The Vampire Lands, similar to the number of the Vampire Lords, were composed of 'twelve' vampiric territories, and each of them was named after the twelve Vampire Clans; Rainfire, Disruption, Bloodcalm, Blood Wind, Bloodmist, Crimson Sky, Blood Earth, Hell Blood, Sea Blood, Scorching Crimson, and lastly, the clans closely related to the Crimson Goddess herself, the Vlad and Salem clans.
Among these twelve Vampire Clans, in terms of geographical location, the one closest to the Northern border of the Elnira Kingdom was the twelfth, or the Rainfire Clan, which was situated on the Southeast of the Vampire Lands and was known as the Land of Rainfire. In addition, this was also the certain land where Ayleen Mayfield, Samantha Hall, Russell Moon, along with the remaining members of the Umbra Mercenary, infiltrated with the utilization of Ayleen's Dream Strike, and the Skill: Bridge of Memory.
At this very moment, Russell Moon, acting as the Vampire Baron of this mansion, with the help of the Ring of Crimson, and wearing an attire that befitted of a "traditional" vampire noble – a black shirt under a black thick leather coat, and casual black pants – sauntered from the balcony, where the two original owners of this mansion died, and looked for Samantha Hall, who was at the same state as him.
After ten to twelve seconds, he saw Samantha, looking at herself through a circular full-body mirror in the room, which was certainly spacious as one could say that this was truly the life befitting of a noble.
"Samantha, sorry to intrude on your self-reflection, quite literally, but let's go. I've found the right place to put the [Gate of Nature]."
Russell said in a casual manner, causing Samantha to be snapped out of her little reverie as she scrutinized the appearance of the somewhat gorgeous Vampire Baroness, whom she mimicked through the usage of another Ring of Crimson. After that, knowing they didn't proceed in this mission blindly or without preparation, Russell and Samantha also contacted the others, who were hiding in a separate room and waiting for the next part of the plan – Escorting.
"...Do you think they'll be okay?"
Donning a black dress as dark as night, Samantha, who was walking beside Russell, asked in a concerned manner.
"...Don't sweat it. If something happens, we can say that they're our captured humans. Well, it's not like the Vampire Commoners or such would question the authority of the Vampire Baron or Vampire Baroness."
Walking through the hallway that contained an atmosphere of mixed elegance and cold, Russell replied, his voice similar to that of the Vampire Baron. In the same way, Samantha pondered for a moment before telling him what was bothering her.
"...I know this might be out of nowhere and not relevant to our main mission, but I'm thinking about Anya and Jiho. I mean – I know we are in a foreign territory and everyone other than us are all enemies, but I think those two will grow stronger if they experience fighting with the possibility of death and with an environment that doesn't suit them."
Without hesitation, knowing the roles of the two in this war against the Vampire Race, Russell responded, trying to take his pace in a way the nobles walk.
"...Are you perhaps saying that because if you die, you won't be alone? Heh. Anyways, kidding aside, let's hope they'll find a way to become stronger."
'Well, by now, I'm pretty sure Anya is irritated while Jiho has joined Scarlet in their own little contributions to this war. Also, if not for Samantha's suggestion, Elizabeth would probably have to go on her own, though the existence of the Umbra Mercenary or myself either is the highest considered factor why the route of the story deviated greatly.'
Russell thought, recalling the details of his unpublished novel. According to the original story, the two best friends would experience life-changing circumstances; Rumia Flora being transmigrated to the mysterious ancient world due to the Power of Time that the Cosmos Ocean infinitely held, along with a bit of incessant Power of Everything that the "Last Close Mystery Tower" possessed. On the other hand, Elizabeth von Etherion, after learning the truth, which she instinctively felt as partial, about the death of her father, would go separate ways and become a cold, empty princess. Although she would remain a student in the Obelisk Academy in the morning, with the help of her extremely useful teleportation skill, she would then traverse and explore unknown lands and would discover other races that were yet to be discovered.
"Tsk. Forget it. Be on guard with your acting."
Samantha replied, cutting Russell's thoughts. Apart from the different attires bought and donned by each of them, what they were worried about was how to act in front of other vampires to avoid being suspected.
***
"Good afternoon, Baron Nilian and Baroness Lilian.--"
Walking down from the numerous stairs donned in crimson carpets, numerous Vampire Maids greeted the two of them, also causing them to know the names of the original owner of the appearance they were mimicking.
Russell, as Baron Nilian, and Samantha, as Baroness Lilian, just nodded with a smile. The former then quickly scrutinized the expressions of the maids, trying to find fault or any forced expressions of delight. After seeing and judging that the maids' expressions were genuine, Russell or Baron Nilian clapped his two hands twice, garnering the attention of the maids, which numbered about ten, making it a total of twelve including the two that died through the hands of Ayleen and Samantha earlier. Then, after the attention landed on him, Samantha, or Baroness Lilian, wrapped her left arm to Russell's, acting as a wife who needed to be assured of her security from her husband.
Before proceeding to this scenario, Ayleen Mayfield had checked the memories of the two dead maids and two somewhat high-ranking vampires, revealing the information and formulating what must be done.
"My servants! I have come with great news for every one of us. According to the commander under my beautiful wife's command, the invasion of the human lands is going well.
