'How did this happen?! Impossible!'
Although the Vampire Lord Duradel wasn't showing it in his face, he could not think of a way how the Motressa, one of the existing phoenixes or Mythical Beast, to be reborn at the same spot it died and be still under his control. In other words, he felt a sense of incredulity, which gradually showed in his expression, because 'someone' or 'something' had managed to subjugate the Mythical Beast that he brought under his control by utilizing drops of his blood, which was slightly connected to the Crimson Goddess.
"My Lord…?"
The Vampire Grand Duke, also one of the Vampire Lord's trusted subordinates, asked in confusion as he saw the blank expression, with a hint of disbelief, painted on the latter's face.
Without responding to the Vampire Grand Duke, the Vampire Lord Duradel stood up from his throne, and fell silent for a moment as if he was thinking of what he should say for the next moment. Every vampire noble, together with some remaining Vampire Knights and Vampire Wizards in the grand hall, instinctively felt that something went wrong that was different from the news just now about the Motressa's death and the confident voice of unconcern of the Vampire Lord about the Mythical Beast being alive.
"The Mythical Beast, Motressa is dead. Some of you may know that it's originally a Phoenix and has the innate ability to be reborn. I was notified of its death and almost at the same time, its rebirth.
"However, due to uncertain circumstances, my connection to it has been completely severed and the Motressa has returned or been reborn from where it originally came from.
"It seems this alliance between the Elves, Humans, and the Dwarves has borne fruit unexpectedly. That's why it's time for me to control whoever is in command of this invasion at this moment."
Everyone in the grand hall didn't say anything or tried to interject upon hearing the words of the Vampire Lord Duradel.
"Anyone here with a family to raise, please retreat to the tenth clan or the Bloodcalm land. This is my absolute order!"
<Grand Duke Juruhad, I know you've noticed it by now. Although I haven't said a word about the demeanor of the lord of the Bloodcalm Clan, I'm certain that they will shelter everyone's families here.>
Noticing the utilization of telepathic communication as the Vampire Lord conveyed his words, the Vampire Grand Duke Juruhad responded:
<My Lord. According to the reports we have quickly received, it seems that the outskirts or any cities in our land aren't being attacked. We can wait for the soldiers stationed there and let them join the battlefield here.>
<There's no need to wait for them. I need to eliminate the one who managed to completely sever the connection or blood curse I placed on the Motressa. That individual is dangerous. Aside from that, the reason why I want everyone's families to depart from this now ruined land…>
<Don't tell me… My Lord.>
Grasping the meaning behind the words of the Vampire Lord, the Vampire Grand Duke couldn't help but somewhat feel terrified at that possibility. Then, after a few seconds, without hesitation, the Vampire Grand Duke Juruhad addressed everyone in the grand hall.
"The Lord's order has been decreed! Every family, if you have one, will take shelter on the Bloodcalm land!"
Being loyal to the Vampire Lord, they did not question the absolute order and quickly departed the capital of Rainfire land. However, the other vampire nobles, who were considered patriotic, stayed behind after entrusting their families to either the eldest child or their wives.
<Grand Duke Juruhad, there's another order that's exclusive for you and your men.>
The Vampire Lord then told the Vampire Grand Duke the exclusive order.
Upon hearing the serious words of the Vampire Lord, he heaved a sigh of mental exhaustion and replied wholeheartedly.
<Yes, my Lord. I will execute it according to your will.>
After some time, as the vampire families were sent away discreetly as possible to take shelter in a neighboring land, Bloodcalm, the remaining individuals in the grand hall genuflected in front of the Vampire Lord Duradel, who then addressed everyone that remained.
"I have been your lord for hundreds of years. The war we've fought together resulted in blood and sweat. With that said, the unexpected invasion of the Elves, along with some Humans, has been considered a variable that never happened throughout the ancient history we value.
"And at this very moment, I, Duradel Vlad Salem, stand before and with you in this war against the folks of nature and the folks with the power to quickly adapt to the change brought upon them.
"In the name of our Goddess, this war's for her alone."
"For our Goddess-!"
The simple yet invigorating chant reverberated throughout the grand hall of the Royal Palace. On the other hand, the variable that never happened throughout the ancient wars between the Vampire Race and the Elven Race was the "place of the battlefield." During the time in their Old World, before coming to Planet 342 or Planet Earth, the wars were fought in an open fields like valleys, which were far away from the races' respective kingdoms. In other words, the invasion of the Elves in one of the Vampire Lands was the first time in the long history that had transpired.
