Chapter 116 - A Somewhat Bumpy Ride

  A heavy silence settled over the gathered crowd of vampires, thick with disbelief and unspoken emotion. For a long moment, they did nothing but stand there, their crimson eyes wide, their gaunt faces frozen in expressions of pure shock. Then, slowly, the first murmurs began—soft, hesitant, almost fragile in their uncertainty.

  Hands trembled as fingers brushed over hollowed stomachs, over chests that had ached with an unrelenting hunger for years. Some touched their own faces, as if making sure this wasn't some kind of cruel illusion. The change was undeniable. The gnawing, maddening starvation that had clouded their minds for so long had vanished completely, replaced by a feeling they had not known in what felt like an eternity—clarity. Their thoughts, once dulled and sluggish from endless suffering, now moved freely, the haze of desperation lifting from their minds like a heavy fog burned away by the morning sun.

  Then the reactions began in earnest. A vampire, a woman whose bony frame had once been that of a noble huntress, fell to her knees, clutching her own chest with shaking hands. She let out a single breathless laugh—disbelieving, hysterical—before covering her mouth as if afraid to make another sound.

  Another, a young man with hair so matted it barely held any color, stared at his own hands, flexing his fingers as if rediscovering what it meant to have control over his own body. Scattered among them, a few broke down entirely, sobbing dry, tearless cries, their bodies trembling under the weight of the overwhelming relief. A child, little more than skin and bone, clutched at the hem of his mother’s tattered cloak, his voice barely above a whisper as he asked if this meant they weren’t going to die anymore. His mother, shaking, could not answer.

  Adam raised a hand, steadying the chaos before it could spiral further. His voice, firm and clear, cut through the murmurs, commanding the attention of every vampire present.

  “Calm yourselves.”

  He declared, his sharp gaze sweeping across the crowd.

  “All I have done is grant you a temporary reprieve. Your minds are clear, and for now, you are free of hunger, but this does not mean you are truly restored. You have not fed. Your bodies remain weakened. What I have given you will allow you to control yourselves, but it is not a permanent fix.”

  He let the weight of those words settle over them, ensuring they understood that this was no miracle, no divine salvation—it was only a tool, a means to an end.

  “I will need to renew the effect periodically, but it will be enough to get you where you need to be.”

  His eyes flickered toward the horizon, where the last dying light of the sun was melting into a deep shade of violet. There was no time to waste.

  “Prepare yourselves, we leave for the capital as soon as the sun sets completely. Under the cover of night, we will travel without rest until we reach the next city.”

  The air shifted, tense and uncertain, as the reality of their situation sank in. This was not just a gesture of kindness; it was the beginning of something much larger. The vampires, so used to being prisoners within the ruins of their own homes, were now being offered something they had never dared to hope for—freedom.

  But it would not be simple. Adam’s expression darkened slightly as he spoke his next words.

  “There is a high chance we will encounter human patrols. Perhaps even paladins.”

  That alone sent a ripple of unease through the crowd. The mere mention of their oppressors was enough to stir deeply buried fear. But the boy’s voice did not waver.

  “You will not engage. If we are attacked, my personal human herd and I will handle it.”

  His tone left no room for argument.

  “Your only priority is to stay together. Do not fall behind. Do not stray. Do not allow yourselves to be distracted. Any hesitation could cost us everything.”

  The vampires listened, their eyes locked onto him with expressions of uncertainty, reverence, and, most importantly, trust. He had already done what they thought was impossible—he had lifted their suffering. If he claimed he could lead them to safety, then perhaps they could believe in that, too.

  Vaelric, standing at Adam’s side, nodded firmly. Though he still carried the regal presence of a former commander, there was something else in his posture now—something that had not been there before. A spark of purpose. Of hope.

  “We will be ready, my Lord.”

  He said without hesitation, lowering his head in a deep bow. The vampires, one by one, began to follow suit, their movements slower, more hesitant, but no less sincere. They had spent years bowed in forced submission, but this was different. This was not the broken submission of prisoners. It was something else entirely.

