A blood-stained statue in the shape of some ancient goddess appeared in the Vampire's hands. An eerie yet majestic aura emanated from it that could make anyone kneel.

"What is that...?" Raik muttered.

"Something that will absorb all the blood and greatly weaken the blood magic because of the influence." The Vampire replied with a slight smile on his face, "I don't see you bringing any girls with you, so you decided to pay with the crystal, right?"

"Yes. I must say it is my most expensive purchase." Black Sun Aristocrat said in a calm voice as his ring glowed and the crimson crystal appeared in his hands.

"Ohohoho." The Vampire smirked as he rubbed his hands like a merchant, "Great. It's what I've been waiting for, though, of course, girls would be a nicer option."

"Take it." Black Sun Aristocrat held out his hand.

The Vampire nodded, tossed him the statue, and took the crystal.

"Well, well, it's always a pleasure doing business with you. Okay, see you later, hopefully, next time, you'll pick the girls." The Vampire muttered before turning around.

Whoooooosh.

A shadow appeared next to the Vampire, and his head flew to the side, that caused a fountain of blood from his neck.

"We're under attack!" Raik exclaimed as he prepared for battle.

Several shadows rushed toward them, but when Black Sun Aristocrat stepped forward, they stopped and stepped back.

The shadows were three girls in dark red robes. Though thick headbands covered their faces, this could not completely hide their extraordinary beauty and deadliness.

"Assassins of Scarlet Tree?! What are you doing here?!" Raik exclaimed with a dazed look.

"Leader of Dark Hand." One of the girls pointed her dagger at the Black Sun Aristocrat, "You were so inept that you failed to notice us! Die!"

The girls were about to attack, but when Black Sun Aristocrat raised his index finger, they were wary and stayed put as they thought he was ahead of them.

"No. I noticed you." Black Sun Aristocrat said in a calm voice.

"Huh, no point in lying anymore." The girl grinned.

"Your problem is that you don't understand anything about trade. If there's an opportunity to improve your relationship with a merchant, you should take it. Am I right?" Black Sun Aristocrat asked.

historical

'Who the hell is he talking to...? The girls inwardly muttered as they were confused.

"Yeah... You're absolutely right. Even though I asked for a hundred girls, these three are from the big leagues. That'll do." The Vampire's head suddenly said as his body rose and headed toward it.

The girls flinched in fear, so they jumped aside.

The body slowly lifted its head, shook the dust off it, and put it back in place with a few scrolls for accuracy.

"That hurt, but it's even good, the pain makes me feel alive." The Vampire smiled before turning to the girls, "But, you know what makes me feel good? It's a pain of others!"

Whooooooooosh.

The Vampire turned into a bloody shadow as he appeared beside one of the girls. His nails lengthened into deadly claws, so he severed her arm, threw her aside, and moved on to his next victim.

The girls were stunned that the situation had changed this way, but they quickly came to their senses as they attacked. Their blades glowed faintly, and they rained energy blades on the Vampire.

"Great! This is getting much more interesting!" Vampire exclaimed with a frantic look, so he didn't even dodge.

Crackling.

The blades severed his arms, but that didn't stop the Vampire as he strode forward and sank his fangs into the neck of one of the girls. His ruby eyes glittered as he instantly grew new arms.

"Monster!" The third girl shouted with a terrified look while holding the dagger.

"Yes. That's me." The Vampire tossed the emaciated girl aside as he headed for the final victim.

The girl wanted to attack, but there was nothing she could do. Her knees trembled as her heart shook with primal fear since it could burst at any moment.

The Vampire paced slowly in a relaxed manner, as though, for him, battle with deadly assassins was nothing more than entertainment.

He pushed the dagger aside, grabbed her chin, and said, "Don't worry. I won't kill you. I've already let my animal rage out, so it's time to calm down a little. What do you think of that?"

"Y-Yes... Okay, I'll do anything, just don't kill me." The girl muttered in a trembling voice.

"Of course." The Vampire nodded as he snapped her neck and tossed her aside.

"Huh, isn't that what you wanted?" Black Sun Aristocrat grinned, "Then why did you kill her?"

"Nah, I don't get turned on by girls that weak and submissive, she's like a doll, so what's the point? Okay, see you later, it was a pleasant surprise, I hope it happens more in the future." The Vampire waved as he disappeared into the shadows.

"Sir... Did you really set all this up?" Rain asked with a confused look.

"I didn't expect us to be followed, moreover, it was the assassins, but I noticed them immediately, so I decided to take advantage of the situation. Didn't it make a great show?" Black Sun Aristocrat muttered while looking at the moon through the rubble of the cave.

"What do we do next?"

"Well, we now have weapons against the strongest members of the Scarlet Tree, but not enough to win the war." Black Sun Aristocrat muttered.

"What do you mean? I'm sure our fighters are better. Our victory is inevitable!" Raik exclaimed.

"It will not be one battle, it is a war that has already begun. We have only recently begun to rule half of Daeron, while Scarlet Tree has been in that position for years. They have huge reserves, if they want to, they will use all their trump cards to destroy us in the blink of an eye."

"Then... What do we do in that case?"

"That's easy." Black Sun Aristocrat waved his hand, "We need to destroy their main vault. I can do it, but I need the information."

"I got it. I'll let the scouts know. They'll figure it out soon enough." Raik said with a serious look.