Tonight, I woke up in front of a strange ceiling. The vampire's mind cleared up quickly, and I didn't instinctively panic like one would when one came to an unexpected place. Instead, I decided to take it into account.

The rooms consist of two rooms and a bathroom, all decorated with beige rock, silk and goose feathers. The combination of Sparta and luxury is peculiar, and I guess this should be close to Persian aesthetics, although I may be wrong. There was even a basket of fruits, this time regular fruits. The vestibule doubles as a social space, and its emptiness transforms it from welcoming to ominous. Now there is not even a single light.

I took a deep breath to calm myself down.

Yesterday was tiring. I don't really care about the incredible revelations I've heard, although now I have more questions. It was laborious because I realized who I really was. Not some cursed human, but a new entity made up of corpses and alien essences.

I find this hard to accept.

I felt like I was being belittled.

More importantly, I felt like I was deceiving myself...... And Ariana's father. Or Daddy? I haven't decided yet.

He helped and protected me after I escaped from the Lancaster Arena. He gave me the Talleyrand rifle. He kept in touch with me by letter until I went to Marquard, and then I asked Isaac to inform him that I had to go into hiding. I want to believe that he really cares about me, and so do I. When it matters, we will be together to support each other. That's not a lie.

However......

Phew, that's enough. I'm not going to free my mind from this cycle anytime soon, and I've told myself I have to get out of here first. I should go and see my master, after all, midnight is almost coming, and the summer night only lasts just over nine hours.

I smell my skin. The vampire smell wasn't bad, but we did, and I smell it now. I have to face a decision now. Should I take the time to clean myself up, or should I ask the knowledgeable Archmage who created our race three thousand years ago?

Let me comb my hair.

Two minutes later, I walked out of the labyrinth of corridors and alleys to the place where Queen Semiramis was waiting. It seems that this facility is much larger than this mound can hold, which would have left me dumbfounded at any other time. Now, a giant walking broom can come out of the ground and wash my clothes without me even blinking. That's it for the week.

Just like yesterday, she sat at the table, carrying a mysterious pot of tea, and wore a sand-colored robe, which showed off her generous figure without being vulgar. In the background, the fascinated people are still dancing and looking tired. They now act with manic passion, and those who stumble immediately collapse.

The queen looked tired. Black bags under her eyes lined her eyes, and her face tightened. She blinked when she saw me, which meant she had a headache. If it were me, I would be like a dead man. However, the queen looks delicate and vulnerable. She is a delicate rose that needs pampering, don't mind having thorns. And she does it effortlessly.

"Good evening, Ariane. Come, come with me. Did you sleep well?"

"Obviously better than you."

She snorted, I mean, she squeezed air out of her noble nose and made me feel like I was intimate with a great character. Her mezzo-soprano is thicker and chewier than yesterday.

"I have forgotten how rude it is for a man without a king. I almost missed it. Now tell me, would you like to talk to me? The Great Spell is easy to channel, but I can't get out of here, I really need to divert my attention from a proper interlocutor. ”

I almost laughed at this casual compliment. She's really eloquent, and I'm happy to help. I also need to be distracted. It's growing now, more and more. Thirst. It's been three days.

For a moment, I wanted the essence of her, but I reconsidered. She knows our ability to bloodline, and if I ask her, she might think I'm a threat. Or rude. As far as her family is concerned, there is not much difference. I'd rather get answers to some pressing questions, even if the first question is still risky.

"May I ask you about the spell you made?"

Once again, she looks like a teacher who thinks her students are interesting.

"This is the second question I want you to ask, following the traditional 'who are you?'. Alas, I prefer not to reveal its purpose. You have to know that there is no danger to you, at least not directly. ”

"I think it's going to change the world, right?"

This time she looked happy.

"It's only a small part, and it's important to me. But enough is enough. Ask more questions to take my mind off my growing migraines. ”

"That's right. First question, I can't cast spells, but I've been told that spells can be changed?"

She nodded approvingly.

