Chapter 208: The Plan of Refuge

The tide of war on the western continent had reached its most desperate stage while inside the ancient fortress on Twilight realm was a rare tranquil moment. Although the overall scale of assault was yet known, from fragments gained from the previous frenzied twenty four hours of retreat and maneuvering, Qian Ye gradually arrived at a fairly decent estimate of the situation.

Judging by their troop deployment, the Demon Kin, evidently aiming for a quick decision conflict, launched assaults simultaneously against all targeted locations over the Twilight continent, focusing mainly on noble households ranked Marquis and above, major keeps of The Twelve Ancient Clans, as well as those houses that hosted prominent leaders like Howard the Dark Saint.

Naturally, mobilization of such scale required no trivial number of soldiers while even though some local traitors had acted as inner accomplices, sufficient might was still necessary for suppressing possible outbreaks of resistance from these targets. Surely, the Demonic Kin themselves couldn’t afford having the initial surprise raids turning gradually into prolonged attrition at what used to be bloodsuckers’ homeland!

However, this sudden strategic change imposed an equally immense strain onto Qian Ye’s forces who hitherto survived solely due to their timely maneuvering and slight temporal gaps as their previous escape from Kadon lands all the way to Movier lands had never met up against any Dreadlord opposition nor timely reinforced enemy regiments during their escape.

Yet their secret could hardly be kept any longer: Qian Ye and Ye Tong’s presence at Twilight accompanied by their sabotage of several attacks certainly would’ve reached the Demon Kin headquarters through some channels while the Black Book wanted by Demon Kin’s parliament was still in Qian Ye’s possession meaning that should someone spot them anytime from now onwards, immediate pursuit and encirclement was inevitable.

While both Qian Ye and Ye Tong might have confidence in breaking out under even the most desperate circumstances alone, attempting any kind of withdrawal while trying protecting other vampire survivors certainly rendered that impossible.

Alongside, having located through Elwaar’s library chambers and now spread across a map of the Twilight Realm hanging on the chamber wall, Howard with YETONG proceeded to carefully indicate each assaulted stronghold along their route.

Once these markings completed, deep shadows clouded over Howard’s facial expression – covering nearly half the Twightlight realm’s landmass from the starting point all the way through until present locations they traversed so far on the map, close to almost fifty percent of all vampire keeps seemed ravaged by the attackers’ forces with most utterly devastated to ground zero while the remainder of survivors included those houses possibly similar to that of surrendering Elwaar Clan among others.

They indeed personally viewed many of those locations yet the assumption naturally applied similarly to countless other undisclosed places they hadn’t even visited. But the worst part lied in the nature of their enemy’s alliance as judging from positioning evidence of both centaurs and werewolf factions, their respective ruling castes likely had reached unity agreements with Demon Kin as well; werelwolfs made some sense however why would the spider-queen clans suddenly plunge themselves head-on into another species war?

Seeing their realm collapsing under the weight of treachery, Howard exhaled sharply commenting bitterly, “Never would I imagined the Demonic Kin striking this fast & fierce leaving countless elders still slumbered deep into stasis sleep possibly never rising from their tomb ever again in this lifetime!”

The Twilight Region indeed always served as vampire kind’s ancestral heartland, the central gathering place of nearly all Clan ancestral families while many dying nobles preferred Twilight fortresses for their final hibernation phase before passing.

Without exaggeration, any given fortress harbored ancient powerful sleeping elites to some degree normally guarded by mere Marquises in regular patrols while true ruling forces emerged once Duchys stepped from dormancy. These forces were by no means weak yet utterly insufficient against targeted parliamentary elite strike units equipped with insider information. Their real tragedies however rested in countless hibernated elders who formed Vampiric bloodline’s true power base and who remained the biggest losses of this invasion as had these sleepers wakened completely unchallenged, then it certainly would have become one decisive power turning point in defense effort.

But leveraging strategic chaos during the ongoing New World War, the Demon Sovereign had secretly redeployed full parliamentary forces with Meizan Duo, functioning as a mole who effectively hoodwinked every noble, thus leaving the Demonic Kin ample opportunities for their sneak attacks. Evidently, those hibernating ancients probably wouldn’t be left any chances to reawaken at all.

Even the Dark Gospel, had it not been for QianYe and Ye Tong launching a sudden ambush against Meizan, gravely injuruing the Macefeld leader beforehand; Howard would likely have perished himself while only surviving by escaping severely damaged. His current weakened state even posed a substantial risk of rank regression.

Watching this evolving map of destruction unfold besides the two, Qian Ye walked over as well and questioned, furrowing one of his brows slightly; “Howard, could majority of hidden domains belonging exclusively to bloodline Clans probably have already fallen compromised?”

