The demon army's intelligence resources can be divided into two main categories. One is dwarves, and the other is vampires. (Succubi are exceptions. Giant-monster-spiders are problematic as an intelligence species.)
Dwarves were a military class specialized in military intelligence and sabotage. They boasted agents who could burrow and disrupt anywhere as long as there was earth.
Since humans cannot live in the sky, dwarves could inflict terrible casualties on supply lines of all civilizations throughout the war. (The Annihilation Squad took revenge by doing the same to the demon army.)
Vampires played a different role. With their human-like appearance (even more attractive), they could infiltrate strongholds, produce minions, and enchant those in power. Since humans generally crave immortality, becoming a vampire's servant often appears as a blessing.
Elves were immune to dwarves as they could fly and lived on islands, and they were already immortal so they were immune to vampires as well, but human nobles weren't so fortunate.
That's how it should have been.
If only Enrique hadn't bitten an Elder right before the war broke out, it would have certainly been that way.
It's not uncommon for Elders dispatched to human society to be hunted by clergy. That's not particularly surprising. However, Enrique's case was unprecedented in history.
She devoured her own father while retaining all vampire techniques and abilities, hunted Elders dispatched to various countries, and grew stronger.
Thus, she became the worst traitor who awakened blood abilities more powerful than any Elder under Olega.
Enrique's existence alone restricted all vampire activities. When they infiltrated, they were inevitably discovered; when exposed, they were inevitably subjugated; and once subjugated, all demon army intelligence flowed into her ears.
It's no surprise that Olega wanted to capture and tear her apart alive.
Unable to move around during the day and difficult to use as troops, vampires failed to prove their worth until the end of the war. Since their necromancy was insignificant compared to Aviditas's servants, vampire society remained despised until the demon army collapsed.
Therefore, Enrique is the mortal enemy of all vampires.
At this point when the Hero has disappeared, the Knight has died, the Saintess has lost her power, and nations have withdrawn troops to plan expeditions.
The plan to eliminate Enrique and destroy the United Kingdom's intelligence resources was an aspiration that had to be fulfilled "without fail," regardless of feasibility or cost-benefit analysis.
Everything seemed to be going as expected.
Enrique chose seclusion without resistance, citizens trembled in fear, and the city was paralyzed. The remaining troops focused on sealing the gates. After all, the city's unrest would be resolved once the expeditionary force returned.
They desecrated the Annihilation Squad's cemetery to drive the point home.
If they could resurrect Lieutenant Colonel Ivan Petrovich, the "Spider of Death" who was "clearly dead," what would Enrique matter? It would be nothing short of national subversion.
Resurrecting the entire Annihilation Squad could make the collapse of the alliance more than just a dream.
If they could also resurrect Ivan "the Thunder Emperor" to command them, and revive "the Thunder Emperor's Royal Guard," restoring Olega's legion from the Great War wouldn't be difficult.
And if they could subjugate the captured Enrique with the power of their bloodline.
Yes, if only that could happen...
"Avenging my father is not the issue."
Yust Vito Mark. The only survivor of Olega's bloodline. The king of vampires.
If he could defeat the traitor who dared to claim the title of Demon King, absorb Aviditas's relic sleeping in the Pritzenkaya treasury, and even devour Enrique—
"Then, what would be wrong with calling me the Demon King?"
He's not wrong.
All ambitious people have plans.
Until they meet the Annihilation Squad.
EP42. Succession.
The vampires were dumbfounded.
Despite the urgency, their strongest forces (the Death Knight Royal Guard) assembled with all available resources couldn't stop the enemies.
They were evenly matched with the skeletal Annihilation Squad that had been raised just to spite them. This alone was enough to make them spit blood.
But it's fine. They had the corpse of "one of the strongest individuals before the Hero Party." The remains of such a being couldn't be obtained without raiding the "Old Guardian Knights" enshrined in the Tilles Grand Cathedral.
In other words, they could fully resurrect an old hero. With abilities from his prime comparable to the Hero Party, an undying body that neither dies nor tires, and all the combat experience accumulated until his death.
They resurrected such a being, only for him to (essentially) commit suicide after exchanging pleasantries...
And now before their eyes.
"Wait. Wait, let's talk— let's talk—"
Red-eyed Enrique was smiling at them. The reason she had to hide and run away in the first place wasn't because of such minions. Just as she clearly had a hierarchical relationship with "someone who had infiltrated," she also had a clear hierarchical relationship with these vampires.
When the vampires hurriedly tried to transform into bats and flee, Enrique, who had somehow climbed onto the windowsill, drew a dagger and swung it. The vampire who had most nimbly chosen to escape instantly became a headless corpse falling to the ground.
Lucia approached smoothly and sank her teeth into the gap between his severed neck. Blood clan vampirism. A fitting choice for the child of one who had devoured an Elder.
'A hostage—!'
This was the natural flow of thought. Escape was impossible so they had to fight, but fighting here would mean certain annihilation.
Why had Enrique been hiding so quietly until now? Wasn't it because taking hostages would be troublesome?
If she appeared on the frontline herself, what would that mean? It meant she had no worries because potential hostages were within reach.
Just as the most agile vampire had chosen to flee faster than anyone, the most cunning vampire turned his eyes toward hostages faster than anyone.
Enrique's clan members would be difficult to immediately neutralize even if they rushed to capture them. Since that child was also a vampire, if he transformed and escaped, it would take time to chase him. And in that amount of time, Enrique could slice him dozens of times.
