183 years? Secret location.

I took a leisurely walk along the river, enjoying the silence and the feeling of work done. The light of the gas lamppost illuminated the Doric columns of the huge building around me.

I let my guard down, and this mistake cost me dearly.

One moment, the world couldn't be more normal, and the next, a hollow sphere opened in front of me, and the filaments of power grabbed me like a child grabbing a doll. I barely had time to pull out my dagger and ineffective power before I was dragged in.

"Ah, how ......"

A huge hall.

“… Hell?"

I stood in the middle of a circle of spells. The idea was grandiose and almost on the scale of Semiramis. My heart was filled with fear. Whoever would waste such a lot of strength to catch me must have a purpose.

As I watched, the last runes vanished, and a dome of power that protected me covered me.

I didn't feel immediate danger, so I was mindful of my surroundings.

This hall is a rectangular main hall with ridiculous proportions. The floor is pink marble, polished to a delicate sheen. The white stone on the walls is polished to a sparkling light. The gold leaf etched into the stone tells tales of valor, telling the story of knights and heroes fighting powerful demons. The magic is clearly displayed in one of the decorations, where a horned man blows down from the top of the hill with an angry gaze. I really, really hope it's some kind of metaphor.

It also smells of foul air and something unpleasant underneath. I think we're underground.

I turned my attention back to the people, and now that the last of the magic was gone, I could use most of my senses again. The room is not empty. Rows of guards in ornate armor lined up in front, and although I questioned their taste, I could tell that their equipment was magical.

Dangerous.

At the end of the hall, there were a few mages standing around, and I think they should be monarchs. They must be summoners.

Before they could speak, I felt something to my right, a vortex of power that even our magic could not stop. I'm only in one of the three circles. One of them contained remnants of flesh and looked as if a person had been forced through an arm-sized tube. The last room was occupied by a woman.

She was a little taller than me, her jet-black hair draped over her toned shoulders. Her clothes were peasants'. A white shirt hints at a modest chest, and brown pants show off athletic legs. She wears very good quality boots on her feet. It's as if she doesn't care about her appearance at all, although she obviously can. However, her posture shows her self-confidence, her absolute trust in her own strength. She gently balances with the soles of her feet, and her graceful posture is unattainable by mortals. Really, I look normal, it feels like someone has put a little hat on a giant tiger.

The woman turned gently to me. The cold blue eyes brought me in and assessed me in a split second.

She's strong. I don't know how I realized this, just that it was a definite thing. Her essence had a terrible weight, as if she was much smaller than she should be, and huge waves of magic pulsed from her waves.

Luckily, she continued to check. The woman checked the ground around her and the people in front of us, showing no signs of concern. From the moment I started looking, her smirk hadn't left her face.

Eventually, one person from a small group stepped forward. He was quite old and wore a gorgeous red and gold cloak. His smile is as thick as molasses, and as dark as molasses,

"Welcome! Heroes from afar! It is the great Abel who has summoned you! Go and fulfill the prophecy and drive out all the demons in this land!"

He didn't speak English, and the meaning of his words was just a harmless tendril of magic straight into my head.

I really wasn't on my own plane. It's magic on a grand scale. Too bad it was the kidnappers who did it.

"Ah, okay. The story of summoning heroes. If you need our help, why put obstacles in the way? The woman standing on my side said that this time it was in native English. Her voice had a strange accent, I couldn't make out which one, and there was something behind her voice. I think she couldn't have said it louder, loud enough to enlighten me.

"We have no ill will!" The man approached and continued, "I finally know where the smell is coming from. He's just playing a person, but I can taste his essence through the barrier. It's a foul.

"Shields are meant to keep magic from leaking out. You are chosen as the heroes of the future, people with great potential. Young and energetic! As it approached, the creature continued. It also lost something in its face. Skinners are better at imitating people.

It's simply slavery draped in a thin layer of nonsense. Is it hard to imagine that Heroes of Far Away Lands will be smarter than the average hamster? Prevent the leakage of magical power. They don't even try. I bent my paws. No one can enslave me anymore.

