Published: July 8, 2025
Second Mining Site of Iron Ore.
“It’s time,”
Marie, Fiona's head maid and aide, announced.
In response, Fiona raised her right hand and swiftly brought it down.
The signal was conveyed, and from their hidden positions, they all leaped out silently.
They were members of Fiona's army from the Duchy of Rubine.
Originally, they were part of the imperial mage brigade led by Fiona and Oscar. When Helmut became emperor and disbanded the imperial mage brigade as part of military reforms, they became employed by the newly established Duchy of Rubine set up by Fiona.
For both Fiona and Oscar, they were indeed their loyal subordinates.
They were individuals who had been rigorously trained and were among the most trusted subordinates in the Empire.
When they were able to welcome them back, both Fiona and Oscar reportedly embraced each other in joy...
The abilities of these subordinates were something the two knew best.
However, neither they nor their subordinates knew the powers of the vampires and Strigoi.
Under the reign of Emperor Rupert the Sixth, there are no records of the Imperial Army clashing with vampires.
“Those who do not know the enemy's strength... what will we do if we encounter them?”
“We trained on that during the brigade days.”
“Yes. Mainly, we assumed encounters with the kingdom’s water attribute mages.”
“... Ah.”
As Fiona half-laughed while speaking, Oscar frowned clearly even in the darkness.
Yes, when facing the infamous ‘Duke Rondo’ on the battlefield... they must never engage directly.
Sometimes, it was acceptable to flee.
They had even practiced how to escape.
Even if it looked awkward.
The top priority was to stay alive.
The training for confronting such formidable enemies would come into play in this scenario.
“Honestly, I don’t know how strong Strigoi are, but vampires can’t be weak.”
“That’s true. I believe there are four barons and...”
“One viscount. I’ll handle that one.”
Oscar stated in a tone that left no room for rebuttal.
Of course, the head of the Duchy of Rubine is Fiona.
She is the daughter of the former emperor Rupert and established the Duchy of Rubine.
Oscar himself holds the title of earl, but it is ultimately Fiona's allocation.
However, in matters of combat, Fiona respects Oscar's words.
Unless it’s something she absolutely cannot concede, she even follows Oscar’s commands.
That’s how much she trusts him.
And Oscar understands that, so he doesn’t say or demand unreasonable things.
They want to maintain a relationship where they can mutually respect each other... that seems to be the case.
“Then, I’ll take care of the four barons.”
“... Isn’t that a bit too greedy?”
“Since I’m conceding the viscount to you, isn’t it fine to take on four barons?”
“Y-Yeah.”
Fiona asserted with a smile, and Oscar accepted.
In the end, Oscar couldn’t win against Fiona’s insistence...
Behind the two, Marie was secretly shaking her head.
“They’ve arrived!”
Marie pointed out.
One vampire was lured out by the charging army of the Duchy of Rubine.
Measuring the strength of the opponent, it understood it was outmatched and refrained from a frontal assault, instead drawing it out before Fiona and Oscar.
A perfect job.
“[Piercing Fire]”
Four thin needles of flame were shot from Fiona’s hand, piercing the legs of the lured vampire.
As the vampire tumbled, further...
“[Fire Arrow]”
The four split flame arrows descended from the sky, pinning the vampire’s arms and legs to the ground.
The moment it was pinned down, Fiona had already caught the vampire within her range.
With the vampire face down on the ground, she swiftly decapitated its head and simultaneously pierced its heart.
In the next moment, the vampire vanished.
“Impressive.”
“It was thanks to my master’s guidance.”
Oscar praised, to which Fiona smiled, asserting it was Oscar’s excellent instruction.
“To eliminate a vampire, I heard you need to decapitate it with a sanctified sword and pierce its heart... but Raven works as well, right?”