Genuflecting in front of one of the Vampire Lords, the subordinate accounted everything regarding the details, such as the purpose of requesting an audience, of the report that was initially delivered to him.
"I see. It's a group of humans wanting to ruin their own kind. Foolish humans. We, the vampires, only spied on them before since it's not necessary to meddle with their lives because they're prone to destroy themselves."
One of the Vampire Lords, the one whom Rakshana, the Dark Elf, had conversed with previously spoke in a calm manner, pondering the words that came out of his subordinate's fanged mouth.
"My Lord, what shall I say to them?"
In a polite manner, the Vampire Lord's subordinate asked.
"I'm sure you've heard already from the other clans about the alliance formed between the Elves, Dwarves, and Humans. I have no idea what the sly queen of Elves is planning or even if the other races are aware of her schemes no matter how minor they might be, but it's not a bad suggestion from the humans wanting to request an audience… So, accept it and let them come here."
The Vampire Lord, after some contemplation, considered the offer of the strange humans living outside the Orion Continent, especially since it involved the mysterious dark curtain separating the Eastern World from the fog of the Western World.
"My Lord… it may be presumptuous of me to ask, but how can some humans live outside their territory and discover our concealed existence?"
Most vampires, if not all, didn't know the lifestyle of humans, that's why the Vampire Lord's subordinate's query was only rational. In other words, the vampires, even though they were divided into several clans, were only living in one territory, divided into sub-territories, where the Vampire Lords were, and whoever wandered, whether a commoner or a noble, outside the vampire's designated territory without the permission of a Vampire Lord would be excommunicated.
Being excommunicated meant that the vampire would be sent to another territory that barely or didn't know their existence and learned the ways of living there and discover if there was a threat hiding that could threaten the vampires.
It's the case with Ruina, the one who Russell killed, together with Reinhardt von Apollon and Arthur Wolfson. Apart from Runia, there was also Tanya Drusilla, who was killed by Artorious Hall the moment the latter saw the former with his very eyes that could pierce the nature of reality.
Although Tanya was a daughter of a noble vampire, they fell and lost their title because of either some incident or dispute against other vampire families, causing her to be sent outside to blend within humans with the hope of getting back by gathering valuable information that could be considered a threat against the clans.
Similar to the nature of humans, the vampires weren't exactly the kind of race that was not abusing their power if they possessed it.
A moment later, the Vampire Lord responded to the curiosity of his subordinate.
"Because humans have more free will than we do. They might be divided and prone to the destruction caused by themselves, however, they're adaptive to the change happening around them.
"If there's an opportunity to become strong, some humans would not hesitate to take it even if it cost killing their own kind.
"Lancer, as vampires, we follow the traditions and wisdom bestowed by our sole ancestor, and defying it would only mean one thing — excommunicate, which means death in our kind.
"Those humans that want an audience with me just have more rein to do whatever they desire."
The Vampire Lord addressed his subordinate named Lancer, stressing the free will that humanity possessed, which was more evident compared to the Vampire Race.
The subordinate vampire, Lancer, fell silent at the words of his Lord, his thoughts were unknown.
After some time, Lancer then bade farewell to commit to the order he was given.
***
The El-Vul-Or Tournament went on without any kind of exterior disturbance apart from the cheering and inward mockery.
The subsequent battles after the first one between Aisha Whispercrest and Aina Llanor were fiercer as if the participants were out for blood.
The second match, between Acelyn von Ephilon from the Sky Academy, and Aerin Llanor, who turned out to be Aina Llanor's older sister, ended quickly with a win for the Elves.
The third match, however, was considered dull. The Student Council President, who was already dead and only moving due to Amelie's Authority: Wheel of the Dark, was awkward in the arena due to poor decision-making in attacking and defending.
But here's the peculiar phenomenon that the audience was curious about — Arthur Wolfson, no matter how much he's getting beat up, wasn't surrendering or losing consciousness.
But in the end, with an unrelenting smile painted on his lips, under Amelie's control, he just surrendered, which infuriated his opponent and almost broke the rules by killing him.
<Hey, Amelie, will you stop toying with him?>
Freya wasn't delighted by Amelie's action, but the latter just shrugged her off as she responded with a cheeky grin through telepathy.
<Ha... He's dead, anyway. Knowing what he's done, slaving people, if not anything more, then I'd be glad to toy with his hollowed body even if he becomes irrelevant to us.>
Russell only listened in his head, but somewhat feel concerned at this kind of Amelie's personality.
'She's straight-up a quintessential masochist.'
He thought, watching the fight in the arena, but silently observing his surroundings in any case his perception due to his Perception Stat detected something noteworthy, similar when he saw, with his profound vision, the Elven Queen's subordinate telling the queen something.
'Those vampire folks are getting hyper for blood day by day.'
***
The matches scheduled in the morning ended and lunchtime came.
With a lodging assigned to every group of humans — students, player civilians, and affiliated, under the sunlight that seemed to force itself in through the capital of Elnira Kingdom, the chilling wind pervade as Russell, along with the others took their meals and wolfed them down with the forested environment.