I only wish the blue-eyed monster thought the same when it turned to me.

"What do you think?" She looked at me and said, "That bundle of meat doesn't seem to like to be here either." ”

"If a spell has a one-in-three chance of turning the target into pulp, it means they don't care much about the target," I observed.

Unwise. Our captors were too careless. This fragile barrier can't stop the one next to me, and even I will manage to break the Herald's power, in time.

"Really well thought out. You're right. Although I must say that I would very much like to experience the full power of this spell...... Maybe I can learn to resist it completely......"

Oh, I see. She can be resilient and the kind of person who looks for challenges everywhere. I really hope she won't find it here.

"Why did you call us?" She continued, "Isn't this great, high king strong enough men to fight this war?" You already have forty-eight capable knights standing in this hall. If you ask me, I think it's a waste. ”

She clearly saw through their feeble attempts at manipulation. Her mocking tone was obvious, and if I were one of those idiots over there, I would start to strengthen the barriers, or find somewhere else to go.

"You have been chosen to fight against demons wielding necromancy, blood magic, and curses who relentlessly pursue conquest!" Are you not good-hearted and good-spirited people? Who can defeat the evil in the world?"

They must have messed up the ceremony. This is the only explanation.

"Some of my good friends are necromancers. And the Blood Mage...... And the Cursed Mage...... The woman added thoughtfully. This is good news for me. At least she's not a fanatic.

"And...... I can feel the blood magic of your king. It seems to me a little dishonest," the woman continued, and then something strange happened. Her soul was reduced to ashes and condensed into a chair. At the same time, she reached into the shadow of the aura and pulled out a bowl of food.

Watchmen!

If only I could do the same thing, put things in my shadow...... I can store my guns! Dynamite! Maybe a whole cannon! That's great, wait, it's not Ariana, attention. The big one is going to speak.

"Well, perhaps, ......" the "king" began to cough, and the sound was like broken metal. "Maybe you'll be interested in being on our side—" he finished.

If the pitch is not enough to expose his inhumanity, then his blood will be enough. The smell was pungent and reminded me of a snow monster. Something on the ground was fouled, but something was flowing through his veins...... That's the real thing.

"My king! One of the king's retinue interrupted him.

The king kicked him against the wall.

All right. This can be a good hunt, strong prey. Wait, wait, I wanted to talk to you about my return. Now is not the time to start bleeding, if I can do it. Who knows how strong they are? I need to be careful, very careful.

"One...... Ashes of the ...... Creature. And it's the Bloodline. The king said with a hollow smile. Won't you serve me?" You can become a lord, and the entire continent will succumb to your power. As a herald to King Abel

It's cute, but I think we're going to have to conquer those continents on our own. Also, I don't serve anyone. Calm down, Ariana, you have to stay calm. Diplomacy can help me get through this.

"I'm happy with what I'm doing. Can you send us back now? I have a responsibility, and I believe you have a responsibility too. The woman said, she turned to me again, "By the way, my name is Ilea, it's nice to meet you." "It's like a dagger on your body and a whole corpse."

How rude!

"I'm Ariana from Nelari," I complained, "I'm not a corpse. ”

Honestly, will the corpse move? Nonsense. At least she likes my dagger, so she still has some merit.

Before I introduce myself further, the lady continued.

"Hey, you're a vampire, right?"

She knows.

Fear took over my heart. She knows! I really hope my judgment is correct and I can join the list of approved creatures for necromancers and blood mages, otherwise, I'm doomed. I could smell her in the air. If she wanted to, she would destroy me.

Maybe... She can even resist my father.

"Don't worry. As long as you're not trying to eat my beast, there's no problem," she continued, still with an unsettling smile on her face, as if everything was her pastime. I feel like if that smile is gone, something terrible will happen.

At least I'll be fine. Only extreme despair or extreme hunger and thirst could force me to rebel against her.

