Chapter 237 The War Inside [8]

In five considered strategic locations found in the capital of Rainfire of the Southern Vampire Lands, the ground started to shake, causing the vampires – commoners and some nobles – to run away at this time of the day, when murky crimson clouds were enveloping the sky, to be either confused or to act on their instinct as they started to run to wherever direction their feet would them to.

Rumble-! Rumble-

It was felt throughout the entire capital of Rainfire, as though the earthquake's epicenter, due to its intensity, was located in five different locations that seemed to resemble a five-point star. The twelfth Vampire Lord, Duradel Vlad Salem of the Rainfire Clan, residing in his castle situated in the middle of its capital, was suddenly jolted awake from his slumber. Realizing the possibility of the situation, he quickly stood up from his king-size bed and left the lord's bedroom to address his close subordinates, who, at this moment, had also felt the unexpected earthquake that bore ominous circumstances.

"My Lord-! It seems it's a form of attack from our enemies, although we have no idea how they managed to get this far deep in the capital."

Vampire Grand Duke, Duralha of Redluna or Duralha von Redluna, bowed his head as the Vampire Lord Duradel appeared in the grand hall with a calm yet serious expression and sat on his throne situated on the further end of this majestic place.

"Send some men to investigate and kill any possible intru-"

Bang-!

The Vampire Lord Duradel didn't manage to finish his words as a Vampire Knight came rushing from the enormous door of the grand hall, causing everyone's attention to be focused on the individual in question. One of the vampire nobles was just about to scold the Vampire Knight for the intrusion of such an important discussion when the Vampire Knight said in an urgent voice.

"Forgive me my Lord, but the Elves are attacking right now, at this moment!"

"What-!?"

Collective gasps and expressions of madness were suddenly painted by the other vampires. They were initially shocked by the emergency report, but realizing that the Elves might have just served themselves on a silver platter caused them to feel elated as some of them seemed to even drool at the bold move of the Elves.

The Vampire Lord Duradel, who had yet to make a response, raised his right hand, which was felt by the vampire nobles who weren't looking his way at the moment. As everyone in the grand hall closed their mouths for babbling or having any kind of reaction, the Vampire Knight, who felt that the Vampire Lord was waiting for his next words, continued his urgent report.

"My Lord… the entire capital has been surrounded."

At those words, the cocky vampire nobles, who seemed to feel ecstasy at the possibility of crushing the Elves, had their expressions turned grim. They realized that this sudden attack, which wasn't seen in the outskirts or other cities of Rainfire, was thoroughly planned. In other words, it seemed that the Elves had a collective state of mind in this offensive, which was considered to be the most dangerous mindset an opponent in a war could have – to fight to the death.

"You did your job."

Still composed yet serious, the Vampire Lord commended the Vampire Knight, though the latter didn't feel any delight due to the urgency being invoked by the current circumstances. After that, Vampire Lord Duradel summoned a fiery eye and sent it out from the castle, which then caused everyone inside to see the current state of the Rainfire's capital. Hundreds to thousands of Elves were pouring from the ginormous gates from the five locations of the capital, which was situated each near the gates of this central city of this land.

"I see… It seems the Elves have gone crazy. Mobilize the necessary units and we'll step up the moment the relevant figures make their appearance.

"If the Elves want to fight to the death, then they clearly made a stupid decision."

As the Vampire Lord Duradel said those words with conviction, the vampire nobles seemed to feel more secure, even though they possessed strength ranging from A+ to SSS+ ranks, which was a suicide to go against without proper measurement of combat efficiency.

Pausing for ten to thirteen seconds, the Vampire Lord Duradel continued:

"Release the Motressa!"

His voice echoed throughout the grand hall, prompting everyone to put on a smile of feeling reassured at the destruction of the Elves.

***

"Capture those who are surrendering and kill those who are retaliating-!"

"For the Elven Goddess!"

"For the World Tree, Yggdrasil!"

The massive number of Elves kept pouring out from the utilized artifact: Gate of Nature which was planted across the capital of Rainfire. Their shouts reverberated as most of the vampire commoners, who were fed up with this seemingly endless war against the folks of nature, surrendered. However, it couldn't be said for some vampire nobles, who were sightseeing or buying whatever they desired in this city, and for the Vampire Soldiers either roaming around or guarding the capital. They retaliated but were quickly met with demise as the number of Elves far outnumbered the current number of military forces positioned in this soon-to-be-battlefield and wasteland. With that said, it was not just about the quantity, but also the quality or the overall strength of an Elven Soldier to deal with a Vampire Soldier, that made this surprise attack partially successful.

