〈Epic Fantasy Novel: The Paradise Hotel〉7

Author: Chen Qingyang

[Chapter 16] Vampire Emperor Anderson’s Setback

Painter Huang Lihua brought Xie Huijun to the Sky Castle and met Princess Maria in the council hall.
“Your Highness, I have brought her,” Huang said.
“Leave her with me,” Maria said. “I will heal her body and return her to Xiaoyang.”
“Are you sending her back to Xiaoyang?” Huang asked.
“Yes. Only then will Xiaoyang devote himself fully to opposing Anderson. This arrangement has its purpose.”
Huang nodded respectfully.

In the Bat Castle on Sicily, scouts returned to General White Wolf:
“Sir, Kace and Rona are missing.”
White Wolf asked where.
“On the train to Milan. I suspect they met a formidable opponent—killed or captured.”
“With their skills, what opponent could overpower them?”
“The Vatican informants report that John Chen, the Ghost’s Dread, boarded a train to Milan with an Eastern youth.”
“So, they likely encountered Ghost’s Dread?”
“Yes. Otherwise, their disappearance is inexplicable. With Chen’s skills, Kace and Rona have little chance.”
“Then why did Ghost’s Dread head to Milan?” White Wolf asked.
“I’m investigating,” replied the scout.

A messenger arrived: “Sir, the leader requests your presence at a meeting.”
“Ghost Scout, let’s go,” White Wolf said, heading to the hall together.

In the hall, Anderson sat smoking a cigar, frustrated. Beside him stood General Black Bear; Master Mage Rufus crossed his arms, composed.
Anderson said, “The scouts report: Jack and George failed in Switzerland, and the accompanying brothers were captured by Maria.”
Rufus: “Sir, you underestimated her. The Princess has formidable people.”
Anderson clenched his fists, “I will settle this with Maria!”
Rufus: “Sir, we must act carefully. With her current influence, our chances are slim.”
Anderson: “So we just let this go?”
Rufus: “No, we need a thorough plan. I will go to Switzerland, gather intelligence, then strategize.”
Anderson agreed.

White Wolf and Ghost Scout arrived. Anderson asked about Rona and Kace.
White Wolf: “They should have returned, but I fear something happened.”
Anderson: “Something happened? Who could restrain them?”
White Wolf: “Ghost’s Dread John Chen may have intercepted them on the way to Milan.”
Rufus: “If Chen personally intervenes, Maria is preparing for a direct confrontation.”
Anderson, angered, demanded: “Strike first! What are we waiting for?”
Rufus began advising…

[Seventeen] The Great Mage Rolf’s Investigation Journey

Late at night, Huang Lihua and Annie emerged from the mural in Room 504. Annie sat on the edge of the bed, gazing tenderly at the sleeping Xiaoyang. Early morning sunlight slanted through the window, and outside, the nearby forest chirped with birdsong.

After a while, Xiaoyang opened his eyes and stretched lazily.

“Xiaoyang, you’re awake,” Annie said with a sweet smile, lightly brushing her jet-black hair.

Rubbing his sleepy eyes, Xiaoyang sprang from the bed in delight and embraced Annie.

Annie said, “I instructed the kitchen to prepare some freshly ground coffee. Do you want something for breakfast?”

“I’m not hungry yet,” Xiaoyang replied. “You’re finally back by my side, Huijun.”

“I’m Annie,” she corrected.

Slightly disappointed, Xiaoyang said, “Oh, Annie. The weather’s nice today. Let’s take a walk by the lake later—I’ll paint a portrait of you.”

“That sounds great! Should I put on makeup?” Annie asked.

“Whatever you like! Actually, you’re beautiful without it,” Xiaoyang said.

Annie smiled. “Really? Your words are still as sweet as ever.”

“Annie, I cherish every moment with you. I thought you would never…” Xiaoyang hadn’t finished speaking when Annie pressed a finger gently against his lips.

Softly, she said, “It’s all in the past, Xiaoyang.”

Xiaoyang sighed. “Yes! Everything’s in the past.”

