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Continuous defeats and frustrations, failures close to humiliation.

Dracula diagnosed his situation in that way. His standing among the Demon King’s Army wasn’t particularly significant considering his glorious victory in the independent power struggles.

Dracula had fiercely competed for power with the native vampires since he crossed over into this world about 120 years ago. That struggle was the most intense after the bloodshed he had faced as a lord of the Sekai tribe, even outdoing his encounters with the Van Helsing group.

Having been one of those ‘lucky stones’, Dracula quickly increased the number of his followers, subjugating the local vampires, and even crushing the tribal confederation formed to resist him, securing his position as an undeniable vampire lord.

In stark contrast to the succubi, who, with their weak combat power, had to submit all their guts and liver to the Demon King, even the Beast King found it difficult to interfere beyond a certain level in the jurisdiction of the vampire lord.

Though infamous for having killed her own father, the Demon King seemed cold-hearted, yet very few who truly knew her recognized that she was inexplicably yielding to her bloodline.

For the mid-level officers in the lower echelons of the Demon King’s Army, it was hard for them to grasp that the Demon King was particularly harsh on the Succubus Queen for her mistakes and failures as part of a calculated strategy to prevent gossip from circulating about her.

If she wished, the Demon King could have permanently sidelined her mother and run the succubus organization directly under her command. The attempts to grant her mother a degree of independence as a ‘vassal lord’ were likely not solely for political benefits.

Dracula wasn’t a direct descendant of the Demon King; he was somewhat like a nephew to Count Dracula in vampire clan hierarchy.

As such, the Demon King displayed a softer side toward Dracula’s independent actions compared to how she dealt with other mid-level commanders in the Demon King’s Army. Dracula felt no need to further enhance his position within the Demon King’s Army.

On the continent, there were few beings with a more stable political standing than the vampire lord. Yet, utilizing that standing to neglect contributions to the defense of the Demon King’s Territory while focusing solely on the southern campaign had resulted in nothing but petty skirmishes without any significant gains or achievements.

Now, it was not a matter of actual profits but rather a question of pride. Even though Dracula had achieved the swiftest and most glorious victory among the living Earthlings who had crossed into this world, the Moriarty clan’s takeover of the Demon King’s Army and the rise of Van Helsing to a high-ranking position felt like stagnation instead.

And now, one of the most powerful beings on the continent was moving with complete focus towards his utter destruction. For Dracula, every situation looked precarious. Although he enjoyed acting independently more than anyone else in the Demon King’s Army, he had to acknowledge that he could not indulge in the Demon King’s grace right now.

“Dracula.”

The voice of his lord reached the ears of the vampire lord, who was quietly glancing around in the middle of the road. Count Dracula quickly turned his back, accepting his lord’s decree, and knelt on one knee before the Demon King who had descended.

“Great King.”

“Rise. You didn’t accept my decree just to receive some pleasantry.”

The Demon King looked down at Dracula and replied in a chilly voice. The vampire lord rose obediently and stood with bowed head before the Demon King.

Dracula asked the Demon King cautiously, “If that’s the case, Your Majesty, does that mean…”

“I’ve come prepared, so put your worries aside. I’m not so petty as to refuse a subordinate’s request outright but then dismiss them later.”

Dracula trembled with anticipation at the Demon King’s words. The Demon King thrust a large piece of meat towards Dracula. With a face full of joy, Dracula received the dripping flesh with both hands.

Dracula bowed deeply towards the Demon King and exclaimed, “Thank you for your favor, Your Majesty! I’ve never seen such proper game meat before, but this… this looks like it could reveal its identity just by looking at it.”

“It’s properly cut breast meat from Etrias. If the Dragon Lord finds out, he’ll surely be enraged.”

The Demon King spoke with an oddly self-satisfied expression. Dracula looked back and forth between the piece of meat and the Demon King, then raised the game meat slightly toward her.

“Since you belong to the bloodline of the vampire, just like me, if you taste the dragon’s blood…”

“Tasting dragon’s blood might be blissful, but it dulls the brain and makes one aggressive. You may not understand, but my position requires calmness and composure more than strength.”

The Demon King firmly rejected Dracula’s suggestion.

“Vampire lord, I understand why you’d want that, but for our clan, that is both a weapon and poison. It would be wise to be cautious.”

“Thank you for your counsel, Your Majesty. However, after using this, I assure you will not be disappointed.”

“That better be the case.”

After saying this, the Demon King turned as if she had nothing more to say to the vampire lord. A myriad of complex emotions flickered across her face as she walked away from Dracula. It appeared as though she was undergoing some inner conflict regarding her own decisions.

However, before Dracula could catch on to the strange expression on her face, the Demon King swiftly unfurled her wings and soared into the sky, disappearing from sight.

Once the Demon King was out of view, Dracula, king of the vampires, could no longer contain himself and began ravenously devouring the piece of dragon meat in his hands.

Blood dripped from both of his hands, but the amount that entered his mouth far exceeded the blood he had spilled on the ground.

Dark clouds gathered in the sky. Bats thick enough to cover the clouds swooped in, and a streak of black lightning struck down toward the ground.

