Clank! Clank! Clank!
The ringing of steel echoed around them as Zain unleashed a relentless barrage of slashes. Each strike was swift and precise, yet Aven deflected and evaded them with ease.
Aven parried another strike, a smirk forming on his lips.
"You cannot defeat me."
Before Zain could react, Aven kicked him back and followed with a swift, deep slash. Zain's armor split cleanly, a long wound opening across his abdomen and chest.
Zain growled as blood scattered and dripped onto the ground. Drop by drop, the crimson flow grew heavier, staining the earth beneath him.
His breathing became ragged as sweat trickled down his forehead.
"Damn it..."
Aven turned away, wiping the blood from his blade before walking toward Lucas and Nia.
"Let's go. This place is no longer for you."
"AVEN! WAIT!" Krai shouted.
Aven threw his sword straight toward Krai's face, but Krai caught it, fury burning in his eyes.
"Do not think you can simply walk away."
Aven laughed softly "What can you even do, King? You cannot accomplish anything without the knights surrounding you."
"Oh, and do not try to control what I can or cannot do. I am no longer a puppet you can move as you please."
Krai clicked his tongue in irritation and snapped his fingers. An infernal creature appeared and lunged at Aven.
Lucas immediately summoned Fenrir from the pendant hanging around Nia's neck. The beast's claws flashed, tearing the demon cleanly in half.
Lucas stepped forward, glaring at Krai with disgust.
"Do not try to touch Aven again. Damn it."
Fenrir growled, ready to attack the moment Lucas gave the order.
Lucas threw his sword before Krai's feet.
"I am no longer your knight. I want nothing tying me to Eidolan as long as you remain its king."
"Attack."
Fenrir shot forward, unleashing two wind spells and slashing with his claws toward Krai.
BOOM!
An explosion erupted mid attack. Bellrion appeared, releasing several spells that forced Fenrir to retreat after sensing the danger.
"My apologies for being late, Lord Krai." His wings spread wide, ready to strike at any moment.
"It does not matter. You arrived at the perfect time. They are all gathered. Kill them all."
Bellrion dashed forward and delivered a heavy blow to Fenrir. The wolf staggered but retaliated with a sphere of wind, which Bellrion easily deflected.
Swing!
Fenrir's claw grazed Bellrion's wing, but Bellrion swiftly turned and detonated a spell right beside Fenrir's face.
Fenrir was thrown several meters back, growling in frustration.
"My master... he is too strong. The difference in power is overwhelming."
Lucas recalled Fenrir back into Nia's pendant.
He glanced at Aven.
"There is no other choice."
Aven sighed.
"We have to..."
A spear of blood suddenly pierced Bellrion's abdomen from behind. He coughed as blood spilled from his mouth.
"W-what?!"
The blood spread, nearly tearing Bellrion's body apart.
"Unghh!" Bellrion managed to break free and stagger backward. His wounds rapidly began to close thanks to his regeneration.
His eyes darted around.
"Blood... used as a weapon? Impossible."
Aven's eyes widened "I told you not to interfere!"
Lilith, Cecilia, and Mika appeared before them.
"You should be thanking me! I am not very skilled at using other people's blood as my weapon!" Mika puffed her cheeks.
Lilith and Cecilia stared coldly at the demon.
Noa dropped down from the rooftop, scratching his head awkwardly.
"My apologies, Lord Aven... I could not stop them from interfering."
Bellrion froze in place, unable to move. Sweat trickled down his face as terror filled his widened eyes.
Krai scoffed "What, are you scared?"
Bellrion's voice trembled "V vampires..."
"The three daughters of Claude Scarlet... why are they here..."
Lilith's cold gaze made Bellrion shiver even more, completely freezing him in place.
Krai growled in frustration and hurled Aven's sword toward them.
FWOSSS!
Flames engulfed the blade, melting it instantly. Tia flapped her wings as she hovered in the air, ready to unleash another torrent of fire at any moment.
Bellrion slowly lifted his gaze toward her, his fear deepening.
"T-the daughter of the leader of the Red Dragon Clan..."
Krai clenched his teeth in annoyance.
Aven exhaled slowly.
"We are leaving."
A massive magic circle formed beneath their feet. Aven cast one final glance toward Krai, and in an instant, they vanished, leaving only a powerful gust of wind behind.
Krai turned toward Bellrion "You... you were afraid?"
Bellrion growled quietly "My apologies, Lord Krai."
"Useless. A demon general like you trembling in fear?"
"Impressive. Truly impressive." Krai clapped his hands mockingly.
Bellrion grit his teeth.
"My lord... forgive my boldness."
"Have you considered how we are supposed to defeat them? Aven and Lucas might be manageable, but..."
"The three daughters of the Vampire Clan's leader, one of the strongest commanders of the Vampire defense forces, and the daughter of the Dragon Clan's leader..."
"Do you want me to die?"
