Chapter 3

— Yes. Over a hundred killed already.

— Well, you've really stirred up a mess!

— Who could have known!

A month ago, on their way back from an expedition to the ocean, vampires paid a friendly visit to the Sprouts and committed anything but a friendly act by stealing a two-year supply of black cedar nuts, a powerful narcotic favored by the elite youth. The criminal group controlling this trade couldn't just let that slide, and disputes with competitors ensued. The small town turned into a battlefield between two warring gangs, who by now had forgotten what sparked the conflict and were just actively slaughtering each other.

— You didn't come to me just to share the details of what's happening in the Sprouts?

— Of course not! Early yesterday morning, my people returned from there. Among the honest miners, the mood is quite grim. Some are openly planning to move here!

— Damn it! — In his anger, Alexander even jumped up from his seat and walked around the office. Calming down, he focused on the bearer of the news, — And when do they want to do that?

— It's not that bad, — Sergey reassured his friend, — First, the largest of their mining groups wants to send reconnaissance to find out if there's anything worth looking for here. Don't forget, the old village was wiped out by goblins many decades ago, and people simply don't know what's around these parts.

— When should we expect the first pilgrims?

— In about three weeks. Miners are ordinary people, not vampires.

Yulia burst into the office, glaring angrily at Sergey and even forgetting the papers she was holding. It got worse when she noticed that the cup of drink, which she had carefully prepared for her boss, was on the wrong side of the table and clearly smelled of the guest's saliva. Realizing he had made a mistake by not destroying the evidence, Sergey tried to escape but was caught by the ear by the firm little hand and escorted out of the room. Outside the door, the secretary's angry reprimand could be heard, scolding the impudent visitor. Only after a while did she return to the office, placing the requested papers and a new cup of drink on the table.

— Thank you. When Zhenya (Eugene) and Kostya (Konstantin) arrive, ask them to come see me, — Alexander instructed, then took the papers and delved into studying them. He needed to understand what his subordinate hadn't grasped and why he was being so urgently asked to review them.

The content turned out to be quite intriguing. The author highlighted the unnatural relationships prevailing in the community, specifically labeling them as a strange form of military communism. Blood, money, and weapons were distributed centrally and belonged to everyone and no one.

Of course, money and weapons belonged to the Triumvirate, not to some mythical "everyone," but in some respects, the person who wrote these papers was right. Alexander thought that he himself had exacerbated the situation when all the vampires tasted the blood of the executed traitor. The ease with which the fugitives earned their living and the lifestyle they led was appealing in its simplicity and lack of responsibility.

It turned out that some people were already burdened by existence under conditions where everyone is equal and private property is restricted. To the author's credit, he didn't just criticize the established order but also proposed solutions. He saw the way forward as a transition to a fully liberal-capitalist model within the community.

"What nonsense. Why should we even stay together then?"

The door swung open and Eugene walked in.

— We need to perform the ritual, — Alexander said instead of a greeting.

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