After the man in the owl mask and the man in the raccoon mask exited the room, the discussion within shifted to the division of North America, a metaphorical cake representing territories and resources.
Since this meeting was precisely about dividing this alluring and delicious cake, the absence of the owl and the raccoon mask wearers was noted but not lamented; in fact, their absence allowed for more candid discussions without concern for their objections later on.
As the meeting delved into the intricate details of dividing the metaphorical cake and resolving related issues, an abrupt change occurred. The mansion's alarm blared, and the mana powering the defensive magic formation surged to life.
A loud boom echoed through the mansion as a large explosion rocked the surroundings, sending shockwaves rippling through the air. Startled, the attendees in the meeting room swiftly rose from their seats and hurried outside to assess the situation.
Outside, the mansion's vast front yard, adorned with luxury cars and meticulously tended gardens by skilled gardeners and maids, was now a scene of chaos. Servants and staff scurried about, seeking shelter, while security forces clad in black suits and modern body armor rushed out from their barracks, armed to the teeth and ready for action.
Their guns were trained on three intruders strolling nonchalantly through the wrecked front of the mansion gate and wall. These intruders were none other than Daniel, Hermes, and Vlad, showing no fear in the face of the pointed weapons.
Witnessing the three intruders, the people in wooden masks were startled. Two of the trio were infamous figures: Daniel Emberweave, known for his victory against a Hell Lord and the destruction of its domain, and Vlad Tepez, the bloodthirsty Prime Ancestor of the Sanguinis Clan.
They don't know about the identity of the third man, dressed in a white suit, but they assumed he possessed the same ferocity as the other two.
In other words, these three men were opponents they couldn't hope to contend with. Their best chance was to delay defeat; there was no chance of victory against such impossible odds. Even the most skilled among them were at the Grand Master Rank Mage, and Hell Lord chew them like snack, let alone the one who can beat the sh*t out of a Hell Lord such as Daniel Emberweave.
"Fire at them! Protect us!" one of the wooden-masked individuals commanded, prompting the guards to unleash a barrage of bullets toward Daniel's group.
Observing this, Hermes waved his hand, causing the ground in front of them to immediately rise and form a sturdy earth wall, effectively blocking all the incoming bullets. The gunfire echoed as the wall absorbed the impact, remaining intact thanks to Hermes continuously repairing it as damage accrued.
In the midst of this, a guard in black armor vaulted over the wall, brandishing a sword glowing with a red aura—a sign of magical enchantment enhancing its sharpness and penetration power, making it capable of piercing through magical shields.
The sword-wielding assailant lunged at Daniel's group, but Vlad stepped forward with a bloodthirsty grin. "Let me deal with these dogs for you! My Lord!" he exclaimed, his gaze fixed on the attacker's neck. It had been some time since he had enjoyed a fresh meal straight from the source, without drinking from blood packs.
After his meal, Vlad licked his lips and fingers, savoring the taste of blood infused with fear and pumped full of adrenaline from his victims.
"If you're full, please clean up the table. I don't want to step on someone's eyeball," Daniel said with a sigh, at Vlad's monstrous nature.
"Yes, my lord!" Vlad replied with a triumphant grin. His gentlemanly demeanor instantly returned, contrasting to the scene of carnage that surrounded him.
The gruesome spectacle – gore, blood, flesh, and intestines – underwent a swift transformation and turned into blood. The spilled blood began to writhe and coalesce, drawn towards Vlad like a crimson tide. It seeped into his very being through his feet, leaving the lawn spotless, almost erasing all traces of his monstrous feast.
Only the swords that were still embedded in his torso and a few scattered claw marks on the ground remained as evidence of the recent mayhem that he caused. Otherwise, one wouldn't suspect Vlad had been engaged in a brutal fight a mere moments ago.
Hermes noticed that Vlad had cleaned up the mess, so he lowered his defensive wall and walked alongside Daniel, who led them toward the mansion. Vlad joined the group and walked with Daniel.
Inside the mansion, all of the security forces had become Vlad's dinner, leaving only maids, gardeners, and some butlers who trembled at the sight of Vlad passing by. Some even brought out a cross to pray, much to Vlad's disdain, as their prayers were filled with fear and devoid of any true faith.
They arrived at the main building but didn't see anyone who appeared to be in charge. Daniel turned to an old butler who seemed knowledgeable.
"Where are the people in charge of this mansion? I mean, the Alchemont Clan patriarch and such. Where are they?" Daniel asked the old butler.
The old butler, though somewhat afraid of Vlad, suppressed his fear and maintained his composure, displaying his veteran butler demeanor to Daniel. Even though Daniel was an intruder, that doesn't mean a butler can show his weakness unfitting for a high-class butler.
"No, sir. In fact, the Alchemont Clan has been taken over by outside mages for quite some time, not long after the last patriarch's demise, Lord Magnus Alchemont, who died at the hands of a Vatican paladin," the butler explained.
"Then, where are those currently in charge of your clan?" Daniel asked again, showing patience.
"For that question, let me answer you, Lord Emberweave," a familiar voice said, one that Daniel hadn't heard in a long time. It took him a moment to recall the voice and connect it to a face.
Daniel turned towards the voice and saw a man in a wooden raccoon mask walking towards him. The man removed the mask, revealing his bald head and a familiar face. It was Sean Montgomery, the owner of the Prosperity Auction House in Sector Alpha City.