Chapter 78: The Secret Pact Between Morris and the Z Nation

Monday, St. Tynan Academy. 

Anran finally received her school uniform—a fitted blue suit tailored to her measurements, just like the other students'. Wearing it, she felt a sense of normalcy returning to her life, a stark contrast to the strange occurrences she'd experienced in Rosewood Town. 

However, the principal's office was anything but calm. 

With a loud *bang*, the door to the principal's office was kicked open. Principal Zhang, startled, looked up to see an arrogant young man in black casual clothes striding in, followed by another boy in a white school uniform who wore an apologetic smile. 

Principal Zhang quickly composed himself and greeted them with a warm smile. "My apologies, gentlemen. I wasn't expecting your visit. How may I assist you?" 

Richard, the one in black, sat down unceremoniously in the chair opposite the principal. "Cut the pleasantries, old man. You know why we're here." 

At that, Principal Zhang's demeanor shifted. His smile faded, replaced by a calm, authoritative presence. 

Lestat closed the door behind them and stood beside Richard as the latter continued, "We've been investigating the matter of the serum, and it's clear the Z government has no involvement in this." 

Principal Zhang, whose full name was Zhang Muzhi, wasn't just the principal of St. Tynan Academy. He also held a secret identity as a high-ranking official in Z's military, enjoying X-level privileges. 

Since Z's founding, officials had been stationed in Rosewood Town. Zhang Muzhi was the third such envoy. Their role here was delicate—on the surface, they managed the academy, but in reality, they were the town's administrators, tasked with maintaining the balance between vampires and humans while preserving the cooperative relationship between the Morris family and the Z government. 

Richard raised an eyebrow and said coldly, "It better stay that way. If we find out you're using vampire blood to create that abomination, don't blame us for what happens next." 

Zhang Muzhi replied solemnly, "The Z government values its partnership with the Morris family. We have always adhered to our agreement, limiting its use to medical research. We would never create something so destructive. You must understand, the essence of this serum is nothing short of human experimentation." 

Lestat, who had remained silent until now, spoke up. "So, you've already gathered some leads?" 

"Not much more than you have," Zhang Muzhi admitted, his brow furrowed. "As you know, Rosewood's unique magnetic field makes reconnaissance difficult. From what I've gathered, several foreign agents are currently active in the town. Whether they're connected to the serum remains unclear." 

The Morris brothers exchanged a glance, taken aback by this revelation. 

Zhang Muzhi continued, "Moreover, there have been a number of disappearances in town, including students from St. Tynan. Strangely, the families of the missing haven't reported anything—it's as if they've forgotten they ever had such a family member." 

His gaze sharpened as he looked at the Morris brothers. 

Lestat responded, "Indeed, vampires are involved in this." 

Zhang Muzhi's words were sincere, and Lestat, with his ability to read minds, confirmed that everything he said was true. Now that it was clear the Z government wasn't behind the serum's production, they had a common enemy. The two sides exchanged the information they had gathered. 

Before leaving, Lestat added, "Principal Zhang, don't forget the aid the Morris family provided during Z's war." 

Back then, Z had been plagued by internal strife and external threats, its people suffering through years of conflict. The Morris family had provided substantial financial and material support to one of the warring factions until peace was restored. 

"The Z government hasn't forgotten that history," Zhang Muzhi said. "If it had, Rosewood Town would have been reclaimed by the state long ago." 

Times had changed. Few in number, vampires no longer held the power to determine the fate of nations. 

Instead, humanity, with its vast population and advanced weaponry, had become the dominant force in the world. 

For vampires, whose numbers had always been small, human fertility was a formidable challenge. Coupled with their vulnerability to sunlight, vampires had gradually retreated from the political stage… 

Thus, in the early days of Z's founding, the Morris family and the Z government had signed a secret pact, ensuring that this piece of land remained in their hands.