The squad that was assigned a mission for a preemptive strike arrived at the Red Fortress situated on part of the vast Green Forest and was aligned on the Northern Elnira.
Several plans were formulated depending on the circumstances of the mission such as the number of enemies, the watchkeepers upfront, the structure of the enemy's base, and the possible existence of a Vampire that's higher than a Soldier and Commander. But considering the location of the Red Fortress, Russell Moon and Thessalia's thoughts were in harmony as they agreed on one thing – that it's unlikely for this place to be guarded by a Vampire that's higher than the Commander Rank due to its strategic location since it's near the Northern border of the Elnira Kingdom.
In other words, the higher-ups of the Vampires or those assigned to managing the Vampire Army positioned on the outskirts of Northern Elnira would not risk losing a valuable individual.
Although these were just speculations about the possibilities, Russell Moon, as the author of his unpublished novel that turned out to be so mysterious, was "almost" certain that the Vampires wouldn't send a higher rank one with the thought that the Elves could easily ask for backup in case something went awry.
'Considering the Crimson Princess and the artifact that traps anybody, this place can even be considered as a dummy or decoy.'
Russell inwardly muttered, signaling his companions for the next move as they hid behind the green bushes that were dancing with the wind as a howling sound could be heard in this seemingly peaceful area.
He recalled the successful attempt of the Vampire Commander, Seskel, in sending Ayleen Mayfield, Samantha Hall, Thessalia, and the other Elves inside the illusory small world, where the Crimson Princess, Almirah, could observe and do whatever she wanted.
'...That Vampire Princess is as possessive if not more than Samantha when it comes to things or people they've set their eyes on. Well, they're bound to meet anyway.'
As Russell thought unnecessarily, keeping his composure to the fact that this infiltration would go without a major hitch, the attribute that's enigmatic was then activated.
[Your Attribute: Nihility has concealed the surroundings!]
[Any form of outside communication, connection, or links, will be disrupted and severed.]
[You have chosen everyone in the target area to be able to "see" you.]
As the counter for the considered overpowered attribute was seemingly nonexistent, Russell, along with his Chaos Companions could practically do the job of killing everyone within the Red Fortress by isolating the enemies' perspective within the so-called Nothingness.
In other words, even though the Attribute: Nihility could only be utilized in two ways: Offensive and Defensive, the former would only work if the opponents were able to see him as well, but he could take advantage of it as this fight wouldn't be fought by him alone. However, since they would fight alongside the Elves, it would be troublesome to show something that would appear like he and his Chaos Companions were appearing and disappearing in the air like they were glitching, so they had decided to include everyone within the effects of the Nihility.
'Until more Chaos-related skills or scenarios appear in this world, we will hide this abnormal attribute of us. Though it won't be long.'
Knowing most fragments of the future despite the Untouched or Unknown Elements, Russell was preparing for it, even though sometimes he couldn't sleep just by overthinking about it.
"...We're set. Let's go."
"...Alright, everyone. As we confirmed the situation inside, thanks to the scouts' abilities, we can proceed."
As the former, Russell spoke in a serious manner, the latter, Thessalia addressed the advance party as the infiltration then commenced.
***
"...Oi, what do you think happened to the previous commander? Though I don't particularly care about him because he's a fucking greedy man, I'm still curious if you heard any report."
One of the Vampire Soldiers acting as guards, spoke in a casual manner to the one standing by his side.
"...Just like you, I have no idea and I don't care about that bastard. It's because of him that we barely managed to drink blood. It even came from low-rank monsters! He hoarded the good quality ones just because he was the commander. Fucking abuser of power."
As the reputation of the former Vampire Commander was being trashed even after his death, the conversation between the two Vampire Soldiers continued:
"...Well, if he's dead, then he's dead. His soul will be more useful if our Goddess can utilize it, though I doubt it."
"...Hahaha-!"
"...I can't even take seriously whatever happened to Commander Seskel, but with his death and after the meeting of our Lords, we are tasked to bolster our defenses to the point that it doesn't make any sense."
"...You're right. It seems the higher-ups are cautious of the Elves because of the alliance they made with the race called Humans and those little bearded creatures."
"It doesn't matter, as long as we aren't stabbed in the heart, we will be fine by assisting each other."
"...Fair enou-"
As one of the Vampire Soldiers was just about to agree with the other one, he felt something stuck in his chest.
"Wh-"
The remaining one was then alerted at the sudden stop, and soon revealed with his two crimson eyes a young man with deep blue eyes, which depicted the depth of the sea and the coldness of a frozen mountain. However, before he could react, a sword struck his chest also, piercing his heart to the back, and causing blood to gush out from his mouth.
It was a young woman, which also possessed the eyes and expressions of the young man that killed his comrade.
With that action committed without a trace of hesitation, the spark of the war between the Vampire Race against the Humans, the Elves, and the Dwarves had been finally ignited.
***
"Contact the commander!"
Since the gate of the Red Fortress was massive and there were other vampires stationed on top of the seemingly impenetrable walls, one of the remaining eighteen vampires, who seemed to possess authority over the others, shouted as soon as the bodies of the two guarding the front fell.
'That's a good sign.'
Russell thought as he and his younger sister stopped for a moment after killing the two Vampire Soldiers, which they caught off-guard.