  Adam exhaled, watching as the last sliver of sunlight vanished beyond the horizon. The sky above was vast, endless, stretching far beyond what these vampires had seen for so long. It was time to leave the past behind.

  As the final preparations were being made and the vampires hurried about, securing what little they had before their impending departure, Adam stepped down from the wooden platform and made his way toward his team and their temporary allies.

  The night had fully settled in, the dark sky stretching endlessly above them, its vastness a stark contrast to the enclosed, suffocating existence these vampires had known for so long. The air was tense but filled with movement, the ruined town stirring with an energy it had not seen in years. Kazue was the first to break the silence, her expression troubled as she turned to Adam, crossing her arms as if to brace herself for what she was about to say.

  "Are you sure about this? Bringing along this many people is just asking for trouble. It doesn’t matter how careful we are, it’s inevitable that we’ll run into problems. And when we do, it’s not just us anymore—it’s all of them, too."

  She asked, her voice laced with genuine concern. She then gestured toward the vampires who were still moving about, trying to organize themselves for travel.

  "This isn’t just sneaking through enemy territory anymore. It’s a full-on exodus. If the paladins are out there, we’re practically inviting them to a fight."

  Adam remained calm in the face of her concerns, offering her a reassuring nod.

  "It’s not as bad as you think, yes, we’ll likely run into imperial patrols, but that doesn’t mean we have to fight them. If we’re careful, we can avoid direct conflict entirely."

  He replied, his voice steady. He glanced toward Drake and Angela before continuing.

  "If the three of us take the lead, we can make sure any encounters go our way before they even become a problem."

  Kazue furrowed her brows.

  "What do you mean?"

  Adam’s lips curled slightly in a knowing smirk.

  "We use the subplots. The one given to us by the system as our holy missions."

  He let those words sink in before elaborating.

  "We already know that Gideon mistook my energy for divine energy. If someone like him—who’s deeply entrenched in their doctrine—believed that, then it’s not unreasonable to assume that others will as well. As long as we don’t run into a Paladin Champion, we can probably convince them that what we’re doing is part of our divine mandate. And if they believe that, they won’t interfere."

  Angela, who had been quietly listening, finally crossed her arms, considering his words carefully.

  "That’s… actually not a bad plan. But I still don’t understand why we’re helping them in the first place. Everything we’ve heard so far suggests that they’re an enemy faction within this scenario. If this were any other world, they’d just be another obstacle we’d have to deal with."

  She admitted, though she still seemed to hold some reservations. Before Adam could answer, another voice spoke up.

  "That’s a pretty narrow way of looking at things."

  Li remarked, his tone as sharp and calculated as ever. The sudden interjection caught several people off guard, as he had remained largely silent since the beginning of the scenario, observing rather than engaging. But now, with his piercing gaze locked onto Angela, it was clear that he had something to say.

  "For someone with so much experience, I’d have expected you to understand by now—there’s no such thing as a ‘good’ or ‘bad’ side in these scenarios. Just like in the real world, everyone has their own stories, their own perspectives, their own reasons for doing what they do. There is no ‘enemy’ unless you decide to see them as one."

  He gestured subtly toward the vampires.

  "Right now, they’re useful. We’re heading toward the vampire capital, and showing up with a group of rescued survivors is a strong first impression. That alone makes this a worthwhile decision."

  Kazue, unable to hold back, nudged Li with her elbow, a sly grin on her face.

  "Huh. Funny hearing that from someone who kept calling them ‘NPCs’ earlier."

  She teased, her tone lighthearted but clearly meant to poke at him. Li didn’t bother dignifying the remark with a response, simply letting out a slow exhale through his nose, his patience thinning. Adam took the exchange in stride, acknowledging Li’s point with a slight nod.

  "That’s part of it, but it’s not just strategy. Maybe it’s because of my weird bloodline. Maybe it’s because of my title. Or maybe it’s something else entirely. But for some reason, I feel a connection to them."

  He let the thought settle before exhaling and looking out at the gathered vampires.

  "I don’t like the idea of leaving them here to rot."

