Rogulf was paralyzed, Zyro didn't know how, but the hunters leader was without a doubt, involuntarily motionless. Rogulf's endeavor to move only to result in hopeless shuddering proved his vulnerable state due to Scarlet's sword.
The helpless hunter stares at Scarlet's beautiful face with mixed dread and confusion.
Zyro shares his bewilderment, too. Because Vampire's racial talents only include innate night vision, long lifespan and tenacious blood that is connected to their ability to manipulate blood. Of course, such features were not given equally - those whose blood ran thin received lesser versions of vampiric abilities, while pure blooded royalties, such as princess Scarlet was born with every lineage talents at its full potential. Hence, she could control her blood so well to the point it could assume physical form as she willed.
So, how was Scarlet able to cast functional magic flames and paralyzed her opponent's body? Despite the typical knowledge that language of gods can only be cast using mana, and vampires lack such immobilizing power.
Zyro didn't know. Nevertheless, what he witnessed cannot be denied.
'...Scary.'
After a while, Rogulf subtly recovered. He came back to reality and questioned, his voice sounds lost.
"How?"
Scarlet smiled as she explained proudly.
"I've been training in manipulating my blood for years now, along the way. I learned where and how it flows through my nerves. At some point in time, I even succeeded in controlling others blood. Impressive, isn't it? Do you know, if you precisely tempered others blood flow in a specific way, you could paralyzed them!"
Then, her eyes turn deathly cold akin to that of a killer. She gazes at the two pained hunters behind Rogulf, attempting to hold their weapons and stand.
"I suggest you two to stay still. Unless you want your friend's head falling... Of course, I'll be kind enough to make sure you will be accompanying him to the afterlife."
They froze, realizing the direness of their situation.
If the strongest among them, Rogulf, can't win and was currently at her mercy. Then what are their chances against her? Considering their injured foot, it's close to none. Or probably none at all.
Although, no live's was taken as of now. Scarlet was without a doubt the victor of this battle.
She look around the camp, her gaze lingering on the two tied slaves for a moment before discarding them and moved on to the supplies.
Delighted by what she saw, Scarlet eyed the poor hunters with a strange, yet charming smile.
"Although, you pigs threaten my chastity with your lustful hearts. I'm a merciful lady, and am willing to give you a second chance to be ferals no more."
She paused.
"However, my mercy isn't free. You three can take your life but leave everything behind, and go... Now!"
The hunters were already preparing their last struggle to death, but Scarlet words surprised them. At first, it sounded dubious, making them think that she's simply toying. However, what choice do they have? Only two, actually.
It's either believe or die fighting. Surely, as veteran survivors, they take the path where they're more likely to survive.
The lady was a deadly foe despite her elegant appearance. She had already proved her cynical might to claim their life if she wanted to, so battling her again was suicide.
As soon as she finished speaking, Scarlet withdrew her saber from Rogulf's shoulder guard, before sending him flying with a flexible yet graceful kick of her long leg.
Even though she appeared lithe with the delicate body of a gentle princess. Her physical might suggest otherwise. For that single kick alone caused an adult flying a few meters away!
Rogulf shortly came down rolling under the stunned gaze of everyone present. Letting out a pained groan along with some curses, as he rose up and looked at Scarlet figure. The temperament of a vicious man was gone, replaced by a scared inferior creature looking at a superior being.
After a moment of hesitation, Rogulf swallowed his pride with gritted teeth. He began taking wary steps back, before gaining momentum as he ran away. The other hunters soon followed his example, limping.
Zyro anticipated Scarlet to send bloody projectiles to hit the fleeing enemies back before they fully escaped her view. However, the princess just stands there, watching them flee without doing anything with her beautiful ruby eyes, until the hunters figure disappears into the woods shadows.
After a while, Scarlet softly sighed.
"That's... Scary. I almost had a repulsive death."
She mumbled, her gaze unfocused as she stared at her silicate pale hand. After a while, she turned to look at the two slaves on the sidelines. Her eyes meet Zyro's dark gaze.
Donning an amuse expression, she strides towards them. Saying;
"My, my, what do I have here! Two servants and lots of food, I must say, I'm quite the fortunate lady tonight-"
The moment she neared at the two, Scarlet suddenly stopped. Seemingly shocked by something as she stares at Zyro with wide eyes.