"Ah, can't wait to get involved in the occult arts, huh?" Yes. If you can live long enough to become a master, you will be able to get in touch with your own essence. It will be the fuel for you to cast spells, just as human mages use theirs. Vampires have a knack for blood magic, and I sense some potential in you, though it won't awaken in your mortal self. ”

"Wait, are you saying I have a magician in my house?"

"Maybe. Many mortals have traces of power, but in this realm, they rarely show it. That's your case. ”

Once again, she unnoticedly referred to my human self as me. I decided to let it go for the time being.

"Any suggestions on how to get started?"

"When the time comes, don't abandon the division commander. They retain their innate drive and intuition. By the same token, don't despair when you're making slow progress. It's inevitable, like they're going to grow old eventually. ”

"And in the end?"

"Yes, mages with great power age more slowly. Most people reach a significant stage when they are old. Watch out for the young archmage. They are the most gifted. ”

I remember Belinda and realized that she might be a little older than I thought. But it doesn't matter anymore.

"Anything else?"

"Not special. When using blood magic, follow your instincts and you'll do well. ”

"Thank you. If you don't mind, I'd like to ask some questions about the pedigree. If I'm not mistaken, all ancestors came from the elixir you brewed, right?"

"Yes, I can do it again. I listen to the watchman in this matter. Thankfully, this happens on average less than once a century. ”

"Master said that there are fourteen bloodlines that he knows. Anything else?"

"Maybe. Why don't you tell me about the people you meet and I'll tell you. ”

More than 14 bloodlines?! There is so much to eat. Okay, calm down. Answers, focus on answers. Let's start in chronological order.

"Lancaster".

"Ah, yes, all wizards are. During the Wars of the Roses, they became so adept at moving masses that their ancestors were killed by the historically rare League of Mages, the brothers of the Knights of Gabriel, and even some vampires. It was a fun time. ”

"Uh-huh. Right. … Cádiz?"

"They can concentrate on a task. This makes them particularly good duelists and helps to practice a craft. However, their narrow-mindedness has hurt them in the past. Their ancestors are gone. He is one of the few people who passes through a portal and enters another world. I still don't know how he did it, why, and where he ended up. He is also very old, because he drank the elixir of life in the ninth century of your time. ”

"Wow. Right. Is the Roland next?"

"Incredible willpower, even though it makes them quite stubborn. Their history dates back to the end of the eighth century, and their ancestors were geographically close to the Cádiz. There is no doubt that this is an interesting time for Europe. During that time, I had to move around more often. Their ancestors are now asleep. The weight of centuries weighs heavily on the hearts of real old men. They sometimes need to take a break for several years. ”

I remember Master taking advantage of his unexpected shipwreck to take a nap at the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean, proving that he was not spared either.

"What about Iken?"

"A curious group of people, always eager to experience something new. Do you know their books? That book chronicles every new and unique experience. ”

"My friend mentioned it, yes."

"The greatest of all the entries was written by Icon himself. He died to experience the sun, and at the moment of his death, he passed on his impressions to a telepath. ”

Well. I think Nami has already mentioned it. It is not surprising that these words came from the mouths of those madmen. on the move.

"I met a descendant of Natalis, who turned into a hooligan."

Her face furrowed slightly in disapproval, the strongest emotion she'd shown so far tonight.

"Their stupid power is legendary. It can be an incredible boon, it's just a pity that they rarely have the intelligence to match. I don't understand why they don't recruit some smart and strong people, who don't don't exist. Phew. Natalis himself disappeared. Personally, I think he got lost or got drunk and got caught by the sun. I don't know what the watchmen like about them. ”

Entertainment, probably.

"I also met a member of the Rosenthal family......"

Sami Ramis raised his eyes in exasperation. Leave Natalis alone, apparently it was the defenders of knowledge who were quiet and peaceful that angered her.

"Those are boring! How many times do I have to say "no" before they understand that I don't want to be bothered by their endless questions? I swear every ten years a new-faced fool thinks he's found the Holy Grail to lure me away from research. Fool! If they weren't so useful, I would have razed their headquarters to the ground a long time ago. That old bat-like ancestor was simply unbearable. ”

I saw him lose his temper and was a little scared. It seems like a sore spot. Either Isaac's ancestors were very annoying, or Semiramis was slipping in control. It's better to distract her.