The dark lightning was so vast and thick that it could be seen even through the high castle windows occupied by Count Harker. Van Helsing, who had been watching the lightning with a troubled expression, called his captain over and quietly gave instructions.

“Raise the Alliance flag. Inform them to assemble at least one legion of the Southern Alliance forces at my territory.”

“Which lords shall I contact?”

The captain asked. He too had sensed that something ominous was unfolding as he watched the ominous lightning from outside. Count Harker glanced at the lightning for a moment and replied in a quiet voice.

“Koesernis won’t have enough manpower to divide, so don’t send him a letter. The chances of the message being intercepted are high if it goes west, so don’t ask Jeffrey for troops either. Send a summons ordering my vassal lords to gather over 3,000 soldiers from the 50 or so under my command. They will understand my intent.”

“Understood. I will send out the order to the Southern Region right away.”

While there certainly were territories in Harker Count Territory that could relay signals via beacon, the thick dark clouds of Dracula made proper communication too difficult.

Something odd was happening. The Imperial army couldn’t intervene as they were advancing north, and the Bejeongjae was stuck in its nest, unable to move freely.

Now was the time to activate the strength of the Alliance and prepare for a proper battle. It was when Van Helsing and Dracula would have to clash in their new battle.

The alliance flag hung beside the crucifix banner on top of Count Harker’s castle.

The Count’s blue flag also transformed into the Alliance’s banner, and a battalion gathered before the Count, wielding both the blue cross flag and the sky-blue laurel flag simultaneously.

Count Harker, donned in a splendid black uniform, mounted his white horse and stood in front of the soldiers. The Count drew his sword and shouted.

“Soldiers of Harker Count Territory, precious military forces, and the finest elite power of the Southern Alliance! Do you see the lightning striking over there? Can you see the dark clouds filling the sky even though it is not yet dusk? Do you understand its meaning?”

The soldiers remained silent. The Count gazed down at each soldier and continued.

“In the past ten years, we have sent countless friends, companions, and family members northward. The soldiers gathered here have chosen to remain close to their families in their homeland with weapons in hand instead of heading north to face the enemy. They are preparing to confront the claws of the Demon King’s Army, which can come at any moment. Am I wrong?”

“Your words are true, Count!”

The soldiers replied. The Count nodded with a satisfied expression.

“Have you not heard such a tale in the meantime? In contrast to the incessant battles in the north, has anyone among you been tormented by rumors of being non-military while enjoying ten years of peace here in the south? Have not those who have joined the Northern Expedition, only to be called true patriots, left the other soldiers been called cowardly drafts dodgers?”

“That is what they say!”

Indeed, soldiers who had served as commoners for a long time and had faced such rumors shouted in protest. While they deserved it if they were in a completely isolated region, the soldiers under Harker, who were quite close to the Imperial Directly Governed Territory and had heard plenty of rumors from merchants going back and forth, were quite familiar with the contents of the accusations made by the Count.

“Then it is time to prove that this is not true. It is time to show that you haven’t merely wielded your sword to rest or stay at home, but that you have been quietly waiting to resist the great conspiracy of the enemy that holds the Empire by the tail and must strike while it’s time. Answer me! Are you pleased to have been granted this opportunity, or do you fear it?”

“I am pleased!”

“Is it not a glorious thing to have the chance to slay an enemy with your weapons, or is it a pitiful matter?”

“It is an unparalleled honor!”

With enthusiasm, the soldiers shouted back.

“Good! Form ranks! I, Arthur Harker, the lord of Harker Count Territory, a member of the 24 senators of the Imperial Assembly, and the supreme commander of the Southern Alliance forces, command my army to finally step out of the borders of the territory! Move eastward and join forces with the alliance to turn the demons that threaten our land into a pile of ashes!”

With the Count’s cry, the entire battalion responded with fervent enthusiasm. Harker took the lead and commanded his soldiers as they moved out of the territory. The townsfolk waved their sleeves and handkerchiefs at the departing soldiers.

The band played wind instruments, and in response to the military’s cries, the people answered with tears and cheers. At the forefront of the military, Count Harker waved his hand with a smiling face toward the crowd while secretly clutching the crucifix necklace hanging from his chest and mumbling to himself when no one was watching.

“My Lord, if you are watching over me from another world, grant me the strength to tie up the work I have begun.”

The first murmuring was a prayer to the deity he had believed in from another world.

“You, who allowed me to live as a human, who made it possible for me to live passionately. Though the deceased cannot watch over me, it seems the time has come to conquer my old rival.”

The second murmuring was a monologue directed at his deceased wife.

“Jenis, if the voice of your father could reach through this necklace, go and assist Baron Harriet. Our family’s worst rival is heading that way, and if the Grand Mage’s strength is insufficient, you are the only one who can help.”

The final murmuring was a call to his daughter.

It had been many years since the connection between the two silver crosses had been practically tested. This function had not been used for a long time and was originally unstable, so Van Helsing was not overly confident it would actually succeed.

However, the response came much quicker than expected.

“Yes, Father.”

The voice of the young Great Sage echoed from the crucifix necklace.

“If that is your command, then.”

 

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