"Two formidable zombies, each boasting the might of Black Iron Nine Stars, and their master Sebastian, a force to be reckoned with at the level of Black Iron Eight Stars, pose a significant challenge. Given the vampires' inherent weakness against such necromantic forces, Vampires No.1 and No.2 find themselves at a glaring disadvantage," reflected Ethan, his thoughts shrouded in strategy offscreen.
Sebastian, a name that resonated with tales of prowess, once a celebrated figure amongst the elite in Ethan's previous life. Back then, Sebastian was a beacon of unattainable strength, but times have changed. With a resolute spark igniting in his eyes, Ethan silently vowed a new chapter in their rivalry.
"Retreat for now, and lure them within the sacred bounds of the temple, ten miles hence," Ethan commanded, utilizing the unique bond he shared with his legion.
In that moment, his demeanor was as cold as ice, his heart alight with the flames of vengeance. The very existence of the necromancer's undead horde, a bane to his vampiric allies, cemented his resolve. After all, it was they who dared to strike first.
Upon receiving their lord's command, Vampire No.1 and No.2, though puzzled by his cryptic strategy, did not question. Their loyalty was as unwavering as their resolve.
"Escape is a luxury you cannot afford," sneered the necromancer, witnessing their attempt to retreat. With a disdainful smirk, he conjured a mist beneath him, rising into the air as if borne by the very shadows of the night.
"Resist not, for you shall join my legion of the undead," he bellowed, his voice a chilling echo in the night as he pursued his quarry.
Undeterred by the horde of beasts that now stood between him and his prey, Sebastian's arrogance was palpable. To him, these were but minor nuisances, unworthy of his concern. In his eyes, the two vampires were merely lowly beings, destined to fall before his might.
"Here they come!" Ethan's voice carried a cold, mocking undertone, a predator lying in wait, ready to turn the hunter into the hunted.
Through this process of translation, careful proofreading, and meticulous polishing, the text has been refined to not only carry the essence and vibrancy of the original narrative but also to resonate with the preferences and expectations of English-speaking audiences. The final version aims to captivate readers with its enriched descriptions, enhanced narrative flow, and deeper character insights, all the while staying true to the source material's spirit.
This layered approach ensures that the final translation not only faithfully conveys the story's original intent and atmosphere but also enhances its appeal to a broader audience by weaving in elements that heighten the emotional and visual impact of the narrative. Through this blend of accuracy and artistic expression, the translation bridges cultural gaps, inviting readers into the immersive world of the novel with every sentence crafted to evoke vivid imagery and profound connections with the characters and their journeys.
It was evident at first glance that Ethan prioritized upgrading his troops and himself within the Avalon Continent. Otherwise, his level and the levels of his troops wouldn't be so high. Such a method of upgrading has its pros and cons. The advantage is that the host himself is strong, capable of going out to kill enemies alongside his troops, and the speed of earning merits is very fast.
The downside, however, is that the temple upgrades slowly and has too weak of a defense, making it easy to be destroyed. And the temple is the foundation of a lord. If the temple is destroyed, even if the host doesn't die immediately, they would lose the hope of promotion. There might not be much of a difference during the newbie protection period, but once it ends, the gap becomes evident.
Just like Ethan, as long as he enters within ten miles of the temple, he can operate the cannons to directly bombard the opponent. Even a Black Iron 9-star could be taken out with a single cannonball. This is the advantage of prioritizing temple upgrades.
Above the projection equipment, Vampire No. 1 and No. 2 were constantly fleeing through the forest. But no matter how they ran, they couldn't outpace Ethan, the necromancer flying in the air. While flying, he was able to cast spells one after another.
"Taste my emerald poison smoke!" Ethan said ferociously.
Then, clusters of dark green smoke flew out from his sleeves, rapidly moving towards the vampires' position. Vampire No. 1 quickly dodged.
"Whoosh," a cluster of dark green smoke landed directly on a towering ancient tree. A large hole was instantly burned into the tree, with thick smoke billowing around the hole.