  The words were simple, but there was weight behind them. A quiet kind of honesty that wasn’t wrapped in grand strategy or deeper motives—just a genuine feeling. Drake, who had been listening closely, suddenly stepped forward and placed a firm hand on Adam’s shoulder. He grinned, his blue eyes filled with unwavering conviction as he lifted his other hand in a thumbs-up.

  "You might not realize it, but you’re actually a really good person."

  He said, his voice brimming with certainty. Adam blinked at him, caught slightly off guard. He opened his mouth to argue, but no words came out. Angela, watching the exchange, let out an exaggerated sigh before shaking her head with a resigned smile.

  "I swear, your team is such a mess."

  She muttered, though there was no malice in her words—just amusement. She had begun to understand the strange contradiction that was Adam Scholar and the team he led.

  At that moment, as the vampires completed their final preparations and the city prepared to move, it became clear that this journey—whatever it was leading to—was not just about survival anymore. It was something more. Something much bigger.

  The exodus began without delay. Adam, Drake, and Angela took the lead, moving through the vast, open fields under the veil of night. Behind them, a hundred vampires followed in disciplined silence, their movements eerily fluid, their eyes reflecting the faint light of the stars above. Further back, the rest of their group maintained their positions, walking alongside Abbess, who kept a careful watch over both the vampires and their human companions. Though their destination was clear, the journey ahead would be long, and the weight of its importance settled upon them like an unspoken truth.

  The landscape stretched endlessly before them, a vast expanse of rolling fields and uneven terrain that seemed untouched by time. The grass, brittle and dry underfoot, whispered softly with each step they took, the sound barely audible beneath the quiet murmur of the wind.

  Distant mountain ranges loomed in the background, their jagged silhouettes cutting through the darkness like the remnants of a forgotten world. Every so often, they passed through the remnants of villages—crumbling ruins that bore the unmistakable scars of destruction. These settlements, much like Morvael, had once been homes, thriving communities that had likely housed vampires and their kin. But unlike Morvael, there was no one left to tell their stories. The remnants of burned buildings and shattered walls stood as silent testaments to their downfall, their once-proud structures reduced to little more than skeletal remains.

  Yet, among the desolation, there was something that stood out. In many of these ruined villages, towering statues of the goddess Arianka had been erected in pristine condition, standing tall in stark contrast to the destruction surrounding them. Their divine craftsmanship had not eroded with time, their marble figures still radiating an undeniable presence of power. What was even stranger was the effect they had on the land around them.

  Unlike the barren, lifeless ruins, the areas immediately surrounding the statues flourished with vegetation. Lush green grass, vibrant flowers, and even small trees sprouted from the soil, their vitality seemingly drawn from the divine energy that emanated from the statues themselves. It was as though these places had been purified, cleansed of all remnants of darkness—at least in the eyes of those who had placed them there.

  For the vampires, however, these statues were nothing less than poison. The divine energy they emitted was suffocating, an invisible force that repelled them like an unspoken barrier. As such, the group made sure to avoid these areas entirely, steering clear of the holy sites with an almost instinctual dread. Even a passing glance at the radiant stone figures was enough to make the vampires visibly uncomfortable.

  Adam, who could sense the residual divinity lingering in the air, understood their aversion. Though it did not harm him, he could feel its weight pressing against him, an undeniable force that sought to reject his very presence.

  The march continued for hours, their journey broken only by brief stops to allow Adam to renew the effects of his malediction upon the vampires. Each time he did, he could see the relief wash over them as the hunger that had plagued them for years remained subdued. It was not a permanent solution, but it was enough to keep them moving.

  Despite the solemn nature of their mission, the journey was not without its lighter moments. At one point, Takeshi attempted to demonstrate some of his "ninja techniques" to Kazue and a few of the others, only to trip over a loose rock and land face-first into the dirt. His muffled groan of embarrassment was met with laughter from both teams, even from the normally reserved Li, who smirked in quiet amusement. Chloe, never one to miss an opportunity, gave Takeshi a playful jab about how a "true ninja" should be able to walk over water, not stumble over pebbles. The moment helped ease the tension, even if only for a little while.

