“Are you worried about your brother?” Yulis asked with a soft smile.

Winley quietly nodded, then offered a bitter and firm answer. “Big Brother always overdid himself, even in the past. I know that he has gained a lot of power and that I don’t have to worry about him anymore, but… I still can’t help but be worried about him.”

Still smiling gently, Yulis said, “Sir Davey does have unimaginable power, but the truth is that it will probably be difficult for him to win against a huge army of thirty thousand.”

Individuals weren’t almighty; the power in numbers was so strong that even dragons that could alter mountain ranges with one breath would fall if people gathered for a joint attack. What would happen if a light nudge wasn’t from one person, but dozens, hundreds, thousands, or millions of people? Even that light nudge could become a powerful assault. As such, Yulis could understand Winley’s concerns.

“I’m sorry. Unless there isn’t a request from the kingdom, we cannot intervene in internal wars.”

“But if they aren’t human…”

“The Red Tower is probably discussing that right now. It definitely won’t be pretty if the vampires gain more power. But the scheme Duke Bariatta has planned is quite meticulous, so…”

Each group held a promise with one another, one that served as a shackle but also as a way to preserve their own individual freedom. Although the youngest, Yulis was one of the Red Tower’s elders.

“If there is a reason that will allow them to help, they will do it right away. But it might be good to trust in Davey. He wouldn’t have done something like this without a plan,” Yulis said. He knew that if the two sides had similar numbers, Davey’s side would win.

Neither Yulis nor Winley knew what Davey had done in the Pandora region and what he had gained there.

* * *

“Lady Winley. Instead of being like this, why don't we go on a walk? Sir Davey would be upset when he gets back to find out you’ve spent all this time worrying about him.”

“Do you think so…?” Winley stood up and stepped away from the window with drooping shoulders.

That was when…

Shatter!!! A part of the window of the peaceful seigneur’s palace shattered. In the blink of an eye, something flew right in and aimed for Winley.

[Praise! Lead! I am here!]

Clang!!!! A defense magic spell surrounded Winley to protect her. Then, Yulis pulled Winley into his arms as soon as the impact was absorbed. He stepped back with her.

“Who is it?!” Yulis shouted.

Winley stared at the shattered window in confusion, like she didn’t understand what was going on. It was unsurprising that the attack had surprised her, but the person who did it was also nowhere to be seen.

Yulis looked around on alert before frowning. It was strange, but he couldn’t feel a presence.

“Smirk. Over here.”

That was when a pale hand appeared in front of Yulis, who reflexively tightened his arms around Winley to protect her.

Whoosh… At the same time, the pale hand with sharp fingernails summoned a blue fire in its palms and created a huge flame before Yulis could even react.

Boom!!! Yulis was taken aback by the flame’s destructive power. He failed to react and was engulfed in the flame.

‘N… No!’

Yulis released his mana to at least protect Winley in any way he could, but it was too late.

‘This wouldn’t have happened if I entered the 6th circle.’

Slice! However, what Yulis heard next was not the sound of burning skin; he didn’t even feel a hot, burning sensation.

“Keugh?!”

Instead, all Yulis could hear was the attacker’s painful groaning.

“This is Belross. I have found an insect who dared to enter the rescuer’s territory. Let’s begin the mission given by the almighty His Majesty.”

Hearing an old man’s voice, Winley and Yulis stared wide-eyed at the large old man standing in front of them. He held a longsword that shone with a blue sheen. Yulis knew exactly who this man was because he had been all over the continent. He murmured, “Swordmaster… Sir Belross...”

Sir Belross was one of the strongest Swordmasters in the Lyndis Empire. In terms of mastery, he was one of the most advanced Swordmasters in the entire continent.

“I’m sorry that I’m late. I must’ve let my guard down after seeing how lively the territory was. Haha, to be this relaxed during a mission to protect a rescuer’s territory…” Even though he was chuckling, Sir Belross wielded his sword.

Clang!!

At the same time, another man appeared out of nowhere. He charged in and slashed the strange intruder in harmony with Belross.

“We’re late, sir. We have spotted activity in other places, and they have started to fight.”

Marquis Hashan, another Swordmaster of the Lyndis Empire, had been a Swordmaster for a long time. Although he hadn’t been a Swordmaster for as long as Sir Belross had, he had served in war before.

Yulis couldn’t help but stare out into space. He was confused as to why these men were here.

* * *

“See, am I wrong?”

At Davey’s provocation, Pace’s expression turned terrifying.

‘They probably have a network of their own. It seems like Pace just heard about the territory.’

All Davey could say was that this was perfect timing.

“How…dare an insect.” Infuriated, Pace glared at Davey with bloodshot eyes.

Pace was much easier to tick off than Davey had thought. For vampires like him…

‘His weakness is that, although he is strong, he gets angry easily because of his needlessly strong sense of pride.’

“I wonder how you feel being played by an insect when you’re so high and mighty. It seems like you outdid yourself and worked on your power of immortality, but did you also iron out the crevices in your brain while you were at it? I guess mosquitoes can’t do any better.”

“You!! My brain is fine! How dare you call the highly nobility ‘mosquitoes’?!”

“Nobility? Just damn mosquitoes!”

“You!!”

‘Ahahahaha!!’