"I can't think of any other tribe now."

"Really," she replied impatiently, "you have never heard of Constantine?"

What's wrong?

"The spokesperson of the Protocol, the titular leader of the North American vampires?!"

"Exactly. I guess you've never met, right?"

"You are."

"That's a pity, because as far as the ancestors are concerned, Constantine is quite young, and I don't know what he is capable of. He has not yet made any of his descendants confess their ancestors. ”

"Well, um, good luck, right?"

The queen frowned, perhaps wondering if I had insulted her. I really need to keep her talking.

"Your Majesty, what about people of other bloodlines?"

She tilted her head slightly, probably to show that she wasn't deceived by my feeble attempts to distract her. She is still submissive.

"There's the Amaretta family. They are prophets, interested in the future, perhaps a little overdone. You can recognize them by the veil they always wear. ”

One of the members of the Cavaliers at the time was an Amareta.

Amareta is active, but she spends all her time thinking and looking to the future. Not a person of action. Next up is Dvo

。 It is the second oldest tribe after you. They have a land-based mentality and strength, and all of their members are E

e

u. Do you know the main vampire league?"

"If I'm not mistaken, Eru's purpose is to rule impartially, the mask influences things from the shadows, and the Brotherhood's purpose is to pursue personal interests."

"Summarize appropriately. Devor's ancestors are now sleeping in the center of his fortress, somewhere in North Africa. Then there was the Ehrenwald family. They are the only vampires that the animals are not afraid of. They use some strange magic, primitive and dangerous. ”

Ogotai is an Ehrenwald! I'll have to see if I can get close to the animals again. In front of me, Semiramis chuckled with a look of disparagement, and I felt like a child.

Their ancestors turned into a tree. A tree! Can you believe that? Ridiculous. Anyway, next up are the Hastings, and they're all fun. They are physically weaker than all other houses, but in my opinion, the benefits are worth it. They can eat and digest human food and can tolerate the sun's rays! The current leader of the Mask Society is one of them, and Lady Hastings is in love with a human. They eloped. They lived in a small farmhouse at the back of Derbyshire. ”

"What? How is it? Can't he see it?"

"She will only appear as a sick and weak woman who doesn't go out much. I've heard that there is no shortage of such people in the UK. I'm sure she has a way to find food. ”

"Isn't she more vulnerable to living like that?"

"Very few people know what I say to you, and even fewer want to take advantage of you. Why risk provoking someone who can sway the government of the most powerful country in the world when she voluntarily quits the chessboard? It's stupid. ”

"I see...... What do you think ......"

"You'll never be as protected from the sun as they are, but maybe it will make you wake up early."

Here, for a time, I felt hope. She was so nice that she squashed it before it grew up. Yes, that's good.

"Oh, don't make that look, Ariana, people who have lived so long shouldn't be like that."

"I have a lot of things to deal with. You can't blame me for being in a bad mood. ”

"Of course, who's going to be the next one to suck blood now, huh?" Ah, only two. Let's start with Kalinin. They are mainly based in Russia, and most of the allies of your Eastern brothers and sisters are from Russia. It is said that they can use the tools of the Divine as long as their cause is just. ”

"Are you sure?" It feels ...... No way. ”

"Yes, they fight for this world, even if they don't belong to it. I think it goes hand in hand with faith. By the way, their ancestors are dead. He was killed and eaten by your master. ”

"I don't understand why people are coming to him after they know all this."

"If he had a habit of leaving survivors, he would have discouraged him more, it's true. The last line is Van Heim. They are wild cards, and I myself don't know who their ancestors were. Their abilities are random and surprising. The game is a bit chaotic, if you will. They are rare and mostly solitary, which makes them mostly stray animals. I think we've answered your question completely. It's been a long time since I've spoken. I was afraid of losing my sense of touch. ”

"Thank you for your answer, Your Majesty."

