Chapter 84: The Power of the Night Witch

No—more precisely, my body, now possessed by the lingering soul of the Witch of the Night, smiled as I looked at the terrified Vampire King before me and teased, “What’s wrong? Why don’t you make your move? Didn’t you say you craved my blood?”

Hearing my mocking words, the Vampire King didn’t advance; instead, he retreated, widening the distance between us.

“So the bloodline of vampires has fallen to such a state? Have you lost even the courage to fight for your life?” I said, disappointed, as I observed the Vampire King’s timorous demeanor.

“In that case, allow me to strike first. I’ll consider it my thanks to this little girl for letting me see the world anew.” I smiled, and in my hand appeared an ancient, blood-red scythe. “What a coincidence—my weapon is a scythe as well. Its name is Crimson Dusk.” At my summoning, the blood-red scythe hummed softly in my hand, hungering for blood.

My form flickered, and I reappeared before the Vampire King in an instant.

“Domain—Infernal Prison.” Faced with my sudden approach, the Vampire King unleashed his domain. Countless screams, wails of hatred, and cries of injustice echoed within, chilling to the bone. Wrathful wraiths rampaged across a sea of blood, turning everything it touched into a vision of hell.

“A domain? Now that’s interesting.” I halted just before his domain. “You must be starving, my friend. It’s time for your feast.” I gently caressed the blood-red scythe.

No sooner had I spoken than a joyous hum arose from the blade. The crimson glow on the scythe intensified, swirling into a blood-colored vortex. The wraiths, as if sensing their nemesis, scattered in terror. But the vortex’s pull grew ever stronger, and at last, all the wraiths were devoured. As it finished, the blade of Crimson Dusk grew so saturated with blood it seemed ready to drip.

With all the wraiths consumed, I swung the scythe lightly, and the Vampire King’s domain split open like fragile paper.

“So this is the extent of your power? What a disappointment.” I advanced upon the Vampire King step by step.

“Don’t push me.” My approach provoked a roar from him. “I am the Vampire King, the future ruler of my kind—how could I die here!” At last, he erupted with power, magic surging so fiercely that it stained the night sky blood-red.

“Haha, now that’s more like it. This is what it means to be a vampire: even when facing certain death, you find the courage to challenge fate itself.” I laughed, delighted to see the Vampire King unleash his full strength at last. “We vampires dwell between life and death, children abandoned by the heavens. Our very existence is rebellion—a defiance of destiny.”

A boundless, sinister aura radiated from me, engulfing the night sky as though it would devour the world.

“What is that? That’s the Vampire King’s aura—how can it be? Wasn’t he gravely wounded by Lady Lilith?” In the distance, Xuelan and her companions, locked in bitter struggle against a horde of powerful vampires, sensed the King’s aura. Liliel cried out in shock.

“Heh, that’s just the King’s plan. If he hadn’t feigned weakness, how could a mere vampire princess possibly harm him?” The vampires besieging them jeered. “Now, your princess is probably trembling in fear before the King’s might!” Their laughter rang out, wild and unrestrained. “This world belongs to us. Bloodhunters, vampires, all of them are just pawns in the King’s game.”

Yet even as their revelry continued, a dark, malevolent power surged from the battlefield, overwhelming everything. Even the Vampire King’s strength seemed feeble in comparison.

“This… this is Liliana’s power.” Xuelan gasped as she felt the evil energy intensify. “Last time she used it, she sacrificed all her memories. What will she lose this time? Why—why couldn’t I protect her again?” Her voice was weak as the aura grew ever stronger.

“Lilith…” Liliel, sensing the same force, was filled with worry.

“Damn vampires, get out of my way!” Xuelan roared, unleashing all her magic in a wave against her foes.

Meanwhile, my battle with the Vampire King had already reached its inevitable conclusion. Against overwhelming power, he had no strength to resist.

His body was riddled with wounds deep to the bone. He lay helpless on the ground, blood pooling around him. Vampire dust drifted through the air—the remnants of his fallen kin, with only a handful escaping with their lives.

Looking down at the dying Vampire King, I suddenly lost interest. “Boring. Boring. This world is unbearably dull.” I dismissed the crimson scythe and gazed down at him. “You, who live only for power and ambition, have already lost the pride of our kind. Without that pride, your soul will never rule the vampires. You are destined to be nothing but a failure.”

With that, I lost all interest in him and turned to leave.

“Why won’t you kill me?” The Vampire King, barely alive, spoke with great effort as he watched me go.

“I have no desire to stain my hands with the blood of a soulless wretch,” I replied disdainfully.

“Damn it! I am not a failure! I am the Vampire King—the future ruler of my race!” He screamed after me, but I paid him no heed. It was nothing but the pitiful wail of a defeated soul.

At last, my figure vanished from his sight. He lay still, utterly depleted, his breath so faint that even a human child could have ended his life.

“My King, are you all right?” Byakuya, who had disappeared, reappeared before him with concern.

“Don’t worry, I won’t die yet,” the Vampire King rasped. “Blood. I need blood—lots of it.” He ordered Byakuya, “Summon all the vampires back. I’m too weak now and need their protection. Once my power is restored, I’ll make everyone who looked down on me pay.” He shouted in fury, using the last of his strength.

“Yes, my King,” Byakuya replied respectfully, though his eyes gleamed coldly. “But I’m afraid you won’t get the chance.”