  A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

  However, as the hours stretched on and their surroundings remained eerily silent, the anticipation of danger only grew. They had expected trouble. It was inevitable. And sure enough, just as the first hints of fatigue began to settle in, they spotted something in the distance.

  From atop a small hill, the faint glow of firelight flickered against the horizon. A camp. The unmistakable silhouettes of tents, banners, and the armored figures of soldiers could be seen even from afar. Smoke drifted lazily into the sky, its scent mixing with the crisp night air. It was a human encampment. The very thing they had hoped to avoid.

  Immediately, Adam, Drake, and Angela came to a halt, signaling the rest of the group to do the same. They had a plan in place for situations like this, but if they could avoid an encounter altogether, that would be preferable. With a silent nod, they turned back, ready to take an alternate route.

  But before they could take another step, a sudden brilliance erupted from the camp.

  Blinding light shot forth in powerful beams, cutting through the darkness and illuminating the hillside where they stood. It was instantaneous, overwhelming. The entire group flinched as the powerful radiance assaulted their vision, forcing them to shield their eyes.

  Drake and Angela were momentarily disoriented, their instincts kicking in as they raised their arms in front of their faces. The vampires, who had been standing in the shadows, recoiled violently, some letting out hisses as they stumbled back from the sheer intensity of the illumination.

  But Adam felt it immediately. A force he had experienced before, washing over him with an intensity that made his entire body tense on instinct. This was not ordinary light. It was not the glow of torches, not the flicker of lanterns, or the steady radiance of a well-maintained campfire. It was pure, concentrated divine energy, woven into the very fabric of the illumination that now bathed the landscape around them.

  It was suffocating, pressing against his skin like a thick, unseen weight, as though the very air had become heavy with judgment. He could feel it sinking into him, coiling around his form like invisible chains, as if seeking to bind him. Every inch of his body bristled at its presence, every breath he took felt just slightly more difficult than the last, as though something was resisting his very act of inhaling. It was an undeniable force, a presence that should have been repulsive to him, should have burned him down to nothing in an instant—should have reduced him to ash.

  And yet, it didn’t. The weight bore down on him, the overwhelming sensation making his pulse quicken, and his senses scream in protest. But no matter how much it tried to press him down, to reject him, it did not bring pain. It did not sear his flesh, did not strip away his strength, or cause his form to crumble beneath its righteous fury.

  It clung to him and lingered around his body like an unshakable presence, but it did not consume him. That was what unsettled him the most. It was not an unbearable agony, not a sensation of destruction. A force that should have been his natural enemy, and yet, for some reason, it was merely there, existing around him, acknowledging him, yet refusing to strike him down.

  He had felt something like this before—back in the cathedral, when Gideon had mistaken him for being blessed. When the divine smite that should have erased him had simply… done nothing. That same uncertainty, that same impossibility was happening again.

  Adam’s vision adjusted quickly to the blinding golden radiance, his sharp eyes narrowing as he focused on the source of the illumination. Suspended above the camp, hovering in perfect formation, were four massive, floating eyes composed entirely of golden energy, their irises burning like miniature suns, their wings of fire pulsing with a divine radiance that kept the darkness at bay.

  The intensity of their glow acted as floodlights, illuminating everything below with an overwhelming, sanctified brilliance. But as Adam took in the sight, something about their design struck him as eerily familiar. There was something about the way they were shaped, the intricate patterns that wove through their irises, the presence they exuded—it triggered something in his mind, a memory, a recent memory even, didn’t he see something like that already? But there was no time to dwell on it.

  Because they weren’t alone.

  Even as Adam processed the sight of the floating divine constructs, his gaze snapped downward as movement surged from within the camp. Trails of golden light streaked forward at impossible speeds, racing toward their position like meteors descending from the heavens. Adam’s instincts screamed at him, his mind immediately recognizing what was happening. There was no hesitation in his voice as he barked out the warning.

  “They’re charging straight at us!”

  His voice cut through the tense air like a whip. He turned instantly toward the gathered vampires, his expression sharp and commanding.

  “Do not engage! No matter what happens, do not move!”

