After dropping the Baron at the city gate, from where he took a carriage and left, the rest of us reached the inn. Sir Carlos led us to his room.

In the meantime, Sir Lucas went to the inn owner to ask for a whiteboard or blackboard if they had any. Soon, the three of us from Romer sat, facing the fake Baroness of Lockdarn, as she stood beside a blackboard.

“This,” tapping a chalk against the board a few many times, she stopped and faced us. She tapped a finger on the name she had just written. “About two months ago, the Obsidian Vampires and the Moon Wolf Tribe clashed against one another. They faced massive losses from both sides. However, the wolf tribe faced greater loss—for their Matriarch is now at death's door as we speak.”

She continued, circling the ‘Vampiric Father' on the board. Slowly, she said, “On the other hand, the Patriarch of the Obsidian Vampires… the Vampiric Father… also received lethal damage. However, I believe someone like him would heal it off, unlike the Matriarch. He's a Vampire, after all. One of the best, if not the best, out there.

“The Vampiric Father…?” Sir Lucas trembled on his spot.

Even Sir Carlos looked pale, “Beware the shadow with eyes of red, He'll drink your soul while you're in bed. His icy breath will still your heart, And from this world, you'll soon depart…” he looked at Amelia. “You mean that vampire from our childhood stories?”

“Yes, that one,” Amelia nodded, sending a chill down the knights’ spines.

Vampiric Father was like a myth, a legend, rather than a real thing to normal people's minds. His stories were told around the continent, and even beyond, for his origin is out of this continent, and they're spread around as stories to scare children.

“...A-A Vampire’s regeneration power is out of this world, indeed. If it's true, he might have healed…” Sir Lucas nodded, looking worried.

From his expression, he must be thinking that—if even a fraction of those stories are true, then we're done for.

If only he knew.

“Exactly. So there's a slim chance that he might have healed enough to come to the city himself. In which case, the situation would be hell incarnate. Since his only rival, the Wolf Matriarch, is not in a condition where she can fight. Anyone else would be like an ant before the feet of an elephant. In that scenario, it would most certainly be our loss, if not worse.” Professor Amelia explained with a grim expression.

“That would be rough…” Sir Carlos said with a worried frown.

Observing our expressions, she turned to the board and wrote another name. Tapping it, she added, “As victory is slim in this possibility, let's not ponder on it much. That brings us to the other possibility. If not the Patriarch, his son, titled the Vampiric Prince, would come here. He should be the acting Patriarch right now. If he comes, he likely would bring his three siblings and six of his children, nephew, and nieces along with him. In that scenario, there’s a chance that we’d win. It’d have been somewhat of an equal fight if the wolves were the only party defending the city, but you guys are also here. Especially since I am here,” she said, and in that moment her voice brimmed with such confidence that it made me blink.

Just how strong was she? Was she truly that confident?

We stared at her, as she crossed her arms and faced us. “So allow me to enlighten you about these ten vampires and their abilities. Any single detail might end up saving your life, so pay attention.” Then, she turned her back on her and began to write ten names, along with descriptions of their appearance and abilities. Even I didn’t know as much as she did, since the information about the Obsidian Vampires mostly focused on a few characters rather than all of them.

I began to take notes in my head.

Then, the sound of a powerful explosion deafened the air.

****

“Be quick,” Jacob Obsidian, the 9th child of the Obsidian Family's second generation, ordered the kids to not waste any further time.

When they nodded, he turned his head forward and kicked through shadows and branches. His other siblings were already far ahead, he had fallen behind since these kids were under his command.

The youngest generation of the Obsidian Family, his six nephews, and nieces, followed behind him the best they could. A stench of smelly blood, Dread Wolf blood, lingered on their body as they moved through the wind. They could have used blood arts to get rid of the disgusting smell, but they wanted it to linger. So that the real wolves would smell it and get enraged.

The group didn't want to waste time, but those dogs positioned in the forest kept howling at them. Those guard dogs of the Moon Wolf Tribe didn't want to let any Vampire pass. So in the end, the acting Patriarch ordered the kids to take care of them.

They were valuable experience points for these third-generation Low-leveled young vampires.

The youngest generation of Obsidian Vampires tore those wolves apart, limb by limb; Jacob stayed behind to watch them do it.