Immersed in happiness, Xiaoyang didn’t notice anything unusual about Annie. He even seemed to have forgotten about Huang Minhwa in Paris.

The mage Rolf, alone and disguised as a tourist, arrived at Lake Lucerne.

The weather was sunny and mild. Colorful flowers bloomed in the lakeside gardens. On the grass, couples danced to music, and two children ran chasing dragonflies.

Under the shade of poplar trees in a corner, Xiaoyang was painting a portrait of Annie, who sat on a wooden chair reading. Curious, Rolf approached and stopped behind Xiaoyang to watch, joined by a few onlookers.

Rolf muttered to himself, “I didn’t expect to find a street artist here.”

Focusing on the model, he thought, “Isn’t that Annie? She washed out her dyed hair to confuse David. Then the painter with her now is likely David reincarnated…” He decided to remain discreet.

Several young couples rode tandem bikes along the path, a scene that stirred Rolf’s memories…

As a boy, Rolf and Maria had been childhood friends. Rolf had ridden a bicycle carrying Maria to the hillside to pick flowers and chase butterflies…

In the corner of the Paradise Hotel lobby, Rolf sat quietly. No one recognized him, but Annie did. She walked over.

“Great Mage, I’m Annie. It’s so good to see you,” she said.

Rolf hesitated, tapping the table to signal her to lower her voice.

“May I sit?” she asked.

“Of course, beautiful and gracious lady,” Rolf replied, pulling out a chair.

Sitting down, Annie said, “Thank you, Mage.”

Rolf asked softly, “Earlier at the café in town, I heard that there was a fierce battle here not long ago?”

Annie thought: Since Rolf already knows, I might as well use this to my advantage…

With a sorrowful expression, she said, “I only learned after arriving here. The protectors George and Jack were both defeated by Chen John of the Ghosts’ Grief. Jack, unable to bear humiliation, committed suicide by beheading, and George was forced to destroy his own magic, leaving him crippled.”

Rolf exclaimed, “The Ghosts’ Grief is truly a formidable enemy. Were all the brothers they brought captured by Maria?”

Xie Huijun said, “All of them surrendered. After taking the potion given by Princess Maria, they were taken to the Sky Castle.”

Rolf thought: “The duke’s subordinates are opportunists who turn with the wind. It seems the duke is destined to be defeated by Maria…”

Rolf’s thoughts had already been read by Annie using telepathy.

Rolf asked, “The young painter with you—is that David?”

Xie Huijun said, “Yes! He’s David reincarnated, now called Lin Xiaoyang. He is with me.”

Rolf said with relief, “We must win him over before he falls to Maria. With him on our side, the duke still has a chance to turn the tide.”

Annie said, “I’ll try my best, Mage. But he seems only interested in painting, indifferent to me. Honestly, I’m not sure I can convince him.”

Rolf understood. “As long as he hasn’t joined Maria, that’s enough. If you like him, just be with him.”

Annie was moved. “But humans and ghosts are different. Staying with him might harm him.”

Rolf explained, “When I rescued you from Bai Lang’s Ghost Dog, I read your diary and was moved by your devotion to your boyfriend. I didn’t want you to fall into the ghost path, so I used my blood to cleanse your body of the vampire virus and removed the curse from your soul with magic. I felt a faint resemblance to young Princess Maria in you.”

Annie asked, “Mage, you mean I’m normal?”

Rolf said softly, “You always have been. Though you died once, I rescued you and protected you with magic. I made the leaders and ghosts believe you were one of them and instructed Jack to treat and protect you well.”

Annie smiled bitterly. “But I lost my memory—I feel like a walking corpse.”

Rolf said, “It was the lesser evil. To remove the curse from the Ghost Dog, your previous memories had to be wiped as well.”

Annie asked, “Mage, why tell me all these secrets?”

Rolf said, “I have a feeling we won’t meet again. I selfishly hope you find true love and happiness.”

Annie, tearful, said, “I’m grateful for your life-saving grace, Mage.”

