Chapter 854 - A Deep Grudge

The three of them decided to split in order to cover more ground. It would be ineffective if they were to just move in a group with such a large kingdom. Lycan covered the noble area as he is still considered a noble despite the empire being dispersed due to war.

Solstice covered the middle area where the merchants are placed as her family have many connections to merchants. It seems that the vampires managed to hide well by having multiple connections with merchants and their great information network. They became able to blend in society using this tactic.

Adrian is exploring the commoner area as he is basically just an adventurer passing by. He did not say anything about the commoner area despite it being the most difficult to gather information. He stayed quiet because spirits of the deceased are freely roaming this area and all he needed to do is do their requests to get information.

"Sirius, find potential spirits that we can use. Charon do that as well." Adrian commanded as his two soulbounds retracted from his shadow to round up the unrelenting spirits of the deceased.

Adrian could see that the commoner area in this kingdom is a bit better than that of other kingdoms. The houses look decent, and the guards also patrol the place. Although, some of the children look thin but that is mostly due to their lack of nutrition.

"No orphans could be seen which means that there is a Church of Life here. Despite being a pro human kingdom, they do not shy away to those that benefit them. Hypocrites but at least they make sure that poor children that lost their family is well taken care off.

What I do not understand is why a kingdom that treats everybody well has such a dark malicious grudge enveloping the castle. I wanted to go there but it seems that it is too well guarded than I initially thought." Adrian muttered as he can see the ever-looming grudge attached to the castle.

The ever-looming grudge attached to the castle has the appearance of a black flame. Only grudges of a thousand people could produce something like that or a grudge of a demigod. Adrian could understand the former, but the latter would be almost impossible unless it is what he thinks it is.

Lycan managed to meet the nobles without much issue. The nobles that met him however were all the noble ladies that have yet to be married. They were clearly fawning over him but a more dangerous being is waiting for him outside of the walls of high society.

Solstice visited all the merchants that they are affiliated with. All of them gave every information that they can to her as a show of respect. Of course, she also gifted them generously using a few gold coins here and there. Even people in Pandemonium are a slave when it comes to the scent of money.

Adrian went to see the Church of Life in this part of the kingdom and noticed that is already been changed to the Church of the Twin Gods. It seems that this church is very famous to the commoners because they perform burial rights that is normally only given to the nobles or those of high society.

Since the Church of the Twin Gods perform free healing and free burial rights, the opposition from the Church of Light became irrelevant. The royal family is also a fervent follower of the Goddess of Life for some reason. It seems that they did not decline the changes to the church like other kingdoms because only the teachings from the Church of Death are added.

Some kingdoms embraced this change as a good thing while some declined outright. Those that declined only had the Church of Life stationed in their kingdom while those that agreed has seen a significant increase in their births and decline in child infancy deaths. Some who were initially on the fence soon regretted their decision as they will need to wait another year to get their request approved.

The three of them agreed to meet in a day to check on the details that they can get. The first one to arrive at the area is Lycan with a tired expression. Followed by Solstice who looks a bit gloomy which means that she did not get much information. The last to arrive is Adrian with a generally happy expression.

"It seems at least one of us is fruitful." Solstice stated as she told everything she learned of the entrance to the castle.

The castle seems to be off-limits to even the merchants that directly talk to the imperial family. They even created a special section just to receive the merchants. They only allow entrance to a section of the castle when there is a ball or a special occasion.

"That also what I heard from the other nobles. It seems that the royal family here tend to keep to themselves. Only the most trusted nobles are escorted to the castle when the king needs an audience with them." Lycan stated.

"What about you Mr. Cheerful eyes? Did you get something we can use?" Solstice asked as she could see that Adrian is smiling.

"Oh! I also got nothing to help us in entering the castle. What do you expect in the commoner area?" Adrian replied as he almost got hit on the face by Solstice.

"Why are you smiling then?" Lycan asked.

"I actually learned that something fun happened in this land a hundred years ago. I did not tell you guys, but that castle is surrounded by a deep grudge which likely cursed the royal family. Did the nobles seemed dodgy when you asked them about the current state of the royal family?" Adrian stated.

"You are correct because I asked them if anyone from the royal family is sick. They would either dodge the question or feign ignorance. It makes one very suspicious of why they are like that." Lycan replied.

"It is probably due to the Curse of the Nymph.." Adrian stated.