Chapter 57
As soon as they stepped outside, Cain grabbed Abel by the collar and slammed him against the wall.
Thud—
Even with the loud noise, no one came outside.
Abel, who had somehow put up a barrier, smiled faintly.
“A priest?”
Sneering, Cain swung his fist at Abel’s face. His punch grazed Abel’s left cheek precisely.
Blood streamed down from beneath Abel’s eye where he was struck.
“Who’s the priest?”
“Haha. Isn’t it a bit much to be so welcoming after such a long time?”
“You really fooled Mel.”
“I didn’t fool anyone.”
Abel tapped Cain’s hand lightly. Cain, letting go, looked down at him as he sat on the ground.
“It’s just a misunderstanding on their part.”
“Then go tell them the truth right now.”
“There’s no need for that.”
Abel, wearing a friendly smile, stood up, brushing the dirt off his priestly robe as he leaned against the wall.
He wiped the blood running down his cheek.
Cain’s strike had already healed.
“Aren’t you on the same side as the vampires that were swarming the temple?”
“Well… unfortunately, I can’t tell you that right now.”
“You broke into the hunters’ hideout to feed on humans, didn’t you?”
“Don’t be ridiculous.”
Abel’s expression, despite the response, was unusually serious. The more serious he looked, the more Cain’s face darkened.
“So? Why did you call me out? Oh, do you want me to reveal your true identity?”
“I’m glad you seem to get along with Melony.”
“I’m warning you.”
Cain growled, his gaze sharp like a honed blade.
“Don’t ever say Mel’s name.”
“May I ask why?”
“No.”
Cain, about to attack Abel, paused.
The wound would heal quickly, but that pure white outfit was the problem. If it got stained with blood, Melony would immediately worry about Abel as soon as she saw it.
For some reason, that thought annoyed him.
“Just open your mouth.”
“Good. I’m relieved. You’re doing well.”
Abel reached out and patted Cain’s head, as if unafraid. Cain immediately swung his arm as if to sever Abel’s wrist.
“If you want to live, don’t touch me again.”
“Ah, that won’t do. I need to talk to Melony some more…”
Abel kept mentioning Melony’s name. Hearing it made Cain’s chest burn with anger.
Why? He felt extremely irritated.
The same had happened with Glenn before—he would naturally say Melony’s name, and it annoyed Cain enough.
But Abel was different.
Why? Why was Abel different?
“That’s enough…”
Muttering, Cain kicked Abel in the thigh, but Abel quickly dodged to the side.
That wasn’t a human movement.
“Don’t speak Mel’s name.”
“Well… Cain, if you tell me why you’re jealous, I’ll understand.”
“Jealous? Who?”
“You know who.”
Tap tap. Abel tapped Cain’s shoulder.
“Cain, who else could it be but you?”
“Hah…”
Crack—
Cain grabbed Abel’s fingers and twisted them. Still, Abel maintained a smiling expression as if unfazed by the pain.
After a moment, Abel set his fingers back into place and continued.
“What can I do if I’m close to Melony?”
“Close? Who?”
“Cain, Melony and I are just friends.”
Abel provocatively said it as if it had always been that way. Cain, though aware, was too heated to remain calm.
“You haven’t changed a bit.”
“Shut up.”
Cain, uncharacteristically, reacted to Abel’s provocation with visible anger, moving impulsively like a hot-blooded man. He didn’t even recognize himself.
Yet he couldn’t stop.
It was because Abel kept saying that name.
“I’ll reveal your identity to Mel.”
“Ah… but you won’t do it. I know that.”
“Take your nonsense elsewhere.”
Cain, clearly done with talking to Abel, went inside. Abel couldn’t catch him with how fast he moved.
He took out a handkerchief, properly wiped his face, and let out a wry smile.
“You really haven’t changed.”
Muttering, Abel looked up at the sky.
The blazing sun hurt his eyes.
“So, that person still trusts you too, I guess.”
His voice, tinged with pity, echoed in the air and then faded.
Inside, Melony, who had been waiting for Cain, gestured, but Cain didn’t notice and headed elsewhere.
‘His expression isn’t good. What did they talk about?’
Above all, she was curious about the relationship between the priest and the high-ranking vampire.
Melony immediately went toward Cain.
“Cain.”
Whispering softly, she grabbed his wrist. Cain, turning sharply, smiled at her as usual.
“Ah, Mel.”
“Where are you going? That way leads to the Clovis agents.”
“Ah.”
Cain shrugged off her grip.
“I didn’t mean to.”
“Follow me. It’s dangerous there.”
Cain obediently followed Melony. They settled in a secluded corner on the first floor, where Melony fixed him with a steady gaze.
“So?”
“Hm?”
Leaning against the wall, Cain looked at her as if to say, What is it?
“What’s your relationship with Abel?”
“I’ll only tell you if you don’t say that guy’s name.”
“You…”
Jealousy? Thinking back on it made her giggle. Cain couldn’t be jealous.
She reconsidered. Cain must dislike Abel, then.
“…Fine. Got it.”
If it was a hated person’s name, just hearing it would make him furious. She could understand that and decided to avoid saying Abel’s name.
“I think it’s faster if you ask him directly.”
But the person she wanted to hear the answer from was somewhere else.
Melony had no choice but to approach Abel, who had just come in.
“Abel, did you know Cain?”
Speaking softly, Melony watched Abel nod.
“Yes. We met briefly a long time ago. So I know their identity too…”
Abel leaned down and whispered into Melony’s ear.
“Don’t worry. I won’t tell anyone your secret.”
“Ah.”
Melony flinched, tickled by the words. Abel stepped back, smiling.
“By the way, how do you know Cain?”
“Well… it was just a brief encounter.”
“I see, I see.”
“Someday, tell me properly. A priest and a vampire don’t really seem to fit together.”
“That’s the same as a hunter and a vampire.”
“….”
This time Abel deflected. Kind, but not someone to be underestimated.
Their gazes met briefly, then they both laughed.
“It’s good to see you again.”
Melony offered a polite response just as someone called for Abel.
“I feel the same. Melony, where are you headed now?”
“I don’t know.”
Since Cain was like a tracking dog, she’d follow where he led. He hadn’t said where yet.
Then a thought occurred.
“Did you hear from Eric?”
“About what?”
“That I’m traveling.”
“Who else would know?”
“Ah… well…”
Melony glanced at Cain. Seeing his displeased expression, she decided to end the conversation quickly.
For some reason, she wanted to indulge Cain’s whims.
‘Better not let the mad dog run wild.’
That’s what she decided.
“Melony, if you ever need help, don’t hesitate to contact me.”
“And where will Abel be?”
“He can’t stay in the central temple anymore, so he’ll be in Clovis.”
“I’ll contact him there then.”
“If you have nowhere to go…”
Abel stroked his chin, thinking carefully before continuing.
“There’s a village at the far end of the western lands. It’s called Ligen.”
“Ligen?”
“Yes. It’s a village of vampires.”
Melony rummaged through her pocket and let out a faint sigh at the thought. Then she remembered a map in a bag she had thrown somewhere.
“There’s a powerful person there, perhaps the king or his proxy, ruling the place.”
Intrigued, Melony’s eyes widened.
“If you haven’t decided where to go, I recommend that place.”
Just as Melony was about to reply…
