The only vibrant color on the pale girl’s skin was her blood-red lips, which made her appearance both enchanting and eerie. Blood dripped from her fingertips, yet her breathing remained calm as if she hadn’t just concluded a fierce battle. In stark contrast, her face bore anxiety and worry. The wind howled, lifting her large skirt, painting a picture of loneliness.
Several figures appeared on the distant horizon, rushing at incredible speed. Their powerful presence was evident, but their hurried running indicated a sense of panic.
The girl’s expression grew even more anxious as she stood her ground, waiting until the figures reached her.
They were all members of the bloodline, identified by their badges from the twelve ancient clans, but none were from Count Dracula’s Nocturne Clan. This was unusual, given that the battle was under the command of Mithra and Roxas, and by tradition, their main forces should have been in the lead.
The bloodline warriors approached the girl, their faces showing fear at the sight of the carnage around them. They knelt on one knee, respectfully saying, “We meet you, Lady Nana.”
Nana’s eyes filled with deeper worry. “Where is Julio?”
The leading bloodline warrior hesitated before saying, “Lord Julio stayed behind to cover our retreat. He should be here soon. He told us to inform you not to wait, that he will leave the battlefield and meet you on the Dusk Continent.”
“This deviates from the plan. Why did he stay behind?” Nana pressed.
The bloodline warrior, hesitating, said, “It seems because the Munro Clan’s forces were left to cover the rear…”
Nana gazed toward the direction of the Giant’s Slumber Evernight Camp, her expression growing resolute. “You go. I must find him.”
“Lady Nana, you can’t! The Evernight Camp has been breached by the Imperial Army. When we retreated, their vanguard was attacking the castle. Even the Dukes have withdrawn. If you go now, it’s like walking into a trap!”
“Step aside!” A wave of blood energy surged from Nana, pushing all the warriors back.
The leading warrior gritted his teeth and stepped in front of Nana again, shouting, “Lord Julio can get out. Even if the Imperial forces are numerous, as long as the Nocturne King returns, he can save Lord Julio. You can’t go!”
A cold smile appeared on Nana’s face. “The Nocturne King? If it were any other ruler, they would come. But him? Hmph! And Julio…”
Nana didn’t finish. She knew Julio well. If he stayed behind, he wouldn’t leave until the very end.
The bloodline warrior stepped in front of Nana again. “My Lady, you must return with us. That’s what Lord Julio and His Highness wish.”
“No one commands me! Get out of my way!” Nana’s shout, laced with the pressure of her superior bloodline, almost felled all the warriors. She dashed toward the Giant’s Slumber.
The bloodline warriors looked at each other, one grimacing, “How are we supposed to report this? What’s wrong with Lady Nana?”
An older bloodline warrior sighed, “You don’t know. Lady Nana, when she was young, was lost and nearly died. Lord Julio found her during his travels, saved her, and raised her. It wasn’t until she awakened her bloodline as an adult that she returned to the Mammon Clan.”
The others only knew that Julio and Nana were close and often worked together, unaware of this past. Despite Nana’s recent strength surpassing Julio, she still saw him as a father figure.
The winds of the Evernight continent were different from the Dusk Continent, harsher and colder, causing Nana to tighten her clothes as she ran.
She recalled the words Julio said when he decided to go to war: “The flame of hope, once lit by us, cannot be extinguished.”
At that time, Julio had asked her to stay in the reserve forces, not to go to the Giant’s Slumber, and definitely not to join the exploration team. Nana, confident in the Queen of the Night’s power, thought the war would be easy. Even if there were dangers, the few generals and marshals in the Imperial Army could be dealt with. To appease Julio, she agreed.
But who would have thought, as the clans began retreating, the war escalated, and the Evernight Camp was breached. Nana realized Julio must have foreseen this, preventing her from participating.
Nana ran faster, her heart growing colder.