"I'm afraid it's impossible. I've done so much to get you here. You are to serve me. Willing or not," the king said, exuding a powerful aura.

It's bad. I don't have time to think, I don't have time to plan. There are so many things I don't understand.

"Wait, friend, maybe we should try to negotiate with them first......" I said to the demagogues around me. We can procrastinate. They are ready to meet us, along with a squad of knights. If we wait, maybe the security measures will be more relaxed and we will have a better chance of escaping.

"Good companion. Last chance. Teleport us back or I'll rip your head off. ”

That's how she negotiated? Well, we're in there right now.

I'm ready to dodge the spell, but I'm not the target. A force from the king spread outward and attacked Ilya.

A terrible wound exploded in her chest. Carmine blood stained her shirt, floor, and lips. That must be the lungs. Here it is. I took out my dagger, summoned the power of the Herald with my claws, and watched in amazement as the woman's torso jumped back as if nothing had happened.

Well?

I was fascinated by a miracle. First, a full set of bone-colored armor emerged from the shadow of her aura, covering her entire body. Then, the thunderous essence around her formed, sliding through the first line of defense, creating a streamlined layer of ash color, if the ash shone like a white star. It wraps her from head to toe in an intricate collection of scales and plates that look elegant and sturdy. This is a piece designed for her by a true master. The only thing that came out was a pair of icy blue eyes, which looked really cold under the forward-facing horns. There was a sense of anticipation in the air. The time for empty talk is over. Now, let's start hunting.

"I don't think you have a choice," she added with a wink.

I really don't know.

It's your fault! Bah!

"Kill them! The king screamed, and he abandoned his human form and turned into a gray-skinned demon with a crown on his lupine skull. It's pretty high, too! Well, the bigger they are...... The better it tastes.

"Wow, that's disgusting there," Elija commented, her tone like a housewife seeing a half-rotten cabbage on the ground.

She's right, it's disgusting indeed. Well, nothing. I'm leaving, let's go after the knight first. It would be wise to go after mages or creatures that can explode people's chests, but I'm counting on my unexpected ally to be the obvious target, and she won't disappoint. She somehow appeared among them and spoiled them in a matter of moments. The magical armor I had envied just now folded like cheap paper, like her strange back...... Tentacle? Tear things to shreds.

I still want those cuirasers, they look beautiful.

I personally attacked the knights. I walked through them, piercing the neck, armpits, and thighs, avoiding protected areas. The knights moved well, but too slowly. Their blood smells like the blood of a king. Inhumane. Delicious.

"How dare you disobey me!" The king cried out in a broken voice,

"Yes, yes. I dare. I've heard this phrase many times. What the do you want to summon powerful heroes here?" Elija asked, limbs and broken bodies raining down on her side, sounding strange and plausible. I moved forward to the sides, taking advantage of the position of the wall and the knight against the wall. I had to avoid being cornered. I stabbed and slashed, sometimes pushing the enemy in the path of throwing spears and axes. The chaos of the battle worked in my favor and allowed me to get a head start.

Ilya's chest exploded again, but instantly returned to its original shape. She didn't even back down.

I'm a little jealous.

"You need something more!" She said like a fishmonger asking for more change.

Then she held out a hand, and a pure hot wind vaporized everything behind me.

Fire. Run.

"Hiss!" Blanching. I'm on fire. No, calm down, it's just my second most expensive dress. Yes. I glared at the criminal, and she shrugged helplessly, impaling a knight with her tentacles ready to attack her.

"My clothes!" I complained. That damn thing cost me $200!

"I'm sorry...... Behind you!"

Yes, yes, I know. I jumped forward, pressed my knee against its chest, threw it off balance, and stabbed it.

Oh.

It should be poked directly.

My knees! Oh! It's getting worse. I hissed again, and another knight took advantage of the gap to scratch my leg. My leggings are gone, too. Unforgivable. Vermin. Kill them all.

