Miss Witch’s Devotion Has Gone… Twisted

”You two are back so soon? Based on my understanding of you, I thought you’d at least be back tomorrow afternoon.”

After they entered, Anna looked Loren and Lilith up and down, her face full of confusion.

”What understanding do you have...”

”Right, the understanding I have is... mmm...”

Before Anna could say something outrageous, Loren stuffed her mouth with the food he had just packed. Anna instinctively swallowed what was in her mouth and, for good measure, licked Loren’s hand.

”......”

Loren quickly withdrew his hand, while Anna made a deliberately infuriating expression, showing she had done it on purpose. In the end, Loren flicked her forehead again.

”Alright, you guys eat first. I’m going to the laboratory.”

After settling everyone, Loren went into the laboratory. This lab was built for him through a joint effort by the vampires and the Church. Although it couldn’t compare to Loren’s own lab at home, it was sufficient for researching sunscreen.

Loren remembered from an elective course in the past that the teacher explained the principle of sunscreen. It essentially used certain substances to reflect ultraviolet light, like titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, etc. There were physical and chemical methods of sun protection.Unfortunately, this world lacked a solid foundation in chemistry. Loren had to research these substances himself. However, Loren had an excellent memory and could make them himself.

If the purity wasn’t high, he’d just increase the quantity—a lethal dose. He also didn’t need to consider skin damage; these vampires could withstand it. Loren had no reservations in his research.

Simultaneously, Loren thought of a business opportunity. He could apply for a patent later and sell the sunscreen to vampires at a high price, making money while also avenging the people of Uridia.

Actually, the best method to block ultraviolet light was to wear thick clothes, wrapping oneself up tightly. Then, even standing under the sun would be fine.

However, the vampires here had always lived within the domain of the God of Night and Thunder. They didn’t understand the principle of sunlight and naturally didn’t know this point.

Moreover, this method couldn’t make money or demonstrate Loren’s capabilities. That’s why Loren didn’t mind the trouble of researching sunscreen.

While Loren was conducting his research, Gwen was also outside gathering information.

By now, people’s lives had stabilized again. Having reached the absolute depths of despair, there were no further changes to anticipate. People simply didn’t know how things could get any worse.

The virus indeed had little impact now, but it was replaced by the more painful withdrawal symptoms. So much time had passed since the virus outbreak that ordinary people with savings had exhausted their reserves. The vampires, through scalpers, had driven the price of the medicine sky-high. Even some nobles had now crossed the Execution Threshold.

”This is also a method to eliminate the noble class...”

Loren sighed with emotion, but even if he truly intended to do something, he wouldn’t use such cruel means.

At this moment, Gwen had transformed to look like a high-ranking vampire, wearing magnificent formal attire. She had also found two vampire corpses to act as maids. These two were freshly killed by Loren using Death’s Grasp, so the corpses were preserved very intact. After being awakened with necromancy, they were no different from living people, aside from having somewhat hollow eyes.

Playing with necromancy too much could easily lead to a loss of humanity. What Loren did was considered to have a high moral baseline among necromancers.

Gwen held an invitation in her hand. It was an invitation to Ofemia’s banquet. This time, Ofemia hadn’t invited Loren, so Loren had Gwen infiltrate instead.

Ofemia frequently hosted banquets. It was only this particular one that Loren intended to crash. He had previously peeked at the guest list for this banquet, which was more luxurious than any before, even inviting other Marquises.

Ofemia was a vain person. She loved the feeling of being superior, so she generally didn’t associate with other Marquises or even higher-ranking Dukes. In her sphere, she had to be the highest authority.

Therefore, the fact that Ofemia invited other Marquises this time indicated that something was definitely not simple.

The important figures on the list weren’t limited to that Marquis; Aisaco was also included.

Aisaco had been a hugely popular figure among vampires recently. The vampires had made who knows how much money from Aisaco’s medicine, even exceeding their original industries by a significant margin.

Even in this situation, Aisaco didn’t make frequent public appearances. He was always a homebody, preferring to stay home and research things. Others didn’t pay it much mind either, usually not inviting him to events.

So, under these circumstances, Ofemia inviting both Aisaco and other Dukes simultaneously definitely meant something important was happening.

Due to Loren’s actions of hunting vampires, the vampire inner circle had become increasingly wary of the Bloodline Rebels, secretly executing quite a few high-ranking vampires.

No one at all suspected Aisaco, who had brought renewed glory to the vampires. Moreover, based on Aisaco’s modus operandi, he could have completely avoided exposing their connection to the vampires. Loren had reason to suspect that Aisaco was using the name ”Bloodline Rebels” precisely to conveniently stir up infighting among the vampires.

At night, Gwen entered the banquet venue with her invitation. After the previous incident of being attacked by the Bloodline Rebels, they were a bit more cautious this time.

The maids guarding the door let Gwen pass after checking her invitation, then began searching the bodies of the maids following Gwen.

They were cautious, but not completely. Vampires were proud creatures who couldn’t tolerate being searched. So, the so-called body search was only for the attendants. Vampires with invitations and their family members would never be subjected to a search.

”Sorry for the disturbance, please enter...”

After apologizing to Gwen, the maid bowed.

Vampires naturally had low body temperatures, so even if Gwen brought two undead to impersonate maids, they wouldn’t be able to tell.

Gwen ignored them and entered the banquet hall directly. She spotted Aisaco in the crowd at a glance. He was holding a glass of blood, chatting eloquently with other vampires.

Everyone was wearing luxurious formal attire, but Aisaco came wearing a white lab coat. That’s why Gwen could spot him so quickly.

The vampire Gwen was disguised as was a Viscount, allowing her to join the conversations of the high-ranking vampires. So, Gwen naturally joined their discussion.

”Aisaco, why has our dividend payment been delayed this time?”

As soon as she entered, Gwen heard another vampire Count questioning Aisaco. His rank was the same as Aisaco’s, which was why he dared to speak to Aisaco in this manner.

”Please don’t be impatient. I am currently conducting a new research project. If it succeeds, the entire Bloodline will undergo a qualitative transformation. So, I’m borrowing some of your funds first. For the future of the Bloodline, I believe you won’t mind this small amount of money.”

If Aisaco had simply said the payment would be delayed a few days, they might not have agreed. It wasn’t a small sum.

But if Aisaco used the future of the Bloodline as an excuse, they couldn’t refuse.

”A qualitative transformation for the Bloodline?”

Loren pondered Aisaco’s words. Other members of the Bloodline would think Aisaco was researching something beneficial for vampires, like the medicine. But Loren knew that Aisaco’s real move was about to begin.