Chapter 1907: Preparations Before Christmas Eve
After discussing important matters, I invited Little Elaine, “Tonight is Christmas Eve, and we are having a small banquet at home. Would you like to come?”
“No, I need to digest the potion and train while I can. I won’t be coming. I wish you all a happy Winter Veil Festival,” Little Elaine said. He felt his magical power surging within him, and his strength was rapidly improving. The effect of this alchemical potion was truly instantaneous.
After speaking, he turned and left. It’s fine; it was just a routine invitation. It doesn’t matter if he doesn’t come. So, we went home and began decorating for the Christmas Eve banquet.
“I think something is wrong. I am a Blood Race, and a Glutton believer. Why am I celebrating Christmas Eve?” Via complained while decorating a Christmas tree.
Although Christianity does not hold a dominant position in this world, it still has significant influence and many believers. A few days ago, I saw many shops selling Christmas trees on the street, so I bought one and was now hanging ornaments on it.
“Don’t be so serious. It’s a festival; the key is to have fun. Older Brother Jayad is also a Christian, so let’s just celebrate it for him. Look, Sherris is also hanging ornaments properly,” I said.
Sherris was adjusting the wreath hanging on the door, and Lorna was floating in mid-air, hanging streamers from the ceiling. They both seemed quite happy, especially Lorna, who hadn’t experienced the joy of family celebrating a festival together for a long time.
Even Giselle was diligently placing candlesticks and sets of tableware on the table. It seemed she was also looking forward to Christmas Eve.
Although she believes in the Lord of Murder, and the Murder Church only celebrates the Moon Banquet Festival, which is a festival shared by believers of many Death Gods and Dark Deities, because it is the annual month where Three Moons coexist in the sky.
However, the Murder Church’s celebrations are very peaceful. Believers gather to mourn their companions who died for their faith, and then they drink and eat snacks while listening to stories told by elder priests. It is very heartwarming.
But their stories are not so harmonious. They are all about the deeds of legendary killers. Among them, the most exciting stories are usually about the church’s rare peak killers assassinating kings or defeating stronger opponents to assassinate top experts.
I also made many preparations for tonight’s banquet, including a whole roasted pig stuffed with spices, which was actually a roasted goose made from a monster, and candy canes and lollipops placed in cups, gingerbread men, and fruit baskets.
After a while, Leomann arrived with the Twin Nuns, carrying gift bags. Seeing us decorating the villa, she said in surprise, “Wow, you’ve really put in a lot of effort. I didn’t expect you to celebrate Christmas.”
“Speaking of which, does your Arianism celebrate Christmas?” I asked. Christmas is essentially celebrating the Son’s birthday. Arianism does not recognize the Trinity, but they still acknowledge the status of the Son, so they might or might not celebrate.
“Generally, elders who have lived since ancient times usually don’t celebrate Christmas, but we are currently disguising ourselves as Protestants, so young people celebrate Christmas. Otherwise, we would be suspected of being heretics,” said the Twin Sister.
“That’s great. Help me see if there’s anything I’ve missed in the decorations. You seem to know more about this,” I said.
“Okay, let me see. But actually, it doesn’t matter. Customs and traditions have been evolving over the years. Back then, there weren’t so many rules; people celebrated spontaneously. And now it’s almost just a cultural symbol, bound together with the Winter Veil Festival,” Leomann smiled.
“Just take a look, or you can arrange it yourself. Me, a Blood Race, decorating for Christmas Eve? It’s unheard of. How could I possibly know how to do it?” Via was still grumbling, very unhappy about celebrating Christian festivals.
After all, for vampires, nothing is more detestable than Christianity. Historically, a large number of vampires died at the hands of Christians, and the enmity between them is as deep as the sea.
“Heh, do you think there are no vampires who believe in Christianity? Actually, I’ve met one. A vampire who believes in God and draws a cross on his chest when greeting people,” Leomann said with a smile.
“There are Blood Races like that?! Wasn’t he burned to a dried corpse by the Holy Light?” Via asked in surprise. As everyone knows, the Holy Light is very restrictive towards vampires; even a little contact can be fatal.
“No, he’s just a normal believer, not a Holy Knight. He doesn’t have Holy Light within him, but every time he draws a cross to pray or expresses gratitude towards a Cross, he feels a wave of pain. However, he seems to really enjoy that intense pain, calling it the love of God,” Leomann said, chuckling.
“Ah, yes, that vampire is quite famous. Several people in our sect mentioned him during gatherings, the first vampire to believe in God due to masochism,” the Twin Sister also laughed. It seemed this matter was quite well-known in their sect.
“Truly a disgrace to the Blood Race…” Via covered her head. To believe in God for such a reason, was this guy a masochist?
However, Via couldn’t deny that there were indeed many masochistic members among the Blood Race. The reason is also very simple: they can’t die. All Blood Races have immortality.
Coupled with the pleasant sensation during healing, many vampires tend to play rough with themselves. They don’t mind severe forms of play, and sometimes, when they get too carried away, they develop a masochistic hobby, naturally becoming masochists.
“As long as you’ve been in the Underground world enough and made enough friends with all sorts of Otherworldly beings, you’ll find that this situation isn’t strange. Although he’s the only vampire I’ve seen who believes in God, there are many vampires and Otherworldly beings who believe in other True Gods, and some even become official Clerics,” Leomann said.
“Of course, I know that.” Via understood. Since Blood Races do not have Guardian Deities, most Blood Races can only believe in the various Death Gods. However, those Blood Races transformed from humans often continue their pre-conversion beliefs. Those who yearn for a normal life also try to believe in other deities. This is very common among the Blood Race.
It’s not just the Blood Race; even other Otherworldly beings, even those with Guardian Deities or even a Pantheon, inevitably have some rebellious members who go on to believe in foreign gods. This is not strange at all.
What surprised her was that there were actually vampires who believed in their sworn enemy, Christianity. This situation was quite rare.
“Then you continue decorating. I’ll go invite the mother and daughter next door, as well as those nuns from the Sisterhood of the Blind,” I said. There were still quite a few guests scheduled for today.
