Chapter 126 - 122: Please Drink
Ryder turned back and started walking towards the girl on the nearby stall.
That girl was selling clothes that were worn by Vrykolakas. The clothes often had the Symbol of a hand over them, which was a symbol of the Vrykolakas Clan.
"Rale, do they use gold coins here as well? or is their currency different?" Ryder asked Rale as he walked towards the girl.
"Their currency is different, Your Highness. Everyone in the Undead Region uses something called the Crimson Undead Coins. It's inherently different from our currency," Rale replied.
"Oh, I was really hoping to buy some clothes. I believe that we can hide ourselves better as Vrykolakas because they don't have red eyes. If someone saw our eyes, they would realize that we are not vampires. That's what our clothes make them believe at the moment. It would be better if we dress and look like one instead of using a mix of both," Ryder suggested.
"I wish I could help," Rale shook his head. The Demon Realm didn't have the Crimson Undead Coins that were used in the Undead Region, and that's why they didn't carry it either.
They reached the girl and stood before her. The black-haired girl raised her gaze and watched them.
A few guards were roaming around the city, and they saw Ryder and his team, dressed in cloaks.
"The Vampires? 22 Vampires together? Is a Vampire Royalty here?" one of the guards exclaimed in surprise. "You guys go tell the Lady about this group of Vampires,"
The Vampire Clan was one of the 2 Major Undead clans of the Undead Region, and the Cloaks were like the dress favored by the Vampires. Every Vampire wore a cloak except the Vampire King.
There was no one in the entire Undead Region who would wear a cloak as that would be seen as disrespecting the Vampires; that's why no one doubted the ones who wore the cloaks as being anyone else but a Vampire.
Five guards walked towards Ryder, whereas the other three walked back to their Lady's Palace to inform her.
****
"We've come from far away, and we're looking for the Valley of Wandering Souls. Can you tell us the directions to get there?" Ryder asked the girl.
"The V-valley? I'm sorry, I can't talk about it," the girl shook her head repeatedly.
"Please. Our friend is trapped there, and we really need to find our way to them. Just point us in the direction. You won't even have to talk about it," Ryder said to the girl.
"No. I can't tell you anything," the girl said as she started looking down.
"Alright, thanks," Ryder said as he turned back, disappointed.
Rale was about to say something, but Ryder turned towards him.
"No, we are not kidnapping her," Ryder said as if he knew what he wanted to say.
"Yes, Your Highness," Rale nodded his head.
Ryder was about to walk to another person when someone called out from behind.
"Wait,"
Ryder stopped in his tracks as he turned back.
"Yes?" Ryder asked the person that had stopped him.
There was a frown on his face as he recognized them as the guards.
"Can I ask who you are? And what are you doing in our City?" the guard asked.
"Why? Are we Vampires not allowed inside your city?" Ryder asked the man in a casual tone.
"Are you from the Vampire Royalty?" the Guard asked once more.
"Yes, we are. We were just passing by when we saw the city," Ryder told them.
"I was right," the guard said smilingly. He was just about to continue before the other three guards came back and whispered something into his ears.
"Respected Sir, Our City Lady, has found out about your presence in our City, and she wishes to meet you. Can you please take some time to come meet her?" the guards asked.
"Sorry, but..." Ryder was speaking when Rale tapped on his shoulders.
Ryder stopped and looked towards Rale, who brought his face closer to his ears and whispered.
"Your Highness, don't deny. Even though the Vampires are the strongest Undead Clan, they are known to follow Courtesy. I read in our books that they never reject an invitation from someone of high position. I also heard that they get angry fast, as well. If they aren't satisfied with the host, they kill them," Rale said.
"That's why there is a saying about not inviting the Vampires into your house unless you're ready to lose your life," he added.
'Oh, so denying that will make them know that we're not Vampires,' Ryder thought.
"We accept the invitation. Take us to your Lady," Ryder told the Guard.
"Incredible. Please follow us," the guards said as they started walking away.
Ryder and the others followed after them.
Along the way, Rale told Ryder everything about the Vampire customs, making Ryder know how to behave now.
Ryder was brought to a magnificent looking palace, but it wasn't even close to the level of Duke Devilia's Palace, let alone his own Palace.
They entered the mansion and were brought to a hall.
A beautiful looking girl was sitting on the chair at the main seat on a long rectangular dinner table. She wore a long red gown that matched her red hair quite well. She looked like she was in her early 20s.
"Welcome to my humble abode," the girl said as she stood up.
"hmm. It's a decent palace," Ryder gave a slight nod of acknowledgment.
"Thank you for that. Please have a seat," She said.
Ryder walked forth and sat on the chair right in front of her.
His cloak was still hiding the top half of his face.
Rale and the others stood behind him and didn't sit on the chairs.
'So he is from Royalty. The others should be his guardians,' the girl thought.
"May I ask where you are from? And what brought you to my small City?" she asked Ryder.
"We are not close enough to share everything with you. Tell us why you invited us," Ryder said, his voice contained some arrogance that he intentionally added.
"Ah, sorry if I offended you. I invited you here just out of pure courtesy. I wanted to see the Vampire Royalty that stepped in our City," she said.
A maidservant knocked on the door.
"Come inside," The girl said.
The maidservant entered the room and placed a glass of blood in front of Ryder and a plate of meat in front of the girl.
"I figured that I could also have dinner with you. That glass contains the best blood in our town. Please have a taste," she said smilingly.