be as completely as you might think.” (Lilian)
“How can you be sure?” (I)
“Because Orion was never able to completely hide his presence from me, it’s likely that Priestess Vanessa can also sense this all the time.” (Lilian)
“Why have I never heard you…” (I)
“< Blades of Wind > ×18” (I)
“(Thugs again…)” (I)
In the middle of our conversation we were attacked for the 3rd time since we left Star City, it seems like every place we pass with lots of trees, or with higher ground on the sides of the road there are bandits, even though I’m not using my Aura to feel my surroundings, my senses are strong enough that I can hear them from tens of meters away as clearly as if I were right next to them, plus I can smell blood from hundreds of meters away, which is normally uncomfortable, especially when we’re in town.
“Why are there always so many thugs?” (I)
“This is normal, the City of Stars is a place where many talented Blacksmiths gather, because of that many rich people like merchants and Nobles make frequent visits to this city.” (Lilian)
“Because of that the roads to this city are always full of bandits, our carriage must look like an easy and juicy target for them.” (Lilian)
“I see, our carriage is alone without being part of a caravan and without any escort.” (I)
“Don’t forget that this carriage is very big, it attracts attention anywhere, the bandits must think there is something of great value in here.” (Lilian)
To me these bandits are idiots, they could realize that there are many suspicious things if they think for 1 second, such a big carriage alone in such a place is too good to be true, does that mean it would be a trap to attract bandits or are there people secure in their own strength within the carriage.
“They’re idiots…” (I)
“If they were smart or capable at something, then they wouldn’t become bandits, they’re usually poor people or incapable Adventurers.” (Lilian)
“Let’s get back to the matter at hand, you were telling me more about the City of Blood, tell me more about the city.” (I)
“The city was built with only one purpose, fun.” (Lilian)
“Vampires live for a long time, most of them don’t seek strength, they seek profit, Influence, and authority to live safer and more luxurious lives, but this usually only happens to Vampire Patriarchs or Matriarchs as they can build their own families. ” (Lilian)
“By the way, everyone who is a Vampire Patriarch or Matriarch is considered Noble in the City of Blood.” (Lilian)
“Including me, you, Elsaris, and Vanessa?” (I)
“Yea.” (Lilian)
“As politics works like that, it looks like it’s going to be chaos.” (I)
“Politics is not focused on the Nobles, there is the Queen at the top of politics, then comes the 4 elders of the Council, 3 of these elders are representatives and leaders of the city factions, the last elder is a representative of the other races in the city that are not are Vampires.” (Lilian)
An interesting government system, with this 5 in charge they can maintain a balance of power between the factions while not leaving the other races aside, in addition, the government officials mostly must be members of the Vampire families of these people at the top of government, this would make it difficult for one side to go against the other openly.
“(I’m a little interested in this city.)” (I)