Chapter 319 Winning over my grandfather
I looked down as my grandfather fell to his knees, concluding that I had become Alice. It wasn't my intention to roleplay as her, but right now this was the most convenient way to force my grandfather to submit to me.
"You finally get it. I am still very much Elysia, but thanks to you sending me to my death, I got back what was mine." I didn't want to keep the act up forever, so I tried to act as if our souls had merged, which isn't entirely wrong.
"Y-you knew?" My grandfather's face turned shocked upon hearing that I knew his plans. It was an educated guess, but then he went and admitted that it was his intention from the very beginning.
"Who do you think I am? Of course I knew. Who would send their granddaughter to a dungeon with monsters that are beyond her tier?" Saying it out loud, it really was obvious. Then again, he never expected me to come back alive.
"I-I am deeply sorry, please look past this transgression. It was just too good to be true for Elysia to suddenly come back to the family. I refuse to risk putting our family teachings falling to the hands of our enemies." Lowering his head to the ground, he definitely tempted me to stomp on it now and get my revenge. Still, it would have been too easy. I wanted to take away everything before crushing him.
"I suppose I will this time, as it facilitated my return, but dare going against me again and I will have your head crushed instantly." Letting my red aura flare up again, I saw my grandfather quiver in fear. However, something felt off, this whole situation felt… a little too easy.
"Yeah right." My intuition was on the money, as suddenly my grandfather's tone changed. Fire lances appeared just above his head and headed straight towards me.
"Bastard!" Turning my body sideways, the fire lances just barely grazed my chest and back, but then I noticed that the attack was kind of weak. Was he holding back? Or was he just weaker than I expected?.
Nonetheless, I took advantage of the fact that I dodged his initial strike and covered my feet in flames. I then stomped down on his back, setting his suit ablaze and leaving an imprint of my heel on his back.
"Arghhh!!!" The geezer didn't bother to move away, but that's when I noticed his body was also changing. I saw that his slick black hair had turned grey and that his limbs were becoming thinner. He started to look his age, whatever has kept him looking young now seemingly gone.
"T-this can't be." He looked up at me in pain with a raspy voice. Not wanting to accidentally kill him, I dismissed the flames around my foot.
"It seems like all that borrowed power is finally gone, and you just used the last of it." With a smug grin, I triumphed over him, as now I was in complete control.
'So, what's going on here? Did he lose his powers because I released the souls of our ancestors and invalidated the contract? Or are the powers meant to be passed down along with the memories? His traitorous personality has remained the same so he clearly hasn't lost those… Whatever, it's all in the past now.'
"To be reduced to such a state by a fraud." My grandfather gripped the hem of my dress in frustration, but even his grab was weak. I didn't want his filthy hands on me, so I quickly kicked them away, almost snapping them just from the little force I applied.
"That's no way to treat your new queen. Now, grandfather~, I need you to pass over the family's legacy to your sweet granddaughter." Squatting down, I held a flame in my hand and put it dangerously close to his face so he could feel the heat, but not close enough to burn him.
I saw the anger build in his eyes, but in his current state he couldn't even begin to conjure up a spell. For one who killed many, he knew all too well that the worst form of death was to be burned alive.
"O-over my dead body!" To my surprise, he tried to deny me.
"I would have thought that you'd cave in, as above all else, the Dahlia family is about self-preservation. Is it not my dear grandfather?" I brought the flame a tiny bit closer, causing his skin to slowly melt.
"Y-you win, get away from me!" His desperation finally gave in to fear, realizing that I was serious about killing him. He was too stubborn to die, especially with all of our ancestors whispering in his ears for hundreds of years.
"That's what I like to hear! Now, you are going to be a good grandfather and do as I say from now on." Putting on my most sinister smile, I waited for him to fully surrender so that I could abuse the hell out of him.
"My lord!" However, bursting through the door were my grandfather's lackeys, who had caught wind of what was going on.
"You dare threaten our lord!" Drawing their swords, daggers, and rapiers, they pointed them at me, ready to attack.
*Sigh* "Looks like we need some reform around here." Standing up, I dusted off my hands and glared at the men.
"Listen here, fools. I am the queen of this place now, and you have no say in the matter. As you can see, your Lord is in no shape to lead, so I suggest you stand down." I waited for their response, but I expected the worst-case scenario where I would have to fight them.
There was hesitation on their faces when looking at the old, beaten Teivel and me. There was a low chance for them to drop their weapons, as I'm sure their loyalty runs deep. They were likely distant blood relatives, as they were all black-haired kitsune with red eyes.
I could imagine they had been staying loyal to Teivel for many years, not to mention some in this family should still have aspirations of inheriting Teivel's throne. So why would they bow to some self-proclaimed queen that came out of nowhere? Still, just as I told Teivel before, self-preservation is a big principle amongst us.
"Don't listen to her! Kill her now!" Teivel yelled out, giving his order. It was met with hesitation, but in the end hate prevailed as they moved to follow his orders.
"I forgot there was a stubborn fool on the floor." I had anticipated this result, so might as well remind Teivel who he is dealing with by using his men as an example.
The eight men charged at me, covering every angle they could to prevent my escape.
That wouldn't matter of course, as them coming to me just saves me the time of hunting them down. It would contribute to my long-term goal of exterminating my family, so it was a small teaser for what's to come.
Additionally, I could tell that they had very little training based on the way they were attacking. Compared to the monsters I had previously faced, particularly Alucard, their movements appeared incredibly slow.
Teivel most likely did not want anyone strong enough to start a revolt, especially considering the dire circumstances in the city. As expected from my family, instead of addressing the problem we just deal with the dissidents.
It made me feel a slight bit of pity for them, but that was all they would get from me.
With them only a couple of metres away from me, I swiftly dodged past their blades. Their overly telegraphed swings were easily avoided while I picked my first target.
As I skilfully sidestepped their blades, I caught the final man by the face after his swing went wide, instantly igniting his entire body. His screams echoed through the mansion, and I enjoyed every second of it. Sucking vitality out of him with my flames felt so good it was almost addicting. It quenched the long-simmering need I had for retribution.
"Who's next?" It appeared that the previous display was insufficient as the now horrified assailants were still holding tight to their weapons. In order to truly convey how hopeless things were for them, I chose to take offence this time.
Too late it dawned on them that I was not even making use of my full potential as I took my spear from my inventory. It was the ideal opportunity for me to show off my newly acquired spear skills, as I had not had the chance to use them much.
"What are you doing!? Kill he-" Stabbing the spear into the ground right in front of Teivel's face, I forced him to shut up. Honestly, hearing his voice while I was in this murderous mood might just push me to kill him before thinking it over.
"Prepare to die for your new queen!" It was time to taste some sweet revenge for my parents, so I charged full speed towards the group of seven.
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