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…
He lifted the wide hat and walked among the ghouls.
“Really… I’m tired.”
The woman sighed as she looked up at the two-story building. It seemed Julian was dead, right? Thinking so, she turned around.
“What are you doing? Aren’t you coming down?”
“Big sis, I’m a bit tired…”
“Sleep. And then die.”
“Ugh.”
From inside the carriage, a skinny young man with glasses stepped out. Wearing a black suit and holding a ridiculous cane. A massive surge of magical power was rising from the tip of his cane.
Hmm, the woman sighed and slowly looked forward, smiling. A deep, sharp, and keen red smile. Her white fangs glinted.
“May I ask who you are?”
“Inquisition Officer Angelo.”
-Grooooooaaaaar
On the first floor of the building, Fernandez and Kirhas stood. The ghouls all turned to look at him and let out a collective scream. The woman held the ends of her dress and slightly bowed her head.
“You must be the sword of Vaitas. The girl is Amelia from the Franzrit family. It’s an honor to meet you.”
Amelia’s red eyes flashed. Kirhas, who was looking at those eyes, staggered for a moment. It was a charm spell.
A technique often used by vampires to bewitch their prey. Fernandez twisted the corner of his mouth.
“So, what brings you here?”
“…?”
The charm didn’t work? Amelia frowned and tapped her cane.
“My younger brother came out this way for a while, and I was worried, so I came looking for him. Perhaps there’s a way to resolve this without bloodshed?”
“I didn’t know vampires would shy away from blood.”
“If it’s not blood worth drinking, honestly, I don’t need it.”
“That’s a shame.”
-Clang.
Fernandez took out an iron buckle from his pocket and threw it at Amelia’s feet. Amelia looked down and frowned. It was a buckle engraved with the Franzrit family crest.
“Your brother was given a funeral service under the priest’s authority. He must be in a good place now.”
“Just the two of you…”
Amelia glared at Fernandez and Kirhas.
“Do you think you can handle us?”
“We did your job for you, what’s the problem? He was a Red Hunger anyway. Weren’t you going to kill him?”
“You’re quite knowledgeable. Enmagika… Is that what you’re called?”
“You know quite a bit too. No, it’s Diemonica.”
“A demon must have appeared nearby, right?”
“It seems like one is right in front of me now.”
Amelia and Fernandez stared at each other without looking away. Amelia was confused. Why wasn’t the charm working?
She tried again with full power, but the man was as solid as a rock.
“Well, fine. Julian, my brother, was going to be executed by my hand anyway. So, may I collect his remains?”
Amelia decided not to confront this man head-on. It was the behavior of a Red Hunger to recklessly attack without knowing the opponent’s strength.
A true vampire only sinks their fangs into prey they can defeat.
“We dried him well in the sun, and the rest of the remains were cremated.”
“That can’t be.”
Amelia slowly raised her cane. The cane split open, and a longsword was drawn.
“Words won’t work, Priest. Shall I give you time to repent for today’s events? If you have any last words, say them now. I’ll wait.”
“Vasila.”
Fernandez called Kirhas without taking his eyes off Amelia. Kirhas, startled, came and stood beside Fernandez.
“I leave that woman to you.”
“Wha, what?!”
“I have things to do.”
Amelia frowned. He wasn’t even going to deal with her himself, just sending a servant?
“Do I look like a joke to you? Or did dealing with my brother seem easier? It can’t be both.”
“Amelia von Franzrit. You talk too much.”
“…Brother.”
Amelia frowned and called the young man who was fidgeting beside her.
“Yes?”
“Kill him.”
“Ah, I don’t like men…”
The young man chuckled and raised his cane. He pointed it at Fernandez and said.
“Watch closely, Priest. Say your prayers well. You’ll be going soon… huh? Huh??? Huh?!!”
-Zzzzzzt!
Black electricity surged from the tip of the young man’s cane. A clear magical overload! The young man frantically tried to calm the raging magic with hand seals.
But, but the magic that had started to overload tore through the constructed spell and began to burn his magic circuits!
“Damn, sh*t, f*ck, sis! Sis!!! You have to stop him!”
“What? What are you talking about?”
“That guy, right now, right now!!!”
-Rumble…
-Grooooooaaaaar!!!!
The black clouds slowly dispersed, and sunlight began to pour over the town! Through the gaps in the clouds, thin pillars of light appeared and descended upon the town. The ghouls burst into flames!
“The Curse of Solar Hatred! He’s doing it!”
Amelia looked at Fernandez in shock. Fernandez’s left hand—the one not holding the sword—was twisted at a strange angle, forming hand seals.
Even Amelia, who wasn’t well-versed in magic, could clearly see the intricate gestures. Slowly, the darkness lifted, and what was hidden in the shadows became visible.
A black halo… Behind Fernandez’s head, a black crown-shaped halo appeared. With an almost divine expression and posture, Fernandez smiled at her.
“Ah, did I forget to mention I’m good at magic too?”
“Eek! Eek! You really are an Inquisition Officer?! Everett! Get in the carriage! Let’s go!”
It happened in an instant. The two vampires got into the carriage and slammed the door shut. Fernandez stood still, unmoving.
The carriage hurriedly left the town before the sky fully cleared. Their shouts could be heard from afar.
“We’ll see you tonight!!!!”
Fernandez stood quietly, waiting for them to disappear over the horizon. The black clouds slowly cleared, and the halo behind Fernandez faded and disappeared.
“Uh, Your Excellency? Why didn’t you pursue them…?”
“That was all a bluff.”
Fernandez slumped to the ground and sighed.
“Your Excellency?!”
“Ah, I’m so tired…”
Indeed, the task of embedding a spell seal into a grand ritual was exhausting. If it were the power and magic of his prime, such a spell would have been simple. But using the Bronze Throne to perform such a feat was close to a miracle.
It had been less than ten days since he connected to the Bronze Throne and created a magic circuit. In other words, the amount of magic he could use was at the level of a first-year magic student.
Relying solely on his knowledge and sense to perform a miracle-like precise manipulation of magic to counter the opponent’s spell. That was his limit now.
“We need to prepare for the night. Kirhas. They’ll definitely come back.”
“Like earlier…”
“Probably not. They’ll come prepared.”
“Requesting reinforcements…”
“They won’t arrive by tonight. It’s going to be a long night. Get some rest.”
Diemonica could go three days without sleep and still function. On the other hand, Kirhas needed a good night’s sleep every day. Tonight would be tough.
*
![[TS] Obsessed Gamer: The Ultimate Return](https://i3.wp.com/novelhitam.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/TS-Obsessed-Gamer-The-Ultimate-Return2.png?resize=85,105 "[TS] Obsessed Gamer: The Ultimate Return")