Rolf smiled. “Heart to heart, we both suffer for love.”

Annie thought: “After more than three centuries, Rolf still has love in his heart, still thinking of me…”

Rolf returned to Sicily, passing the heavily guarded Bat Castle, and entered the hall. Anderson rose from his seat and asked with concern, “Great Mage, how is your investigation in Switzerland?”

Rolf frowned. “The situation is very unfavorable for the master.”

Anderson’s expression grew grave. “Tell me everything.”

Rolf explained, “I learned that George and Jack, the protectors sent to Switzerland by the master, were ruthlessly defeated by the Ghosts’ Grief. All the brothers they brought surrendered to Princess Maria. Even those previously neutral have obeyed her orders. She now controls two-thirds of the dark world.”

Anderson asked worriedly, “How did it come to this?”

Rolf said, “Master, I must tell you the truth if you still intend to act at this time.”

Anderson, frustrated, exclaimed, “Is it fate? Heaven wants me… No, I refuse to accept it!”

Rolf warned, “The situation is stronger than any person, Master, unless you want to gamble everything.”

Suddenly, Anderson shouted, “Generals White Wolf and Black Bear, gather your elite forces. I will fight the princess to the death!”

The two generals saluted. “Yes, Master.”

Rolf sighed. “Master, you really must think carefully.”

Anderson, veins bulging, seemed determined. “Better to strike than wait. Even if we lose, it’s better than enduring humiliation.”

Rolf, resigned, said, “Very well. Since you’ve decided to take the initiative, we will split our forces. First, harass several major cities to distract the Church and government, preventing them from concentrating their main forces. Then we will march directly to Milan and into Switzerland to seize Lake Lucerne.”

White Wolf hesitated. “But we still haven’t identified the exact entrance to the Sky Castle. Such a large-scale action may be inefficient…”

Rolf said, “White Wolf, I operate in secret while the enemy is aware. This strategy of striking in multiple places is meant to lure Princess Maria’s Iron-Blood Guard. With our local advantage, we’ll destroy them and interrogate captives for the correct path to the Sky Castle. Then Maria will be trapped.”

Anderson nodded. “The Great Mage is always cunning. This plan is feasible. Everyone, follow the Mage’s orders and coordinate as planned.”

[Eighteen] The Black Bat Army Launches

Anderson mobilized the elite “Black Bat Forces,” holding a nighttime review in the Bat Castle plaza.

In armor, he addressed the troops: “Brothers and sisters, the decisive battle has come. There is no choice. This is a fight to the death—no retreat, only courage forward…”

He personally handed command flags to Generals White Wolf and Black Bear, each leading about three hundred troops as the left and right wings. Anderson led nearly a thousand in the main force. The three-pronged army left Bat Castle, traveling by ship to the Italian peninsula. By day they hid, by night they struck, massacring cities and villages along the way.

Late at night, White Wolf led a squad of the Black Bat Forces to ravage Naples, where vampires attacked citizens in the streets.

A police car stopped at a T-junction. Citizens ran toward it in panic. Two officers got out. An elderly man pointed back, shouting, “Police! Police! Two vampires at the alley! Citizens bitten—please hurry!”

A woman covered her face with her hands, trembling: “It’s terrifying—they bite everyone they see.”

The officers drew their guns.

“Brother, I’ll report to headquarters first,” Officer A said, taking out a radio: “0830 calling HQ, come in!”

The dispatcher replied, “0830, go ahead.”

“Vampires at 19th Street corner, citizens bitten. Request police backup! Repeat, eyewitnesses confirm—they are vampires!”

Dispatcher: “Received. Evacuate civilians immediately. Backup arriving in five minutes.”

The officers waved citizens behind the car and advanced toward the alley with guns ready.

At headquarters, a dozen officers monitored the situation. Commissioner Giacomo coordinated the response.

Officer B reported: “Vampires also spotted on 12th Street. Backup en route.”

Chief of Detectives Sandro said: “Commissioner, this is clearly a planned attack. Please issue orders!”