'It seems humans have influenced the Elven Queen to take this kind of action, too.'
Although invading one's land wasn't forbidden during the war, if there was one thing the Vampire Race and Elven Race had learned from humanity, it's that humanity's history contained more war eras than peaceful ones. This crucial knowledge, though, was then applied at this very moment – the Vampire Race had invaded the Orion Continent, the home for Humans, while the Elven Race had invaded the Vampire Lands.
***
'It's called breaking one's tradition.'
Russell Moon, along with his companions, who were now staying on the rear as the Motressa already died in Samantha's hands, and went on the process of being reborn, thought as if he had read the mind and curiosity of the Vampire Lord Duradel from afar.
According to his unpublished novel, the battlefield of the Vampires and the Elves in their Pre-Emergence world was a vast valley, which was believed to be the historical battlefield of the Crimson Goddess and the Elven Goddess – It's called Valley of Betrayal.
However, upon coming into this world, the Valley of Betrayal was left behind and was now in the process of oblivion. That's also the reason why the Vampires and Elves tried their best to break the traditional, supposedly battlefield in this war.
'Though I'm not surprised the Vampires and Elves learned how to invade one's land through humanity.'
He added in his mind, glancing around, seeing the hardworking Princess of Etheria saving the wounded and the professor of the academy stabilizing the mental state of the soldiers. After a few minutes of rest, as he sat and tried to remember anything useful for their current situation, Russell Moon felt an indescribable chill run down his spine, which caused him to feel the urge to kneel in general due to the pressure exuded from afar.
Not only he, but the others also felt it, too, causing them to be alert and be on guard for any incoming attack. However, a sudden preparation wasn't enough to block what was coming.
They heard a sound that seemed to tear the air apart. Similar to the Motressa's attack, but somewhat different, from the crimson sky, around hundreds of meters above sea level, a figure clad in majestic attire stood as if the air and the ground were the same.
In his hand, a crimson gigantic spear followed the one he had thrown first.
***
Boom-! Boom!
The Vampire Lord of the "Rainfire" Clan had bombarded everyone on the ground as explosive, gigantic crimson spears tore through the air and landed on the ground with destructive force.
The now ruined capital of the Rainfire land turned to be more ruined, to the point of no return. In other words, whatever happened to expendable infrastructures and any forms of material wealth in this place wouldn't matter anymore.
This would also prevent the Elves to gain the spoils of war.
Apart from the ground, countless Elven Soldiers, who barely managed to react by erecting a barrier, died as the crimson spear hit the ground.
On the other hand, with Ayleen Mayfield's barrier, and with her strength as a "Player," every existing human on this battlefield was saved.
'It's like a f*cking missile.'
Each force of the crimson spear shook the ground, turning it into a valley of blood.
"We're going to be outnumbered at this point."
Russell said to the Elven Commander in a serious manner. Since the former wasn't informed of every mission assigned to different groups before this invasion, Russell couldn't help but overthink it something changed.
"You're right. The Vampire Soldiers aren't affected by the attack... By who...?"
Some of them couldn't detect the source of the attack because their eyes couldn't clearly see the figure floating around for hundreds of meters.
"It's the Vampire Lord."
Russell replied to Amelie's words, checking the standing Vampire Lord in the air with his profound eyes, seemingly looking for someone.
Realizing what just happened earlier and knowing the psychology of the Vampire Race, Russell quickly arrived at a conclusion as he shifted his gaze to Samantha.
'He's looking for Samantha because the Motressa didn't reborn under his control.'
"Vampire Lord huh... I see."
Thessalia, somewhat relaxed, said as her gaze focused on the figure above. After that, he gave an order to everyone and contacted the other Elven Commanders who appeared from another Gate of Nature situated in other parts of the Rainfire capital.
"Everyone, retreat! Focus on the defense!"
Russell grasped her words and didn't reject the idea.
***
On the Western Olympia, far from the Vampire invasion.
In one of the underground facilities of the Shadow Guild.
The golden spherical legendary artifact, Orb of Truth, that Russell Moon had easily handed over to Czerina von Elydine after the auction that had transpired during the school trip emanated a golden aura.
But... After some time, a crack streaked on its outer surface.
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