Hunter of Vampire(part 1)

"What's Adrian like?" asked Shadow.

"A vampire hunter, specifically the son of Dracula from a human woman," said Vergil. "Isn't that a very rare case? An undead being able to impregnate a normal woman," said Shadow. "Anything can happen..." said Vergil. "A dhampir, huh? How skilled are they at hunting vampires?" asked Shadow. "How skilled...? Hmm... they train like other hunters, but they have better instincts," said Vergil. "I see. I want to meet Adrian," said Shadow.

Not long after, they arrived at an old house. Vergil dismounted his horse and immediately knocked on the door, with Shadow following suit. A silver-haired man with a slightly pale face appeared. "Vergil, good to see you again. Come in, and let me explain the situation..." said the man. "Adrian, how bad is it?" asked Vergil. "Very. Come in, both of you," said Adrian.

Vergil and Shadow quickly entered the large house. Adrian promptly opened a map with marks on it, and Vergil and Shadow observed something. "A tower?" asked Shadow. "Yes, the Tower of Blood is the name of this tower. Its function is to focus dark energy on all vampires," said Adrian. "But it has a weakness, right?" asked Shadow. "I think it requires all vampire members to withstand the immense power. The weak become strong, and the strong become even stronger," said Vergil. "That's why we need to start by eliminating the weakest vampires. There are nine vampires, and the first three control the territories of the three strongest guilds: the White Cross Knight Legion in the White Citadel, the Circle of Wizards in the Manasphere District, and St. Peter's Monastery in the Black Hill District," said Adrian.

"I think the first we can liberate is the White Cross Knight Legion. We need their ability to face vampires," said Shadow. "You're right. The White Cross Knight Legion is a Holy Knight Order that is experienced in fighting undead creatures. They must have some items feared by vampires, and we can borrow their strength to counter the vampires," said Vergil. "What about the Wolf Beast tribe? They also hate vampires, right? They are also fighting vampires in the Dark Forest area," said Adrian. "They can also be enlisted to cooperate," said Shadow. "Alright, I will inform Queen Xesinus of this plan to get her support immediately," said Vergil, then he left.

The weather was extremely bad when Shadow left, and throughout the journey, many bats flew in groups, as if they were watching him. Riding on White Fang, Shadow soon arrived in a rather grand city, shrouded in heavy clouds. The city guards immediately stopped White Fang, checking Shadow's neck for bite marks. "It seems like the vampires here are making people very afraid," said Shadow. "That's right, luckily we have the antidote," said one of the guards. "Are you from the White Cross Knight Legion? It's a coincidence, I want to meet your Knight Master," said Shadow. "Knight Master? You mean the Legion Master? He is usually in his office at the Citadel of Light," said the guard. "Alright then, I will go there," said Shadow, heading towards a medium-sized castle to the north.

Shadow dismounted from White Fang, who was then taken to the stables. Shadow quickly entered the castle where Vergil had already arrived and was speaking with Master Knight Donatelo. "So, Queen Xesinus agreed to the vampire hunt?" asked a middle-aged man in quite heavy armor with silver hair. "Yes, the Warrior Queen too... ah, here he is..." said Vergil, noticing Shadow. "So this is the man leading the vampire hunt. He looks a bit... chaotic," said Master Donatelo. "Share everything you know with him so we can start working," said Vergil.

"Alright, a vampire named Riechi controls this area. The Knights of the Holy Cross have been trying to defeat him, but several of our elite members have either turned into ghouls or died with bite marks on their necks," said Master Donatelo.

"I have a thought. Why target the Holy Cross Order soldiers?" asked Vergil.

"So that no members of the Holy Cross interfere," said Shadow. "Also, the locations where the bodies were found seem to form..." Shadow began.

"...a pentagram," finished Vergil.

"Then the last location is..." said Shadow, pointing to a specific spot on the map.

"I have a plan. It looks like we need a decoy," said Vergil.

"You want to sacrifice my soldiers? I won’t allow it," said Master Donatelo angrily.

"Uncle wants to make that thing? That’s a good idea," said Shadow.

"Sometimes the decoy is fake... making a doll that resembles a soldier is quite easy," said Vergil.

"In that case, you can use the training mannequins in the practice room," said Donatelo.

"We'll also need some silver chains and silver stakes. Killing vampires will be fun," said Shadow.

"We'll prepare everything. The hunt will begin tonight," said Donatelo. Shadow quickly instructed some guards to retrieve a mannequin and prepare it at the designated location.

"Rest now; tonight we hunt," said Vergil.

"What about Marrie, Mistral, and Luciana?" asked Shadow.

"They are on their way here. Rest," said Vergil. Shadow then went to rest. Vergil stepped outside and saw Mistral and Luciana arriving, exhausted.

"Where’s Shadow?" asked Mistral.

"He’s resting. The hunt is tonight," said Vergil.

"Good, I'm glad he's alright," said Mistral.

"Mistral, Marrie, Luciana, tonight you will help Shadow with the hunt. Marrie, you need to master holy magic, and Mistral..." said Vergil, handing her a Silver Arrow.

"Alright," said Mistral.

"And me?" asked Luciana.

"Use this," said Master Donatelo, giving her a sword and a mirror shield.

Several soldiers then set up the mannequin at the specified location.

That night, the atmosphere was eerie, even for Shadow, who was accustomed to hunting monsters in the dark. Vergil and Mistral monitored the area from a dark room near the mannequin, while Marrie and Luciana hid in another building, concealed in the shadows. The vampire soon landed and began biting the straw dummy. Marrie swiftly moved the chains, binding the vampire, while Mistral successfully shot arrows into the vampire's legs. Shadow appeared and slashed off both of the vampire's arms, causing blue blood to spurt from the wounds.

"So, you’re the vampire named Riechi, caught in a simple trap... no wonder you’re the lowest in the vampire family," said Shadow.

"Master Dracul will surely know that one of his minions has been killed," said the vampire.

"Heh... is that so? Uncle, what do you think?" asked Shadow.

"Oh, his name is Lord Dracul? We have a message for your master..." said Vergil, then he signaled. Shadow immediately poured Holy Water on the vampire and thrust a silver stake into its heart. The vampire screamed in agony, and then its body disintegrated into dust.

"Uncle, are you sure about this?" asked Shadow.

"Sometimes instilling fear in undead creatures is necessary," said Vergil.

"What happened? Did you kill the vampire?" asked Master Donatelo, hearing the vampire’s screams.

"Yes, tonight the White Citadel is free from vampires, and tomorrow we’ll move on to the next city," said Shadow.

"Master Donatelo, prepare your troops to secure this city and the next one," said Shadow.

The next morning, Master Donatelo ordered all troops to patrol the city thoroughly, ensuring that no corner was left unguarded. Riechi's scream had echoed far, reaching the vampire king's castle. A hunched, short servant stumbled into the room of the vampire leader.

"My lord, Baron Riechi was destroyed last night by the knights of the White Cross Legion," said the servant.