A minute later, Jacob caught up with his siblings. They had slowed down since the city walls were now visible, so it was easy. The kids followed behind him swiftly and quickly, and Munera noticed a hint of excitement in their eyes.

“You guys look excited,” the oldest among the second generation, Munera Obsidian, spoke to the kids when they regrouped.

Many of these six had lost their parents in the last clash against those damned wolves, so naturally they were excited. Jacob had a feeling that, if not for the coffin in their line of sight, the majestic dark box carried by the 3rd child on his back, they would have been anxious instead. But thanks to the presence of a Demi-God, they were rather elated to be on this mission.

“I just… I just want to see them scream, Aunty, they who killed my mother,” the oldest of the kids, the strongest too, replied to the 1st Princess, who smirked in response.

“If it's you, Rang’thar, you'll definitely see them do that under your feet. Make them cry, for what they did to your father,” she encouraged the new generation, and Rang’thar and his fellows nodded.

Rang'thar was 22 this year, and yet he had reached the 4th Ascension. It was impressive, Jacob had to admit. Back in the day, he himself hadn't grown this fast. It made sense why though, given the prophecies and legends.

The other kids weren't far off, either, they’ve all reached 3rd Ascension despite being younger than Rang'thar. A generation of monsters, he called them.

According to legends and prophecies, an era titled the [Greatest Generation] had begun. Not just for vampires, but all of the planet Vear'thia’s races.

Although about four decades ago, when Sikandar of Erebia was active, everyone wondered if the Greatest Generation had come early, but it was later confirmed that Sikandar was just a stupid exception. The true era had only started two decades ago.

That's why most of the 2nd generation Obsidian Vampires had conceived children at that time, having held back having children before that across centuries. So all of these kids were valuable, part of the Greatest Generation.

That's why their growth was intense, too.

“Let's quit the chit-chat, shall we?” The deep voice of the acting Patriarch of the Obsidian Vampires boomed, silencing everyone.

He was the younger brother of Munera, the 2nd child of the Father, and yet he was stronger than Munera herself. Due to his strength, she had no problem following his orders, and Jacob and the others were even more obliged.

“We've reached our destination,” he added, nudging a chin towards the city ahead.

All of them were standing atop a tall tree that towered over the city walls not far ahead. City lights made the interior alight, hinting that all in that little city was living life as usual. Lockdarn was a city brimming with life, despite its small size.

Sadly, that would all end tonight, this city would fall tonight for helping those disgusting and hairy Werewolves.

“Follow the plan,” the acting Patriarch said as he turned to look at all of them. His eyes lingered on the third generation at last. “Among you six, the strongest three come with me. The other three will rampage around the city. Destroy everything. Jacob, you're in charge of them.”

“Understood, Patriarch,” Jacob bowed.

“As for the rest of us,” he looked at his other two siblings. Munera Obsidian, the eldest, and Ravenor Obsidian, the 3rd child. “Stick with me. We'll destroy the heads of the wolves and then we'll scatter around the city and pummel it to the ground.”

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“Sure thing,” Munera agreed casually, while the unusually silent Ravenor just nodded. He usually had a lot to say, but with that coffin on his back, he didn't dare to blabber around.

“In that case,” the acting Patriarch, Val, began to float in the air. “I'll enter first. You guys follow.” He blinked, and his figure blasted toward the city at a speed beyond belief, bat-like wings popping out of his back. The sound barrier broke, and a swirl of Blood Mana formed above the city.

A moment later, the blood-red Mana fell, and part of the city exploded. Debris flew everywhere, dust rose, and a fire spread across.

“Talk about an entrance,” Jacob said. At the same time, three of the strongest third generation leaped forward, turning into bats that flew ahead. Jacob’s 3rd brother also moved, which left him, the three kids under him, and his eldest sister standing at the tree.

“Haah…”

Turning to his eldest sister who just sighed, he raised an eyebrow. “What's wrong, sister?”

“Nothing,” she shook her head. She was the eldest child of the Patriarch and older sister of the acting Patriarch, and her power was almost as strong. What could make her sigh so hard? “I am just a little sad that my little girl is not here. If she was, she could have earned some Levels too.”

If her daughter were here, she would have earned some easy experience points too—sadly, it's been years since she even saw that girl's face. Jacob let out a hearty laugh, “She's growing by herself, I'm sure.”

