Chapter: 249

The reconnaissance resources utilized by the Demon Army can be broadly divided into two categories: one is Dwarves, and the other is Vampires. (Succubi are exceptions. Giant-monster-spiders are a problematic race to use as reconnaissance agents.)

Dwarves were a troop specialized in military intelligence and sabotage. As long as there is solid ground, they could infiltrate anywhere and cause disruption.

Since people cannot live in the sky, Dwarves could inflict tremendous troop losses on the supply lines of all civilizations throughout the war. (The Cleanup Unit retaliated by doing the same to the Demon Army.)

The role of the Vampires was different. With a human-like appearance (even more attractive), they could infiltrate strongholds, mass-produce minions, and enchant those in power. Generally, humans yearn for immortality, so becoming a vampire is often seen as a blessing.

Elves can fly, live on islands, are immune to Dwarves, and are inherently immortal, so they were immune to Vampires as well, but high-ranking human nobles were not.

It should have been that way.

If Enrique hadn’t bitten the Elder just before the war broke out, it definitely would have been so.

Though it is rare for an Elder dispatched to human society to be hunted down by a priest, it has happened. There is nothing particularly surprising about it. However, Enrique’s case was unprecedented in history.

She devoured her father while retaining all of the Vampire’s skills and abilities, hunting Elders dispatched to various nations and growing stronger.

Thus, she finally awakened the most powerful bloodline abilities, surpassing any Elder under Olegha.

Just the existence of Enrique constrained all actions of the Vampires. If she sneaks in, she will inevitably be discovered, and once discovered, she will undoubtedly be subdued, and the moment she is subdued, all intelligence of the Demon Army flows into her ears.

It would not be surprising that Olegha wanted to capture her alive and tear her apart.

Unable to move in the daytime, Vampires had proven to be useless until the end of the war, and since their necromancy was insignificant compared to Abiditas’s minions, the Vampire society remained scorned until the moment the Demon Army crumbled.

Thus, Enrique is the arch-enemy of all Vampires.

With the hero gone, the knights dead, the Saint losing power, and the nation planning an expedition with its troops drawn away, the plan to annihilate Enrique and eradicate the intelligence resources of the United Kingdom was a long-held desire that had to be achieved ‘at all costs,’ regardless of feasibility and profit.

Everything seemed to be going as expected.

Enrique chose to hide without resistance, the citizens trembled in fear, and the city became paralyzed. The dwindling troops focused on blocking the gates. After all, isn’t it something that can be resolved once the expeditionary force returns?

To drive a wedge, they raided the grave of the Cleanup Unit.

If they could resurrect the ‘clearly dead’ Colonel Ivan Petrovich, what would Enrique mean? Overthrowing the country would not be an overstatement.

Resurrecting the entire Cleanup Unit would not be a mere dream of dismantling the alliance.

If they could revive ‘The Brain,’ Ivan, and resurrect ‘The Brain’s Royal Knight Order,’ restoring Olegha’s legions from the Great War wouldn’t be a challenge.

If they could subdue even captured Enrique with the power of blood.

Indeed, if only it were to happen….

“The revenge for my father is not the issue.”

Yust Vito Marc. The only surviving scion of Olegha. The king of vampires.

If he could crush the traitor who dared to proclaim himself as the Demon King, digest Abiditas’s relics slumbering in the Frechenkaya treasure, and swallow even Enrique—

“Then, what would be the problem if they called me the Demon King?”

It is not wrong.

All ambitious individuals have plans.

At least until meeting the Cleanup Unit.

EP42. Inheritance.

The Vampires seemed to be in a daze.

With all available resources pulled together in a hurry, their strongest military force (the Death Knight Royal Guard) could not stop the enemies.

They were matching the undead Cleanup Unit that rose just to make them suffer and were fighting to the death. Just this alone was enough to make one spit blood.

However, it was okay. There was a corpse of one of the ‘Strongest Individuals Before the Hero Party.’ The remains of such a being can hardly be matched unless they take from the ‘Ancient Lords Protector’ enshrined in the Tylesse Grand Cathedral.

In other words, it meant that a complete resurrection of the ancient hero was possible. With the ability of a hero party level, and the body that does not die or tire, inheriting the battle proficiency built up until just before death.

After resurrecting such an existence, they ended up exchanging pleasantries before essentially committing suicide….

And now, before their eyes.

“Wait. Wait, a conversation— with conversation—.”

Enrique, with red eyes, was smiling at them. The reason she originally had to flee was not due to such rabble. Just as she had a clear hierarchy with the ‘hidden something,’ she too had a clear hierarchy with these beings.

As the Vampires urgently tried to transform into bats to flee, Enrique, perched on the window frame, drew a dagger and swung it. The Vampire who chose to escape the quickest instantly became a beheaded corpse.

Lucia, who approached steadily, sank her teeth into his severed neck. Bloodline vampirism. A choice worthy of one who devours the Elder.

‘Hostage—!’

It was a natural flow of thought. Escape was impossible, so they had to fight, but fighting here would result in utter annihilation.

What had been the reason for Enrique to stay hidden until now? Wasn’t it because capturing hostages would be troublesome?

If she directly appeared on the front lines, what would that mean? It meant that those who could become hostages were within reach, so there was no need to worry.

Just as the most agile Vampire chose to flee faster than anyone else, the most cunning Vampire turned his eyes toward the hostage faster than anyone else.