Upon hearing the words of the Vampire Soldier standing atop the Red Fortress walls, Russell became increasingly certain that it was only a Vampire Commander that was newly assigned to this place after the previous one died.
"...Freya, dodge!"
Of course, the Vampire Soldiers wouldn't just be going to stand still after seeing the Humans and Elves in front of the Red Fortress.
Even though Freya was alert at all times, Russell couldn't help but still shout. But Freya, together with Russell, dodged the incoming arrows and spears made from blood.
It wasn't a simple arrow and spear because of its power upon hitting the ground.
Boom-!
The ground shook as smoke spread everywhere.
This caused Russell, Samantha, and the other members of the Umbra Mercenary to be reminded that a Vampire Soldier's rank was roughly around "B," which could only mean one thing...
If they were hit in a vital area, they would instantly die.
In other words, these so-called Vampire Soldiers couldn't be underestimated, especially when the Vampire Commander arrived, whose rank was about A- to A+, nearing the realm of S-.
"Thessalia! Now!"
Even though they were bombarded by the crimson arrows and spears that contained the explosive power of a common military bomb, Russell anticipated it as he shouted to the Elven Commander.
Without saying anything, Thessalia then utilized the Skillbook that she received from the Elven Queen after assisting the Umbra Mercenary's first mission.
[Activating Skill: Path of Green]
The ground that shook before was shaking again, but this time, it was due to Thessalia's skill, causing gigantic, thick branches from the ground to protrude and woven themselves into a path that's reaching the top of the walls.
It's giving them a way to enter the front as the gate was closed and they couldn't spend more time opening it.
Seeing the scene, as the branches coiled and anchored themselves on the sturdy walls that were around twenty-five to thirty meters high of the Red Fortress, the Vampire that asked for the commander's assistance earlier shouted again to everyone.
"Bombard them-!"
"I won't let you!"
Upon hearing the vampire's words, Lusha, Thessalia's close comrade, raised the 'Staff' that she received as a reward from the Elven Queen. This weapon contained a defensive Intrinsic Skill as it was made from some parts of the Yggdrasil, the World Tree.
[Activating the Intrinsic Skill: Barrier Regulation]
[Every Elf and considered allies in a hundred-meter radius area will receive the buff: Barrier Regulation.]
[Any lowly vampire attacks will be nullified for one minute!]
[In case the attacker is not from the Vampire Race, the duration will be halved.]
Without wasting any more time, as Thessalia and the others were wrapped in a light green glow, the newly appointed Elven Commander shouted with valor in her voice.
"Everyone, charge-!!!"
"Hurahhhhh-!!"
Everyone climbed the path that was made of branches, aiming their weapons at their archenemies and ready to go down with them if necessary.
***
<Thessalia, clear them up. We'll find their commander.>
Russell said through telepathic communication.
<Alright. We'll stick to the initial plan. I trust you, so don't die on me.>
Thessalia replied as they proceeded to climb the Red Fortress walls.
The plan was for Russell, Samantha, and his Chaos Companions to face the Vampire Commander.
The reason for this was simple. Even though they were ranked down compared to a Vampire Commander, Samantha's situation was considered an anomaly as her rank couldn't be truly measured unless she was being truthful if she babbled about it.
In other words, knowing the nature of Samantha's power by trusting his unpublished novel, Russell determined that it would be of great help to have her around against the Vampire Commander.
Apart from that, just like in the fight against Seskel, the previous Vampire Commander that possessed the former Elven Commander named Tafor, Russell and his Chaos Companions could utilize the Attribute: Nihility by making their presence known and unknown.
This would cause perplexity, giving them the chance to catch off-guard the Vampire Commander.
<...Let's get going, everyone!>
Addressing everyone in the Umbra Mercenary, Russell's voice reverberated within their heads.
***
At the same time, on the Orion Continent, the capital of the Cassiopeia, Alapeia.
In one of the noble training centers that nurtured students before proceeding to an academy of their choice situated only in Olympia as per the Obelisk Organization's agreement.
"Sigh, what tiring work this is."
A woman in her late twenties — black-haired, natural brown eyes – muttered to herself. She was arranging the papers of the training center students in her office as her job was as an instructor that taught the basics of being a player.
"Ma'am, I told you that it's my job to arrange that kind of work. It's been almost a year since I became your assistant.
"How would I learn if you only let me watch you do the work?"
Her assistant, around twelve to thirteen years of age, standing by her side, said in a comfortable manner. With her words, the two were probably close like friends, but the respect was still in her tone and demeanor.
"...You're right. It's convenient to be taught such a thing at a young age. Well, that's probably a benefit of being a noble – early education and mental maturity.
"Sigh, I want to go home. I'll finish this in a second or two."
"...Huh, Ma'am, I thought this noble training center's your home-"
"Cough- cough- wh- Ma'am...?"
At that moment, without looking at her assistant standing at her side, the instructor's hand reached for the former's chest, piercing it.
Before the young noble girl's confusion could turn to complete horror, the instructor pulled her hand, which killed the girl almost instantly.
And just like that, the young noble girl was killed in cold blood.
Without minding the body that fell to the office's floor, the instructor then activated a skill.
[Activating the Skill: Blood Link]
[Connecting to every target registered on the tether.]
[Connection has been established.]
Letting out a sigh of relief, her words soon were delivered to the others.
<...Commence operation.>
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