  His words were clear, absolute. The last thing they needed was to escalate the situation further by having the vampires react. Drake and Angela exchanged a single glance with Adam before nodding in unison. Without hesitation, the three of them stepped forward, positioning themselves between the incoming paladins and the vulnerable crowd behind them.

  The figures approaching them moved with terrifying speed, their armor gleaming under the holy light that bathed the battlefield. Five in total, their movements were fluid, relentless, trained to perfection. Each of them wielded heavy swords and shields adorned with glowing inscriptions, their weapons pulsing with divine energy that Adam could feel even from a distance.

  The sheer intensity of it made his body tense involuntarily—this was no ordinary divine aura. These men were Paladin Acolytes, the lowest rank within the order but still incredibly dangerous combatants. The sheer fanaticism in their charge told Adam everything he needed to know.

  They weren’t here to talk. As the paladins closed the distance, Adam, Drake, and Angela immediately raised their hands, their voices ringing out in unison.

  “We’re human! Stop!”

  Their voices were drowned out by the war cries of the charging knights.

  “In the name of the Goddess, we shall purge these creatures of darkness!”

  Adam clenched his jaw, frustration boiling beneath his calm exterior. He had hoped, truly hoped, that Gideon had simply been an outlier in the order. That not every paladin adhered to the philosophy of attacking first and asking questions later. But now, as he watched these men rush toward them with unshakable conviction, he realized the truth. This wasn’t about strategy. This wasn’t about assessing threats or verifying identities. These men, much like Gideon, were driven by pure, unrelenting faith. And that made them incredibly dangerous and unreasonable.

  With mere meters left before impact, they had no choice. They would have to stop them by force.

  Adam’s body tensed as he activated his [Demon-Type Manifestation] skill. A cold, ghostly miasma surged from deep within him, flowing outward like ink dissolving into water. From the center of his chest, a massive spectral hand burst forth—translucent, ethereal, yet carrying an undeniable weight. The enormous ghostly limb stretched forward, its palm wide open, intercepting two of the paladins mid-charge.

  The impact was instant. The divine shields they carried slammed against the spectral hand with a burst of golden energy, sending tremors through the air. Though they did not fall, their momentum was completely halted, their boots grinding against the dirt as they pushed back against the oppressive force Adam had summoned.

  At the same time, Drake vanished from sight. In an instant, he reappeared between two of the remaining paladins, his skill [Heavenly Wind Step] propelling him with inhuman swiftness. His palms shot forward, striking both knights directly against their shields with enough force to halt their advance. The divine energy radiating from the shields made contact with his hands, but Drake barely flinched. The moment they retaliated, slashing at him from both sides, he activated [Iron Body Manifestation], his muscles hardening like steel as the two divine blades crashed against him, their force nullified against his fortified frame.

  The last paladin, the one furthest to the right, found himself facing Angela alone. She moved with precision, her motions fluid, practiced. In a flicker of motion, a strange object appeared between her fingers—a brush, small and unassuming. Without hesitation, she swiped it through the air, painting a swift, precise stroke in front of her. A vibrant red "X" shimmered in the air for less than a second before vanishing entirely.

  And then— The paladin froze in place. His body went rigid, completely immobilized as if an unseen force had locked him in place. His shield remained raised, his sword still mid-swing, but he could not move. His breath hitched, his eyes darting in panic as he realized that no matter how much he struggled, he could not budge an inch.

  Adam’s eyes flickered toward Angela, catching the faintest smirk on her lips. Whatever ability she had just used, it had worked flawlessly. Five paladins had charged at them with the intent to slaughter, and in a matter of seconds, all five had been stopped in their tracks.

  As the tension hung thick in the air, the weight of opposing forces clashing in a silent struggle, it was Drake who acted first. His gaze, sharp and unwavering, swept over the paladins who had just moments ago charged at them with murderous intent. He could see the way their expressions had twisted, their confidence faltering, their war cries swallowed by the sheer impossibility of what had just transpired. They had expected swift, righteous execution, yet they had been stopped effortlessly—by humans. And not just any humans, but ones who stood unscathed against divine power.

  Drake took a deep breath, steadying himself before raising his voice, his tone carrying both command and conviction.

  “Stand down! We are not your enemies!”

