"No, I can't stay here any longer. What if this thing has tracking capabilities too? That would be disastrous!" Norton tightened the cloth wrapped around his head, then quickly moved through the alleyway toward the city outskirts.
Less than five minutes after Norton fled the scene.
"Clank, clank, clank..."
The metallic folding sound of steel armor moving echoed through the streets, striking fear into all who heard it.
The early morning lethargy that had hung over the streets instantly vanished. Pedestrians automatically moved to stand along both sides of the road, seemingly preparing to make way for the Church Knights.
Yet today's Church Knights appeared completely different from usual.
Their armor design completely differed from traditional Church Knight armor—not only appearing heavier and more solid, but with entirely different stylistic elements.
Traditional Church Knight armor resembled Central European plate armor, with white fabric on the lower hems and upper garments dyed with red church crosses, but overall maintained the classic "tin can" appearance.
Yet the golden armor worn by these two Holy Knights appeared more magnificent and imposing, breaking away from the traditional "tin can" look. Their helmets lacked the typical enclosed goggles, replaced instead by two small golden wings where the eyes should be, making it impossible to tell how they could see the road while eliminating the eyes' vulnerability.
Designed like angels, their radiant golden armor shone brilliantly, making their presence feel far more holy than traditional Church Knights.
So holy that it would react to any contamination it encountered.
"Vampire!"
A hoarse, low voice came from the two Holy Knights, sounding unlike anything a living person could produce.
"Filth... purification... holiness!"
The raspy, unpleasant voice emerged from their steel helmets as these two Holy Knights, who seemed completely unlike living beings, drew their golden great swords from their backs. Then, as if able to track the residual scent Norton left on the road, they moved in the direction Norton had just departed.
"Hiss..." A steam-engine-like exhaling sound came from within the helmets, and through this terrifying breathing noise, one could guess how monstrous the things inside must be.
They seemed capable of tracking the final direction of this scent, choosing the most direct path forward.
This also confirmed these two things were definitely not normal living creatures, because taking the direct route meant they would only crash into the street walls.
"Boom!"
With a collapsing sound, the two Holy Knights smashed straight through the earthen wall of the alleyway, creating a massive hole. Though not as strong as modern technology-enhanced walls, it remained difficult for ordinary people to damage—yet it couldn't hinder these two Holy Knights' advance at all.
The Church's true ultimate weapon, the Holy Knights, had already locked onto Norton's position.
----
An extremely bad feeling rose in Norton's heart, making him feel like something terrible was about to happen.
This sensation made his running footsteps accelerate even faster. After retrieving his great sword and leaf cape, he desperately raced toward his mountain cave.
"Why do I keep feeling like someone wants to harm me?"
Norton frowned deeply, somewhat regretting his decision to come out today.
Surviving in the forest wasn't easy, but he never expected the city to be even more dangerous.
A mere mural could actually cause him real damage—this was way too advanced!
God's holiness truly was this magnificent!
A hoarse, deep voice came from the two Holy Knights, sounding unlike anything a living person could produce.
Norton's pace quickened even more. The glaring sunlight had already risen, casting slight stinging sensations on Norton's body and making him hasten his steps.
Finally, as the sun approached its zenith, Norton finally reached his mountain cave.
"Squeak... squeak..."
The vampire bat hanging outside the cave entrance had already returned. Seeming to hear Norton's movements, it called out twice, as if greeting him.
Norton had no time to deal with it, running straight into the cave and clumsily lying back in his coffin.
Closing the wooden coffin lid, the dark cave returned to complete silence.
Fish swimming in the pond created gentle rippling sounds that, rather than adding noise, instead emphasized the cave's profound silence.
Lying in his coffin, Norton stared wide-eyed at the dark coffin board, his mind still unsettled.
Not just unsettled—he actually felt his mood growing more oppressive.
Lying in his coffin, Norton couldn't sleep no matter how he positioned himself. The more he thought, the more uneasy he became.
"I've definitely been targeted. Otherwise, why would this feeling be so strange? Could they have directly located my position?"
Norton scratched his head, then climbed out of his coffin. He decided he should put on his steel armor first.
After putting on the steel armor, Norton felt a slight increase in security.
But his heart still felt heavy.
He felt unsafe everywhere.
Could Church Knights really cross such a dangerous forest to track and kill him over such a long distance?
If the forest weren't dangerous, Norton might think it possible. After all, the Church's methods were unpredictable.
But the forest was far more dangerous than the city. Could these Church Knights track him here without any fear?
Norton felt that no matter what, he needed to prepare himself. After all, he knew nothing about the Church's methods.
As an extremely cautious vampire, he always preferred to consider the worst-case scenario.
What if?
So...
Norton looked at the pond, feeling he had chosen this cave perfectly.
If Church Knights really came, he would hide in the water.
To enter the water, Church Knights would have to remove their heavy armor to avoid being unable to swim up or breathe.
So he could use this opportunity to kill these fragile humans.
If they wore heavy armor, Norton might show them some respect. But without heavy armor—what exactly are you?
Go talk to my great sword!