Ghouls, commonly known as zombies, are classic horror monsters.
They are humanoid creatures transformed by humans infected with undead poison.
In their initial state, they are very weak—comparable to a normal person in a berserk state—and most adventurers can easily deal with them.
However, once the undead poison spreads, the number of ghouls explodes exponentially.
If the source is not eliminated in time, ghouls will flood the hills and valleys like a blood-red torrent, crashing into Human Race settlements.
It is only at times like these that humans truly remember how terrifying ghouls are.
Thus, these little monsters have long ranked as the most feared creatures among the Human Race.
Ordinary civilians might never encounter evil dragons or giants in their lifetime, but they will certainly face ghoul crises multiple times.
They are the most frequent and fearsome threats to Human Race settlements.
Why is this the case?
Because the undead poison is actually spread by vampires lurking within human society!
Ghouls are created when vampires feed and casually discard the corpses.
Those drained of blood who die and whose bodies are not promptly destroyed will revive as ghoul mothers.
The mother ghoul attacks all living things, and anything bitten by her becomes infected with undead poison, turning into a ghoul.
Some despicable vampires deliberately spread the undead poison, causing great panic among the Human Race.
Why bring up all these details so abruptly?
Because this is why Xiadam looked so puzzled.
Ghouls are caused by vampires; they are essentially biological weapons created by vampires.
So why are vampires fighting ghouls?
Vampires are not really living beings, so ghouls generally do not attack vampires, treating them as if they were invisible.
Unless there is a hidden mastermind deliberately controlling ghouls to attack other vampire factions.
“Oh, that’s how it is,” Xiadam suddenly understood everything at once.
“Lord Lavini mentioned there’s been conflict within the Blood Clan,” Sheffield guessed what was going on.
“Mutual hostility within the Blood Clan is an old tradition. Although we lump all vampires together as the Blood Clan, each vampire actually leads an independent faction,” Xiadam explained.
“Like how you humans gave me the name ‘Sis’?” Sheffield gave an example.
“Something like that. Enough talk, let’s go see what’s happening,” Xiadam nodded, changing the subject.
Although she herself found walking in the dark difficult,
Xiadam held onto the hem of Sheffield’s robe, letting the fearless White Dragon lead the way.
Soon, Xiadam saw flickers of firelight not far ahead.
The rush of sword wind howled, battle cries shook the sky, blood flowed like rivers, and even Xiadam could smell the stench of blood.
The two of them and the dragon didn’t rush in but hid behind piles of rubble, observing covertly.
They saw a group of silver-armored knights, each carrying dual swords on their backs, slaughtering a horde of berserk ghouls on the wasteland.
Though the battle was overwhelmingly one-sided, with ghouls continually emerging from the deeper darkness,
They were met only by relentless cuts of merciless white light.
“…” Xiadam’s expression grew serious.
She saw through the true identity of these silver-armored knights—they were all vampires.
Their bloodlines might be impure, but their combat power was formidable; every slash could split a ghoul into two.
There had to be a mastermind controlling the ghouls.
The puppeteer of the ghouls was at odds with the owner of these silver vampire knights—this was a clash between two Blood Clan factions.
As mentioned before, although humans refer to all vampires as the Blood Clan for convenience,
Vampires themselves operate in terms of [families].
Each vampire family considers itself an independent species, viewing all others as outsiders.
For example, if my ancestor is the Vampire King and yours is the Vampire Queen, then we are not on the same side.
Endless bitter civil wars frequently erupt between families.
Vampires are already few in number, yet they constantly fight among themselves.
So at first, Xiadam couldn’t believe vampires could even establish a nation.
Now, seeing it firsthand, it was clear the Blood Clan was still embroiled in infighting.
“Should we help?” Sheffield asked.
“If vampires are fighting ghouls, which side do we support?” Xiadam retorted.
“Why not fight on both sides?” Sheffield countered.
“You’re a bit extreme in your thinking. Let’s keep observing and decide later,” Xiadam glared at her, warning against rash action.
“When the Human Army was involved, we could fight both sides, but not the Blood Clan? You’re biased,” Sheffield muttered quietly.
“Biased? Do you think things are the same as before? Back then, we could appear and make the Human Army retreat obediently. Humans aren’t stupid—they’re very shrewd. But the Blood Clan is different; they’re stubborn, cruel madmen. If we dare show up now, it means something unspeakable is about to happen,” Xiadam said quietly, a little shaken.
While they talked, hesitated, flirted, and watched the battle unfold,
The silver knights finished slaughtering the ghouls on the wasteland.
But the silver knight captain didn’t sheath his sword; instead, he coldly turned to stare at the rubble behind which they hid.
With a courteous yet murderous tone, he said, “Friend, watching any longer is impolite. Care to come out for a talk?”
“They have impressive sensory abilities too,” Sheffield whispered.
“Vampires possess extraordinary biological locating powers. Looks like we can’t hide,” Xiadam said.
“Will they kill us all?” Sheffield asked.
“I’m used to your nonsense by now. I won’t be fooled again,” Xiadam said emotionlessly, knowing Sheffield was teasing her.
With that, the two women and the dragon stepped out from behind the rubble.
The silver knights instantly surrounded them, coldly scrutinizing their every move, hands resting on their second swords.
Xiadam used the moonlight to observe these silver knights.
Each had pale skin and blood-red eyes, clearly showing no intention of hiding their identities.
This was awkward.
Because Sheffield had changed her golden vertical pupils to red eyes to conceal her identity, making her look exactly like a vampire.
Now it was clear—Sheffield couldn’t simulate something she had never seen before; the blood-red eyes she mimicked must have been vampire blood eyes.
So the silver knights’ primary target of scrutiny was this white-haired dark elf with blood-red eyes, not the human mage girl.
Vampires are immortal, and humans are just food to them—not worth their attention, not even magicians.
“Human mage, what are you doing here? Don’t tell me you’re just here sightseeing?” The silver knight captain fixed his gaze on Xiadam and questioned her.
They were cut off so abruptly!
“We… are indeed here sightseeing.”
But Xiadam still answered with a forced smile.