102: Behind the Scenes

In the vast square on the second basement level of the Vampire Clan castle, pale-faced Vampires of all kinds stood in a dense crowd.

The expressions on their faces varied, but without exception, they all wore looks of confusion and doubt.

Not understanding why they had been summoned here so suddenly, the group began to whisper among themselves:

"Do you think something major has happened? Why would Elder Emilia suddenly summon all of us?"

"I don't know. But it probably isn't anything good, right?"

"Could it be that there are still die-hard members of Marcus's faction hiding among us?"

"It's hard to say, but previously, under the leadership of Deacon Leodro and Eric, it should have been cleaned out thoroughly..."

Unable to figure it out, the group could only look toward Emilia at the front, waiting for her instructions.

Emilia stood at the front, her expression extremely serious.

After leaving Serena's room, it had only taken her ten minutes to summon everyone here.

The efficiency was undeniable.

Looking at the diverse Vampires below, Emilia could not distinguish who was a puppet just by looking at their faces and movements.

However, thinking of the method Locke Galahad had mentioned earlier, she sternly shouted:

"I believe you all have a question: why I have summoned you all here."

Hearing her words, the Vampires all looked toward her.

However, among the thousands of Vampires, there were a few with somewhat strange expressions. But because of the large number of Vampires present, no one noticed them for the moment.

Emilia swept her eyes over everyone below, observing carefully.

"I tell you, there are traitors among you. I summoned you here today for the purpose of rooting out these traitors."

After she finished speaking, those few Vampires with strange expressions wore faint, subtle smiles on their faces.

It was unknown what they were thinking, but they were actually still able to smile.

"Traitors?"

"There are traitors among us?"

Thousands of Vampires looked at each other. Although they wanted to believe it, looking at the familiar faces beside them, they felt Emilia's statement was a bit too alarmist and found it hard to believe.

After all, given the strength Locke Galahad had displayed in the conference room earlier, as long as they were of sound mind, they shouldn't have any thoughts of betrayal. Therefore, they found this claim somewhat hard to accept.

Emilia raised her hand to signal for silence:

"Of course, I have a method to identify them, but it requires everyone to help each other."

"What method?"

Those Vampires eager to prove their innocence immediately asked loudly. As for the few puppets hidden in the dark, they remained indifferent, having already prepared to be exposed.

Emilia's lips curled slightly, and then she shouted in a very loud voice:

"Now, everyone turn around and listen to the heartbeats of the four people in front, behind, to the left, and to the right of you. If you hear someone without a heartbeat, raise your hand."

"Is this really feasible?"

Seeing that some people still wanted to question her, Emilia immediately shouted angrily:

"Never mind whether it's feasible or not; you just need to listen to me now. Turn around and listen immediately. Anyone who dares to avoid or not comply is a traitor."

Emilia's expression was fierce, but then she smiled and waved to the few personal guards beside her whose identities had already been verified, instructing:

"Watch them closely for me. If you discover any traitors, take them down immediately. Do not give them a chance to escape."

"Yes, we will strictly follow Elder Emilia's orders." Led by Alik, the few subordinates immediately knelt on one knee.

The thousands of Vampires below, hearing Emilia say this, dared not question her any further. Even if they didn't believe it, they immediately began to lean in and listen to the heartbeats of those around them.

One, two, three, four.

After the Vampires confirmed to be clear of suspicion by the four people around them came out, they still had to be listened to again by the second group of auditing members; only then could they be cleared of suspicion.

The few puppets hiding in the crowd, seeing that Emilia's methods were so precise, did not intend to continue hiding.

Instead, with expressions of great satisfaction on their faces, ignoring the attempts of those around them to check their heartbeats, they walked out from among the thousands of Vampires in unison.

They walked straight to the front of Emilia.

The Vampires who had previously known them were stunned by their bizarre actions.

"Chris, what's wrong with him? Could he be the traitor Elder Emilia was talking about!"

"Oh my god, there's even Silco!"

"Why is Thibodaux one too?"

All the Vampires below were shocked, unable to believe that their peers, who appeared no different from themselves on the outside, could actually be traitors.

Emilia looked at the few who had walked out, immediately raising her hand to have her subordinates surround them.

Then she said to the remaining Vampires:

"Although these internal ghosts have stood out on their own, none of you remaining are allowed to stop; continue the inspection."

"No need to check anymore. All the puppets I have inside the Vampire Clan are here."

Seeing Emilia being so cautious, the Vampire walking at the very front of the eight puppets, who looked completely ordinary, immediately spoke with a strange smile.

"Hmph, just because you say there's no need to check, does that mean we stop?"

Emilia's eyes were filled with disdain as she snorted coldly; after all, she was not foolish enough to believe whatever this puppet said.

"Who knows if you're playing a strategy of sacrificing a pawn to save the rook to deceive me? No one is allowed to stop."

"I'm not that smug."

The Vampire who had been transformed into a puppet remained calm, not becoming enraged because his hidden methods had been exposed.

"Since I know you are aware of my methods, there is naturally no need to continue hiding. But if you want to check, then check; it makes no difference to me."

Even though he said this, Emilia did not call a halt, but instead turned to her subordinates and ordered: "Capture all eight of these internal ghosts. I am going to take them to see Lord Locke Galahad."

Seeing the group walking toward them, the ordinary-looking Vampire raised his hand forward and shook his head:

"No need for such trouble. Just take me alone to see your Lord Locke Galahad. I am also very curious about him; I have wanted to have a face-to-face conversation with him for some time."

"Impossible. Not only are you going, but all of them are going too. Do you expect me to let your remaining puppets go now?"

Facing his request, Emilia remained unmoved.

"Naturally not. It's just that they no longer have any need to exist..."

The ordinary-looking puppet raised his hand and formed a very awkward hand seal. Immediately after, the remaining seven puppets collapsed to the ground with a thud, completely motionless.