In the suburbs of Richmond, this area is mostly hilly terrain. Each small hill has few trees, and when covered in snow, they look like endless graves.
The location of the Teleportation Gate is quite good; it's not too far from Harrison Castle. Satanah still deferred to Hel, prioritizing her opinion.
The only problem is that Harrison Castle is very well-known, making it not very convenient for Vampires to hide here.
Harrison Castle was built during the War of 1812. It is said to be a turning point in the War of Independence, with a battle that made it eternally memorable.
Fifteen American white soldiers besieged 600 Indians here, achieving an epic victory. As for how the Indians entered the castle and how they were killed, that remains unknown.
However, it is said that since then, the castle has been haunted, with reports of seeing the souls of Indian resentful spirits wandering nearby at night.
Indeed, the place is famous because it is a supernatural site.
From a distance, the castle looks magnificent under the moonlight. The silver snow illuminates its tall walls, giving it a ghastly air, yet for a castle with over a hundred years of history, it's been maintained quite well, as if someone is taking care of it.
If not sold to private owners, it would be used to build a national monument, as Vampires are highly infiltrative and could easily settle here by bribing various levels of institutions.
However, this castle doesn't quite fit the bill, because as you get closer, it remains very quiet inside.
Advanced Vampires like to be cultured. The noble class doesn't go out hunting at night but stays at home, drinking purchased blood, listening to music, dancing, and indulging in romantic entanglements. Their long lives make many of them excellent musicians or poets.
No music, no dance party? No dance party, isn't that the death of the nobles?
In human impression, Vampires are always elegantly dressed in tailcoats, handsome yet cold and ruthless. Countless young ladies are madly in love with them, but that image is really just the vampire aristocracy.
Their bloodline ensures they have no worries about food and drink, so they spend their days reciting poetry and admiring the moon. They aren't even good at hunting, mostly relying on seduction, and oddly, many women are willing.
As for the lower-level Vampires, due to bloodline issues, they look more like monsters. It's not just a matter of having fleshy soft horns grow from their chins, with facial features so scrunched up they resemble chrysanthemums, making them incredibly ugly.
As for their taste in clothing, it's not worth mentioning. The low-level Vampires that Su Ming's party killed earlier all dressed like henchmen in Beidou Divine Fist, screaming and sticking out their tongues during the fight, making Su Ming feel like a Savior from the end of the century.
"Something doesn't feel right here, but let's go in and take a look to see if there are any coffins or suspicious items like red wine," Su Ming said, standing at the castle's front door. Using a Giant Sword, he unlocked it and assigned tasks to the three: "Regardless of what you find, regroup in the courtyard in three minutes."
"I'll go to the first floor to look for a ballroom," Satanah was the first to dash inside, quickly disappearing into the darkness, as if afraid Su Ming would assign her to clean toilets.
Palham tethered his horse in the courtyard: "I'll check the basement and wine cellar."
"What about you, Hel?" Su Ming asked, seeing the two leave as he headed towards the castle's hall to check the bedrooms upstairs.
"I have a feeling it's not here, so I'll follow you," Hel said, crossing her arms, her voice calm.
Su Ming walked up the stairs, his footsteps echoing in the empty hall, the portraits on the castle walls seeming to gaze at the two of them, the clock's gears ticking clearly audible.
Hel walked sometimes on Su Ming's left, switching to his right now and then, her pace fluctuating.
Su Ming extended numerous tentacles from himself, knocking on the walls to check for secret doors or passageways: "Speak your mind; aren't you an Asgardian?"
"I want to talk to you about Loki," Hel said, her voice lowered.
"There's nothing to say. It's best that he's merrily being the Second Prince now," Su Ming said, looking into Hel's eyes, but seeing only deathly calmness in them.
Hel pursed her lips, nodding slightly, though her brow remained furrowed: "The Frost Giants seem to have sensed something. They've started moving. Warnerheim's sun may have returned, but I haven't heard about the Stone of Destiny's whereabouts."
Su Ming shrugged, reaching out to touch the nearby oil painting. His cloak swung twice, indicating no magic traces.
"That's a matter for your Divine Race. I won't interfere."
"What about the Great Serpent? A Celestial Father Level god hiding somewhere in Midgard with the Hammer of Winter, and you're not going to do anything?" Hel picked up a nearby vase, gave it a look, then put it back.
Su Ming pushed open doors one by one to check the room furnishings: "What have you noticed?"
"The prophecy states that a son of Odin will perish alongside the Great Serpent. Although Loki isn't a biological son, as an adopted child, he's still a son of Odin. I don't see how Thor is someone who can fight the Great Serpent," Hel said with a sinister tone, as black smoke emanated from her, checking the various corners: "The souls of those killed by the Great Serpent disappear without a trace. Loki can't die like that."
"Because in the future Loki will create you? Without Loki, there would be a time paradox? Rest assured, Loki's safety is guaranteed. The Great Serpent knows almost nothing about magic, and his related knowledge is pitifully scarce. Loki will have no problem escaping.... If you like, I can have the Secret Guest trade Balder to you, and at a critical moment, push him out to block the blow. He's a son of Odin, right?"
Hel's eyes widened, quickly furrowing her brow tighter: "Balder....is alive?"
"Ah, alive. Belasco is an idiot, but Balder isn't smart either. He's still playing hide and seek at the Hell Border," Su Ming chuckled.
"Does Odin know?" Hel leaned in, her fragrance becoming more noticeable.
"Regardless of whether he knows, he hasn't asked me for anyone," the Mercenary answered: "If you think Thor should die dealing with the Great Serpent, then you should find more opportunities to train him and Loki. For instance, bribe some Demons to capture them, or set up traps for them to fall into, or eliminate their friends to spur their mental growth, secretly nurturing Thor so that he gains the strength to deal with the Great Serpent."
"You're truly not some Devil in disguise?" Hel finally laughed, sniffing at Su Ming's scent. She didn't catch a whiff of sulfur, but Satanah's perfume was overwhelming: "Raising someone just to let him die?"
"No, raising someone is just for use. During use, whether he survives isn't within my considerations," Su Ming walked into a bedroom, lifting up the bedding and taking a whiff.
Hel pondered. Indeed, any one of the three brothers could perish alongside the Great Serpent, and she just needed to protect Loki.
She definitely needed to arrange some hardships for them. A few days ago, she sneaked into Asgard and saw a bearded Thor chasing and playing with Loki around a big tree. Such a childish game nearly blinded her.
The Frost Giants over there are indeed an opportunity, a chance to strategize. Being on the same side as Deathstroke feels much more comfortable than being on the opposing side last time.