The dark clouds in the sky were low, just like Jones’s mood at that moment.
It had been six years since he left, full of heroic aspirations. The beginning was exceptionally smooth until... he encountered that brainless Lich, became the Lich’s adopted son, and was listed on Heaven’s list of those who could be punished at any time. Looking back, *it was truly a sad time, so bleak that there was no light at the end of the tunnel*.
Luckily, the brainless Lich’s pit was different from others. He actually succeeded. To be honest, *when Heaven announced the retreat of the Angel Army and Gray also listed him on the protection list, forcing Heaven to abandon the pursuit of his past rights, Jones really breathed a heavy sigh of relief*.
This meant he was free again, didn’t it?
Although his dreams were still far from coming true, at least... he could go home, right? But what to do after going home?
Back then, he left with grand promises. Who knows if the title of "Silver Moon Knight Order member, Holy Knight Gray’s adopted son and personal guard" would impress the Blood Clan?
"Damn, what am I thinking? I actually hope to use this identity to boost my status?" Jones clutched his forehead and squatted by the roadside, sweating profusely with regret *"My God, I am so fallen. I used to despise it so much... but these six years I seem to have achieved nothing else. Maybe I should use another title, like the first in line to inherit the position of Lich King? Okay, even I don’t believe that. The position of Lich King is not inherited by order, and I’m not a Lich... Why did I return with such desperation?"*
"Lord Jones, what are you doing?" Dora suddenly asked, stretching her neck with a huge bundle on her back.
"Nothing! I just haven’t been back for a long time, a bit emotional, that’s all!" Jones sweat profusely.
"Although Lord Jones usually has a tough mouth, it turns out he really misses home!"
Dora blinked her eyes with great relief, while Jones wiped his sweat and walked forward.
The weather cooperated by thundering and drizzling. A few vampire squirrels chased Jones, chirping incessantly.
Finally, Jones arrived at the real castle gates, looking up at the bell hanging on the door.
Jones hesitated, hesitated, hesitated...
The continuous lightning flashes in the sky only added to his inner unease.
Yet, before he could make up his mind to ring the bell, the door suddenly opened with a bang! A figure swiftly embraced him!
"Welcome home! My son! Did you miss Dad?" A tall, silver-white-haired man with a silver mustache, handsome in appearance and dressed in a black suit, appeared and hugged Jones tightly, rubbing his cheek against him!
"No! Father! Don’t do this! I have grown up! This is so embarrassing!" Jones struggled to push him away, but his strength was pitifully small against an adult vampire.
Next came a silver-haired, alluring woman in a red long dress. She took Jones from Count Dracula and began kissing him fervently.
"My little Jones! Mom really missed you!"
"Mom! Your lipstick! Damn it! No, please!"
Jones continued to struggle and scream, but it was futile, so he could only give up and let his parents rub him back and forth.
After a long time, Jones was finally put down.
His hair was disheveled, his clothes were untidy, and his face was covered with lipstick marks. It was as if something had just happened.
Dora looked at him with envy, while he had a blank expression.
Count Dracula pursed his lips, grabbed Jones’s shoulders, and said emotionally "My child, you don’t know how much your parents missed you! We worried every day about whether you might encounter any danger outside or have enough blood to drink."
Countess Dracula chimed in "Whenever we heard about other kids falling so low as to drink pig’s blood, we worried even more, afraid that you were malnourished."
"Master, madam, don’t worry, drinking pig’s blood won’t cause malnutrition." Dora interjected.
"Have you tried it?" the Countess was taken aback.
"No! We haven’t! We never drank pig’s blood!" Jones quickly screamed, glaring at Dora. His fangs were exposed.
Dora was so frightened that she covered her mouth with her hand and lowered her head.
The Count and Countess slowly breathed a sigh of relief.
"Just as long as you haven’t drunk it. I’ve heard that vampires who drink pig’s blood become stupid. Even though Mom’s little Jones is so smart, a bit of stupidity wouldn’t be bad. But no one dislikes intelligence, right?"
"To welcome you back, your mom and I prepared a special gift for you!"
"A gift?" Jones slowly widened his eyes.
"Yes, a surprise! We prepared it especially for you. Actually, it has been ready for several years, but you haven’t come back in all those years." Count Dracula replied earnestly.
Jones pursed his lips, almost crying with emotion.
A few minutes later...
Jones opened his mouth wide, stunned as he stared at the little chapel in front of him.
Yes, a chapel, a room with a chapel, a cross, holy water, pulpit, seats, statues... everything a chapel should have.
The Count and Countess stood behind Jones, looking gratified.
"Do you gift? My little Jones. We put a lot of effort into this. We heard that you now worship every week, so we specially prepared a chapel for you. This way, you can stay a few more days."
"Yes. Although the idea of a Blood Clan member worshipping sounds really... weird, as your parents, we respect your choice. No matter what, you are our child. We will never disdain you."
"Dear, have you sent the letters to the relatives?"
"Yes, and they have replied. Child, to prove our support for you, we have already informed all relatives and friends about your weekly worship. We thought it very clearly through; as your parents, we should first show openness. Otherwise, it would appear even stranger to others. To be honest, before receiving the replies, I was worried that relatives and friends might not support. But... I misjudged them. They, like us, love you. They not only expressed their support but also warmly offered to come and watch you worship tomorrow. You can wear your Silver Moon Armor to show them."
"Watch... me worship together?" Jones was stunned.
"Yes, they said they’ve never seen a Blood Clan member worship and want to witness it firsthand. If you perform well, perhaps worship could become popular among the Blood Clan."
Looking up, Jones’s mind pictured himself worshipping surrounded by a large group of relatives and friends, *feeling so ashamed that he broke out in goosebumps: "Why do I feel like they just want to laugh at me?"*
"Child, what did you just say?" Count Dracula asked.
"Nothing, I didn’t say anything!" Jones quickly replied "It’s just... Dad, Mom! Suddenly I remember urgent matters, I must leave tonight!"
"But you haven’t been home for many years, leaving so soon?"
"Yes, although it’s a bit rushed, there’s no other choice!" Jones stated righteously "We are preparing for war with the Dragon Clan, urgent military affairs, and I have many tasks to handle!"
"Don’t worry, it’s fine. I have already written to your adoptive father to help you request leave."
"It’s not about whether it’s okay... What? You wrote to my adoptive father?" Jones was stunned again.
"Yes." Count Dracula smiled "I have agreed to officially transfer you to him. He approved a whole year’s leave for you. You can live peacefully as long as you want, unless... you do not miss Dad and Mom."
Saying this, Count Dracula’s expression suddenly turned cold, along with Countess Dracula, they stared coldly at Jones.
Jones shivered violently, had to change his words "No, of course not. I... miss you very much."