The very source of the dark thoughts that had gripped the country's leadership, once the meeting was over, calmly walked to his office. The city had long been enveloped in night's darkness, making it the perfect time to stroll through the capital's shadowy streets. According to the papers Master Kohan had shown him earlier, at least three vampires had found refuge in the stronghold of the magicians. He needed to find them first.
And who better to search for them than another vampire? Although his position did not imply personally prowling through dark corners, entrusting such a crucial mission to even his new allies wasn't an option. And why do people not understand that corpses need to be destroyed rather than left where you fed? A missing person and a bloodless corpse are two very different things.
Upon leaving the palace, the master declined the carriage. Informing the servant that he would take a short walk, the man boldly set off towards the poor quarters. It was a good opportunity to grab a bite as well.
— Why are the cellars not marked on the plans?
The question jolted Olga from her stupor. Maria, who had suddenly burst into her office, was like a small hurricane—she overturned papers on the desk, asked several questions at once, and, not receiving answers, continued to ask more.
— All the cellars are marked on the diagrams, — the vampire lady decided to start with the last question.
— I don't mean that. Why isn't it indicated what they are for?
— They don't have a specific purpose, just underground spaces for future use. Anything with a specific purpose is marked with the corresponding symbol, — her delicate finger pointed to the required sign on the diagram.
— Excellent! Then I need to reserve this cellar! — Another elegant female finger pointed at the map of the under-construction castle.
— For what?
— Blood storage!
For a few seconds, Olga was silent, processing what she had just heard.
— So you…
— Yes!
The two women squealed with joy and began to jump, clutching each other's hands. At their cries, two guards burst into the office, weapons drawn, and stared in bewilderment at the scene before them. Realizing there was no threat, the guards returned to their posts.
— Have you told Semyon yet? — When they were finally done celebrating and squealing like teenagers, the two vampire women began discussing what had happened.
— I haven't told anyone yet. But for a week now, one of my rooms has been converted into a storage facility, and the blood in it is as good as new.
— And how long will the blood stay fresh in such a storage facility?
— Forever! It follows the principle of preserving magical libraries, complete stasis of aging processes. And I've also prepared special barrels, made of black cedar, with an additional storage artifact.
— Will a lot of lunar silver be used?
— Yes. Almost all of it.
— Well, damn it, the men will get more!
Konstantin and Eugene, upon hearing about the blood storage, immediately demanded its construction. Reluctantly, Olga had to remove people from the construction site and fulfill the triumvirs' orders. By noon, the first storage facility was fully completed, and Semyon, who was inspecting it, was almost in tears of happiness. His job had been greatly simplified.
Of course, he disagreed with the location chosen for the storage, as it was far from the dining hall, but he was quickly informed that the room was chosen not by random selection but primarily based on safety considerations in case of a possible siege.
Agreeing that under such conditions, the location was ideal, the chief blood collector was completely reassured and happily went to sleep, as he was about to start a new working night under fundamentally different conditions. The refrigerator his subordinates had been using was already becoming tiresome due to the constant need to refresh the spells.
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