Then they needed to capture a human. The vampire's eyes quickly turned to the other companions.
The kids standing dumbly watching the battle between the "Spider of Death" and the "Thunder Emperor"... Yes, humans that Enrique cherishes.
"Shadow Sword, stop!!"
The vampire shouted at Enrique with a sinister smile. He had already positioned himself behind the group and was reaching out his hand.
First toward the man in priest's clothing standing at the very back. Priests are typically the most vulnerable class in direct combat, and in this situation, having lost their divine power, they're no more or less than civilians—
-Slash.
The outstretched hand was cut off. As the vampire rolled his eyes in bewilderment, he saw the face of the priest looking at him.
A young human male with sharp jawlines. He growled lowly with a solemn face.
"The Lord is great."
There was no time to coordinate. The vampire who failed his offensive quickly twisted his body to escape.
Thud, something touched his back. It was a movement as if someone had predicted his escape route.
Looking back, a woman in armor was glaring at him.
"Ugh."
That was the best he could manage to groan. A longsword stuck in his chest was gleaming under the torchlight.
[If there's a chance of victory, I won't lose.] This doesn't simply mean "undefeated." It means being able to instinctively realize the optimal move needed to win.
In other words, when it comes to delivering a "decisive blow," especially if it's a surprise attack, Yu-ri can always succeed. It's an ability that can activate even in front of the Seven Dragon Generals if conditions are met.
Now, the vampires who were neither "particularly agile" nor "particularly cunning" found themselves frozen as they discovered the companions surrounding them.
"Master! Master—!!"
One vampire cried out in terror. Fear is the most extreme manifestation of survival instinct. Even vampires can fall into panic. Contrary to the misconception that undead are immune to fear, intelligent beings who chose to become undead typically have a more intense desire for life than anyone else.
Black steel rose from the center of the group, gently pushing aside Yu-jin and Oskar's shoulders.
The group reflexively made way. It's natural for the leader to take the lead.
Especially if it's for revenge.
"Your master cannot save you."
Blue eyes under ash-gray hair glare at the vampire.
"No one can."
Even Enrique stopped moving at this moment. The vampires watched the approaching man, having lost even the minimal will to resist.
"I, I know a lot. Let's make a deal, a deal. If the Shadow Sword drinks my blood, I will gladly become a servant—"
"Shh."
Ivan raised his axe to press against his lips. With unhurried determination, he slowly moved forward. With the late king watching over his back, this place is—
"The royal court. Traitors should rightfully kneel."
A hand descends over the frightened vampire's head. Under the shadow, the vampire hiccupped softly. Heavily grasping that hair, Ivan's right hand stretched up toward the ceiling.
The axe blade held at its end gleamed blue.
"Sa-save me..."
"I have never kept a promise to spare someone."
The promises made to the many who departed before scattered as futilely as their deaths.
However.
"I have never broken a promise not to let someone live."
You will not survive longer than today.
That's what he promised.
In this royal court where the late king watches over, Ivan dares not break his oath, and.
The Annihilation Squad does not make deals.
They only collect.
-Crack.
The strength drains from beneath the crushed skull. Ivan withdrew his hand and looked at the terrified vampires.
The remaining vampires began to charge, gritting their teeth. Yes, that's right. How could one extract blood price from those who give up easily?
As the group tried to approach, Enrique lightly stopped them. After all, it wasn't a fight they would lose—
"Leave him be for now. He needs to vent."
Today, that man has earned the right to be cruel.
Deep within the Krasilov Palace in Pritzenkaya, there is a treasury. Unlike the royal bank managed by the royal treasurer, here lie objects of incalculable value.
All the relics in this deeply sealed place are equivalent to the history of this country. Heirlooms from the Northern Small Kingdom era, relics from the age when gods walked the earth, tributes from subjugated vassals. Even spoils from the conquest wars.
This is the royal family's history of victory.
"Aviditas, I shall avenge you."
If there is the most brilliant relic, it is undoubtedly this. Aviditas's remains. The consecration was already complete when divine power still remained, so not even a trace of the Seven Dragon General's malice remains, yet it is still a powerful divine object.
The Seven Dragon Generals are beings that contain divinity. In other words, Aviditas's remains are the corpse of a god. Even if consecrated with divine power, it cannot become a mere corpse.
For demons, this is more than symbolic. It is one of the most powerful holy relics.
"I will burn this land, crush all life originating from it, and drink that blood as an offering..."
Olega's direct descendant growled in fury.
The remains left by the god of necromancy, a skull split in half as if struck by an axe, was looking straight up at him.
Now the divine power that washed and suppressed this no longer protects this land.
Drops of vampire blood fell onto the skull drop by drop. Soon, whoosh. Blue ghostly fire ignited beneath the empty interior of the skull.
[-Kill...]
Beneath it, bitter resentment began to seep out. Not the thoughts of an undead, but traces left by a dead god.
It's merely a trace of the deceased with no memory or will remaining. However, for the king of vampires, an Elder Vampire, even that was more than enough.
After all, a fragmented divinity is rather welcome.
Holding Olega's fragmented divinity, the vampire pressed the raised skull directly onto his head.
[...Kill them all—]
The vampire coldly replied to the ancient god echoing in his ears.
"I will gladly do so."
Including the share of all his servants who went out to buy time and ended up dead.