Chapter 243 Sanguinis Clan Conflict 03
As for Maria, her movements swift and precise, faced off against the three remaining Sanguinis Clan goons. Each of them possessed the strength and combat experience of seasoned bodyguards, but they were about to confront a vampire whose lineage ran deeper, granting her supernatural speed and strength.n./O--V.)e-(l).B/)1-.n
With a flicker of motion, Maria darted toward the first goon, her lithe form practically a blur. The man swung his fists, aiming to strike her, but she deftly transformed into mist, leaving his powerful blows to crash into the ground. The impact created a large ditch in the earth, breaking rocks as if they were mere pebbles.
Reforming behind her bewildered opponent, Maria struck with deadly precision. Her dagger, gleaming in the faint moonlight, found its mark, piercing the goon's heart. He gasped, his eyes wide with shock, before turning into ash, leaving nothing but a smoky residue.
The remaining two goons, faces contorted in anger and frustration, launched a coordinated attack. They tried to anticipate Maria's movements, but she weaved around their punches with the grace of a seasoned assassin. Her movements were fluid, her attacks precise, and her strength far beyond that of a regular human.
Maria's experience as a spy and assassin during the war in Wallachia served her well in this confrontation. The goons were strong and seasoned, but Maria's natural strength and combat skills surpassed them by a wide margin.
As she continued her deadly dance, Maria made quick work of her opponents. Her vampiric speed allowed her to move with incredible swiftness. In the blink of an eye, she materialized, delivering fatal blows with precision, and then vanished into mist, leaving behind nothing but astonishment in her wake.
The goons found themselves striking at thin air, their fists impacting the ancient stones, causing them to crumble under the force of their own attacks. It was a futile endeavor, as Maria's agility and lethality were unmatched.
With each passing second, it became increasingly evident that Maria held the upper hand. Her vampiric lineage and assassin-like fighting style left the goons didn't have a chance to even lay a hand on her. The outcome was inevitable. Maria turned them to ash, their futile efforts against her power and skill ending in a matter of moments.
The man in the black suit was clearly startled, his voice trembling as he uttered, "Impossible... You... you're a noble vampire!?" He desperately wanted to retreat, but Vlad's shadow domain made it impossible for him to escape.
Vlad, puzzled by the term, repeated, "Noble Vampire?" Turning to his adopted daughter, he asked in confusion, "What's that?"
Maria, exasperated by her father's lack of knowledge about modern vampires, let out a long sigh before explaining, "Dad, after this, please... please read the data I sent to you, okay? I've already shared all the updates on modern-day vampires in our chat group."
She continued, "Unlike our time, modern vampires categorize their bloodlines into five categories based on their birthright and power. From the weakest to the strongest, it goes Scornbloods, Mundane Blood, Noble Blood, Elder Blood, and lastly, Ancient Blood. There's another special case you should read about as well. As for where we fit into these categories, I believe we should be classified as Pure Blood."
lightsΝοvεl ƈοm The man in the black suit expressed his disbelief, sneering as he retorted, "You... You're Ancient Blood? Don't make me laugh! There are only four Ancient Bloods, and they are the ancestors of each prominent vampire clan! And I'm sure it's not you!"
Maria, undeterred, walked toward the man in the black suit, her dagger pointed at his chest, the blade radiating searing pain as if hot steel were pressing against his chest while the dagger remained a few centimeters away from his suit. The man's discomfort was palpable, and he grew alarmed.
"This... this is a blessed silver blade! You work for the Vatican!? You traitor!" the man in the black suit exclaimed. He was certain that the dagger could kill even an elder vampire, if not the ancient vampires, and maybe the ancient vampires would be severely injured by such a weapon.
Vlad, with disdain for the vampire in the black suit's misunderstanding, sneered and walked toward him, stating, "Rest assured, even if this world is destroyed, I will never work for the Vatican."