"That's why… as the lord of this mansion, lord of all of you, I grant you a three-day break from your duties as my servant and do whatever you desire, as long as it won't tarnish my name and my wife's."
The Vampire Maids fell silent for a moment, trying to comprehend the unexpected situation. Then, after a few seconds, as the words of Baron Nilian finally registered in everyone's brain, jubilant and relieved expressions were then painted on their faces.
", Thank you, my lord-!"
At the same time, bowing to their lord, the Vampire Maids expressed their gratitude without a shred of being pretentious. The maids then went to their lodgings after they were permitted to leave, without even asking about the two maids who died.
Because those two maids were the closest aid of the original Baron Nilian or his wife, and the ones they trusted the most. Although it's unfortunate, the remaining Vampire Maids were of commoner's blood and probably were innocent in this war against the Three-Way Alliance. However, even if those ten weren't innocent, Russell had no plan on killing them as it might gather unnecessary attention.
"Prepare at least two carriages. We'll depart for the Rainfire's capital, where the Vampire Lord's Royal Palace is situated."
Looking at his left side, a vampire, around forty in physical appearance, was addressed by Russell. This was the butler of the original Baron Nilian, who was then got rid of by Ayleen and turned to become a temporary tangible projection. In other words, if this butler was stabbed in any way, what would appear from his wound, instead of crimson blood, was pink and purple dust.
The butler then did what he was ordered without opening his mouth unless the situation called for it.
"Let's go."
Referring to Samantha, Ayleen, and his companions that were affected by Attribute: Nihility, Russell proceeded forward, following the butler that could be termed the "Illusory Butler."
"E-excuse me…"
"Huh-?"
Russell stopped in his tracks at Samantha's words. Soon after, he noticed the embarrassment in the latter's eyes and concluded the minor issue at hand: Samantha's left arm was still wrapped around his.
"...Don't mind it. Let's go with this since it'll probably be more convincing to the others' eyes."
"O-okay."
Russell didn't elaborate further, while Samantha just gave an affirmation. With that, the two of them, impersonating vampires, walked through the red carpet.
***
"Absolutely not!"
With his unusual demeanor of expressing anger in front of his daughter, Makoto Amasawa rejected Anya Amasawa's request of participating in the war by being sent to the front lines where numerous guilds were fighting against the thousands of Vampire Soldiers.
The Alapeia, a few tens of kilometers away from the Royal Palace of the King of Cassiopeia, was under siege. On the other hand, it was the same case for the Articor, where the terror attack engaged by the Black Sky Disorder happened.
Furthermore, the Southern Obelisk City of Olympia, the Western Magia of Etheria, the Northern Enfiya of Nereia, and the specific borders of the countries, Bhaskara and Arka, were all under attack from the Vampire Race. It was due to the spies that managed to avoid detection, especially after the existence of the Vampire Race was learned by humanity.
But, with the help of the guilds, together with the numerous Elven Soldiers and Dwarven Soldiers that were sent due to the agreement enclosed within the Three-Way Alliance, the raging war between the Vampire Race and the allies was intense – with blood, sweat, and heartbreak.
"Dad-! Stop pampering me like I'm seven or something! I'm not a kid anymore!
"I don't want to see other people die while I'm sitting in this home and without doing anything!
"I know you love me as your daughter! I've witnessed it with my own two eyes and felt it with my heart and soul, even after learning that I've made a contract with the higher being called the 'Goddess of Depravity. It was unexpected, but I just have an inkling at that moment to take the offer and accept the contract.
"Dad... Please, let me participate in this war... It doesn't matter what kind of power someone has, but what matters is how that individual uses it."
Feeling that he couldn't stop his daughter regarding this life-and-death circumstances, Makoto let out a sigh before asking with a firm voice.
"Anya, I want to know, but why?"
"Dad... I don't know the outcome of this terrible war, but, if ever the continent will fall into ruins, I'll at least know myself that I did something to protect it."
Anya said in a serious manner as she straightened her body in front of her father, who tasked a close aide to get Anya out of the Obelisk Academy as she requested so.
"Sigh... It seems there's no stopping you. And if ever I stop you this time, I feel like it will go to waste."
A smile then crept up to her face as Anya said:
"You truly know your daughter, Dad."
"Alright. Alright. Stop with flattery. If your mother's here, I'm certain she'd agree to your request without batting an eye."
"Well, Mom's with Queen Rosalin's husband, right? It's been three? No, four years? Since they went on a mission."
"Sigh... Anyway, I'll arrange your location, so you should gear up first. Take everything in the treasury that might be of help.
"...Thank you, Dad-!"
Anya said, before taking a quick pace out of her father's office, used when he was working from home.
However, before Anya could leave the office, her father's voice entered her ears.
"Anya, I love you. And... Don't forget to take something for an emergency like a teleport scroll, okay?!"
"...Yes, Dad."
With that, Anya's back was reflected in his father's eyes.
***
Around more than twenty thousand kilometers due West outside of the Orion Continent, a group of individuals glanced at the thick dark curtain spread from every direction, seemingly endless.
Th𝓮 most uptodate nov𝑒ls are published on freew(e)bnove(l).𝓬𝓸𝓶