The war in the hall was brief, and the Warriors had withdrawn the magical barrier to rest. Ereill and Selina both approached Star Sirius, while Amelia also came close. They all watched Gravis, who was ominous and evil.
"Something's not right..."
Ereill spoke in a serious tone, and Selina and Amelia nodded in unison.
Star Sirius' expression was also grave; he understood what Ereill meant.
Although not well-acquainted with this person, Trak Gravis' change was too pronounced from before to after, as if he had become a different person.
Gravis, who had just shared his past with them, was a criminal who had committed an unforgivable crime. However, even Star Sirius could sense a hint of sorrow in Gravis' emotions, as well as a resentment and bitterness at being toyed with by fate.
Now, the person before them is completely immersed in their 'success,' no longer having any trace of what could be called 'good' emotions.
"Alright, I'm indeed a bit puzzled and curious..."
Star Sirius suddenly said,
"What exactly have you done?"
"Oh, that's wise of you, Mr. Black."
Gravis smiled politely, but his eyes showed only cold satisfaction, without any joy.
"Today is truly a day worth remembering. I mean, I've finally shed the chains of mediocrity and truly become a great, immortal being. It's cause for celebration, so, I am willing to show some leniency. To show you. Oh, to showcase my exceptional wisdom—"
Gravis paced by the blood pool, his emotions were heightened.
"But how should I start? You just asked me why I'm not worried that the information revealed by the vampires I arrested many years ago to me might be lies, and whether these despicable vampires who only deserve to survive in the dark might have... set me up?"
"You said you used truth serum and magical interrogation on them, didn't you?"
Star Sirius said.
"Oh, that's right, Mr. Black, I wasn't lying just now. I really think that what the vampires told me is true, if their progenitor revives, it can solve the curse I'm under. But—"
Gravis stood before the progenitor, examining it with the gaze of someone admiring a work of art.
"At that time, I also considered a problem. That is, even if I join the vampire's plan and help them successfully revive the progenitor, how can I ensure that this progenitor will be willing to solve my troubles after it's revived instead of continuing to enslave me with a curse?"
Star Sirius's eyebrow twitched, but he didn't say anything.
"Like you just said, I'm about to resurrect a dark creature I don't understand, a vampire with immense power. Does that mean I should place my hope on such a life form understanding gratitude, understanding how to repay kindness?"
Gravis looked at the beautiful face of the vampire progenitor with a slight sneer.
"I know that's not possible. Based on my experience dealing with these dark beings, they will know how to fear, but never know how to be grateful. I need it to revive because that's the only way I can live, but at the same time, I must ensure that I don't get into a deeper predicament."
"So, you plan to use magic to control this vampire during its revival, turning it into your puppet?"
Amelia couldn't help asking.
"Common magic cannot do this. My grandfather's unfortunate experience told me never to underestimate powerful sorcerers. I must ensure there are no mistakes."
Gravis laughed coldly.
"I know it's not easy to control a dark creature far stronger than myself. I might be sending myself to the depths. For a while, I was confused about the vampire plan. I searched through many magical texts, looking for powerful spells lost in history that might help me. The result was disappointing; I had nothing until I went to England-"
"England?"
Amelia was startled and then realized.
"You were looking for a way to suppress the curse at St. Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries?"
Gravis nodded appreciatively.
"But St. Mungo's also disappointed me. They made the same diagnosis as St. Gothard. After staying there for a few days, I didn't intend to waste any more time, and then, right before I left England, I suddenly thought of something - the curse I was under was a powerful dark magic. So, is it possible that there might be some dark magic that can solve my problem? Therefore, I visited the famous underground witchcraft community located in the back alleys of London."
On the steel beams in the air, Fox turned his head to look at the fangs beside him and let out a low cry.
Through the void, Ammosta's eyes landed on Fox's deep blue eyes, deep in thought, he nodded.
"--I posted a commission in the underworld, hoping some professional witches could provide me with some valuable information, so I don't have to risk reviving a vampire. To me at that time, this was undoubtedly an act of abandoning faith, but the outcome still disappointed me. Those frauds only wanted to deceive me with lies to get galleons."
But by a stroke of luck, I unexpectedly got an ancient book of black magic there, which recorded a powerful black magic that could solve my worries about reviving the vampire progenitor and could truly grant me an immortal life!”
"That is--"
Bang!
Star Sirius was about to ask.
Just then, a sudden explosion echoed from the sky, interrupting Star Sirius's question. Everyone instinctively looked up towards the source of the sound, witnessing the intense blast wave, with its white gas rushing rapidly and sweeping away in all directions.
Gravis also looked up towards the sky, but the change in him as he felt something made his eyes turn ominous.
"Oh, the counter charm has broken this magic force—"
Bang--
The blast wave pushed some beams suspended in mid-air, causing them to crash to the ground with a loud bang. Another crisp bang echoed as a thin, gray-haired figure emerged from the distorted space and slowly landed on the ground.
"Ammostat!"
Star Sirius immediately called out in surprise, rushing to his side.
"Is it you, Fox?"
As the familiar face came into view, Amelia's breath paused for a moment before resuming. A feeling of indescribable relief bloomed in her heart. The rogues who recognized who it was, also relaxed their tight nerves.
In contrast, the vampires grew anxious, restless and fidgeting.
Ammostat didn't answer Star Sirius' question, but smiled at him and Amelia who had rushed over. His deep eyes fell on Gravis.
"AmostatBrian"
Gravis' voice turned sinister.
"Have you been watching and monitoring this place from the surveillance camera all along?"
"Is that the end of your questions?"
Ammostat's expression was calm as he looked at Gravis. His gaze had a strange quality to it, almost pitying.
"Oh, the final one?"
Gravis had forgotten that he was sharing his 'success', his laughter filled with swelling fury, like encountering humiliation, roaring furiously.
"You don't understand the greatness of the magic I've accomplished; I've achieved immortality, and my life will forever reside in the world. No one, no magic can destroy me!"
"Is he crazy?"
Star Sirius watched Gravis in disbelief.
"Oh, he's not mad; he's just... something beautiful has forever left his soul."
Ammostat watched the deranged Gravis calmly.
"The world never lacks ambitious people. From ancient times to the present, it is you who have taken the vampire progenitor, a living being, as a vessel to carry your soul. I must admit that this is a very interesting attempt, but at the same time, it's also incredibly foolish. But I want to thank you for making a guess that has been lingering in my heart for a long time. A possibility that I'm not sure whether it's possible or not."
"You're mocking me, Brennan!"
Gravis stared at Ammostat with a sinister gaze.
"What exactly is it?"
An old voice echoed, and Fox flapped its wings and landed on Ammostat's shoulder. Under Star Sirius' dumbfounded gaze, Fox tilted its head, unable to contain its curiosity as it stared intently at Ammostat.
"What did you figure out, Ammostat. Is it related to him?"
(The end of this chapter)