Giacomo: “Calm down! Antonio, immediately issue an emergency alert. Police cars must broadcast instructions—civilians should seek refuge in churches or public buildings.”

Antonio saluted. “Yes, Commissioner.”

Giacomo: “Tacito, send messages to recall off-duty officers to their stations.”

Tacito: “Yes, Commissioner.”

Giacomo: “Sandro, your detective task force will temporarily join traffic patrol, armed with rifles and grenade launchers. Each patrol car gets one officer. Sweep in a fan formation—destroy any vampires encountered.”

Sandro saluted: “Yes, Commissioner.”

Giacomo: “Roberto, contact Bishop Pietro. Have all priests and nuns assist in public buildings to protect and calm citizens.”

Roberto saluted: “Yes, Commissioner,” and made the call.

Giacomo called the local garrison: “Situation center? This is Naples Police Commissioner Giacomo. Emergency. Request General Lorenzo.”

Operator: “The general is aware, en route to base.”

Giacomo urged: “No delay! Contact the general to deploy armored units into the city immediately!”

Operator: “Yes, Commissioner.”

Two officers ambushed at the alley. A blood-soaked vampire approached. They fired continuously from twenty yards away. The vampire, hit, bled green, but continued advancing.

Officer A shouted: “Focus on the head!”

They fired at the vampire’s head; one eye exploded, smoke rising from the skull, slowing it.

The vampire leapt at Officer A, claws sinking into his chest. Officer A screamed, blood gushing, firing several times. Officer B shot from behind. Officer A, with his last breath, shouted: “Junior! Shoot its head!”

Officer A died clutching the vampire. Officer B calmly shot several rounds into the vampire’s head at close range. Only then did the body collapse.

At night, Florence implemented a full curfew. Police broadcasted: “Citizens, for your safety, return home unless necessary. Avoid streets to prevent vampire attacks…”

Jeep and military vehicles carrying fully armed reinforcements entered the city.

Every key road entrance had barricades and armored vehicles. Marine soldiers with rifles checked each passing vehicle.

In the mayor’s office, lights blazed. Mayor Ivano, Police Chief Fabio, General Duccio, and aides held an emergency meeting.

Mayor Ivano: “Naples suffered an organized vampire attack last night. I issued martial law this morning to prepare fully.”

General Duccio: “Sir, I ordered all surrounding roads blocked and traffic checked.”

Chief Fabio worried: “These vampires are unpredictable. If they infiltrate, we’ll be defenseless.”

Duccio reassured him: “With military and police together, they won’t get out if they get in.”

Ivano: “They’re not ordinary terrorists—they don’t fear bullets. Even priests cannot stop them. We must be fully prepared and respond calmly.”

At night, the Vatican was brightly lit. Pope Novus Paulus met with cardinals and Father Stron for an emergency meeting.

Pope: “You’ve heard, Anderson’s vampires attacked multiple cities. Italy is in panic.”

Cardinal A: “This is clearly a planned attack on civilians, meant to exhaust military and the Church.”

Stron: “Holy Father, it’s not as simple as it seems.”

Cardinal B: “Explain, then.”

Stron: “Who is Anderson’s true enemy? Think along those lines.”

Pope: “You mean Princess Maria?”

Stron: “Yes. My senior brother Chen John recently went to Switzerland at Maria’s request. I deduce that the forces of good and evil in the dark world, Maria and Anderson, have moved from confrontation to full-scale showdown.”

Pope nodded. “Continue, Stron.”

Stron analyzed: “Anderson’s vampires cause chaos in cities, but haven’t attacked our churches. He isn’t targeting the Church directly. Likely, he wants to avoid a two-front war while facing Maria and the Church.”

Cardinal B: “Makes sense.”

Pope: “So Anderson’s goal is Princess Maria?”

Stron: “Yes. Maria has been the stabilizing force in the dark world and our ally. Anderson aims to draw out her main forces. If he destroys them, he can control the dark world, and then the Church will be his next target.”