'Strange.' Zyro gave her a dubious look.
She cough.
"Ahem, my apologies. It's just that, I've never seen someone like you. It's surprising."
Although, she didn't mention it to avoid being disrespectful. He figured she was talking about his pure black hair and eye color. In this world, people are usually born with myriads of colored facial aspects, its level of saturation indicates their lineage purity so as the strength of racial talents they're born with. Zyro, having completely dark hair without tints of any color is really rare. Because to create such impure lineage means degrading one's bloodline for many generations. Which is extremely hard, time consuming and insufficient with nothing beneficial in return. Who would work so hard for so long just to be the weakest breed in a world where power is everything? No one, even an idiot wouldn't be that stupid.
So, seeing Zyro, a hypothetical result of such a moronic breed was shocking. Then again, Zyro wasn't part of any of that, for he is not born in this world.
Still.
Scarlet continued eyeing Zyro with unconcealed curiosity. The atmosphere between them soon became awkward, due to no one speaking. The princess said a lot by now, meaning, it's the other party's turn to reply. However.
Zyro and Pert choose to keep their mouth shut in her presence, which creates this awkward stalemate. People of higher standing tend to disdain lowlifes, such as slaves like them. To the point their insignificant voice sounds annoying. But Zyro was quiet mainly because he preferred that way.
After a while, Scarlet grew impatient.
"You're free to speak, I don't mind."
Her voice sounds gentle and soothing to the ear. With a touch of adorable immaturity in her vocal.
That said, what is there to say? Zyro can't think of anything. So, he looked at Pert. Prompting the kid to say something, whatever it may be, just say something! Apparently, Pert was blank, as well. Perhaps his afraid of making mistakes and offending the princess accidentally, waking her wrath. That will be troublesome, Zyro didn't want her as an enemy after witnessing Scarlet crushing three hunters alone.
'You're kidding me, I don't want to talk to her either.'
But he didn't want to displease her more. Because in royalties view, slaves might be disposable workers they're free to stump on whenever they see fit.
Thinking about it, not replying to the princess is somewhat disrespectful. After all, their silence made her appear she's being ignored or talking to herself like a fool.
'I need to say something at least to avoid unnecessary trouble, but what? Wait, Aizra. She might have some ideas.'
Out of options, Zyro didn't prolong any longer as he listened to Aizra's opinion with some doubts.
Putting on a crooked grin, Zyro finally replied what Aizra had suggested to him.
"Um, Good evening?."
Scarlet suddenly chuckled, restraining herself from bursting out laughing, her joy sounding like a melodious ring in the silent night. On his side, Pert cough.
'Great, who talk like that you moron!'
Zyro wasn't bad at conversation, it's just that his not much of a speaker. Additionally, Earth's modern style of communication was rather strange in this world. So he tried his best not to use it, adding speaking an alien language fluently made talking harder. He didn't have this problem with Pert, but to speak decently to a royal princess was another level.
Scarlet wipes away the tiny tear on the side of her blinked eye.
"I must say, you really know how to start a conversation. It's been so long since I laughed since getting lost within the forest. You have my gratitude."
Zyro quickly pulled himself together, sounding polite as possible in a noble manner.
"Your welcome."
She nodded, before saying.
"State your name."
Zyro hesitated for a second, but deemed lying meaningless at the end. His name isn't famous anyway, no need to hide.
"Zyro."
Then, he turned to Pert. The kid quickly understood his meaning as he introduced himself nervously.
"I'm Pert. an Aster."
With introduction over, Zyro's composed mind took the initiative where to lead the conversation. To something his really dubious about. His eyes are slightly cold, his voice wary.
"May I ask, what's your intention to us... lowlifes?"
Zyro hates beating around the bush unless necessary. Unfortunately, this time wasn't one of those. To approach poor slaves with unconcealed interest, Scarlet must be aiming for something related to them. Zyro had some guesses in mind for what it is, and it's not pleasant.
Wearing a charming smile, Scarlet replied with a hint of amusement.
"You're a straight forward young man, hmm. I like people like you, getting down to the point to avoid wasting time. I'll make this quick then."
Her crimson eyes burn with bloodlust.
"You see..."
Then, her glossy pink lips parted open, revealing two lines of pure white teeth's. Each ending with sharp fangs drenched in clear saliva.
"I'm hungry."