At this moment, they're in a place that looked like a rooftop. Tables were neatly arranged and meant for groups, there were also sets of food prepared by selected Elves, but Russell and the others brought their own.
It's not like they didn't trust the innocent Elves doing what they were assigned, but rather, they weren't used to eating food prepared by another race, at least not yet because the delicacies were delectable and eye-catching.
"This place's ambiance is just peaceful. I'm sure Oppa would love to live in this place."
Freya muttered, glancing around at the large branches spread in every direction and covering the entire kingdom as if it were acting as a dome.
"Yeah. This is a home for introverts."
'Minus the Elves, of course.'
Russell repeated inwardly his first impression upon seeing the intricate, loved-by-nature, kingdom. However, he didn't blurt out the words that would make him look like he wanted Elves to be eradicated just to have a heavenly home for someone with an introverted personality.
"Hi, Elfina-! Can you join us?"
As the circular tables could accommodate at least ten people, Samantha, who was sitting with Russell, saw Elfina sauntering in their direction.
"I would love to, but-"
"Ah, worry not! I know we're not the only ones you should be taking care of.
"But yeah, I hope you can join us because we truly want to know you."
'The hell is she on about this time?'
Russell Moon inwardly lampooned, hearing Samantha's cringe formal words.
It's not just him, the others glanced at her with different expressions as they never truly felt or said like deeply knowing Elfina, the Elven Guide.
Elfina smiled and scratched her right cheek in embarrassment due to the unexpected interest Samantha was showing.
Sometime later, remembering something after the tournament, Elfina, with a delighted expression, responded.
"After the tournament, I'll be transferring to a human academy!
"The Obelisk Academy! I hope I'd be your classmate then."
"Eeh-?"
Almost the same reactions could be seen from everyone as they never expected it. Curiosity hit their nail on the head as Han Jiho, sitting beside Anya, asked with scrutinizing eyes.
"Miss Elfina, I don't want to sound rude or if's alright to ask, but how old are you?"
"Haha! I see what's this about. You all probably thought I'd be around a hundred or more years old, but I'm only seventeen."
"What--!?"
The others, even at different tables, couldn't hide their surprise since Elfina's bearing was that of a mature woman.
***
<Let's go. Miss Ayleen's summoning us.>
After they were catered to, Russell spoke to his Chaos Companions using the telepathic communication they could utilize.
<But what about Samantha? She's part of the mercenary group, right? She should be with us, at least.>
Freya asked in concern as her older brother didn't want to drag Samantha on the mission of catching a vampire.
<Don't worry about her. I'm pretty sure that her father, Artorious, who knows this mission, won't allow her to come.>
Amelie, Amery, and Ken were just silent at the exchange between the siblings.
One by one, standing up and taking their pace to leave and explore the Irennora under the condition that they would be accompanied by an elf, Samantha's voice rang in Russell's head.
This time, it's only a skill that she used, not letting Freya, and their other companions of him hear her words.
<When are we fulfilling the mission?>
Russell flinched for a moment, but it was barely noticeable.
<What do you mean by that?>
He tried to be ignorant, but Samantha's firm words echoed in his skull.
<Oh, come on-! Can you please not act like an ignorant one just to exclude me from it?! For f*ck's sake, really!>
'What the hell's wrong with this woman? Sometimes she's normal, and sometimes she's like a volcano, waiting to erupt.'
<Hey... Can we talk privately for a moment? Alone.>
This time, Samantha froze at Russell's words.
'This behavior shouldn't be tolerated. I need to find out why she's acting like this sometimes.'
Russell recalled the first time she showed such behavior during the time when they raided the Tower of Growth.
***
After asking the others to leave without a proper explanation, Russell and Samantha found a quiet place.
The former's expression was serious. Maintaining his distance, Russell spoke as he crouched.
"Do you have a problem with me?"
Samantha, who seemed to be expecting the question, responded in a casual manner.
"Yes. You're not including me in the mission. I'm part of your mercenary group, remember that."
"You know I'm not referring to that. I didn't even tell you the mission. I also told Miss Ayleen not to divulge it on your end.
"Did your father tell you about it?"
Russell pressed the matter, waiting for Samantha to blurt out something that he might have never anticipated.
"Yes. Since he knows I'm part of your group, it's only normal for him to inform me. Although he's giving me my choice if I should go or not with you and the others."
'Is that for real? Did the bond between her and Artorious strengthen more than what's supposed to at this point in time?'
Russell thought, inwardly condemning himself for telling Artorious that his wife was still alive somewhere.
"Even if you're telling the truth, it doesn't mean you should just shout in my head. Isn't that right?
"You know my personality. I barely talk or make a move unless it's necessary."
Samantha didn't expect her previous demeanor to affect Russell in this way.
"S-sorry... I-it's just-"
"Alright. Don't mind it. I'll accept your company, but as a mercenary leader, follow my judgment."
'I don't want to hear what you're about to say.'
He thought, seeing Samantha nod, embarrassed.
***
After that, the days of the tournament quickly passed.
In the arena, Russell Moon was facing his opponent, clearly looking down on him.
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