The Smiling Death-Chapter 370: Vetaal Might Be...

Scarlett entered the house.

Roland closed the door behind them as they moved towards the living room.

The room was filled with wooden torches that were hanging on the walls.

Roland went and sat at the large table in the middle of the room. On the table were several rough maps spread across the wooden surface.

Karen, Silvana, and Rei were also present.

Karen was leaning over the table while holding a charcoal stick, marking something carefully on one of the maps. Silvana sat beside her, arms crossed, occasionally giving suggestions. Rei stood near the table as well, studying the markings with calm interest.

It looked like they were still busy preparing for the upcoming battle.

Malphas, Kael, and others were not inside. They were outside handling other matters in the village.

Karen looked up at the newcomers who had come here.

"Oh?" she said, slightly surprised. "Scarlett?"

She leaned back in her chair.

"What brings you here?"

Scarlett walked further inside the room and stopped near the table.

"I came to tell you something important," she said calmly.

Karen lifted her head slightly while Silvana turned her chair a little to face Scarlett.

Rei also shifted her gaze toward her.

Roland folded his arms. "Now tell me, what is it?"

Scarlett spoke directly. "Vetaal said he will need blood to activate the magic circles. Animal blood will do."

Roland simply nodded. "That makes sense... he needs something like a medium for it if I am not wrong."

But then he tilted his head slightly with a confused look. "...But did you come all the way here just to tell me that?"

He gestured casually toward the door. "You could have told me that at the door."

Scarlett remained silent for a moment. Then she shook her head slightly.

"No."

Her voice became more serious. "There is something else."

Hearing that, everyone in the room became more attentive.

Karen straightened her posture. Silvana leaned forward slightly. Rei rested her chin on her fingers while watching Scarlett with curious eyes.

Roland also became serious. "What is it?"

Scarlett took a slow breath before speaking.

"I don’t know much about magic circles... runes... or whatever structure he has drawn."

She glanced toward the maps on the table.

"But one thing bothered me."

Roland narrowed his eyes slightly. "What?"

Scarlett spoke slowly. "Blood."

The room became quiet from her word.

"Blood is mostly used in dangerous rituals," she continued. "Rituals meant for unknown or forbidden beings."

Karen frowned slightly. Scarlett continued speaking. "And... there are very few races who commonly use blood in magic."

She paused for a moment before finishing her thought.

"...Vampires... vampires like me."

That single word changed the atmosphere of the room.

Karen looked up in surprise. Silvana’s brows furrowed. Rei’s eyes showed a flicker of curiosity.

Roland leaned forward slightly in his chair. "Are you saying..." he began slowly, "...that you suspect Vetaal is performing some dangerous ritual?"

Scarlett immediately shook her head. "No. I don’t think that is the case."

She crossed her arms. "But... I do have a suspicion."

Roland waited for her to continue.

Scarlett said calmly, "I think Vetaal might be a vampire."

The room fell silent again."...Or at least something similar to a vampire."

Karen blinked. Silvana rubbed her chin thoughtfully. Rei hummed softly. 𝘧𝓇ℯ𝑒𝓌𝑒𝑏𝓃𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭.𝒸ℴ𝓂

Roland looked down at the table for a moment while thinking. No one in the village actually knew much about Vetaal. Not even Amon.

What was his race. His origin. Or what kind of being he truly was.

He had been hanging on a leafless tree for many years like a dead corpse. Then he awoke when he met a young man named Amon.

Everything about him was mysterious. Scarlett’s suspicion wasn’t completely unreasonable.

Though he didn’t look like a vampire... there is a possibility he might have some connections to them.

But the most confusing thing was... if he was a vampire... why was he hiding it? There were some vampires here as well... but he always told them he couldn’t tell them about his race and identity.

Roland finally leaned back in his chair again.

"Hmm..."

He tapped his finger lightly on the wooden table.

"That is... a logical guess."

Rei gave a faint smile.

"My my... now that you say it... it does sound possible." Karen nodded slowly.

"I was also curious about his race." Silvana sighed.

"Well... whatever he is, he certainly isn’t normal. But he is helpful to us. That’s all that matters."

Roland raised his hand slightly, stopping the discussion.

"For now... let’s focus on preparations."

His voice became firm.

"We don’t have the luxury to chase theories right now." He then added, "But... we will keep a close eye on him."

His gaze hardened slightly.

"Vetaal still isn’t someone we can trust completely."

Scarlett nodded. Karen and Silvana also nodded in agreement. Rei simply smiled faintly.

Scarlett then turned toward the door. "I will return now." She took a few steps forward. Then suddenly stopped.

Roland noticed it. "Hm?" He looked at her curiously. "What happened?"

Scarlett turned back slowly.

"...Did you want to say something more?" Roland asked again.

She hesitated. One time, then again.

Roland raised his eyebrow. Karen and Silvana also looked curious. Rei’s smile slowly widened as if she had already guessed something.

Scarlett finally spoke. "...Yes."

Roland waited.

Scarlett said with slight hesitation, "Keep me in the same group where Amon will be."

For a moment, everyone in the room was surprised.

Roland raised his eyebrow higher. Karen blinked. Silvana looked slightly amused. Rei covered her mouth lightly while smiling. It was only natural. Afterall they had seen how she and Amon always stuck with each other everyday.

"My my..." she said playfully. "You are really worried about that boy."

Scarlett’s cheeks flushed slightly. "It’s not like that."

She quickly crossed her arms defensively. "He is reckless."

Her tone became serious again. "He might do something stupid or mess things up."

She looked away slightly. "That’s why... I want to be in the same group. So I can keep an eye on him."

Rei chuckled softly. Karen and Silvana exchanged small amused glances. Knowing why she was doing this. Roland simply looked at Scarlett for a moment.

Then he gave a small nod. "...Alright. If that’s what you want."

Scarlett nodded once in response.Then she turned and quietly left the room.