  His words cut through the night like a blade, strong and undeniable.

  “We are chosen by the Goddess herself, sent on a divine mission to prove ourselves as Paladins!”

  And with those words, he let it loose. A surge of Imperial Ki erupted from within him, pouring out in an overwhelming cascade of pure, radiant energy. The sheer force of it rippled outward in a visible shockwave, kicking up dust and forcing even the grounded paladins to brace themselves. The very air vibrated with power, as if the world itself recognized the divinity woven into Drake’s being.

  For a moment, there was only silence. Then—disbelief.

  The paladins, who had been so sure of their cause, so certain of the righteousness of their actions, were now left completely stunned, staring at the golden energy enveloping Drake like an undeniable beacon of holiness. Their grips on their weapons loosened, their eyes wide with something between awe and confusion. Even Angela, who had already been aware of his abilities, found herself momentarily speechless. The rest of WNATN were no different, looking at each other in stunned silence, struggling to reconcile the sheer presence of the energy Drake had just unleashed.

  But the most unexpected reaction came from behind them, from the vampires. Whispers spread rapidly through the group, voices hushed yet frantic, carrying a mixture of fear and confusion.

  “That energy… it's divine.”

  “How? How is a human with that level of power part of a Vampire Lord’s flock?”

  “Is he… a thrall? A bound knight?”

  Vaelric himself had gone rigid, his crimson eyes locked onto Drake with an unreadable expression. The sight of such energy radiating from a supposed servant of Adam was a contradiction they could not fathom. No vampire had ever seen such raw divinity emanate from a human who was not bound by the will of the Goddess herself. It did not make sense. And yet—it was happening.

  But that was enough. The paladins, still gripping their weapons but no longer wielding them with aggression, slowly began to lower their arms. The conviction in their gazes wavered, their battle stance shifting into something more uncertain. The sheer presence of Drake’s power had been enough to tip the scales.

  Finally, their leader—a man with a scar running down the right side of his face, wearing slightly more elaborate armor than the others—stepped forward. His golden-plated gauntlet tapped against his chest in salute before he spoke, his voice laced with the last remnants of caution.

  “I am Paladin Acolyte Varian Greaves, commander of this scouting unit.”

  He announced. Drake took a step forward, his posture strong, unwavering.

  “I am Drake Shaw, I walk the path of the Goddess to become a Paladin as well.”

  He declared, his voice carrying the same confidence that had already shaken them. Then he paused, letting that sink in before adding.

  “We have already encountered Paladin Knight Gideon, who has recognized our mission. He can vouch for us.”

  Varian’s brows lifted at that name. The other paladins exchanged glances, murmurs spreading between them before a chuckle slipped from one of them. Then another. Then—laughter.

  “Ha! Then the Goddess truly works in miraculous ways!”

  One of them exclaimed.

  “To think you’ve already crossed paths with Sir Gideon! May Her light continue to guide you!”

  Another added, clapping a hand against his chest in reverence. Varian himself exhaled, his earlier wariness evaporating in an instant.

  “Then it seems we have acted in error, you must forgive us. It is not often that we find those walking the righteous path so deep in cursed lands.”

  He admitted in genuine respect before adding.

  “If you seek to carry out the will of the Goddess, then may Her blessings be upon you.”

  Adam took the opportunity to step forward, his expression as neutral as ever.

  “Before we part ways, I have a question.”

  Varian tilted his head slightly.

  “Speak, brother.”

  Adam’s gaze flickered toward the floating, golden constructs still hovering above the camp, their radiant eyes unblinking, their flames steady.

  “Those eyes… what exactly are they?”

  At his question, the paladins’ expressions shifted into something akin to reverence. Varian turned his head, following Adam’s gaze, before exhaling deeply.

  “The Eyes of the Goddess. They are manifestations of Her divine sight. They patrol the skies, watching over the land, seeking out the taint of the impure. No creature of darkness can escape their gaze. Vampires, giants… the Eyes see all.”

  Adam remained silent, staring at the constructs, feeling that same creeping sense of déjà vu gnawing at the back of his mind. Why did they feel so familiar?