His voice rose slightly before he regained control of his emotions.
"I am not afraid of the daughters themselves. But if Claude Scarlet and Lucia personally intervene, they will wipe us out completely."
Krai's eye twitched. He wanted to argue, but he knew Bellrion was right.
"My lord, we share the same goal as our king, which is why we agreed to help you conquer this world."
"But there are boundaries you must never cross. Never provoke the Vampire race, not even slightly."
Bellrion growled "This is humiliating enough. Even our king would never dare provoke Claude."
Krai exhaled deeply.
"Very well. You are right. I allowed my emotions to control me. My apologies for earlier."
Bellrion nodded.
"It is no issue, my lord. I understand what it feels like to be consumed by emotion."
Krai clenched his fist "Dispose of the bodies."
Bellrion bowed before devouring the corpses and the blood covering the ground with his magic, Eater of Everything.
"How long do you intend to lie there, Zain? Should I ask Bellrion to dispose of you as well?"
Zain groaned as he clutched his wounds.
"My apologies, my lord." He slowly forced himself to stand.
Krai sighed and snapped his fingers. Zain instantly vanished, transported to the castle's treatment chamber.
VAMPIRE CASTLE
Aven rubbed his face as they finally arrived safely.
Nia and Lucas looked around in awe, amazed by the grandeur of the castle's main hall.
Aven glanced toward Lilith, Cecilia, Mika, and Tia.
"You should not have gotten involved... but thank you for helping me."
Lilith smiled warmly "We would do anything for you, Aven."
Cecilia and Mika nodded in agreement.
Tia scratched her head awkwardly, her cheeks slightly red "Yeah... I would do the same..."
The door creaked open as Claude and Alice entered the room.
"Let me guess. Aven, you involved yourself in Noa's matter again, did you not?" Claude crossed his arms.
Aven fidgeted with his fingers.
"My apologies, Lord... but they are my sister and my close friend. I had to interfere."
Claude glanced at Lilith, Cecilia, and Mika.
"You three were involved as well, were you not?"
"Papa, do not blame Aven this time. We were the ones who secretly followed him!" Mika protested.
"We?" Cecilia scoffed.
Lilith quickly covered Cecilia's mouth.
"We followed him secretly even though he told us not to. We are sorry..."
Claude smiled calmly "I am not angry. It is fine."
Alice chuckled softly.
"My sweet daughters, you truly love getting involved whenever it concerns Aven, do you not?"
Claude shifted his gaze toward Tia.
"And you? Your mother will surely be furious."
Tia shrugged.
"Lord Claude, I just happened to see your daughters sneaking around... so I simply joined them."
"As for my mother... well, I hope she does not get angry..."
Claude sighed softly.
"Noa, your task is complete thanks to all the assistance you received. You are dismissed. Return to your usual duties."
Noa nodded, placing his hand on his chest in respect.
"Understood, my lord."
He began to leave but suddenly stopped.
"My lord, there was a small complication earlier. We were attacked by Krai and one of the demon commanders while attempting to return here."
Claude raised an eyebrow.
"You made it here safely, which means you won, did you not?"
"It is not a matter of victory or defeat, my lord. Lady Lilith, Cecilia, Mika, and Lady Tia were involved."
"Krai and the demon are now aware that Aven is supported by races beyond humans."
Claude waved his hand dismissively.
"Let them know. Those wretched demons would never dare attack this territory. In fact, this is beneficial. Now they know they must never disturb Aven again, as he stands alongside Vampires and Dragons."
Noa nodded.
"That is all, my lord. I shall take my leave."
Claude then turned his attention toward Nia and Lucas.
Both of them instantly stiffened with nervous tension.
"There is no need to be afraid. You are welcome here, just as Aven is."
Lucas placed a hand on his chest respectfully.
"Thank you, Lord Claude. I am Lucas, Aven's close friend and a Beast Tamer. I will stand at your side just as Aven does."
Nia bowed slightly, still somewhat nervous.
"I am Nia, Aven's older sister. Thank you... I heard that you saved my brother when he was on the verge of death."
Claude chuckled softly.
"There is no need to be so formal. Consider this your home. You are free to stay here for as long as you wish."
"Thank you" they replied in unison.
Alice approached Nia, observing her closely.
"Wow, you are incredibly beautiful." Alice gently held Nia's shoulders, smiling warmly.
"Come, come with me. I have a gift for you." Her eyes glanced toward her daughters and Tia.
"You four as well. This is a matter for women." Alice pulled Nia along, her cheeks reddening in confusion, followed by Lilith, Cecilia, Mika, and Tia.
Aven smirked faintly, waving at Nia.
"I hope you survive that, sister."
Lucas scratched the back of his head awkwardly.
"Is it always like this?"
"Yes... it usually is."
Claude smiled faintly.
"You two, come with me. There is something I wish to discuss."
"Understood, my lord," they replied simultaneously.