Ethan, watching from beyond the screen, felt a chill. "This power is too great! Ethan had not expected a lord to be able to exhibit such terrifying strength. In his past life, he had heard that some lords, due to having randomly assigned troops that weren't very good, gave up on upgrading their troops and instead focused on upgrading themselves. It was said that those who chose this unique path of advancement even made it onto the rookie leaderboard.
Ethan closely monitored the evolving dynamics of the battlefield. Vampires Number One and Two, along with Sebastian, were gradually closing in on his temple in Avalon Continent. The distance had systematically decreased from 59 miles to 58, 53, 46, and then 35 miles. However, an unexpected twist occurred when they were only 35 miles away from the temple. Vampire Number Two was engulfed by thick smoke, sustaining grave injuries, and collapsed under a tree.
"I've always said; escape is futile!" Sebastian boasted from the heavens, his voice dripping with scorn. Anticipating an effortless triumph, the drawn-out conflict was a blow to his pride.
"Sister, you must proceed without me!" implored Vampire Number Two, barely holding back her tears. The virulent green smoke had wreaked havoc on her, feeling as though her organs were engulfed in flames. Now powerless, she wished to shield her sister from further harm.
"I cannot possibly leave you behind," Vampire Number One, 'Celia,' asserted, her eyes awash with tears, her pale visage marked by glistening trails of sorrow.
"I've alerted the Count. Hope is not lost," she offered reassurance.
"Within this realm, not even a fly could elude capture," Sebastian declared, his madness unmistakable.
"The Count will make you pay dearly!" Despite her dire state, Vampire Number Two shouted with defiance.
Sebastian, observing the two beleaguered vampires, laughed with a sense of triumph, "My search for you has been long!"
Ethan, observing from afar, puzzled over Sebastian's fixation on Vampires Number One and Two.
"This swath of vampire activity across the Avalon Continent is your handiwork, correct? I presume there's a lord behind you, guiding me towards him," Sebastian speculated.
At that revelation, Ethan grasped the full picture. The mutual objective was annihilation, with the prestige of vanquishing a lord far exceeding that of ordinary beasts. Although currently safe within the sanctuary of his temple, under the so-called newbie protection, Sebastian could merely bide his time outside until the protection lapsed to launch an attack.
Realizing the strategic oversight, Ethan chuckled, feeling a mix of pity and amusement for Sebastian, who had failed to realize that his temple had already ascended to the prestigious Black Iron 3-star status within the Arcane Warrior Academy.
Beneath the Shroud of Black Iron, Unconquerable!
"They seem to have me pegged," Ethan mused, a trace of defiance playing at the corner of his mouth.
"Oh, do surrender. Your lord is already within my clutches—what hope do you have?" Sebastian taunted, his face a mask of derision.
Despair flitted across the features of Vampires Number One and Two, a realization dawning too late that their encounter had been anything but coincidental.
However, in that pivotal moment, a radical shift occurred. A radiant white light enveloped Vampire Number Two, piercing the gloom.
Sebastian's visage contorted with recognition of the light, an all too familiar adversary throughout his encounters.
"Cursed be fate!" he seethed inwardly.
To Vampire Number Two's astonishment, she sensed her powers rejuvenating, now magnified beyond their former glory. She had ascended in rank.
"Exhilarating! The Earl, in his boundless grace, has not forsaken us!" she exclaimed, elated beyond measure.
Within the sanctum, Ethan observed the fleeing figures of Vampires Number One and Two, his emotions a tangle of relief and regret.
He had recently deployed his last reserves of 7 merit points to elevate Vampire Number Two from a Black Iron 6-star to a 7-star rank.
This endeavor was undertaken solely to safeguard her.
The act of ascension brought more than mere enhancement of strength; it was a harbinger of healing and revival.
So long as death had not laid its final claim, under the sanctity of the white light, one could find swift restoration.