Chapter 277
Chapter 277. Racing Through the Darkness
Three dark clouds of mist took flight from Evaroti City.
They crossed over the city walls, landed on the plains, transformed into human forms, and charged forward with a strong momentum.
With dresses and capes fluttering, they danced through the air—then turned to mist again.
Like a whirlwind, they raced through the sky; when their speed diminished, they would take human form once more, kicking off the ground to accelerate again.
Blending into the night, it was as if a swarm of bats was flying. The vampire species’ characteristic high-speed movement—
“Ah, Manticore. What terrible timing, isn’t it?”
Spoke Baron Arv, a thin gentleman with a mustache like wire, as he kicked the ground and groaned.
“If only we were just a few days later, we might have had a few men hiding in Ryan Village…”
He sighed as he twirled a golden cane. Dragged along by Yavka, he was currently traveling while being informed of the details.
“Now, is that so, my dear Baron?”
Another vampire, Baron Mavil, plump in shape, spoke in a teasingly mocking tone.
“We, among the higher ranks, wouldn’t want to go to some backwater village, right? It’s always the weaker younglings that get sent for such things, and a Manticore would be beyond their capabilities.”
Baron Mavil, with a classic pear-shaped body, whose clothes were tight due to his protruding belly and rosy cheeks that belied the vampire lineage, had astounding acceleration and spent the most time gliding among the three.
Even while moving, he seemed to be lowering his pace to accommodate Yavka and Baron Arv. His air of confidence and magical power rivaling Yavka’s hinted at his strength.
“Indeed, it may have been tough for those who can’t even reach the level of knights,” Yavka remarked while soaring through the air with a grim face.
“Still, we should have been able to avoid being made into rotten puppets…!”
“It can’t be helped.”
“Let’s just chalk it up to ‘bad timing.’”
Baron Arv and Baron Mavil spoke words of comfort or mere consolation to Yavka, who was gnashing her teeth.
“Besides, if we can minimize the damage from here, there might be rewards from the prince!”
Wiping his mouth, Arv continued.
“Exactly. That exquisite taste once more!!”
Baron Mavil’s round face bore a blissful grin.
Both knew the taste of Zilbagias’ blood. They were also pitiful victims, entranced by that ultimate flavor.
“…I hope we make it in time.”
However, Yavka was not as optimistic as the two and stared at the progression ahead with a serious expression.
At this moment, the best outcome for Yavka was to repel or defeat the Manticore in Ryan Village before the soldier squad arrived.
After all, there would likely be very few survivors. It was best to eliminate the threat without alerting the soldiers to the presence of vampires, avoiding unnecessary deaths.
But even at their high speed, following the footprints, the scent of sweat, and the body odor of beastmen, the soldier squad was still nowhere in sight.
—No.
“I see it…”
Arv tightened his lips.
At the edge of their vision lay Ryan Village. Under the moonlight, houses were engulfed in flames, shining brightly. In the distance, the roar of beasts echoed. If one listened closely, the sound of battle cries could be heard.
“One step too late…”
Baron Mavil’s face darkened as well.
The soldier squad had already arrived and was engaged in combat!
“Why weren’t we informed sooner…?!”
As she wondered why she hadn’t been told, Yavka felt frustrated by the idiocy of it all. This was just as that rotten puppet had intended. They must have been delayed until the last moment to ensure Yavka and the others couldn’t reach the soldiers first…!
(Damn it!! How infuriating!!)
She managed to swallow the frustration before her subordinates but wanted to shout a curse into the night sky.
Since it was pointless to watch from a distance, they closed the distance to the village. Crossing a simple moat and earthen walls, they encountered—
“[Holy Light, come to my hand]!”
—An astonishing scene unfolded.
In the center of the village square, human soldiers stood in orderly ranks, shields raised, enveloped in silver light.
“GROAAARRR—!!”
Before them stood the horrifying roar of a Manticore, its claws raised. With such a massive body, it would be devastating to be hit by its charge, yet…
“Hold firm—!! [Gods of Light, protect us!]”
“[Protect us!!]”
A blinding silver flash burst, and the wall of shields absorbed the Manticore’s claws. The shields crumpled, and earsplitting screams could be heard, yet the formation—
did not break. They were holding strong…!
“What is…?!”
“Holy attribute…!!”
Arv and Mavil’s faces twisted in shock as they recoiled dramatically. That dangerous glow was— the vampire species’ natural enemy!
Yavka’s eyes widened too, but she noticed a figure in the back ranks, cloaked in a robe, holding a sword.
