Chapter 312 312 – Vampire Attack [1]
Border City.
On top of the tower, sitting on a bench on a balcony on the top floor, Lucienne was watching the glimmer of the new Border City when she suddenly felt a stir in the air.
Her blood-red eyes swept to the left, at the space where there should be nothing at all. However, at that moment, a beautiful Elf dressed in a rather open black dress stood there, looking at the Vampire girl with cold blue eyes.
Both of them were silent for a while before the Elf, Alesia, opened her mouth.
"Where is she?"
Lucienne was silent and observed the newly appeared woman in interest. Her eyes glowed slightly as she tried to use Lv 5 <Appraisal> but failed due to their Level difference. That meant the Elf in front of her was at least 5 Levels higher than her.
Thankfully, Alesia didn't seem to mind and only looked at the Vampire girl.
After remembering Arthur's message that someone would teleport Carissa and the scapegoats, Lucienne stood up and replied.
"Inside."
"Show me." Alesia beckoned with a flat tone. Her face remained expressionless, not showing any emotions that could be used by the other party to guess her thoughts.
The Vampire girl nodded slightly and gestured for the older Elf to follow her inside. They passed through Lucienne's room and went to the spire corridor to the bloody door at the end of the other side. However, when they reached 10 meters from the room, Lucienne suddenly stopped.
She looked at Alesia and warned her.
"If we get closer, she can smell our blood and rampage. We want to avoid that and leave a bit of rationality in her mind."
Alesia nodded in understanding. Arthur had already explained to her the gist of the plan.
"I don't plan to show myself either. As long as I know where the person that I need to teleport is, I only need to be around 20 meters from them." She explained, looking at the white-haired Vampire. "Where is the other batch?"
"They are under this building, in a cell. Don't worry. They won't be able to suicide like Carissa because I ordered them clearly when they were still sane. Also, according to the plan, you will teleport them outside the party venue a few minutes after you teleport the Princess."
"Show me their location, and I will set up a delayed teleportation magic circle like what I did in that room. After that, the rest will be left to you."
Hearing Alesia's words, Lucienne was shocked.
'When did she set the teleportation?' She asked in her mind.
There was no sign of using a skill at all. Also, as a Vampire, Lucienne was sensitive to Mana ripple. The people she couldn't detect before only numbered less than the fingers in her hands.
That was why Vampires tacitly agreed to guard the underground entrance that led to the other Kingdoms. Not only could they see in the dark, but they could also detect someone's Mana with <Mana Sense> when they got close to the barrier.
From this situation, Lucienne found out more about Arthur and his connection. At first, she thought her new Master was only strong and Paladin in name only.
Getting news about the outside world was a little bit difficult compared to getting news about Underground Cities. Especially getting news about Castitas Church, as most information collectors were afraid of getting close due to them having more Sins than Virtue.
'So Arthur has someone like her by his side. Why am I not that surprised? Compared to knowing the primordial Succubus was on his side, knowing he has an Elf Mage on his side, isn't that surprising anymore.' Lucienne thought with a nod.
"Follow me." She said to the Elf Mage and guided her to the basement of the tower.
The headmistress of the Virtue Royal Academy nodded and followed the Vampire Lord a step behind, walking downstairs. She entered the basement and looked at one cell. Inside, 10 Vampires with bloodshot eyes were put together. They were dressed nicely, as if they were aristocrats.
No one would believe that they were only scapegoats at first glance.
"Quite cautious." Alesia praised and put a delayed teleportation magic circle.
Afterward, she teleported away without saying anything to Lucienne, leaving the Vampire girl alone in the dark basement.
***
At the party venue, I wrapped up my speech with a thank you after noticing Alesia's dot reappeared at the corner.
'It seems that she has finished with the teleportation. I just need to give her a signal, and the chaos will start.'
I passed by Eliza, who looked nervous, as I walked down.
"Just say anything," I whispered with a smile, and she nodded without saying a word. Her body was slightly trembling in nervousness.
However, once she took the stage and calmed herself, she delivered her winning speech without a hitch. Everybody listened to her, and so did I. There was no way I would create chaos at this time, not at Eliza's time.
'Tristan has given me her silent agreement, so it will be better if Alesia teleports the Princess and the Vampires at that time. It also will give her time to create an alibi by talking with the headmasters.'
"Thank you for all the support given to me by my family, friends, and especially my teachers. Without their support, I won't be able to win and stand here to deliver this speech. Once again, I am really honored and happy to give this speech. Thank you."
Eliza finished her speech with a bow. Tears dripped down her eyes due to her happiness. It made her gain supportive gazes, and some finalists seemed captivated by her.
'Alright, maybe some dead people can be accepted tonight.' I thought as I remembered the faces of those boys who whispered to each other that they would try to get close to Eliza without knowing the rumors that she was close to me.
My childhood friend went down the stage while wiping her tears. This time, it was Tristan's turn to give a speech.
Due to where I stood, she passed by me and whispered to me.
"Do it before I say anything, or I will mess this up."
I smiled wryly in response. "They will appear after your greeting."
Tristan nodded and went up the stage. She congratulated Eliza once again when they passed by each other.
This was the reason why I wasn't afraid Tristan would be mad at me if I destroyed her chance to give a speech. It was because she was always bad at speaking in front of a crowd. If not, then she would be the guild leader instead of me.
After I gave a handkerchief from my inventory to Eliza and let her wipe her tears with it, I looked at Alesia, who stood among the headmasters, and winked. She noticed it and made an OK sign by putting her thumb and index finger together.
"Goo–"
Tristan's voice was cut short as she narrowed her eyes.
The Mana inside the party hall stirred slightly. A magic circle appeared in the middle of the hall. Following that, 11 figures were outlined and appeared. A beautiful girl was in front of them, wearing a tattered dress, white hair, and bloodshot eyes.
Instantly, everyone recognized them as Vampires. And they also recognized the girl in front of the group as the missing Princess Carissa.
Only some people hadn't heard about the rumors yet, mainly the students. The high-ranking Nobles present in the party venue with their sons remembered the rumors.
Princess Carissa ran away from home and colluded with the Vampires. All of them thought about the rumors and were surprised it was true before panicking due to the group's oppressive aura.
Queen Eve and King Cassius (Beatrice) were the most surprised ones. Both stood up, kicking the chair with a loud thud. Their eyes widened.
"Car–"
Before King Cassius could finish calling out Princess Carissa's name, the Princess, who was now turning into a Vampire, jumped at him at a fast speed. She opened her mouth wide, revealing two sharp fangs.
Stopping in front of him by crouching on the table, she hugged him tightly with a wide smile.
"Father! I love you!" She exclaimed loudly, and then…
Hamp!
She bit his neck, and blood spurted out as King Cassius' eyes rolled back and let out a silent scream.
It was at that time panic ensued.