Boom! Pace was furious, while Marquis Enza simply frowned at the confusing situation. Their intense attacks began.

Marquis Enza was strong, but Pace was even stronger. The truth was that Davey couldn’t have chosen a tactic as stupid as this if it was before his semi-metamorphing. Thankfully, the situation was different now.

Crack!

“Keugh?!”

‘Hit Marquis Enza’s elbow as he charges in with [Aura Blade] and hit his bone. Then, grab him and use him as your shield for Pace’s attack!’

[There are too many attacks because there are too many enemies?]

[Remember, it’s all in your mindset! Having a lot of opponents means that there are more meat barriers for you to use! If your opponent swings their weapon, use someone near you as a shield and attack!]

Davey was doing exactly what Astrea, the King of Conquests and expert in battle, had told him.

“Keuhk!”

“Don’t bother me! You lowly human! I have a mind to kill you first!”

“Damn you…” Marquis Enza, who was able to stay alive by relying on his instincts, angrily said. He tried to catch his breath.

The battle went on, and Pace and Marquis Enza were still just being played by Davey. Their synergy was destroyed by Davey, who used them as interchangeable shields depending on the situation and charged in. What Davey lacked had been physical abilities and mana; in terms of experience, it didn’t matter how many enemies were there. And now, since his physical abilities were able to support his power…

‘How can you fight against me?’

“I will rip you apart right here!”

[Devil Ylgr’s Front Kick]

[Kick in the Shin]

Crack!! Pace flinched greatly when Davey’s feet, which flew fast enough to leave marks on the ground, kicked him in the shin.

‘Nothing is better at subduing opponents than this.’

Afterward, Red Ribbon, which was floating in the air, pierced Pace’s shoulder, and Blue Ribbon slashed him forcefully.

‘Hm…’

Crash!! Pace’s flow completely disappeared once Davey punched him in the stomach. He tumbled down to the ground and right into Marquis Enza. Both men were trampled to the ground far away from Davey.

“Keuhuk… N… No way…”

Perhaps they now realized that they were being played by Davey. Marquis Enza glared at Davey like he didn’t understand this situation. He was surprised that Davey had power in the first place, but he couldn’t understand the amount of power, experience, and depth of the young man’s abilities. On the other hand, Pace’s frown deepened like he was shocked at the fact that his powers weren’t working.

‘It’s cool how his frown gets deeper just when I thought it couldn’t deepen anymore.’

Whoosh…

Looking at the two twin swords floating in the air like they were teasing each other, Marquis Enza said, “[Telekinetic Blade Control]…”

Marquis Enza thought that he was mistaken, but he couldn’t even deny it now. He muttered in shock, “Prince Davey… How did you reach the transcendental level…?”

“It’s obvious. I’ve had a sword in my hand for much longer than you.”

“Nonsense!”

‘It’s true. Why won’t he believe me?’

Like he had lost the will to fight as soon as he saw Red Ribbon and Blue Ribbon move freely in the air, Marquis Enza backed away slowly.

On the other hand, Pace turned his glance over to Marquis Enza as he huffed, angry at the fact that Davey’s level of power was much more superior to his. He declared, “All right, insect. It’s not something I should show something like you, but I will show you the true power and terror of a noble.”

Then, Pace stood up.

Shing!

“What?! Keugh!!”

Then, Pace moved behind Marquis Enza, who was backing away in bewilderment, and dug in his sharp, hard teeth.

“Damn, my eyes.”

‘Damn it.’

Davey, who was watching silently, covered his eyes with one hand.

-Horrifying…

To vampires, drinking blood was a choice. Still, it wasn’t a pretty sight to witness.

“Keugh… Squeak…” Marquis Enza, who flailed around in surprise, was slowly being drained out by Pace’s sudden attack.

A Swordmaster’s life was disappearing, but everyone here was as strong as Swordmasters; it was actually safe to say that Marquis Enza was the weakest one here.

Whoosh…

When vampires sucked blood, the victims were being drained of their blood and life energy. As such, Pace began absorbing the mana that flowed out of Marquis Enza, who soon collapsed onto the ground with clumps of hair falling out. He was nothing but bones, no longer looking like the muscular old man he was before.

“Huff… Puff… It tastes terrible, but the power is amazing.” Pace wiped his mouth in satisfaction and smiled terrifyingly. “You will regret not stopping me from sucking blood. Ha… Haha… Hahahaha…”

A strange and ominous red energy began flowing out of Pace, who laughed eerily. At the same time, his body began distorting and changing little by little; he was changing into the natural form that awakened high-ranking vampires could transform into. Large bat wings emerged from his back, his face got bigger, and his power of blood intensified. So…

“He’s transforming right in front of his opponent, right?”

-I… It seems that way.

‘As Mencius once said, “The best time to strike is when the enemy is transforming.” It’s respectful to wait? Why should I?’

Boom!!! Davey attacked without hesitation and threw Pace into the ground. As soon as he did, Red Ribbon pierced the enemy to the ground with Blue Ribbon and held him in place. Davey was erasing Pace’s power of immortality, but it kept respawning from somewhere. However…

‘Being immortal doesn’t mean you can’t feel pain.’

Davey couldn’t hold in his laughter.

“Keugh?! What is this?!”

“Did you think I’d wait for you to transform?”