"I know this mission wasn't assigned by me, but I believed we could count on you! Thank you for your hard work."

Thessalia, one of the Elven Commanders in the entirety of the Elven Army, who just appeared from one of the five similar artifacts that allowed this mass transportation to happen, addressed with gratification, painted in her facial expression and evident in her tone, the leader of the Umbra Mercenary, Russell Moon, and then proceeded to greet shortly the other members, as well as Ayleen Mayfield.

After that, seeing the variable she didn't expect, Thessalia queried openly.

"...A new member perhaps?"

"Oh, her name's Elizabeth. And yes, you could say that."

Russell responded to Thessalia's curiosity. He didn't divulge any information regarding the identity that Elizabeth von Etherion was of royalty, a princess at that, of Etheria – one of the nations of the Orion Continent. Normally, an average Elf could have known Elizabeth's identity since she's one of the participants in the El-Vul-Or Tournament, however, Thessalia was no average Elf and had no time in watching the El-Vul-Or Tournament that had transpired due to her duty of guarding the Northern border of Elnira Kingdom.

"Hello. Nice meeting you. I've heard great things about your previous mission, and though it may be very late, I offer my condolences for the late Commander Tafor."

Elizabeth said in a polite manner, while Thessalia responded with a nod, along with a smile spread across her face.

"All right! Since your mission's over, you can take a rest now. We'll take it from-"

"No, you are mistaken Commander Thessalia. Even though our mission of letting a great portion of the Elven Army transport here with Your Majesty, Queen Amara's Gate of Nature, we have decided to see this invasion to the end."

Russell Moon said in a serious manner, willing to fight on this side of the war, even though the most valuable locations of the Orion Continent turned into a bloody battlefield. Then, as Thessalia didn't get any reactions from the rest of Russell's group, which meant that they agreed on one man's decision, the former let out a sigh as she said:

"Well, it looks like there's no stopping you. So, one of the commanders, I allow you to go on a rampage."

With that said, the beginning of the "Great Invasion of Rainfire," to sweep the land of the vampires and to attempt to finish the seemingly everlasting war, finally commenced.

***

In the capital of Cassiopeia, Alapeia, where the first attack of the Vampire Race against the entire humanity had taken place.

Anya Amasawa, with the order of her father, Makoto Amasawa, the Guild Leader of the Olympus Guild, was sent to the front lines to fight against the swarming Vampire Soldiers, who were hungry for human blood.

Under the guidance of one of the greatest elite squads of the Olympus Guild, Anya Amasawa, a few distances away from the echoes of battle, scrutinized the surroundings that turned crimson due to the pool and paint of blood, which was the result of casualties from both sides.

"Miss Anya. I've been briefed by the Guild Master regarding your request, so I'll be frank.

"Don't hesitate in front of the enemy."

The leader of the squad, Akane Fuka, a female Japanese-born like Anya, said in a serious manner.

They were currently in a huge tent, situated on the vacant road of this supposedly noble land, which now turned into temporary barracks meant to fend off the advancing Vampires in this direction, where one of the main entrances to the wide castle of this capital was situated.

The main force of the King of Cassiopeia was handling the Vampires from where these pests were flocking and where they concentrated their manpower.

Although Akane Fuka – short blue-haired, aqua-eyed, whitish-skinned, and around 171 centimeters – said the words above vaguely, Anya seemed to have grasped it in a way.

"Thank you for reminding me and accepting me in this squad. I won't let you down."

Anya said in a serious manner, stilling her resolve to go into this war – where her life was something that couldn't be bought and could be taken away from her without a shred of hesitation.

After some time of formal discussion, one of the men entered the tent, and greeted the daughter of the Olympus Guild shortly, before reporting to the Squad Leader.

"Miss Akane, hundreds of Vampires Soldiers are coming this way!"

***

On the outskirts of the eleventh territory of the Vampire Lands, "Disruption," Scarlet Netherdawn, along with Han Jiho, arrived together.

"W-where are we?"

After leaving the Obelisk Academy in a discreet manner, not knowing how it happened, Han Jiho looked around and asked in confusion how they seemed to have teleported from the Obelisk Academy to a faraway place, which was roughly thousands of kilometers away from the Orion Continent.

"That's not important right now. You said you want to contribute to the war against those pesky bloodsuckers, so I brought you to a place where everyone, except the two of us, is from a Vampire Race."

The words of the professor from the General Overall System Theories didn't quite get processed by Han Jiho's mind. However, after a few seconds of comprehending it, his natural black eyes dilated.

"W-we are in the Vampire Lands?!"