Actually, he wasn't sure. He had never seen her, just heard stories from his elder sister. That girl probably didn't even know she was a Vampire, until her 18th birthday last year, when Halflings usually awaken.

“Hopefully…” Munera wasn't that emotional of a person, she was quite ruthless. However, when it came to her family, she could be really gentle. “Oh well. I did plan to go meet her in a few more years after she'd enrolled in Waybound. I'll see how much she's grown then.”

“I'm sure you will,” Jacob nodded.

Her expression changed. A moment passed and she looked at the city grimly, “Anyhow. It's time we move. Lead the kids well, Jacob. I'll go see if that Ralian is still alive.”

In the city ahead, explosions rippled through the air as attacks clashed against one another. The war had begun, and they couldn't just waste their time standing here.

A moment later, Munera and Jacob flew forward in a burst of power, while the three kids followed him after transforming into bats.

****

The sound of the explosion startled all of us in the inn. We didn't even have to exchange glances as we ran to the nearby window. It was closed, and Sir Carlos slammed it open, it broke. The open window revealed a horrible sight.

It was as if a storm had struck the lively city of Lockdarn. A dance of red and orange was swirling in the air, there was fire everywhere.

People ran, while some cried buried under rubble. Some lay motionless, while some screamed in pain, caught in the fire. Everyone else fled.

An old man stumbled as he tried to run, and his young son quickly crouched down to help him rise. Then, a block of concrete wall fell and squashed them to death. Nobody could help them, it was as if a natural disaster had come. People, living breathing people, were dying all around the city.

Bloodshot red mana dissipated in the air, the remnants of a Skill. This, of course, was not actually a natural disaster.

A bat-winged fucker floated in the air, a smug smile plastered on his lips as he stared down at the destruction his Skill caused. It was as if a proud artist was observing his artwork—it was sickening to my eyes.

“Goddamned bastard!” Sir Carlos slammed the window frame, and cracks spread across the wall. He was as angry as I was, and he wasn't the only one.

Before we could charge at him, he vanished. If he had noticed us on the second floor of the inn, he hadn't bothered to look at us. His figure blurred towards the mansion. Our heart told us to follow him, but it'd be wiser to help the civilians instead.

Fortunately, a helping hand soon arrived. I had ordered my trainees earlier to come up and help the civilians if the need arose. They obliged, two dozen of them spreading around the city and helping anyone they could. The civilians fled out of the city through the city gate.

Unfortunately, my trainees weren't the only ones who arrived at the scene. Enemies appeared, pale-skinned fuckers with pointy ears.

“There are four of them this time,” we jumped through the window, one after another, as Professor Amelia spoke. She was looking at the air, where a dark-skinned man, who looked more African than tanned, led a group of three bats. Actual bats that transformed into humanoid forms, landing on rooftops, as she spoke.

“That must be Jacob,” Vice Captain Sir Lucas said. “The 9th child of the Vampiric Father.” It seemed Professor Amelia’s lesson, although interrupted, was helpful.

They were far in the air, and they weren't looking at us. Jacob waved his hand, and a building crashed upon a fleeing group. Even though he was the oldest among the four, he chuckled like a brat, a sound that the younger vampires shared. It was hard to tell their age as these were vampires who didn't age, but the three of them were probably the third generation, while he was from the second.

“They're like ants,” one of the young bastards said; my Demonic Sphere caught his words despite the distance.

Jacob agreed, “Elder brother’s attack served as a good start. We shouldn't let the flow slow down. Pick up the pace and start to annihilate them, one by one. I want them all dead.”

“Understood, uncle!” the kids nodded enthusiastically. Sick bastards.

“Watch me first,” he looked at a woman who was running. She had a child in her arms, no older than five. She looked panicked as she ran, and yet Jacob grinned at that. He raised a hand, “Let's start with that pair of cuties. Oh, I wonder how they'll scream.”

He did not waste a second after that. His hand slapped across the air, and a telekinetic force yanked a chunk of the inn we had just jumped out of. It fell towards the mother and child pair, and as it fell it changed shape and became a mini rock spear.

We quickly ran towards the pair, desperate to save them, catching the eyes of the vampire. Unfortunately, we were too slow, too far.

That goddamned bastard, I could only curse helplessly in my head. I was not soft-hearted, but I did not want to see a child die.

Despite the level hanging above his head, I wanted to punch him in the face hard. I wish I could see him crawl on the floor with a bloody face, but it was just wishful thinking at this point.

