Russell Moon disguised as Baron Nilian, and Samantha Hall, donning a disguise as the Baron's wife, Baroness Lilian, through the utilization of a crimson horse carriage, went together on a few hours of the journey towards the capital of the Rainfire, along with another carriage following them, where the others reside and hidden under the help of the absolute concealment provided by the Attribute: Nihility. Although Ayleen Mayfield didn't possess such an attribute, being an official party member through the System, she's under the scope of Nihility's effects.
Inside the carriage pulled by crimson-skinned horses, which could be considered a mutation in the field of science that existed in the Pre-Emergence world, the silence seemed so deafening as no one was speaking what was in their minds as Ayleen Mayfield had previously informed them of the current situation throughout the Orion Continent. The day had yet to end, but the casualties on the side of humanity were already more than a thousand and were probably rising at this very moment as the Umbra Mercenary, with the Princess of Etheria as a temporary member, and their Mana Theory professor, shifted their focus on their critical mission.
As the sound of hoofs touched the ground in a fixed interval as the crimson horses maintained their speed towards the capital, Russell Moon fell into deep thought, remembering the details of his mysterious unpublished novel, which could be said to be the center of his radical existence.
'I don't have to worry about the Black Sky Disorder, though I'm pretty certain that they formed a temporary alliance with at least one of the Vampire Lords to at least make a crack on the Black Veil situated in the far West.'
Although deviations from reality compared to the original route of the story were entirely possible regarding the matter of the Black Veil that separated the Western World from the East, and just as the Goddess of Night had told him to trust the "incomplete" unpublished novel termed by the System as "Incomplete Defector of Reality", Russell believed that, even if deviations occurred, the matter regarding the Black Veil and Black Sky Disorder would be resolved.
On the other hand, sitting silently beside the fake Vampire Baron, Samantha's mind was also flooded with several thoughts as she sorted them out, though most of them consisted and fell under the category of being worried and lamented because of the lost lives that she didn't even see with her very own eyes.
However, just as the mysterious woman or entity in her head, who seemed to have assimilated with her soul, had previously reminded her that, as the cog of time moved forward, unnatural deaths would be out of being uncommon.
'I need to still my heart and resolve.'
Sometimes, when Samantha and the entity in her head had leisure time to converse about certain matters, the former had been told by the latter something about being a human, which had been engraved in Samantha's mind and heart.
In other words, apart from teaching Samantha to acquire an Inherent Power, similar to being truly a student of swordsmanship, she was also receiving words of wisdom that were beneficial and seemed absolute in terms of emotional growth for oneself.
'Human emotions are what make us human, but, in a war, being human is sometimes irrelevant.'
<...You remember it quite well.>
<...Can you please stop listening to my thoughts?>
Samantha retorted at the sudden voice that echoed in her head.
<...All right. Good luck with your journey. War is... Well, for me, it's a blessing since I can destroy everything.>
<...I don't know how you regard the value of life, but war is never an option and it's a terrible thing.>
<...Not an option? Then why it's happening?>
At the question of the entity in her head, Samantha was momentarily at a loss for words. It was a simple yet thought-provoking realization.
Throughout the human history, war was something driven by political agendas such as territorial expansion, destruction of certain cultures, procuring resources, and many more. However, there was one thing that was "always present" even before a spark of war was lit – survival instinct. Whatever reason a war could be declared, the survival of the other was always the priority.
<...I don't know. Maybe because the aggressor feels that it's necessary? Or because it's an act of response by the oppressed?>
<...Whatever it may be, war – no matter how small or simple the cause behind it – is a part of every history. If you can not live the reality of war, then you will die because of it.>
The entity in her head responded to Samantha's seemingly whimsical answer in a serious manner.
<...Alright. I'll make sure to remember that.
<Ah, by the way, I'm curious about one thing, though I have not seen your power with my own eyes, who's stronger between the two of you? The Goddess, worship and praise by the Vampire Race or you?>
<I am.>
Without hesitation and in less than two seconds, the entity in her head affirmed and seemed to have established her superiority compared to the Crimson Goddess.
Samantha's mind turned blank at the unrestrained response, causing a faint smile to be momentarily spread across her face, donning the identity of the Vampire Baroness.
***
Inside the other crimson carriage from behind, simply following the other crimson carriage on the front, where Russell Moon and Samantha Hall reside, waiting for their destination to be reached so that they could finally fulfill their mission.
