Chapter 90 Monstrous
The group of Magi and guards ran towards the depth of the tunnel. Everyone had solemn expressions on their faces, especially the guards.
This was going to be a battle between Magi, and mortals like them would only serve as cannon fodder. They knew this fact, yet they continued to run forward with determination.
Some wanted to avenge their loved ones, while others wanted to rescue their loved ones.
Regardless of their reason, they were ready to lay down their lives and protect the city that they grew up in.
As the group continued to run forward, suddenly they started hearing the sounds of hurried footsteps coming from the other end of the tunnel.
"They're here." The Count, who was running at the forefront, muttered in a cold voice.
He began to infuse mana into his magic artifact, but right at that moment, he was stopped by one of his trusted subordinates.
"My Lord, save your strength," The guard said solemnly.
"You..." The Count was taken aback, not having expected his men to take the initiative first. He thought that they'd be terrified of going into battle, but it seemed just the opposite.
The guard smiled. "As long as you're alive, the city will be in good hands. The people of the city will live well under your rule. They will be safe and so will my family."
Count Hannes was moved. He could see the fear in the guard's eyes, but despite that, he was willing to fight to death. If this wasn't bravery, then what was?
"Very well." The Count nodded after a brief pause. "I will cut down a path straight ahead and rush forward with the Magi. You all will deal with the spawns."
"Yes, my lord!" The guard slammed his fist against his chest plate. He then retreated and ordered the rest of the guards, "Men, ready the potions!"
"OHH!" The rest of the guards responded in unison and brandished their weapons and readied the Potion of Explosion in their hands.
Magus Karl looked at the many crystal vials containing bright orange liquid and smiled gratefully. "Magus Adam really did us a favor by brewing so many of those potions."
Everyone agreed. If it wasn't for Adam's potions, the casualties among the city guards would have been substantially more.
On the other side of the cavern, dozens of pairs of crimson bloodthirsty eyes were now visible. They were coming over at great speed.
Count Hannes turned his head and looked at Edward, "Young Magus, carve a path ahead with me, will ya?"
All the vampire spawns were drowned in one explosion after another. After the city guards had chucked away all the potions, and the fire from the explosions had died down, they raised their swords and charged at the undead creatures that had still managed to survive.
"KILL THEM ALL!!" The lead guard screamed, his eyes spewing venom.
"OHHHH!!" The rest of the guards followed after him and a brutal bloodbath began.
...
Inside the cavern, the vampire suddenly turned his head after he heard the series of explosions go off just now. His face turned extremely grim.
He then turned around and screamed at the three vampire spawns that were piling up the live bodies of the human sacrifices in an organized manner.
"Hurry!"
The spawns hastened their movements. Meanwhile, the vampire Magus subconsciously turned his head towards the throne made of bones, his gaze landing on the coffin beyond it.
A myriad of emotions flashed past his eyes. Sensing the ripples in the vampire's heart, a foreign voice echoed inside his mind. Following that, the vampire's eyes glazed over momentarily, and then, they shone with great resolve.
"If it comes down to it... I'd be more than happy to—" Suddenly, the vampire turned his head towards a particular human piled on the ritual formation.
With his heightened senses, he could clearly hear this particular human's heart beating much faster than the others. This should not have been possible, however.
After all the human sacrifices had been drugged, their heartbeats had fallen to the bare minimum level, just enough to sustain their bodies.
But why did this human's heart beat at a normal rate? The vampire wondered in confusion.
His eyebrows furrowed and he walked toward this human, all the while thinking, Has he not been injected with the drug?
He approached the human and stood right over him, carefully observing him. Suddenly, the vampire saw the human's closed eyes slightly twitch and a bead of sweat slowly roll down his forehead.
The vampire was dumbfounded. "He's conscious?!"
Adam's eyes snapped open and he looked at the vampire and nervously laughed.
"Hehe, oops. You got me!"