"No thanks, young man. I'm sorry I have to interrupt you. We're going to get to the key part of the spell, and I need to focus all my attention on it. Be sure to enjoy the show because you'll never see it again. ”

Before she could finish speaking, she stood up, and out of politeness, I followed her example before I found myself standing outside the circle. I noticed in passing that here, the space really did not manifest itself, but soon, before this incredible performance, all other ideas disappeared into the background.

I turned my back to the entrance, in front of me and to my left, dangling downward, revealing the valley where her slaves danced. As I watched, several tired dancers suddenly moved, and soon fanatical companions joined in. Men and women in concentric circles move wildly in outmatched clothes, their obvious exhaustion contrasting with fancy clothes and orgasmic faces. The crazy waltz crept into orgasm, and from here I could see the morbid complexion and toxic pleasure as they twisted and jumped beyond the reach of their frail bodies.

She's killing them.

The sound of their feet on the dirt echoed with their heartbeats in hypnotic music that made me want to join them and suck them dry in the same way. They screamed with joy as life was torn from their bodies, gathering in a circle beneath their tormentors, until the structure glowed brightly indigo. I didn't know how powerful a spell had to be to see its fuel with the naked eye, and then I found out.

The mortals outside immediately screamed, and Sami Ramis lowered the barrier that separated her words from the world.

Reality sobs. My mind went blank. Something incredible once beat, as if the planet itself had a heart. My body was compressed by the energy that was released, and for a moment, I felt like I was going to die.

When I can rethink, I need to take a few steps back. The sheer force of a double helix emerges from the ground on huge waves in the sky. The noise was deafening, and the heat and aura emanating from the woven threads forced me to grit my teeth. Black blood dripped from my nose, eyes, and ears, but I couldn't take my eyes off the incredible scene. The queen herself floated on the ground with her arms outstretched. She speaks, I scream. We all screamed. Her voice burned in my mind with images of steady paths and arranged spheres, concepts that I could not comprehend. Only my incompetence can save my spirit from total destruction. Her command lasted only a few seconds, or if it was eternal, I don't know.

When she's done, the colors will seep into each other like spilled dye until the spell on her head explodes. Another pulse in turn bends the word in the other direction. I can't see. I covered my ears with my hands, but I couldn't feel them. Even my instincts were silent.

Dark.

I'm in the dark. All my feelings were gone.

I... Dead?

I reached into my spiritual fortress and found the cozy surroundings of the master bedroom intact. Maybe not dead yet.

I came back to reality and found that I could finally see. Technically, I can only see the shape, but at least there are some improvements. As my vision improved, my ears started to swell and now I can hear a high-decibel whistle. After that, I felt like I was covered in stones. After a few more seconds, I coughed up a large mouthful of blood and covered my face with trembling hands to clear the black blood that had covered my face.

I can see it now.

Sami Ramis knelt on the ground, standing in the middle of her circle, now burned beyond recognition. She looked exhausted and weak, but when she looked ahead, she had a triumphant smile on her face.

The deal is done, and the kills are made.

I held it until the spell was lifted, as I promised. If I hit her now......

Before I made my decision, I found myself drawn to another impossible performance. It is true that this is a construction, but its results are only now being revealed, and what kind of result is this?

In the center of the valley, human figures are scattered like broken puppets. Some of them move weakly, while most are apparently dead. In the center of the first circle of deceased dancers, the world is broken. It's like someone holding a knife at a painting. In the background, we are still in Illinois. In the foreground, as seen through the cracks of opaque windows, an endless desert of gray and pink stones stretches as far as the eye can see. Under the gray-blue sky, jagged spikes emerge from the ground, and under some round rocks, pale lichens cling to life. The sun glowed angrily red, casting strange shadows on the grass on our side.

For a moment, I feared I was going to collapse in the fading light, but nothing happened. The alien starlight has left my flesh.

Drawn to this glimpse of this other world, I almost missed the pattern of heavy appendages on the sand, so I was surprised when something came into my view.

There was life there, and it was scary.

A group of strange creatures trotted out from behind a larger rock. I felt a little cold in my heart and felt that they might belong to the same species, but with different purposes, like ants or wasps. The vampire side reflects those who are clearly predators, competing, and the pure Ariana part can only think of one thing.

What is that abomination in the seven layers of hell? Which perverted god created these horrors?