Enrique’s bloodline would not be easily subdued even if they rushed in to capture. The little boy is also a vampire, so if he fled in a different form, it would take time to pursue. And with that much time, Enrique could encircle him dozens of times.

Then they needed to capture a human. The eyes of the Vampire quickly turned back to the other companions.

The idiots standing dumbstruck, watching the battle of the ‘Spider’ and ‘The Brain’…. Yes, those were the humans that Enrique cherished.

“Shadowblade, stop!!”

The Vampire grinned and shouted towards Enrique. He was already positioned behind their group, extending his hand.

First, towards the young man dressed as a priest who stood furthest back. After all, priests are the most vulnerable troops in direct combat, and now, in this state, he has even lost his sacred power, making him no more than a civilian—

– Swish.

The outstretched hand was severed. As the Vampire looked around in confusion, he saw the face of the priest staring back at him.

It was a young human man with a sharp jawline. With a solemn expression, he growled low.

“The Lord is great.”

There was no time to share words. The Vampire, whose offensive had failed, quickly twisted his body to escape.

His chin touched something on his back. As if expecting a route of escape.

When he looked back, a woman in armor was glaring at him.

“Ugh.”

Only a groan escaped his lips. The longsword embedded in his chest glistened beneath the torchlight.

[If there is a chance of victory, one does not lose.] This does not simply mean ‘invincibility.’ It means that one can reflexively realize the optimal number needed to win.

In other words, when delivering a ‘decisive blow,’ especially if it is a surprise attack. Yuri can certainly accomplish that. If only the conditions are met, it is a level of ability that can activate even in front of the Seven Dragon Lords.

Now, the ‘not particularly agile’ or ‘particularly cunning’ Vampires noticed their group, which was surrounding them, and froze.

“Master! Master—!!”

One Vampire cried out in terror. Fear is the most extreme expression of survival instinct. Vampires can fall into a panic as well. Contrary to the prejudice that undead are immune to fear, sentient beings that choose to become undead have a desire for life stronger than anyone else.

From the center of the group, black steel erupted. Pushing gently against the shoulders of Yuri and Oscar.

The group reflexively opened a path. It is natural for the leader to lead.

Especially when it comes to revenge.

“Your master cannot save you.”

From under the ashen hair, azure eyes stared down the Vampire.

“No one can.”

Even Enrique stopped moving at that moment. The Vampires gazed at the approaching man, barely holding on to the minimum will to resist.

“I, I know a lot. We can negotiate, we can negotiate. If the Shadowblade drinks my blood, I will gladly become a subordinate—.”

“Shh.”

Ivan lifted his axe to silence him. With a resolute calmness, he walked slowly. The once king was gazing down upon him, so this place is—

“This is the throne room. The audacious must kneel.”

The hand that was filled with fear loomed over the head of the terrified Vampire. Beneath the shadow, the Vampire let out a small whimper. Grabbing his hair tightly, Ivan’s right hand reached up toward the ceiling.

At its end, the axe blade glimmered with a menacing blue light.

“Save, spare me….”

“I have never kept a promise to spare.”

The promises made before many who left first were as futile as their deaths.

However.

“I have never broken the promise of not sparing you.”

You will not survive longer than today.

Thus, he made that vow.

In this throne room, under the gaze of the former king, Ivan could not dare break his oath.

The Cleanup Unit does not engage in negotiations.

They only extract their due.

*

In the depths of the Frechenkaya, within the Krasilov Palace, there lies a treasure. Unlike the royal bank managed by the royal treasurer, this place holds items whose values cannot be quantified.

All the relics within this deep seal correspond to the history of this land. Heirlooms passed down since the days of the Northern City-States, relics from the time when gods walked the earth, tributes from the vassals who were subdued, and even trophies from the conquest wars.

It is the royal history of this land, the history of victory.

“Abiditas, I will take my revenge for you.”

If there is any shining relic, this would undoubtedly be it. The remains of Abiditas. Even when he had residual sacred power, it has already been consecrated, and there are no longer traces of the Seven Dragon Lords remaining, yet still, it remains a mighty sacred item.

The Seven Dragon Lords are beings imbued with sanctity. Thus, the remains of Abiditas are none other than divine remains. Even though it was sanctified, it could never become a mere corpse.

For the Demon Race, this is not merely a symbol. It is one of the most powerful holy relics.

“The King of Olegha growled in wrath.”

“I will burn this land, crush every life born from it, and swallow their blood as tribute….”

The remains of the necromancy god, the skull split as though by an axe, stared straight at him.

This power that had previously suppressed and washed away sanctity can no longer protect this land.

The blood of Vampires dripped onto the skull. Soon, flames of blue vitality ignited beneath the empty depths of the skull.

[-Die….]

Below it, a heartfelt grievance began to seep out. It was not the thoughts of the undead, but the remnants left by the deceased god.

No memory, no will remained, but for the king of vampires, the elder vampire, that was more than enough.

If it is half a sanctity, it is more of an illusion.

Holding the shattered sanctity of Olegha, the Vampire pressed the lifted skull firmly onto his head.

[…Kill them all—]

The Vampire coldly responded to the echo of the long-dead god ringing in his ears.

“I will willingly do so.”

I will repay the portion of my fallen kindred who all perished while buying me time.