Published: July 5, 2025
The Naitorei Kingdom and the group from Fundebie Kingdom were ambushed the following night.
“It's a vampire!”
“Form a defensive formation!”
The knights of the Naitorei Kingdom surrounded King Abel at the center and established a defensive formation.
“Focus on defense!”
Squad Captain Scotty issued clear orders.
The possibility of a surprise attack by vampires had already been communicated from Graham to Abel, and from Abel to Scotty the day before.
Even for the battle-hardened knight order of the kingdom, they had no experience fighting vampires.
Above all, combat in the darkness of night was not something knights were particularly skilled at.
Therefore…
“Leave it to the inquisitors.”
The group from Fundebie Kingdom contained many inquisitors.
Inquisitors were individuals who had prepared for combat against vampires.
Stefania, who was a cardinal and also served as the head of the inquisition bureau, had combat skills that surpassed anyone among them.
Moreover, leading them was the Pope, who had once been the head of the inquisition bureau. A man with the title of vampire hunter.
Such a group could not possibly be weak.
Naturally, Pope Graham stood at the forefront.
With his usual hidden staff, he beheaded the vampires and pierced their hearts, preventing their resurrection.
“Indeed, they are inferior even to baron-level opponents.”
“Is this what you meant by accelerated growth?”
“Ah. It’s likely not everyone, but… most of them are such beings.”
“You mentioned that during the attack by the Vira church as well.”
“Yes, that’s right. Marquis Shionka must have developed such techniques through alchemy or something similar.”
Graham nodded.
“Even if most are weak, the marquis himself…”
“Indeed, he is undoubtedly a vampire marquis. He likely stands apart from other vampires. It would be difficult for anyone but me to capture him. We must definitely apprehend him.”
“It seems he hasn't appeared on the front line yet.”
“Hm…”
Graham tilted his head slightly.
At that moment, something happened on the royal army's side.
A group of vampires attacked the knight order and broke through their defenses.
Clang.
“You're younger than I expected.”
A vampire that had sliced through the knight order murmured.
“The Pope isn’t here, huh?”
Abel, who had deflected the attack with his sword, replied.
“You are not the Pope? I thought you would be in the most heavily guarded place…”
“Ah, as you can see, I'm not the Pope, Marquis Shionka.”
Abel answered with a smile.
“Despite knowing my name, you maintain your composure. Even if you aren't the Pope, who are you?”
“My name is Abel. As for you, I only know your name, Marquis Shionka Dinu Lesco.”
“Where is the Pope?”
“Who knows? Given his nature, he’s probably on the front lines.”
“Don’t lie, I’ve never heard of a Pope fighting on the front line.”
“Even if you say that.”
Abel shrugged.
“The fact that you were heavily guarded means you must also be an important person, right?”
“And if I am?”
“If I turn you into a blood sacrifice, the Pope will surely come here.”
“You would attack me for such a reason?”
Though his expression was one of dissatisfaction, Abel smiled wryly.
While they conversed, he observed the knights that Marquis Shionka had cut down.
There were no instant death casualties.
“Your majesty!”
“Scotty, have the injured drink potions. This marquis seems to want to fight me.”
“Your majesty?”
Abel issued the command, and Marquis Shionka Dinu Lesco looked puzzled.
“Indeed, I am the king of the Naitorei Kingdom.”
“The Naitorei Kingdom? That name is unfamiliar to me.”
“I see, that’s unfortunate. Regardless, I am the king, marquis.”
“A human king is overwhelmingly inferior to a vampire marquis.”
“Is that so? I think it’s not wise to make arbitrary rankings.”
With a condescending expression, Dinu Lesco shook his head slightly.
“You are nothing more than someone I can bury with a single blow of my magic.”
“What? I thought you were confident with your sword since you attacked me with it, but I see that’s not the case. Well, magic is fine too. I wouldn’t be pleased to defeat someone wielding a weapon they are not skilled at. That’s the pride of a human king.”