The Vampire Queen Catherine took action, and it didn't take long for her to find out what the 'Blood Red Apocalypse' really was and which vampire was behind it.
It was Deacon Frost.
A vampire.
A self-proclaimed leader of the new generation of vampires in New York City.
He belongs to the line of the vampire Dracula. Within Dracula's lineage, there are distinctions between pure-blood vampires and mixed-blood vampires.
Pure-blood vampires refer to those converted personally by Dracula.
Mixed Blood refers to vampires who were not converted by Dracula himself but by pure-blood individuals.
See.
Even vampires acknowledge that mixed blood is inferior.
Pure bloods perceive themselves as having pure lineage and noble life, thus calling themselves pure blood. Thirteen pure-blood vampires in New York City have cobbled together what is known as the 'Elder Council.'
Deacon Frost belongs to the 'Elder Council' consisting of thirteen pure-blood vampires.
If the thirteen pure-blood vampires are considered the council, then Deacon Frost is the leader put forth by this council to stand in the spotlight.
The 'Blood Red Apocalypse' cult, used to entice those humans lacking in sense, is secretly manipulated by him.
Also, nowadays, in New York City's enforcement system, the Blood Servants who envy the vampires' immortality and willingly become their slaves are his brainchild.
The most important point.
This mixed blood Deacon Frost is very ambitious, always secretly trying to decipher the 'Blood Scripture' to summon the Power of the Blood God, become the Blood God, and replace the 'Elder Council.'
Of course.
This last point wasn't something Catherine discovered; rather, it was something Hawk recalled upon hearing Catherine mention Deacon Frost's name.
No other reason.
This Deacon Frost is also a character in the Marvel Cosmos.
Alongside him, another name appears.
Blade Warrior.
But again...
Given Hawk's current level of prowess, Blade Warrior is no longer qualified to converse with him, and Hawk doesn't want to converse with Blade Warrior either.
The reason is simple.
He detests dark things.
As Catherine, standing by, finished speaking and looked at Hawk standing quietly, she softly inquired.
"Do you need me to..."
"No."
Hawk shook his head once more, observing George walking back calmly after hanging up the phone, then looked at Gwen, who was still in character comforting her two brothers, Howard and Simon, with a sad expression, and said with a smile: "If she wants to play, let her play."
Since Gwen doesn't want him to interfere, he simply won't interfere.
The reason Hawk asked Catherine for help was mainly to be prepared for anything.
For instance...
If his fiancée decides she's done playing or feels she can't continue, he can show up at the first moment to have her back.
Hawk recalled the conversation George had with that vampire earlier, his gaze peering over his sunglasses at his fiancée still acting, his expression turning a bit playful, and his lips curling slightly upward.
No other reason.
His intuition told him that it wouldn't be long, perhaps by eleven tonight, that Gwen would mess it up and ask him to step in and overturn the table.
Hawk felt he could negotiate several more suits and positions.
If asked, his appearance fee is quite high.
Hawk smiled.
And then...
In the evening, as the two of them were having dinner at Palm Street No. 521A, Hawk told Gwen about the vampire's phone call during the mock funeral that morning, inviting George to go that night and unwrap a gift.
Gwen, who was dividing beef onto Hawk's plate, blinked.
"Dad didn't mention that to me."
"Is that so?"
Hawk raised an eyebrow with a smile and said, "I thought you knew. Looks like your dad isn't including you, Gwen."
Gwen gave Hawk a direct eye roll.
"Dad's worried about me, so he didn't tell me."
"Alright, it seems I misjudged, my apologies."
Hearing this, Hawk's expression showed realization, as he pulled his lips and apologized, then chose not to say any more.
Gwen, standing at the island, placed the divided beef on Hawk's plate, looked at Hawk who had fallen silent, opened her small mouth, but finally chose not to say anything either, simply picking up the vegetable salad bowl beside her and starting to stir it.
"Swoosh!"
"Swoosh!"
"Swoosh..."
"Clang!"
Gwen took a deep breath, set the stirring spoon aside, and looked up at Hawk: "Where is Dad going tonight?"
Inside, Hawk chuckled, his expression calm as he looked up and blinked.
"What?"
"Where is Dad going tonight?"
"Hudson Meat Processing Plant!"
"Hudson... what place is that?"
"It's a pork slaughterhouse near the Hudson River shore, but inside, it's a gathering spot for New York City vampires."
"Hiss!"
Upon hearing that, Gwen drew a sharp breath: "Dad is going there tonight?"
Hawk nodded, looked at Gwen, and said with a smile: "Yes, the vampire said he delivered a gift to George, and only if George accepts the gift will he appear to meet George."
Seeing the faint smile on Hawk's face, Gwen felt an uneasy sensation.
"What is the gift?"
"That I don't know."
Hawk shook his head: "You yourself said, before you ask, I shouldn't participate in your game."
Gwen's lips twitched slightly.
"This isn't a game; this is a case, it's Dad's case."