Chapter 10: The Court of Flesh and Blood

In the wilderness, on a country path.

Kana and his companion were moving forward at a brisk pace.

"We’ll take a detour through here to avoid running into the monsters around Cape City."

After saying this, he pointed to the front right: "Head that way. I remember there’s a small river there; let’s go over and clean up. We’re far too filthy."

At this moment, both of them were covered in grime—dried mud, unknown leaves, and traces of blood.

Since escaping the village, they hadn't had the heart to sit down and rest.

"Your Highness, how are you so familiar with this place?" Aliris asked, somewhat puzzled.

How could he not be? It was a level-three leveling spot; he knew it like the back of his hand.

Although the monsters from two years later weren't here yet, the terrain was no different.

Of course, he couldn't say that, so he brushed it off: "I've been here before."

No sooner had he finished speaking than Kana froze in place.

A faint sensation of ringing in the ears—Aliris felt it too, and she instantly mimicked his reaction.

The ringing gradually faded.

In the distance, cries and roars echoed.

"Judging by the sound, it seems someone is fighting them," Aliris said.

"Let's go take a look."

When they arrived, they could see from a distance that a group of people by the river was under attack by vampires.

It appeared to be a refugee caravan, with many women and children.

Fighting the vampires were a few soldiers and some men dressed as mercenaries.

"Your Highness, they might not be a match for them."

Kana could see it too.

On the vampire side, there were three giant bats and six ghouls.

On the refugee side, counting everyone, there were only about ten people capable of fighting.

Then there were the women and elderly, paralyzed by fear; some had even started running for their lives in a panic.

"We're going in."

Hearing Kana’s command, Aliris charged forward, taking the lead.

Kana, following close behind, hesitated for a moment before taking his blade and slicing his own arm.

A wound appeared instantly, blood welled up, and pain followed.

Following the pain came power.

"Don't eat me, don't eat me! Save me!"

A scrawny farmer screamed in terror while fleeing.

Kana lunged from the side and kicked a ghoul in the waist.

The kick sent the ghoul tumbling to the ground, rolling several times.

Before it could recover, its head was already pierced through.

The effect of the power boost was obvious; he could feel his attacks were much more forceful.

With the two of them joining the fray, the battle was resolved very quickly.

Of the three giant bats in the sky, two had their heads blown apart by stones thrown from afar by Aliris.

The third bat was struck in the head by a soldier’s crossbow bolt.

As for the ghouls, with the two of them involved, it was even simpler.

"Uncle Arochi, come here quickly!" a soldier shouted, kneeling beside a wounded man on the ground.

Among the refugees, a thin, middle-aged man hurried over, panic still lingering on his face. Judging by his attire, he seemed to be an herbalist.

It was a pity; there was only that one wounded man.

One mercenary had died, and two civilians had also perished.

A soldier walked over: "Thank you both for your help. If it weren't for you two, we might have been done for today."

"I’m Nikum, a soldier captain from Cape City. Are you two refugees from there?"

Aliris was about to speak, but Kana quickly stopped her and said to Nikum: "We ran all the way from the capital. We were doing some dirty work there before."

Nikum nodded in understanding, then apologized: "Now isn't the time for talk. I need to organize the group to leave here quickly, or those monsters will catch up again soon."

Kana nodded with a smile.

Taking advantage of the time it took for the caravan to reorganize, the two went straight to the river to wash off the grime.

After they finished cleaning up, the caravan was just about to leave.

Kana turned his head and happened to see Aliris, who had also finished cleaning up.

Her short, golden hair hung loosely, and her freshly washed face still had droplets of water on it.

Although she had undergone knight training for years, her facial skin was fair, and her large eyes, paired with her slightly chubby cheeks, made her look pure and cute.

He withdrew his gaze: "Let's go."

As they walked toward the caravan, they met Nikum, who was walking toward them.

"Do you want to come with us?"

Kana nodded and followed, asking casually: "Where are you planning to go?"

"Where else? We can only go to Fane. The port fell into chaos the moment it started. Those monsters' primary target was the port; that’s where I escaped from."

Hearing Nikum’s words, Kana nodded.

It matched the plot.

"Those damn skinless monsters, I don't know where they popped out from. And those noble officials who should be hanged—I hope those monsters chew their brains out."

Nikum vented his frustrations.

You’re overthinking it, Kana thought. Those noble officials were either dead or had been turned into vampires.

Truth be told, most of those who managed to escape were civilians and some city guards.

The armies used for defense and combat were the first to be turned.

It was just that the process was likely still ongoing.

...

Safro Capital.

This city, once the capital of a foreign land, had now become the royal court of the vampires.

The entire city reeked of rotting corpses and the smell of blood.

The city was shrouded in a shadow, as if all the storm clouds had gathered above it, blocking out the sunlight.

In the gloomy weather, one could only see clusters of black shadows flapping their wings above the city.

Those were swarms of giant bats.

Within the city, a large number of ghouls scurried through the streets and alleys; they had become the most numerous residents.

There were also knights with pale, deathly faces and flickering scarlet pupils, patrolling on horses clad in blood-red heavy armor.

Beside them followed guards in the same state.

And inside the city, within the palace castle atop the cliff, the vampire nobles had gathered.

"How are the preparations coming along?" In the throne hall, sitting on the king’s seat was a burly vampire dressed in luxurious clothing.

Around the hall were many nobles and officials, wearing the fine clothes they had once owned.

Looking at their pale, bluish skin and expressionless faces, it was clear they too had become vampires.

"Reporting to Your Majesty, all three ports have been reclaimed, and four cities have been completely taken. A large number of civilians and a massive amount of corpses are waiting for us to convert them into power."

A noble official kneeling in front of the throne said.

The Vampire King sat on the throne and asked in a deep voice: "Four cities?"

The noble below hurriedly said: "There is one more, one more that is the territory of Count Vanhia. He... the Count, he..."

"My son, what has he done?" the King asked, his voice devoid of emotional fluctuation.

"The Count executed the seamstresses in his territory, executed the blood mages, and refused to be turned into a vampire. He is gathering his soldiers to resist, rounding up refugees, and having his subjects and the refugees head toward the Kingdom of Cohen."

"Hmph, he truly refuses to step into his new life."

Although the King was somewhat annoyed, he wasn't as angry as they had expected, as if he had anticipated it.

He turned his head to look at his side: "Walter, my son, I told you long ago that you shouldn't be so lenient with your brother."

The one called Walter was none other than Kana’s father.

He was the former king of the country, while the one sitting on the throne was the founding emperor of this nation.

Clearly, he hadn't died as one would expect; he had simply moved behind the scenes.

"He betrayed my trust and betrayed your kindness, Father. Let me go and capture him; I will make him a qualified blood noble."

Hearing his son’s words, the King waved his hand dismissively: "You have other things to do. Martin, my most loyal knight. Lead your men and present my son’s head to me."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

With the clashing of armor and heavy footsteps, the knight walked out of the hall.