Julio had a mysterious ability known only to a few high-ranking bloodline members. This powerful Marquis could listen to the whispers of fate, seeing glimpses of the future from his days as a mere Viscount.
Julio, wise and discerning, could deduce potential futures from these fragments. He was not a prophet but a spectator of fate.
Nana knew Julio was never truly happy, a witness to fate without the power to change it. Since meeting Yeya, who awakened the Adora bloodline, his brief joy turned to greater sorrow.
Nana never understood why Julio was so sad, but in this wintry night, she felt a glimmer of understanding.
A shiver ran through her, freezing her blood. She realized Julio would not return. Yeya’s pureblood kin were dead, and as her guide, Julio’s death would sever all ties to Yeya.
No one knew that Nana and Julio had discovered Yeya together, and Julio had not mentioned her. Nana thought Julio wanted the credit for finding a primordial bloodline, as his strength had plateaued. She didn’t care; her youth and rapidly increasing power meant she didn’t need external help, and she would have given priority to Julio if needed.
Now she realized, perhaps Julio foresaw today and hid her.
Yeya’s disappearance shocked the bloodline. Nana knew several clans, including Munro, were planning a storm against the Pas Clan. Would the Queen of the Night, known for her pride, bow to pressure?
In this moment, Nana felt more hatred than anything. She couldn’t understand why Julio would sacrifice himself to hide Yeya’s trail.
Distant elemental fluctuations caught Nana’s attention, recognizing the aftereffects of a strong battle. The source was far, but the ripples were immense, indicating powerful combatants. Though the distance prevented her from identifying the combatants, the direction pointed to the Giant’s Slumber, and only Julio could be there.
Nana leaped, ignoring the drain on her blood, speeding toward the battlefield.
In the center of the Evernight Camp, the top of the castle lay in ruins, even the hall where the two lords observed the battle was destroyed.
Julio stood amidst the wreckage, a cryptic smile on his battered body. Several Imperial warriors, led by Zhao Jundu and Li Kuanglan, surrounded him. Qian Ye stood at the periphery, his sword pointing to the ground, eyes fixed on Julio.
Qian Ye had launched a fierce attack, now resting. As victories were secured, the Imperials formed a siege. Yet, Julio showed no sign of fleeing.
An Imperial warrior floated up behind Julio, ready to strike. Julio, moving impossibly fast, faced him. Zhao Jundu’s purple flames turned blue, doubling the restraining force. But it was too late. Julio appeared next to the warrior, tapped his forehead, and returned to his spot. The warrior’s eyes went blank, and his head exploded in a bloody mist.
Li Kuanglan scowled, “Waste! Incompetent fool!”
This warrior, a veteran of the Jing Tang Li family, was a Level 15, eager for glory, but no match for the injured Julio. His demise was a slap to Li Kuanglan.
Zhao Jundu’s seal was effective, but it could be broken. He and Li Kuanglan, seasoned warriors, circled Julio, seeking an opening.
Julio, ignoring the surrounding warriors, held his chest, gazing at the night sky, lips moving in silent prayer.
Qian Ye sensed something, raising his sword, striking at the air. A crimson beam shot out, bypassing the blade, piercing his chest. The beam’s penetrating power easily pierced Qian Ye’s armor and flesh.
As before, the Imperials saw the attack only after it hit. They were shocked, knowing the power of Qian Ye’s strikes. Most wouldn’t dare to face it head-on, let alone penetrate such a heavy sword stance. If they were attacked, they might have met the same fate.
Julio, despite his injuries, was never to be underestimated. The six Imperial corpses on the roof attested to this.
Zhao Jundu’s face darkened, and he unleashed his pent-up attack. Julio, having expended much energy, was slow to react, taking the full brunt of the blow. Zhao Jundu didn’t pursue, rushing to block Qian Ye. Li Kuanglan, unable to capitalize, turned to watch.
Qian Ye, pushed back several steps, gasping, steadied himself, and signaled he was fine.
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