16 The Crimson Catalogue

Draig awoke feeling extreme exhaustion, he realized that he was in his bed which was odd as he remembered passing out in the basement. That thought triggered Draig to look for his Tome but found it nowhere to be seen.

"Check your pocket" came the voice of Dracule as he carried in a glass of water.

Following the Jack o lantern's instruction Draig indeed found something in his pocket but it was far too small to be what he was looking for but upon freeing the object from the depths of his pocket he found it to be an exact replica of his tome just miniaturized.

Before he could question why this had happened he remembered something Warren had said about one of the materials in his Tome, Spectral Steel. The metal that would gain a random quirk from smelting, it seemed that his Tome had indeed carried on the tradition of objects crafted from such a material as it appeared capable of shrinking.

"Quite useful if you ask me, it was always an inconvenience to the Aries to carry their damn books" remarked Dracule looking at the pocket book.

Draig found logic in the statement but still found this to be a new experience for him, willing the book to it's normal size and flipping through it's pages it seemed like one of those ancient texts that record all history with the number of pages it contained.

"You succeeded and I congratulate you on this but we need more than just an empty tome to help us in our current endeavors" stated Dracule looking at the young Feratu expectantly.

"Why are you looking at me, you are more knowledgeable about these kinds of things than myself" responded Draig .

"Simple, you are my Lord. Since when does a servant order the Lord, I will follow your lead" explained Dracule waiting for Draig to say something.

"I see" said Draig solemnly.

Dracule waited for a moment before feeling maybe he expected to much but it was precisely that moment Draig spoke.

"Then let us begin by filling this book, gather the blood from as many Guilders as you can without causing a ruckus but before that tell Warren that it is time" ordered Draig as he caressed the Tome watching as the old Pumpkin set about his mission.

Draig began putting his Magical Crafting Skill to work as he began making a few odds and ends through the use of Mana Molding. So into the task that Draig almost hadn't heard the clanking of the Knights.

Draig stepped out before them and Warren wore a face of obvious excitement but internally he felt a bit of disgust, swearing mentally that after his dealing with Draig were done he would make this blessing the Vampire's undoing.

It wasn't out of malice or hate, the Knight had actually found the Vampire to be an agreeable person for his age but he couldn't allow a Dark being to walk among the common populace. This wasn't a matter of pride or racism, it was a matter of duty. The Knights swore to slay Dark beings to remove the biggest threat to humanity, how could he knowingly turn his back on his code and allow one of these creatures to live.

The old Knight revealed none of these thoughts though as he truly needed this opportunity to see his dream come to fruition.

"I am glad to see your in better health, I hope today we can finally complete our arrangement" started Warren but Draig merely held up his tome.

Understanding the intent Warren offered up his hand before slicing his finger tip and allowing the blood to land on the first page of the Tome. The blood Droplet quickly began to spread along the page into words revealing the name of the technique the old Knight was so sure of.

'Limit Breaker' read Draig, the skill even had a description underneath it. The working of this Tome had sparked a bit of interest in Draig to understand how the book knows about each skill but for now he was smirking in pleasure for grasping his first skill.

"How is it, does it require more" asked Warren ready to offer his hand again just in case.

"It was successful, I will begin distributing Blood Gems to your subordinates just as we agreed" answered Draig bringing a smile of joy and also sympathy to the Knight's face.

Draig took notice as he closed his eyes and began focusing his Mana before a split open on his palm and crimson gem fell from it before it was followed by a dozens of more. Warren smiling and expecting to see more found himself let down as Draig stopped and gestured to the Gems sitting on the ground with a neutral expression.

"What about the rest" asked Warren starting to understand the situation.

"There is no rest, I said I would make this skill available to your Knights and it is if they can afford it. Take these Blood Gems as a form of thanks for your assistance though" stated Draig staring at the old Knight.

Warren realizing that he had been mistaken in his earlier assumption felt anger start building within him.

"We had a deal" stated Warren with a grave expression.

"And I have completed this deal, now you may leave. " answered Draig turning his back on the old Knight.

Warren seeing this obvious sign of dismissal felt his face turn red from embarrassment, placing his hand on his sword he had intended to threaten the young Feratu but one word stopped everything he was going to do.

"Remove" stated Draig and the four walls surrounding the Farm lit up transporting the Knights outside of the steel box.

Warren grit his teeth as his anger had finally reached a high point but he found himself unable to enter the Farm. Sneering he brought his order away with him but not forgetting the Blood Gems that had been sent out with them.

Inside the Farm Draig was looking at his status, to create Blood Gems it cost him two Mana per gem thus creating so many had left him feeling even more exhausted than when he had previously awoken. Stepping inside of the Farmhouse Draig took a seat and unknowingly passed out again dreaming of nothing merely trying to recover himself.

However out in the streets of the city an Old Pumpkin was collecting as many blood samples as he could while avoiding suspicion.