Pope: “Maria is vital to the dark world and our ally. Father Stron, organize young priests to form a demon-slaying army to assist governments and support Maria against Anderson.”

Stron bowed. “Yes, Holy Father. I will do my utmost to complete the mission.”

[Chapter 19] The Demon-Slaying Army and the Iron-Blood Guard

Father Renouard, the messenger of Father Strong, hurriedly arrived at the Paradise Hotel. Entering the lobby, he approached the front desk: “Excuse me, how can I find Father John Chen?”

Robert asked, “May I ask who you are…?”

Renouard replied, “I am Father Renouard, messenger for Father Strong of the Vatican. Father Strong is Father John’s junior fellow; he sent me with a handwritten letter.”

“Alright, please wait a moment. I’ll have Chief Wilson take you to Father Chen,” said Robert. He walked to a corner and whispered to Wilson. The two then approached Father Renouard.

Wilson asked, “So you were sent here by Father Strong?”

Renouard nodded. “Yes, Father Strong asked me to deliver a letter to Father John Chen.”

“Please follow me.” Wilson led Father Renouard upstairs to Room 505.

Wilson knocked on the door. “Father Chen, this is Wilson.”

The door opened, revealing Lin Xiaoyang. “Wilson, this is…?”

Wilson said, “This priest comes from the Vatican, sent by Father Strong.”

Lin Xiaoyang said, “Father, please come in.”

“Father John Chen, Father Strong asked me to deliver this letter to you.” Renouard drew the letter from his inner robe and handed it to John Chen.

After opening it, John Chen said, “My junior writes that Anderson and his monsters have massacred civilians in several major cities in Italy, causing extreme panic among the population.”

Wilson frowned. “Oh? Anderson’s target should have been us. Why turn on innocent civilians?”

John Chen analyzed, “Their actions have intent. The main purpose is to divert the attention of the Vatican and Princess Maria, exhausting us, while they use the chaos to launch their main force against our stronghold.”

Lin Xiaoyang exclaimed in anger, “That villain Anderson! He really seems to fear a world without chaos!”

Renouard said, “The Pope has ordered Father Strong to organize a Demon-Slaying Army to assist local police in purging Anderson’s followers. Father Strong hopes your side will also take action, to trap Anderson from both ends.”

Wilson suggested, “We should report to the Princess immediately.”

John Chen said, “Renouard, tell Father Strong that the Princess will act soon.”

Renouard bowed. “Understood, Father John.”

John Chen and Wilson entered the Dark World’s Sky Castle to meet Princess Maria.

After hearing John Chen’s report, the Princess looked grave: “This Anderson is despicable, harming innocent civilians!”

Wilson said, “Princess, we should take action.”

Maria replied, “Of course. But we must not fall for Anderson’s trick of luring us away. His goal is to draw out our main forces. We must guard against a sneak attack on the Paradise Hotel.”

John Chen confidently said, “Princess, with Xiaoyang and me stationed there, Anderson cannot break in.”

Maria smiled and asked, “Oh? How is Xiaoyang’s potential development?”

John Chen smiled. “About seventy or eighty percent. With Xiaoyang’s current skill, even Grand Mage Ruf wouldn’t necessarily have the upper hand. He has also self-studied Chinese martial arts, inspired by comics!”

Maria curiously asked, “Comics? What kind?”

John Chen said, “Chinese martial arts comics.”

“That’s new!” the Princess exclaimed. “Dragon Knight, lead the Iron-Blood Guard and coordinate with the Vatican’s Demon-Slaying Army.”

“Yes, Princess,” Dragon Knight replied, saluting.

“This time, we must completely eradicate Anderson’s group and remove all future threats.” Maria clenched her right fist, her expression stern.

Under the dark, windy night, General Black Bear led the Black Bat Unit, splitting into small groups, entering Florence through several sewers. Two or three vampires per group sprang from street corners. The curfew streets were quiet; most shops were closed, with only police and military vehicles rushing past.

A group of vampires arrived at the hotel entrance. Their strange tight suits and black cloaks immediately caused panic among the front desk staff. One employee secretly pressed the alarm. The vampires rushed the counter, overpowering and biting a clerk.