'If not for these curtains, this carriage from the outside perspective would appear as if several ghosts were the passengers.'
Freya Moon, Russell Moon's younger sister, thought in a casual manner, glancing and adoring the exquisite spacious interior of the carriage that could fit at least eight to ten individuals.
'Sigh, I wonder how's Oppa doing? Also, I have yet to give his book to Red and Violet since it's confirmed that it can be utilized in other ways.'
Before the official day of the El-Vul-Or Tournament, during the time when Russell Moon has gathered every member of the Umbra Mercenary for the first time, although he and Freya didn't open up to the rest regarding the confusing reality of the situation, they did allow them to check the mysterious book, "The Forgotten Swordsman of Ruined Star."
Russell Moon had allowed Amelie Rose Merveil, Amery Blight, and Ken Raven to touch the hardbound unpublished novel, trying to stimulate some reactions.
However, just like the recklessness that the author of the said book had shown to his younger sister, to Amelie, and Amery didn't experience electric shock from touching it and they could also flip its pages, though before it even happened, Russell had put a stop to it.
On the other hand, Ken's brain and skin seemed to be on the verge of being fried at that time after he touched Russell's unfinished cosmic literature. And with Amelie's ability to heal, as a Dark Shade, Ken almost instantly recovered.
The mechanism or shrouded mysteries of why Amelie and Amery could touch the book unscathed and without repercussions, while Ken almost died, remained unknown to the owner of the piece of writing himself.
But, with such a result, a dangerous yet effective emergency idea was discussed between the Moon siblings – to utilize it as a weapon for the time being.
***
After a few hours of riding the carriage pulled by the crimson horses, Russell Moon, or Baron Nilian, and Samantha Hall, or Baroness Lilian, opened the door of the carriage and saw the bustling, considered a landmark of Rainfire.
On the other hand, the other carriage also stopped. Russell then approached it and opened its small window. After that, he checked for his companions, along with Elizabeth and Ayleen, then, through telepathic communication, he said in a determined manner.
<Leave some unnecessary supplies, so it'll stop from being suspicious.>
Because there was no one from the second carriage that could be seen by other vampires, it looked highly suspicious from the eyes of those lurking around. That's why, before going through this mission, it was planned to use the second carriage for the delivery of some gifts since vampire nobles fancy stuff that took effort before it turned into a gift.
In other words, they would more appreciate it if the gift was something that wasn't just pulled out from the Dimensional Inventory.
With the help of Nihility, the others, serving as Escorts, followed Russell and Samantha.
After a few moments, they arrived in front of a luxurious door, which was extracted from the memories of the original Baron Nilian, whose body and soul, at this very moment, became a plaything of the Witch of Dreams.
***
"Oh, Baron Nilian! Baroness Lilian! What a surprise visit this is! Well, I think it's just right for us to have a small feast since the news of us, trampling those so-called humans, is widespread. Although it's a pity that the order to engage with the Elves has yet to be announced, I guess a small victory is more than enough."
"Viscount Fierja, I apologize for the unannounced visit, but I also have something to be considered as an act of celebration.
"Would you like to hear it?"
Russell Moon, with a genuine smile of a noble painted on his face, said in a genuine manner.
***
On the far East of the world, the group of humans and vampires were being sacrificed as they were forcefully breaking the thick dark curtain that was simply blocking the access to the other side.
These humans were part of the Project Black Veil, where they forced Chaos Miasma into their bodies through special methods and let them forcefully break the dark veil. However, at this moment, with the help of one of the Vampire Lords, thousands of expendable Vampire Soldiers, who had no idea, had their lives being sacrificed in the same way.
What's worse was that these vampires had been injected by Chaos Miasma into their bodies on the spot, making them look like abominations.
After some time, the lord of the Black Sky Disorder, Kai Hiroshi spoke in general, savoring the grandeur scenery in front of him.
"If advancement is what humanity wants, then we'll bring it to them."
Clap-! Clap-
At that moment, three slow clapping sounds resounded from the backs of Kai Hiroshi and the other heads, including Zebel, of the organization.
Turning their heads almost at the same time, what was screened in their eyes was an adult man – short blonde-haired, golden-eyed – in a formal suit and pants.
It was someone they recognized but had barely known anything about.
A few seconds later, Kai Hiroshi's eyes constricted as he addressed the adult man, not letting his guard down.
"What's the Chancellor of the Obelisk Academy doing here?"
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