Chapter 85: Vampire Kin
The Macedonian defense line on the Imperial border.
The Vampire legion, camped nearby, was a source of constant anxiety for the knights stationed there. Reinforcements and supplies had been brought in, their vigilance unwavering.
However, the Vampires had no intention of attacking. The North Empire was simply too weak… not worth their time.
Only the ancient empire, in its prime, had been a match for the full might of the Abyssal Demon Realm.
Now, even a three-pronged attack from the Abyss could easily overwhelm the three major powers of Solor.
If not for the signs of the Abyssal Lord’s awakening, which had halted the Abyss’s advance, Solor would have fallen long ago.
Although the Imperial Festival had begun, Queen Shaya showed no sign of departing.
She was only interested in the “miracle” on the third day, the North Empire’s only remaining link to the Abyssal Lord.
Unlike other demons, Shaya neither feared nor revered the Abyssal Lord.
She saw her as a rival, an opponent she wasn’t yet strong enough to defeat.
Even with her memories erased, she could still recall the overwhelming sense of awe, of insurmountable power, she had felt in the Abyssal Lord’s presence.
She believed that one day, she would face her, but not now.
For several days, she had remained in her tent, attended only by a few handmaidens.
And now, as Bai used her Vampire bloodline to suppress the demonic corruption in Lilia, Shaya, feeling the activation of the rune she had planted on Rolof, a faint smile touched her lips.
“Interesting. It took her so long to use my clan’s Demonic Runes… but she didn’t use much?”
Bai had only used the “Blood Venom” ability, and had carefully controlled its intensity, not fully embracing the power of the Demonic Runes.
But it was enough.
Shaya stood up from her throne, her usual languid posture gone.
A handmaiden immediately approached, draping a robe over her shoulders, then kneeling, her own clothes slipping down, revealing a bare shoulder.
It was time for Shaya to feed.
As the Vampire Queen, she only drank the purest blood, from a lineage of handmaidens bred for this purpose.
To be chosen as her meal was considered an honor.
But today, things were different.
Shaya bypassed the handmaiden, walking towards the entrance of the tent.
“Your Majesty…?” the handmaiden asked, her voice trembling, worried she had displeased her queen.
“Rise. I’m not hungry today,” Shaya said, her gaze fixed on the distant North Empire capital. “Just a little longer… Bai, when you finally lose control, I will make you my first kin. Prepare yourself for the honor.”
“Then, I will savor you…”
…
Meanwhile, in the capital.
Bai, after much effort, had finally stabilized the blood venom and the Demonic Runes within Lilia, temporarily averting the crisis.
Lilia’s complexion had improved dramatically, her cheeks even flushed with color, a side effect of the blood venom.
She stood up, a surge of vitality flowing through her, a look of pure joy on her face.
“Your Highness, how do you feel?” Bai asked, putting her glasses back on, her demonic aura receding.
“I feel… wonderful. Thank you, Little Sister Bai,” Lilia said, her composure returning, bowing slightly.
But she couldn’t completely hide the fear in her eyes, her movements slightly stiff.
Bai noticed, but said nothing. She was drifting further and further from humanity.
Having already severed ties with her past, she no longer dwelled on her identity.
But…
She looked at Lilia, at her delicate neck, and felt a strange urge to… bite.
Even with the enchanted glasses, her gaze was unsettling, and Lilia felt a sudden chill, her breath catching in her throat.
“Little… Sister Bai?” she asked, her voice trembling.
Her voice jolted Bai back to her senses. She quickly looked away. “What is it, Your Highness?”
“Nothing…” Lilia said, relieved, her breathing returning to normal.
“The parade is about to start. Perhaps Your Highness should prepare,” Bai said, then, as she stood up, her legs felt weak, and she stumbled slightly.
Lilia reached out to steady her, but Ara was already there, supporting her.
“Bai, are you alright?” Ara asked, worried, glaring at Lilia.
“I’m fine,” Bai said, pinching Ara’s cheek, a faint smile on her face. She saw Lilia’s outstretched hand. “Don’t worry about me, Your Highness.”
“No, no, I must. You were injured helping me…” Lilia said, embarrassed, withdrawing her hand.
“It was nothing,” Bai shook her head. “I should go now. You have a festival to attend. We’ll meet again soon.”
She sensed something was wrong with her body, something unrelated to helping Lilia. Something had been… planted on her.
With the festival at a critical stage, she couldn’t afford any mistakes. She needed to figure out what was wrong.
“Ara, let’s go,” she said, ruffling Ara’s hair.
Ara nodded, and they left, hand in hand.
Lilia watched them go, a strange sense of loss washing over her.
