Chereads / Legacy of the Crimson Lord / Chapter 100 - Chapter 95: Alliance (Part 1)

Chapter 100 - Chapter 95: Alliance (Part 1)

Various spells rained down like an unending barrage upon the shimmering barrier that had risen anew. Each collision caused the barrier to quiver slightly or even dent, but it was quickly reinforced by the divine power continuously infused into it. The mid- to low-tier spells, which required little time to cast, lacked the overwhelming force of the Dark Dragon Slash that had initially clashed with the barrier, yet their persistence meant that the contest now hinged on endurance. In other words, Fars was engaged in a battle of attrition against the numerous low-level clerics and a white-robed priest within the church.

With mana comparable to that of a mage and a mana recovery speed not inferior to that of a mage, Fars found himself nearly on par with a legitimate mage in this war of endurance. Over time, the collective effort of the clerics inside the church began to falter against him. While their combined divine power was indeed superior in total, the disparity in individual strength meant that the lower-level priests struggled to keep up with the mana consumption.

As the speed at which the barrier restored itself began to slow, Fars estimated that the people inside were nearing their limits. He too was feeling the strain; the depletion of his mana was secondary to the intense mental and physical toll of sustained spellcasting. The barrier now resembled a thin film losing its elasticity, and with enough time, he could gradually wear it down. A forceful impact exceeding its recovery capacity could bring it crashing down.

The commotion had already awakened many citizens of Yao City. Only those on the outskirts remained unaffected by the violent sounds of the clash. Most people, unsure of what was happening, merely hid in their homes, peeking out curiously at the dazzling lights resulting from the collision of spells and divine magic. However, there were some in Yao City who grasped the situation and understood the stakes involved.

In the heart of Yao City, a luxurious mansion had its lights rekindled after being extinguished. An elderly man, supported by a servant, slowly descended the stairs. A young man dressed in a splendid robe, appearing to be in his thirties, quickly rose and offered a slight bow of respect.

"Forgive my late-night intrusion, Uncle. I hope it hasn't caused too much disturbance."

This young man was none other than the husband of Lady Osyka, who had lost a significant amount of blood to Fars just days prior. He was the second most powerful figure in Yao City, Marquis Osyka. The nobility in Yao City was not solely dominated by one family; the current city lord, the elderly man who had just come down the stairs, was aging and had begun to relinquish his long-held power. Unfortunately, there were no capable successors among his family members, and forcing a relative into the position might endanger their lineage.

The current Marquis Osyka was the designated next city lord. He had inherited the title at a young age and had proven himself capable, leading most nobles to accept him as the future ruler. His late-night visit was likely motivated by the events unfolding at the church.

Many happenings in the city could not escape their notice. With capable advisors and strategists at their disposal, they could analyze the situation and, coupled with the confirmed identity of the black-robed vampire attacking the church, deduce who had assaulted Lady Osyka. The mere act of blood extraction would not have incited such fury in the cautious Marquis; what truly angered him was the indelible mark of betrayal he now bore.

"Oh? No trouble at all. I'm getting old and often have restless nights filled with dreams. It's a rare pleasure to have someone to talk to at this hour."

The elderly man settled into a chair opposite the Marquis, nodding for him to sit down as they exchanged pleasantries. Despite his calm demeanor, the old man was sharp-minded. He was always on guard against the ambitious Marquis, who could seize the city lord position at any moment. Over the years, he had leveraged his position to secure numerous benefits for his family, but with the Osyka family poised to take power, they would inevitably seek to claim their share of the city's wealth. The old man was well aware that the young lion was already showing its teeth, and failing to guard against him would be foolish.

As they conversed, the old man deftly pushed aside the pressing matters, while the anxious Marquis Osyka was eager to act. He longed to dispatch someone to capture the arrogant vampire, inflict torture, and then burn him at the stake, watching him struggle in the flames. He could hardly contain himself, wanting to bring the issue to light; otherwise, the old fox would keep him "chatting" until dawn, potentially denying him the chance to address the matter delicately.

"Uncle, I trust you've heard about the events outside. I've acted rashly regarding Elena, but now the vampire that attacked my wife is brazenly assaulting the church. I implore you, city lord, to mobilize the forces in Yao City for support. If possible, please inform the Magic Guild as well."

With these words, he even referred to the old man as "city lord," adopting a more formal tone. However, the elderly man remained calm, leisurely sipping his tea before responding to the impatient Marquis Osyka.