There are three kinds of beings. The first is the smallest and more numerous. They hover above their relatives like a swarm of vicious bees. The dragonfly's wings flapped in the air with an ominous buzzing sound, and its two shrunken limbs were dragged beneath a thin red body the size of a raccoon. The other two limbs end in sharp claws that surround a triangular head with several eyes. They went back and forth looking for what the watchman knew.

The second type is apparently made up of guards. I found about two dozen foals the size of a colt, with claws at the ends of their limbs. They are as red as their brothers, but their faces only have two eyes and a pair of pincers.

The most important thing is a horror that I never thought it would exist. The beast was the size of a small barn. Its body is supported by its six massive limbs, its rear end is larger, unsettlingly insect-like, and its face is non-existent. Instead, the creature has an inward-facing set of tentacles with bony protrusions. I believe that no matter who is caught, there will be no escape. It turned to me, sucking the air with its long pink tongue. Its mouth is like a door to the abyss.

There was a sound, like a broken bone being put back in its place, a break in reality snapping shut. Except for the blur that quickly fades, it's as if nothing has happened.

The bigger thing sniffed the air again, then roared. The sound is too ugly. The closest analogy I can find is a mix of steel chopped, bobcat being skinned alive and a woman giving birth. I shuddered with disgust.

Come to think of it, I'd have to go to a hellish place to find a sound that rivals the screams of a burning pig, the worst sound ever.

The abominable creature approached the rift, surrounded by its evil offspring. I struggled with my body and forced myself to move. I managed to clench two fists and lift my chest off the ground, but my legs were still unresponsive and I was getting thirsty.

Hurry up, get up.

It threaded its mouth through the cleft and sucked the air again. The swarm around it became restless.

Please not.

The gap is too small, right? Right?

Another interruption will return to normal, and the warning will spur the monster forward. The others followed it through the crack, cautiously probing the grass with a short, hesitant leg. When nothing happens, it giggles, and its followers pounce on the unsuspecting mage in a bloody and violent. The few surviving men and women could only slowly climb away as the pilots and cavalry slaughtered and devoured them. In a terrifying scuffle, larger creatures grab corpse after corpse and make a terrifying gurgling sound that makes them disappear into the abyss of their esophagus.

A majestic voice distracted me, easily overshadowing the sound of a banquet.

"That's going to be a pack of Meholman hounds. I learned about them from a long-lost book that slipped through the cracks of the world. They are man-made creatures that are specifically designed to hunt mages and are used in that dying world you see. ”

She sounded very talkative, as if we were two ladies attending the event. Those who allowed her to get this far were being devoured because they were still breathing, and she didn't care at all. They were just her tools, and she did not hesitate to sacrifice them. Even cattle don't get treated like this.

I'm a vampire. I don't have much sympathy for most mortals, but tonight she's the real monster. There was not a shred of sympathy in this woman in front of me, and even though her heart was still beating, it was cold.

"Of course," the queen continued, "there is nothing left here to satisfy their thirst for magic. Once they have eaten this meager food, they will hunt down the next mage with great prejudice. ”

She looked down at me with a smug smirk.

"The spell has been lifted, and we are now in a steady straight line with the nearest orb. You've just witnessed a revolution in magic, little one, and I hope you enjoy the show. As I said, you can go. If I were you, I'd be quicker. ”

Since she has nothing else to do, I'm not even going to go after her. Even in her exhausted state, she could turn me over with a flick of her fingers.

Wait, what did she mean I should hurry? I'm not a mage.

Unless...

The safe house is only an hour away from here, and it's slow, they certainly won't......

The largest creature breathes in the air, and its disgusting nose turns to the west. Ah, please don't.

With a final snort, the thing walked out, followed by a group of its animals. The swarm dispersed.

Merritt. All my followers, no, I'm not going to let them die. I stood up, turned to the amused figure of Semiramis, and bowed politely one last time.

"I'm leaving, Your Majesty."

"You have to do it. Anyway, I had a great time with your company. Until we meet again, little princess. ”

I turned and ran away, past the study and private apartment, past the bedroom and the laboratory. In the process, I heard the immortal queen's bell-like laughter, cold and unforgiving.