As Elijah was about to reach the king's side, a robbed mage erected a barrier. Lamentable. I concentrated the power of the Herald in my claws and then sabotaged it. of prey. I fell on top of the robbed thing and ate it in a second. Filthy and mighty power roars in its veins. It demands domination and violence, but it is also unstable and destructive. Delicious.

focus.

I looked up and was a little amused to see the woman with the tentacles. She pointed at the king, who was still trying to make her chest explode, as if this time the outcome would be different.

"That fellow," she said, pointing to the deformed monarch.

Well. Is it?

Several dark spears appeared in an instant, charging at the creature with enough speed and power to pierce a frigate. Our enemy simply blocked it with muscular arms, and I felt the power creeping under me. Spikes of blood came out of the ground. Before I could dodge, Ilea blinked right in front of me, just standing there and letting them crash into her, thus stopping my attack.

"Want to take a bite?" She proposed

"Of course," I replied. The king looked like a trophy.

Then she grabbed me by the collar and shoved me forward.

Well?

Ahh......hh Why is it so cunning...... Yes! I twisted in mid-air and managed to stab the creature in the eye first.

This volume.

It opened its stomach wide.

Before it could bite down, Ilea appeared on its side and hit it casually. The impact knocked the beast to the side. It is unbalanced.

This is my chance.

I squeezed into its steely flesh and bit its throat. I took a bite.

The crown on my forehead is light, and it's time to be there now. It has been too long since the Empire suffered from the independence of those quarrelsome kingdoms in the south. My father is weak, and now it's time to attack! Those who resist will be trampled, their wives will weep, their children will die in the dark, and they will search for the glittering fuel that drives our machines in countless corners of the ground.

Fool! My troops were stopped by partisans and armed peasants? Unthinkable. I need to take more drastic measures.

Ta

a

Hill has already fallen with the combined efforts of the Alliance. How did things come to this? I have no choice now, I will preside over the ritual and unite my soul with the soul of the outsider. Everyone else before me has become half-mad demons, but I will not succumb to its effects. I'm too strong......

I pulled it out. Power runs through my veins with impunity. The master is weak, but the essence of corruption? It's incredible. It's like a flame waiting to be released. It smacks of brutal trickery and bordering on lies, and is a game of patience that never really loses.

I knelt down. Oh? Teehee。 Wait, no, now is not the time for distractions. I am a powerful thug-driven projectile of vampire death and destruction. I'm sharp, cunning, and very, very sober. Yes!

"That's it," I announced. Ilea blinked in front of me and I jumped back in horror, even though she just lowered her hand.

"Don't worry. I'm a therapist," she said.

That's right, you're the essence of the Hippocratic Oath, you lunatic.

"It's going to heal." Not necessarily," I replied.

"Ah, you can regenerate too, yes, can you lose your head too?"

I don't like the development of this topic. But hey, that's fun!

"Theoretically, yes, but I'd rather not know. How, can you?" I asked with a smile.

"You're drunk, aren't you?"

The woman smirked. Attack! I was born.

"Nope! I didn't! I said, paying a lot of attention to my pronunciation. Over there! There's no way she's going to know now. Ariana, the queen of shows!

And not answering. She burst into tears.

It's like this.

I'm not really here. Someone hypnotized me, and I now have vivid hallucinations. Otherwise, I will die, and I will have to suffer forever in this hell, and endure some perverted sense of humor. This is the only plausible explanation I can think of.

"Well, I didn't expect a demonstration. Maybe one day, I will have the ability to clear selective memories. That's great," I added.

"Want to take a bite?" She said, throwing it at me.

It's really her head. It's even smiling.

Hi.

Makes you lose your mind in five minutes. Who the hell are you?" I asked

"I told you, I'm Elija. I was brought here from the island of Eros, and I intend to go back. ”

I've never heard of Eros. Probably another plane. One thing is for sure, if that woman is the norm, I don't want to go there, never. Being able to walk in the moonlight of a foreign country is not worth being thrown superfluous body parts in the middle of a conversation. I'm going to do well anyway, in case she wants me to reciprocate her. I love my head right now, thank you very much.

