"Are you kidding me? Even if she's just a mere half-blood, she's now the Queen of our Tepes. How can we hand her over to you Devils?"
"Even the Red Dragon Emperor's request is too impolite. We absolutely disagree!"
"Hmph, I heard the current Red Dragon Emperor has the ability to seize other Sacred Gears. I bet he's eyeing the Holy Grail that belongs to our Vampires!"
After a brief silence in the hall, several Tepes Vampire elders snorted and glared at Tenraku, showing expressions of anger. Though Valerie was just a puppet, she currently bore the title of Tepes Queen. Allowing her to be taken away would be a blow to the dignity of the Tepes Vampires.
"Red Dragon Emperor, you see, everyone disagrees. And from the standpoint of an older brother, I can't just hand over my lovely younger sister to someone else," Marius Tepes said with a sly smile.
"Ten Tears of the Phenex." Tenraku spoke in a calm tone.
"Zé zé, it seems you're quite willing to sacrifice for my lovely younger sister. However, while the Tears of the Phenex are precious, they don't hold much value for us Vampires with potent regenerative abilities. The Holy Grail on Valerie alone can rival countless Tears of the Phenex," Marius Tepes retorted mockingly.
"So, you don't intend to hand Valerie over to me?" Tenraku asked, narrowing his eyes.
"Nope," Marius Tepes replied with a smug grin.
"In that case, I'll save my breath..."
After muttering something quietly, Tenraku walked towards Valerie and Marius on the high platform.
"Why, Your Excellency Red Dragon Emperor still wants to rob someone?" Marius Tepes's face darkened as he glanced at several guards and said coldly at the same time.
"Yes, I just plan to rob someone!" Grinning, Tenraku flashed in front of Marius Tepes' before the guards on the side could react.
"I had almost expected this result for a long time. Sure enough, if I want to take Valerie away, you have to be tough!" His eyes narrowed sharply, Marius Tepes was furious, but before he could say anything, Tenraku punched him——
Boom!!!
"Aaaahhhhhh!!!"
His body flew out like a meteor as Marius Tepes screamed and hit the side of the hall, and then his whole body was buried in the ruins.
The atmosphere suddenly fell into deathly silence. Reacting belatedly, several Vampire elders roared in anger. Countless Vampire guards rushed in from outside. Without waiting for Tenraku's command, Yubelluna and Raynare swiftly joined the fray, forming battle formations against the enemies.
Several Vampire elders, accompanied by a dozen guards, attacked Tenraku. With a cold snort, Tenraku raised his hand, and dozens of golden chains shot out, immobilizing the limbs and necks of the Vampire elders and Pawns. Despite their struggles and roars, they couldn't budge.
"Let's go, Valerie."
Looking at Valerie still sitting dazed on the throne, Tenraku said, "No, I can't, Lord Tenraku. I'm the Tepes Queen now; I can't leave with you."
Finally showing a hint of panic on her face, Valerie seemed reluctant to leave with Tenraku and the others.
"Are you still too afraid to even drink blood? Just because you have the title of Queen doesn't mean you're any different. You're just a puppet of a queen!" Tenraku scolded. "Enough, take a little nap. We'll get you out of here."
Without much patience, Tenraku swiftly rendered Valerie unconscious and carried her in his arms.
"Retreat."
Seeing that Tenraku had rescued Valerie, Yubelluna and the other girls immediately surrounded him, fending off Vampire attacks while retreating from the palace.
*Crash...*
A figure rose from the nearby debris, none other than Marius Tepes, who had been punched away by Tenraku earlier. This fellow didn't seem to be a Vampire skilled in combat; Tenraku's punch had nearly taken half his life. Now, covered in blood and looking disheveled, his once handsome face twisted into madness.
"Crom Cruach, how long do you intend to watch? Kill them! Kill them!" Marius Tepes roared with murderous intent.
In that instant, a powerful chill swept over Tenraku and the others. Tenraku's gaze sharpened, and the girls around him turned pale. What an intense oppressive force!
The Vampires attacking Tenraku paused, their faces filled with fear. They quickly stepped aside, making way for a man in a black coat to emerge.
This man had hair interwoven with golden and black strands, and his eyes were heterochromatic - golden in the right eye and black in the left, a distinct feature. The air around him was filled with an unimaginably thick Spiritual Qi.
Sensing danger even without a direct confrontation, Tenraku knew this was an extremely hazardous individual.
"Hey hey, isn't this Crom Cruach? What are you doing here?" Scarlet gauntlets and azure wings manifested on Tenraku, and Ddraig's surprised voice resonated within the jade jewel.
"Ddraig, Albion, long time no see," The man said, cracking a somewhat stiff smile, his expression crazily contorted.
"Ddraig, do you know this person?" Tenraku asked, noticing Ddraig seemed familiar with the man.
"Crom Cruach, also known as the 'Dark Dragon of the Crescent Moon,' is a legendary Evil Dragon. Though he appears human now, it's clear with just one glance. Be careful, Partner; this guy is super dangerous, boasting the title of the strongest among Dragons, even in the Evil Dragon category," Ddraig explained with a hint of gravity in his tone.
Hearing Ddraig's words, Tenraku recalled. He hadn't expected it to be this guy!
Evil Dragons were known for their cruel and violent tendencies. Among them were renowned figures like Crom Cruach, the Dark Dragon of the Crescent Moon, Grendel, the Berserker Dragon of Great Sin, Aži Dahāka, the Forbidden Dragon of Demonic Origin, Apophis, the Primal Eclipse Dragon, Niðhöggr, the Extrajudicial Death Dragon, and Ladon, the Dragon Who Guards the Treasured Tree.
These dragons possessed extremely dangerous powers, and due to their extreme brutality, most had been sealed or exterminated. Black Evil Dragon King Vritra was considered an Evil Dragon, but compared to the aforementioned dragons, it was relatively docile.
"So, you're the one assisting in the coup, Crom Cruach. Have you joined the Khaos Brigade?" Despite facing a formidable opponent, Tenraku showed no fear and coldly asked.
"Well, more or less. I've heard a bit about you, Kamiya Tenraku, the host of Ddraig and Albion," Crom Cruach said, revealing a somewhat forced smile.
"Do you want to take away that Vampire girl? Fight me. If you win, you can take her," He then added while nodding.
"I'm not in the mood to fight you right now, but if I don't, you won't step aside, will you?" Tenraku retorted coldly.
"In that case—"
"Ddraig, Albion, give him a good beating for me!"
With a cruel smile on his face, Tenraku activated the **Extreme Heavenly Dragon of Supremacy - Extreme Juggernaut Drive**. Two jade jewels flew out from Tenraku's body, piercing through the palace and soaring into the sky...
To be continued...