No unexpected space shenanigans, I found myself setting a record outside, I whistled to call Metis, she rode by, I grabbed her.

Wait a minute, she's been waiting outside...... Poor man, I hope she didn't suffer too much deprivation......

A flash of pink caught my eye, and I realized that the galloping horse was carelessly chewing on someone's furry forearm. Well, she can take care of herself.

Now that I'm out of the cave, I realize that Merritt has set up a lighthouse that may be looking for me. It was unusual to cast magic so brazenly, especially since she must have sensed the spell. She wouldn't be so careless.1 I hope I'm not too late.

I made the direction of Métis parallel to the course of the terrible monster and its horrible children, leaving it to my right, and we soon caught up with them. Me

The ghol creatures don't seem to be that fast, and perhaps their stamina makes up for it...... I'm talking too fast. A sentry jumped from an overhang to block the narrow valley we were.

The Pilot and Harry. The Sentinels want to catch them and push them into a corner. Behemoths crush resistance. They were really well designed, and that was before I knew what tools they had against magic.

I inspire the Métis to move forward. Attention, not really spurs, I'm not trying to kill myself. The proud horse neighed defiantly and rushed forward, and I grabbed the spear from the saddle. When we were only half a second away from the ready beast, another one pounced on us from above. I stabbed upwards, into its body, and slammed it into a rock with its own momentum. It screams in pain and rage.

I took the spear away with a stream of red blood and aimed it forward, purposelessly. Métis snorted, and when another hunter pounced on her, she stood up on her hind legs and slammed down. I heard broken bones and screams of pain, then silence as we left its wreckage. She barely slowed down.

"Well done!" I said, patting her on the neck.

Unfortunately, our victory was short-lived. More howls came from behind us, and the first planes could easily catch up. They circled around us, occasionally diving into the water to try to attack her flanks. I pierced the head of the first creature and found it very difficult. It's better to hit physically. When their numbers increase, I will destroy their wings instead of killing them outright. After six people have fallen, the rest will move to a safer place, but they will not leave.

Now I regret that I only brought a spear, and I couldn't warn Merritt and the others...... Time is running out.

Métis and I quickly caught up with the small group, and we could still hear them talking behind the scenes. We made our way through narrow valleys and cliffs at breakneck speed, leaving dust and broken needles in our wake. If it weren't for the lighthouse, I would be completely lost. I also don't understand why the Métis always find the easiest way forward, but I consider myself lucky. We're running out of time.

The safe house is located on top of a forested hill and is sheltered by a dense field of pine trees. It is a simple single-storey building, built with logs that are half-buried in the ground. Stockpiled gunpowder and weapon racks allow defenders to repel fierce attacks, while a small cellar is the last line of defense against the most obvious weakness of the place: fire. The problem here is that camouflage is still the most important means of defense in this place, and that protection is thrown to the Nine Heavens when Merritt announces her presence to anyone with signs of magic.

I slowed down the Métis trot and we headed towards the high pine forest, whistling when I saw the clearing inside. Out of surprise, I shortened the signal.

Within a day, the humble bunker was transformed into a defensive position by the apparent determination of the Merritt team. The entire building was surrounded by spiked barricades, from which I could see the tips of hats and bayonets. The torches on the menorah illuminated the entire perimeter, allowing even mortals to see clearly.

"It's hers! A familiar voice shouted. I approached and saw a large crowd gathered here. My usual squad of infantry was now about 10 men, and they joined Merritt, John, and Nami. Everything was fine, but we couldn't stay here.

"Assemble, we're leaving. There's a monster coming, and they're looking for a mage. Merritt, hop on the horse, we need to drive them out of the main ranks, and then disband. ”

"What kind of monster are we talking about?" Nami asked in frustration.

"They're called magical hounds, but I don't know what they can do. No one on earth has yet faced them. ”

"What did you just say?" She replied in surprise.

"It's a long story, and it's ......"

"Are you sure no one has ever encountered it before?" With a maniacal smile, she asked, "Never?" Will we be the first?"

Oh.

Oh no.