"Is that so? The blood clan has become so audacious? However, we cannot act recklessly regarding city defenses. We must convene the nobles to discuss this matter before mobilizing. After all, Yao City is not solely under my authority."

Setting down his delicate cup, he continued, "Do not be hasty, Marquis. I've heard that the bishop is already on his way to Yao City. It's best not to trouble the Magic Guild for now. Besides, didn't you have some agreement with that bishop?"

As he spoke, the old man's tone grew colder. There were few matters in Yao City that could escape his notice, and he was well aware of the schemes between the new bishop and himself. This line of questioning seemed to catch Marquis Osyka off guard.

Although the Marquis felt a surge of anger and wanted to expose the old man's dealings with the Magic Guild, they both understood the unspoken truths. The struggle between the Magic Guild and the church had long infiltrated the noble factions of the city. Unable to win over the Magic Guild, which had longstanding ties with the city lord, Marquis Osyka had no choice but to support the newly arrived bishop. There was an unspoken understanding between them. He had indeed promised the bishop some benefits, but only on the condition that he could deal with the blood clan that had violated his wife.

The Marquis, not yet the city lord, found it hard to remain composed in the face of such accusations. His facade began to crumble, and he realized that his purpose for coming that night was being undermined. Frustrated, he let out a heavy huff, signaling his displeasure before taking his leave.

Watching the Marquis Osyka's retreating figure, the old man instructed a nearby servant, "Go fetch Mr. Gu."

Once outside, Marquis Osyka glared at the black-robed figure focused on casting spells in the sky, seething as he returned to his estate. Compared to the old man, his influence felt somewhat lacking. He had initially thought the bishop would be a great ally, but it seemed he had fallen into a trap.

Fars was not entirely absorbed in attacking the church; he remained vigilant against the movements of some powerful figures in the city. There might be hidden threats he had yet to detect, but among the already exposed presences, there were at least two who had reached the eighth level. It was clear that Yao City was not to be underestimated. He could also sense the gaze from the Magic Tower, formerly known as Joseph Tower. The nature of that gaze was difficult to discern at the moment.

The spectacle had unfolded dramatically enough to be the talk of Yao City for some time. Fars decided it was time to strike. He stowed away his wand and grasped the Frost Greatsword, transformed from Danys, channeling nearly half of his mana into it. The entire night seemed to be enveloped in a brilliant blue light, and a clear, ethereal cry resonated as the blue light around Fars began to take the form of an ice phoenix, radiating an overwhelming aura as it descended.

In an instant, the barrier was consumed by the ice phoenix, and the unprotected church was utterly reduced to icy shards under the relentless chill. Nasa, horrified, stared at the black-robed figure before him. Before he could react, he felt a sharp pain in his neck as his blood surged forth, pooling around him. His struggles weakened, and the white-robed priest, now a mere husk, was released by Fars.

The infusion of blood imbued with divine essence not only restored Fars's strength but also ignited several dark runes within the magic array in his mind, accelerating the overall operation of the array and allowing his mana and mental energy to recover at an even faster rate.

This entire scene was witnessed by those with keen eyes. As Fars's aura continued to rise, the onlookers showed no inclination to intervene. In fact, some of the presences began to fade away, likely retreating. Having witnessed Fars unleash an attack rivaling ancient spells, many realized they could not hope to stop him, leaving only the Magic Tower, which continued to observe closely.

Many were waiting for the bishop to return to see how the situation would unfold. Just then, a group of mounted clerics entered through the southern city gate, led by Berlaute, which puzzled some in the city. Not long before, a large swarm of bats had flown overhead. From a distance, Fars sensed a familiar presence among the bats. As he scrutinized the group, he could not discern which among them belonged to the blood clan.

Regardless, being pursued by a white-robed priest should not exceed the count level. Fars was unaware of the ancient vampire lurking in the area, but that did not hinder his next move. He had found a kindred spirit, and amidst the throngs of humans and the watchful eyes in Yao City, there was a possibility for temporary cooperation.

Was it merely a count? As the swarm of bats drew closer, Fars's perception sharpened. If they were only of that caliber, there was no need for formality. Perhaps he was just a viscount-level vampire, a tier below, but the aura he exuded after feasting on the unfortunate white-robed priest was no less formidable than that of a true mage.

There was no need to identify the true form of the vampire; Fars directly conveyed his intent to the surrounding airspace: "That white-robed priest is my prey. You will either die or follow my command."