26. It’s going to be a long night.
“Julian… Julian van Franzrit…”
It would be obvious to the vampires around here, but as expected, it was a vampire from the Franzrit clan. Fernandez frowned.
“How on earth did you become a Red Hunger?”
“Danger… It’s dangerous.”
“What is?”
“Infermur… To the Elfin Serpent King…”
Why are elves involved here? Fernandez groaned as he recalled memories from his past life. Elves? Where would elves even come from…?
– Infermur? Wasn’t that the Franzrit’s trading port?
‘Right? Isn’t it?’
– Elfin Serpent King… It’s been a while since I’ve heard of them.
Since the ancient Celestial War, elves have been cursed to never set foot on the continent, forever wandering the seas or nesting on islands.
The once-renowned Elven Wild Prince Household was no longer a cavalry, and the elven legions could no longer command the continent.
The dwarves perished during the Celestial War, and the elves were driven out of the continent around the same time. Thus, the age of humans began. The age of the Temple of the Gods.
‘Was there a kingdom belonging to the Elven Trident around here?’
– Not that I know of…
The problem was that the elven maritime kingdom was quite far from here!
“What nonsense. Why would the Elfin Serpent King be here?”
“Infermur… To Lord Guimerin of Infermur…”
Julian, trembling, pulled out a letter from his chest. It was an ordinary letter, free from any manipulation or magical threats. Except for the fact that it was written in chicken blood…
“Infermur was Guimerin’s port?”
If Infermur, the trading port, was once the port of the Guimerin royal family before being occupied by Franzrit. And if they’re still stuck in Serpent’s Isle due to conflicts with the Guimerin royal family? It kind of makes sense.
Fernandez drew his blade, pressing it against Julian’s throat, deep in thought. Should he spare him and head to Infermur?
Even if he took the letter, he doubted the paranoid and fastidious elves would believe him.
Julian let out a gurgling sound and spoke in a cracked voice.
“Kill me… Soon, the fit will come again.”
“Hmm. Will you repent?”
“Were you a priest? Hehe… Repent? You bugs…”
– Crunch!
Before Julian could finish, Fernandez severed his neck, bones and all. Blood gushed out, staining the floor.
Fernandez wiped the blood off his blade and roughly tore off the wooden planks blocking the window.
– Sssss…
Julian’s corpse quickly vaporized under the sunlight. Ever since the mages seeking immortality killed the ancient sun god, Almitdates, the Temple of the Gods cursed them with three curses.
They shall only drink the blood of the living. They shall never appear in the time of the living. They shall never hold the warmth of the living.
Thus, they were called vampires. Unable to move under the sun, unable to consume anything but blood, and forever shivering in spiritual cold even in the height of summer.
These creatures could never live a sane life. Fernandez patted the startled Kirhas and said,
“First time seeing a vampire?”
“Yes, Your Excellency. In our tribe, they’re only legends…”
“They’re pretty much legends. Except they’re stronger than legends. Be careful if you meet them in the future.”
“Yes…”
Kirhas lowered her eyes, feeling Fernandez’s touch. She fidgeted with her fingers and asked,
“So, is this mission over?”
“The mission on the orders is done, but I have some personal matters to look into. Are you returning to headquarters?”
“No! If Your Excellency needs me, may I accompany you further?”
“Then I’d be grateful!”
Fernandez grinned and took out an incense burner. Soon, a spirit messenger rose from the burner. Fernandez began writing a report on the old desk in the corner.
[Order Report: Rat Hunt]
Operation Area: Dane Kingdom, Barony of Verbes, Checkpoint 2.
Operation Summary: Emergency dispatch due to unexpected Walker incident.
Operation Progress:
1) Confirmed that the Walker incident was not caused by heretical magic.
2) Confirmed a large-scale ghoul outbreak due to a vampire’s Red Hunger incident.
3) Eliminated Franzrit clan vampire [Julian van Franzrit].
4) Purged ghouls within the checkpoint.
Operation Task Force Team:
1) Diemonica, Fernandez Sernerd – Returning
2) Torchman, Kirhas Hearttaker – Returning
We shall burn demons, heretics, and witches.
Operation Commander: Diemonica Fernandez Sernerd.
Just as he finished the report and was about to hand it to the messenger, his magical vision violently shook. A powerful magical manifestation! Fernandez, startled, looked out the window.
“Uh, Your Excellency!”
“Wait a moment!”
Fernandez hid by the window frame and glared outside. Black clouds began to roll in over the village, which had been bathed in intense sunlight just moments ago.
Bats could be faintly seen flying among the clouds.
Soon, it became night. No, it was a day darker than a moonless night. The village under the lightless clouds was plunged into utter darkness.
Only the pure white light emitted by the silver sword made of Full Saint Metal was the sole light source in this darkness.
– Throb!
“Ugh?!”
Pain surged from the stigma on his back. The stigma was reacting to the approach of an evil creature. Fernandez, in pain, read the magic enveloping the atmosphere.
‘The Curse of Sun Hatred…’
A spell used by vampire nobles when they need to go out during the day to block the sun! Which means…
“The extermination squad is here!”
It was too late to escape. The sound of hooves could be heard in the distance.
A whirlwind of bloody magic swirled. Inside a carriage led by corpses. Four corpse horses with blue flames in their eyes pulled a massive black carriage.
The carriage entered the village, and the ghouls all emerged from the shadows to bow before it.
– Click.
From the carriage, a woman in a lavishly decorated lace dress stepped out. Red heels touched the ground, and a long black cane appeared.
She was a beauty with cold eyes and pale skin that glowed chillingly. She adjusted her hat…