"Ilya...... Nice to meet you!" As you deduced earlier, I'm a vampire. Is there a way for you to get through these planes?"

Who's going to get me out.

"I'm glad to meet you, Ariana. I can only go back to my own kingdom. Maybe one of the mages here can help," she suggested.

"Mage! Yes! How could I forget?"

We didn't kill them all.

"I'm sorry, I don't know," she said.

I looked around and focused. One heartbeat, behind the pillar.

"I found one," I said, and went to get the man. I dragged him back to the altar, kicking and screaming. Dessert! No, wait, I want him alive. Go home!

"Send me back to the United States, quick!" My needs.

"We can't ...... Requires Magic ...... It's going to take decades," he whispered.

"I can provide it," Ilea said. "You're just offering a magic circle."

"We can believe this...... Monsters?" I want to know.

The International Law Enforcement Academy shrugged. "Nope. Of course not, but do you have any other ideas?"

Be fair.

"The circle is simple...... I understand it, study it...... It's been decades...... Please, let me live!" I can bring you back," the man pleaded.

He smells good, like a second course. I charmed him for a moment and swept away his pathetic defenses. He was scared, and therefore, he wanted to please others. His survival depends on our good intentions. I lowered my fears and fanned the flame of loyalty in his heart.

"You want to live, don't you?" You're a powerful mage, aren't you?" I asked.

"Yes, I know. I'm strong. Smarter than King Abel!"

"Then you will surely be able to bring us back to our kingdom. To protect your own people," I said, I don't need to bluff to make him believe my words.

"Yes, of course. But magic...... That's impossible," the man stammered.

If Ilya had added fuel to the fire, it wouldn't. She can grow a head like a petunia. What is a magic portal that travels through time? I moved on.

With her help, this is possible. You're going to be a hero! The monster that killed the king has been banished!"

"I'll say it right away!" Only a few minor modifications are needed...... But I can only send you back from where you came...... There's nowhere else," he said, and crawled towards the circle to finish it.

I looked at his back with satisfaction.

"Impressive power. Is this a lesson for a vampire course? The woman next to me asked.

"Class? I didn't know anything like that. What are you? May I ask?"

"I am human. It seems that you are too. You say the United States? I'm also from Earth, although I don't call it home anymore. There are magic and monsters in my hometown. There are also plenty of opportunities to find strength. ”

"Human ...... You look more like a monster than a woman. I added with a little regret. I'm so jealous.

"You're too. Sometimes you just have to vent, you know? It's a good feeling to relax, these bastards deserve it. So, are you ready to go home?"

The man motioned for us to join him, and the modification of the magic circle was complete.

One last chance to eat dessert.

"Allow me to ask...... Will you ...... If...... If I drink a little of your blood, will you be fine?"

In the name of the observer, I sound like a supplicant, but this is a rare opportunity. I hope she doesn't get angry.

"Please take care of yourself," Ilea said. "But I do feel a little uncomfortable to see you holding my head."

I gave him back the part of the body that I was still holding, for the simple reason that it would feel inappropriate to step on it under the pillar while its owner was there watching. She made it disappear.

"That should be enough to suck blood," she said, before screwing her heart out with her tentacles, breaking her ribs and everything.

Very good. I believe Isaac has a way of making memories fade into the background. Sure. I hope.

"A parting gift," she said with a smile, her ribcage filling again.

"Well, thank you, Ilya of Iros. It's an experience to know you," I replied. Actually, I don't mind seeing her again. Provided we are on the same side.

"Ready? As I walked into the circle, Ilya asked.

"Until we meet again."

Transmission. Open a passage through time and space, the ability to send and receive people and goods from unfathomable distances in the blink of an eye. Really, a miracle of magic. If I were sane, I wouldn't be surprised, I wouldn't be angry, and the panicked mage would have stray twenty steps from the target and sent me back above the river.

“FU - - - - - -”