Hearing the alarms, hotel staff and guests froze. A server shouted down the corridor, “Something’s happening downstairs! Please stay in your rooms and don’t come out!”

At the city police operations center, Officer A saw the alarm light. He quickly radioed Chief Fabio: “Report, Chief. Alarm at Fudu Hotel, 12th Street. Possible incident.”

Fabio ordered: “Monitor closely. Nearby patrol and military vehicles, respond immediately.”

“Yes, Chief,” Officer A replied. He then radioed the patrol units: “Central calling, central calling. Incident at Fudu Hotel, 12th Street. Nearby patrol and military units, respond immediately.”

Fabio instructed: “Report any new developments immediately.”

“Yes, Chief,” Officer A acknowledged.

Late at night, in the city police chief’s office, Fabio sat at his desk, flanked by senior officers.

Fabio said, “As expected, it’s hard to defend against them. How did these vampires get into the city?”

Officer C suggested, “I suspect they came through the sewers.”

Fabio picked up the phone and dialed. “Hello, General Duccio? This is Chief Fabio.”

The adjutant replied: “Chief, please hold. General, Chief Fabio is calling.”

Duccio answered, “Chief, this is Duccio.”

Fabio said, “General, there’s an incident.”

Duccio asked, “Oh? Where?”

Fabio: “Fudu Hotel, 12th Street. I’ve dispatched officers to handle it.”

Duccio: “Understood. I’ll send a special task team to assist.”

Two police vehicles arrived at the hotel entrance. Heavily armed officers in armor descended, led by a detective carrying a grenade launcher-equipped rifle.

Detective D instructed: “Team, once inside, split into two squads to search each floor. Stay together to avoid vampire ambushes.”

The officers responded in unison, “Yes, sir.”

Inside the hotel, they found two clerks—one on the counter, the other at the staircase—both with four bite marks on their necks, bleeding black, barely alive.

One squad went upstairs while the other searched the first floor. On the second floor, officers saw a bitten clerk pointing upstairs. They reached the third floor and spotted three vampires in black tight suits and cloaks holding a clerk hostage.

Detective D shouted, “Release the hostage! Hands up!”

The three officers aimed their rifles. The vampires used the clerk as a human shield.

Soldier A shouted: “Step back! Or he dies!”

The vampires dragged the clerk toward the stairs but were blocked by the second squad coming from the second floor. The officers shot the two leading vampires in the head. The lead vampire bit the clerk and pushed him down the stairs. Gunfire erupted, filling the stairwell with smoke. All three vampires were killed, riddled with bullets, their deaths gruesome.

At dusk, Father Strong led the Demon-Slaying Army into Naples. The mayor, Marco, and Police Chief Giacomo personally welcomed them at the city hall.

Marco shook hands: “Father Strong, the Vatican informed us you would lead a demon-slaying force. Our city is honored.”

Giacomo added, “Yes! Without your help, the police alone couldn’t handle these vampires.”

Strong replied, “These vampires are highly organized terrorists. The Pope is taking this seriously and asked me to fully support local governments in purging Anderson’s followers.”

Lorenzo asked, “Should I send soldiers along?”

Strong said, “No need for now. The general’s forces are guarding all entrances. We can handle these vampires ourselves.”

At night, the Demon-Slaying Army deployed. Three priests per team, armed with sacred tools and stakes, paired with one heavily armed detective per team. Accompanied by police vehicles, they swept assigned districts.

In dark alleyways, they encountered Black Bat vampires under White Wolf’s command. Fierce battles ensued; vampires were either slain on the spot or fled.

Two vampires barely escaped into the sewers, still shaken.

Soldier A said, “These priests were clearly prepared. We’re no match.”

Soldier B: “Yes, they must be Vatican-trained. No ordinary person could be that skilled.”

Soldier A: “We must report to the General and retreat, or face annihilation.”

Soldier B: “Yes, lay low for now, then report to the General at base.”