He continued, "No matter, you can tell us where your clan is, or you won't tell us, and I'll consume you, then summon you as a blood construct to lead me to your clan. The choice is yours." Vlad's smile was filled with bloodlust, and his desire for brutality was evident, as if he were praying for the vampire in the black suit to choose the second option.
— Heiligenberg - Deep in the hidden part of the Forest —
Nestled deep within the hidden recesses of Heiligenberg, concealed behind a deceptive illusion barrier and shrouded in a perpetual veil of dense mountain fog, stood the magnificent and imposing ancestral home of the Sanguinis Vampire Clan. This grand castle was a remarkable fusion of ancient elegance and modern innovation, seamlessly blending the timeless aura of their heritage with the conveniences of the contemporary world.
The castle itself was a formidable structure, its towering spires and formidable stone walls dominating the landscape. Centuries of history were etched into the very stones that comprised its walls, each whispering tales of vampire nobility and the blood magic that had been practiced within these ancient halls.
Amidst the archaic stone architecture, subtle nods to the modern era could be discerned. Satellites, concealed cleverly within the castle's design, peered through the misty veil, providing access to the world beyond. While the exterior retained its age-old charm, the interior was a testament to the vampire clan's adaptability.
Within the castle's halls, the timeless met the contemporary. Ornate chandeliers cast a soft, warm glow over rooms adorned with opulent furnishings. Luxurious cars, sleek and polished, rested in the spacious garage, blending seamlessly with the castle's grandeur. Air conditioning units whispered softly, ensuring the comfort of both vampire and human inhabitants.
A courtyard, verdant and meticulously maintained, offered a respite from the imposing architecture. Here, vampire and human servants mingled, their purpose unified in serving the interests of the clan. Amidst the grandeur and modern amenities, the courtyard stood as a testament to the unique harmony that defined the Sanguinis Clan's way of life.
The ancestral home of the Sanguinis Vampire Clan was not merely a castle; it was a living embodiment of the clan's history, a melding of eras, and a fortress of power that transcended time.
At that very moment, a luxurious car glided through the grand entrance gate, arriving from the outside world, and came to a graceful halt in the clan's extensive grounds. Eager servants, a mix of humans and vampires, swiftly gathered around the vehicle, each eager to assist both the occupants and the driver.
Stepping out of the car, an elegant, middle-aged man exuding an air of nobility emerged, accompanied by a strikingly beautiful woman. Her raven-black hair, captivating features, and alluring presence drew the admiring gazes of many powerful vampires who had gathered from afar to witness the arrival of these esteemed guests.
It was evident that the couple had effortlessly become the focal point of attention.
A diligent servant, his manners marked by politeness and deference, approached the elegant guests. "Sir and madam, may I inquire if you have an appointment?" he asked, his words laced with respect.
Before the guests could respond, a commanding voice resonated, swiftly interrupting the servant. "They are here with me; they are the guests of the Third Elder. Bring them to the guest house of the Third Elder. I need to go and inform him." The authoritative voice belonged to none other than the man in the black suit, the clan's representative.
The two guests, mentioned by the man in the black suit, was none other than Vlad and his adopted daughter, Maria, they had concealed their true nature with scent-masking brooches crafted in the workshop back at their base. None of the vampires had any inkling that these visitors were, in fact, vampires themselves.
The servant, familiar with the man's reputation and his usual dealings with humans seeking to become vampire thralls for extended lifespans, was taken aback by this unusual turn of events. His astonishment was evident. He knew the man's usual tactics and how he preyed on those eager for a taste of immortality.
This was the first time he had seen the man escort guests into the clan grounds. Either the world was turning topsy-turvy, or these guests were of such significance that even prominent vampires within the clan dared not affront them.
"Of course, sir! Please, follow me," the vampire servant hastily responded, bowing respectfully to the two guests before guiding them towards the guest house.
The Sanguinis Clan's grounds were vast, boasting numerous historic buildings, some dating back to the medieval era. Remarkably, diligent upkeep had preserved them in a condition that belied their age.