“[Let there be light!]”
With a blazing sound, an arrow of light struck the Manticore’s face.
“It’s a priest…”
Though distant, she recognized that face. It was definitely Mycin, one of the monitored individuals from the Autonomous District. A survivor of the Holy Church.
Everything clicked into place. The soldier squad made a bold decision to launch an assault because they expected support from the priests this time.
“Princess, what shall we do?”
As he twirled his cane, Baron Arv inquired.
“Well…”
Against a crowd of weak humans and beastmen, lacking any magical support, they would undoubtedly be crushed; however—looking at it now, they seemed to be holding their own unexpectedly.
The shield bearers, blessed, drew the Manticore’s attention while the beastmen, reinforced by the priests, launched strikes from all directions. It was a strategy straight from an allied army’s textbook.
If that’s the case, could they bring down the Manticore…? Then, there wouldn’t be a need for them to reveal themselves…
“GOGAAAAAAH!”
But the Manticore roared in irritation, dispelling those sweet thoughts.
It spun violently, sweeping away the crumbling houses. Several beastmen were blown away by the flying debris, and the ranks of humans were showered with rubble.
“GYAAAA!”
“Damn it!”
“Don’t falter!”
Despite their resolve, the formation was shaken again, as the Manticore charged once more. Not a swipe with its claws, but a crushing blow with its body. Just barely, everyone was holding their shields up desperately, but the holy light was rapidly fading—the endurance of the blessed humans was admirable, yet they lacked a decisive blow against magical beasts.
“………”
Yavka exchanged glances with the others. “It’s looking dire at this rate,” all their eyes conveyed the unspoken thought.
“—It’s been several months since the Autonomous District started operation.”
With a tone that hinted at resignation, Yavka spoke.
“Thanks to the prince’s generosity and our self-control, not a single person has died from bloodsucking. If we can repay this favor here, the district’s citizens won’t be able to outright reject our presence.”
Yavka, who had been hiding on a rooftop, now stood up. The heat wave from the fires billowed her dress—
To be honest, she didn’t want to get anywhere near those who radiated holy attributes and could turn them to ash.
“—Let’s go, both of you. We will provide assistance!”
“Understood.”
“Then, I shall take my leave first!”
Before anyone could stop him, Baron Mavil darted out at lightning speed.
“HYOOOOO—!!”
Crying out, he jiggled his belly as he leaped, delivering a dual kick squarely to the Manticore’s face.
“GROOAW?!”
With an enormous impact, the Manticore was struck on the side of its face, letting out a shocked cry.
Then came Baron Arv. Dark blood gushed from his entire body, wrapping around his cane—and forming a blood sword taller than him by using the cane as a hilt.
“Do you like to dance?”
Twisting mid-air, Baron Arv delivered a graceful slash to the wings on the Manticore’s back. One wing was severed in a single blow, and the Manticore writhed in pain, its movements resembling a grotesque dance.
“Who’s there?!”
“What in the world…?!”
Confusion reigned among the soldiers as they witnessed the sudden intruders and the Manticore’s mournful cries of agony.
But the assault was not finished.
With her dress billowing, Yavka—
Flashed her right hand towards the exposed midsection of the Manticore.
The blood-red claws at her fingertips sank deep into the Manticore’s abdomen. A ripping sound echoed as five crimson lines tore through its lion-like body.
“GROOOAAAR!”
Blood sprayed out, staining Yavka completely red. Though her luxurious dress was sullied with blood, she seemed unconcerned.
This was no surprise; the blood splattered over her began to writhe, gathering of its own accord toward her right hand.
The Manticore’s blood twisted and sharpened—
Shaping itself into a slender sword in her hand.
Yavka licked the blade with her tongue.
“Quite nice, indeed.”
A smile blossomed on her lips. Sharp fangs peeked through her red lips.
“Vampire…?!”
In the back of the ranks, Priest Mycin muttered in shock—
“AAAAAH?!”
A throaty shout echoed.
At the center of the formation, a silver-haired man’s eyes widened in disbelief.
“You! The spirit of the fine wine that came to me in my dreams!!”
The man—Tafuman pointed accusingly, and in his fervor, shards of silver light scattered everywhere.
Some of them rained down upon Yavka.
SIZZLE.
“HEATTT—What are you doing to me?!”
Yavka’s eyes widened in fury as she shouted.
“GRRROOOOOAAARR—!!”
Just then, the enraged claws of the Manticore came crashing down.