[Level 71]

He was beyond my league. Even those kids were on the 3rd Ascension.

[Level 33]

[Level 34]

[Level 37]

The wall closed on the pair, and the mother tightly hugged her child and crouched down. She muttered prayers under her breath, and it's as if the Gods truly listened.

“Fortunately everyone at the inn already escaped,” Professor Amelia let out a soft sigh.

Unlike the three of us, she looked calm. She looked up at the falling wall, and words slipped out of her lips so fast that I barely caught it.

“Dragon Tongue Magic—The River Stops,” she said, and the falling building paused in time. The ‘river’ did stop, saving both the mother and her child’s lives.

Dragon Tongue Magic.

There that was the ability to command the world itself through mere words. A form of reality manipulation, if you will.

“Dragon Tongue Magic,” she raised, raising a hand at the wall, and then pointing toward the shocked vampire. “Torrent of Meteorites.”

The spear made out of a morphed wall shattered into two dozen pieces. Each of them blasted toward the vampires with the lethality of a missile.

Jacob was in the air, while the younglings stood atop a roof. Jacob's wings allowed him to dodge somehow, but the younglings didn't have enough space to move or dodge. As they couldn't use their wings in human form unlike their uncle, they were stuck on their spots.

The comets slammed against their forms, and explosions filled the air. The young vampires were sent flying back. They fell from the roof, while Jacob shouted in worry.

“No, my precious—!”

It was too late. He could only hope that they weren't dead. Me and my two knights pulled out our swords. Mine had broken earlier, but I've fetched one from the backup armor we bought along from Romer.

Jacob growled and turned toward Professor Amelia, “Annoying woman, what's someone like you doing here?”

“You're talking as if you expect conversation from me, vermin,” Professor Amelia replied in a tone far colder than I had seen her use so far. She did not like this vampire bastard.

In the meantime, my knights and I ran to the woman and helped her escape. We looked at her back as she successfully ran out through the city gate. My heart felt light.

We turned our head back to the enemy, and then at Amelia who snapped her fingers. Her figure blurred to the air, she flew up and stood in front of the vampire. He looked startled.

“He's dead,” Sir Lucas said, certain of himself.

It was true. Professor Amelia looked far more intimidating than that Vampire over there. Her level was much higher too, since I couldn't even see what it was.

He looked nervous as he faced her. With a twist of his wrists, he brought out sharp claws, but in response, she just scoffed. She opened her lips to say something, but then her head snapped towards the direction of the mansion.

“Tsk,” she clicked her tongue a moment later, “What a lucky day for you, little bat. It seems I have bigger fish to take care of. But fear not, these boys here will play with you.”

“....?”

Then, she blasted toward the Baron's mansion.

...Hey, at least finish him first? I murmured in my head, but I could read the situation. She must have sensed something urgent in the Baron's castle to leave this bastard with us.

But this was troublesome. Maybe more trouble than what we could handle.

Although he wasn't 6th Ascension yet, being 4 levels below it, our strongest was Sir Carlos at Level 49. Could we really win?

“That slippery harlot,” Jacob grumbled, all of his nervousness vanishing in thin air. She was too fast for him to catch up, especially because that would leave the injured young vampires alone with us. So he turned his face towards us next. His grin from earlier spread across his face again when he finished evaluating us, “I am disappointed. I thought she had some big and reliable people when she so confidently left. It turns out it's just some countryside noble and his knights.” He moved. “Die.”

Jacob the vampire rushed toward us, his speed so fast that my Demonic Sphere trembled. My knights did not back off, however. Sir Carlos and Sir Lucas leaped forward, swords at hand, and sweat dripping down their chins.

I ran to join them, but three vampires were running toward me at the same time.

I had to change my trajectory when a rapier tried to poke a hole through my heart. When I jumped back, the three bastards laughed.

“That hurt earlier,” the strongest among them said, rubbing her neck. “Thankfully she left. We'll end you, and then return to find her.”

The second strongest among them, the one wielding the rapier, licked the blade. “And maybe the elders will let us have some fun with her after breaking her limbs.”

“Please control your tongue, Viktor,” the last among them, the weakest, grumbled at the dirty mouth. At least one of them was sane.

Not that it'd save him from death.

Since I had no other choice, I decided to go all out from the start.