  But there was no time to dwell on it now. With their path now cleared, the paladins offered their final blessings before turning back toward their camp, allowing Adam and his group to continue their journey uninterrupted.

  As the paladins faded from view, the two teams gathered together, taking a moment to regroup.

  “Well, that was way too close.”

  Kazue sighed, stretching her arms behind her head. Angela folded her arms, exhaling sharply.

  “They were seconds away from cutting us down without a second thought.”

  For now, there was nothing else to do but move forward. Without another word, the group pressed onward, slipping back into the darkness.

  As the night stretched on, the march continued without further interruptions. The group moved as one, their steps steady and unyielding, cutting through the vast, open plains with only the dim glow of the distant stars and the pale silver of the moon to guide them. The rolling fields, once bathed in darkness, slowly began to reveal their contours as the horizon shifted from pitch black to the deep, inky blue of predawn. The first hints of sunlight barely kissed the sky, a soft gradient of violet and amber stretching along the distant edges of the world.

  For hours, they had walked without rest. The weight of exhaustion was settling heavily upon both teams, dragging at their limbs, dulling their senses. Even the vampires, now free of their relentless hunger thanks to Adam’s abilities, were beginning to show signs of weariness.

  While their bodies were resilient, they had not traveled like this in years, if ever. The humans fared no better—Kazue had begun rubbing at her eyes frequently, stifling yawns between steps, and Emir was practically leaning against Sebastian to keep himself upright. Angela, ever composed, was beginning to slow as well, and even Drake, despite his training and endurance, rolled his shoulders with quiet fatigue.

  The only one who remained unaffected was Adam. He did not require sleep. He had not known true exhaustion since his transformation into what he was now. As his companions struggled against their limits, he simply walked, unburdened, unwavering, his gaze focused on the horizon.

  And then—they saw it… In the distance, barely visible through the fading veil of night, a massive structure began to take shape against the dim morning light. What had once been no more than a vague silhouette in the darkness now stood in stark contrast against the sky. It was enormous, a true fortress of gothic architecture, its darkened stone walls stretching far beyond what the eye could measure, curving around the ruined landscape like the skeletal remains of a once-mighty beast.

  Velmoria, the capital of the vampire race.

  The city loomed ahead, its towering spires and jagged rooftops reaching toward the heavens like obsidian claws. The outer wall—once an impenetrable stronghold of black stone and intricate ironwork—had long since fallen into disrepair. Large sections of the fortifications had crumbled, leaving gaping holes where once there had been mighty defenses. The once-proud battlements were now fractured, their foundations cracked, their watchtowers reduced to skeletal remains.

  There were signs of destruction everywhere—burn marks seared into the stone, deep gashes where divine weapons had carved through once-mighty fortifications, entire sections of the wall collapsed entirely, leaving jagged ruins in their place.

  Yet, even in its ruined state, Velmoria still stood.

  Beyond the outer defenses, the heart of the city could be seen, a vast and sprawling labyrinth of towering gothic structures, connected by narrow bridges and archways that crisscrossed high above the streets. The architecture was hauntingly beautiful—massive cathedral-like buildings with sharp, ornate details, stained glass windows that shimmered faintly even in the weak light, pointed rooftops adorned with darkened ironwork.

  It was as if the entire place had been frozen in time—left in the aftermath of a war long since passed, yet never truly abandoned.

  For a long moment, no one spoke.

  Kazue, still groggy with exhaustion, blinked rapidly, as if trying to confirm that what she was seeing was real. Chloe exhaled softly, taking in the sheer magnitude of what lay before them. Gregor, ever the soldier, narrowed his eyes in quiet analysis, his gaze scanning for potential threats or hidden dangers within the ruins. Sebastian, despite his age, looked impressed, muttering something under his breath about the sheer craftsmanship of the city’s design. Even the members of WNATN had fallen silent, their earlier fatigue momentarily forgotten in the face of the sight before them.

  And then, from the ranks of the vampires, a single voice whispered, trembling with disbelief.

  “…Home.”

  A shudder passed through the group of undead as the realization truly struck them… For the first time in years, they were returning home.