Howard solemnly gave his opinion, “It might be. Most commonly known communal hidden sanctuaries remain exposed due Meizan’s deep knowledge while clan private strongholds weren’t supposed open documents although higher betrayal risk certainly increased vulnerability.”

“Abandon Twilight.”

That sentence sent chills to Howard and YeTong causing double takes from both.

To their vampire race, Twilight was far more than just a mere homeland or a collection of residences. Entire Clans revered owning their private fortress upon sacred land itself considered a noble privilege and an honored heritage signifying one’s noble birth. Hence came the shock from such a proposition.

“I suspect any hidden sanctuary remaining within Twilight, even those maintained solely by individual Princes or Dreadlords themselves likely now lay open for exploitation and occupation while what we could rescue at most, are only fragments of clans where near-half may already contain turncoats like Ventlierr traitors or remain unclear loyalties.” said Qianye calmly.

As Howard nodded slowly, showing thoughtful signs of dawning realization Qianye elaborated: “Each rescued stronghold will gather numerous aristocrats. Several thousand if counting direct descendants across several houses. Therefore, whatever stronghold we end up relocating refugees into, it’s bound become a big military target.”

“Twilight lies at core junction between continents making trade routes convenient but unfortunately vulnerable in war. With superior mobility and aggressive strike capabilities possessed by Demon Kin forces, they could deploy at will anytime with overwhelming troop concentrations. Let me reemphasize once more: without relying on political resources we could leverage, it shall prove utterly impossible to maintain our defenses even momentarily if staying in Twilight realm itself.”

Hearing Qianye analyzing, even tough Ye Tong reluctantly nodded eventually; knowing Qianye’s extensive familiarity and past history against Demonic Kin forces allowed Qianye unparalleled insight upon predicting any Demonic tactic.

“In theory at a battlefield under standard symmetric confrontation rules within Twilight, we certainly maintain decent confidence fighting all parliament forces including Vaspuric coalition. But under present circumstances with Meizanzou infiltrated our system from within, multiple potential counters and hidden advantages remain blocked from utilization.”

“The Demonic weakness however still clearly exists: Their limited overall population numbers force them adopting an Elite Armed Philosophy making each warrior, battlecruiser, and even high ranking magic practitioner’s gear, logistical supply and elite training regimen costs far steeper and prolonged compared to other nations; therefore while producing overwhelming battlefield strength quickly, their military force rebuilding capacity remains vastly weaker in both replacement speed and flexibility than others races who possess higher numbers. Long, grinding wars of attrition particularly damage Demonic Kin war economies.”

During the early stages of the war at Black Sun Gorge, part of Sun Zhining’s ‘Exchange Tactic’ already had targeted specifically their over-reliance on elite forces. Without Werewolf support to contribute disposable front-line shock trooper manpower, every single battle that ended in mutual destruction of units placed excessive losses upon Demonic Kin forces that were both costly to rebuild while causing immense pressure across entire Eternal Night military operations. Therefore repeating a similar war of exhaustion could possibly bring down the enemy despite present numerical disadvantage.

“Yet given present strength balance, maybe we cannot actually engage in mutual attrition.” Howard replied with concerns over feasibility. Currently combined between just QianYe’s troops and the remnants under Nightgaze’s command, their forces barely equal to that of an ancient clan at its peak while their warriors remained mostly inexperienced even at clan levels like weaker Kadon houses.

“Yes. Therefore instead of seeking headstrong engagements, what we want most is finding a strategically advantageous location where relatively low defense garrisions could stall the main Demon Kin assault allowing time where we could stage the prolonged battlefield defense campaign against their attacks.”

“That is actually feasible. Although aerial concerns remain.”

“Donno Worrying, I got the Hall Of Heroes that shall be capable covering all flight access into that battlefield area,” added Qian ye confidently.

Howard lightening of tense expression commented happily. “If we stop enemy aicraft and flying warships then battle turns possible. Such battleground location exists actually exists in Sun Realm Continent.”

“Sun Continent!” asked YETONG with obvious surprised expression “Isn’t that part of Upworld layer?”

“Indeed. Years ago in my explorations across the Uplayers, by lucky accident I discovered a certain dimensional passageway which connected directly into a semi-hidden, semi-secret environment very similar to ancient sanctuaries. The land environment proves harsh, but fortunate natural mountains blocked off scorching infernal wind, rendering inhabitable living conditions possible. Originally I planned this hidden land being revealed right before reaching my death to exchange it for certain resource contributions from the future generations. But circumstances forced this decision far sooner in favor of present survival need.”

“Does said passage stable? Safe passage through?”

“Fairly stable, although passage prove convoluted twisting maze where fast transit becomes challenging however that makes passage even safer under current pursuit conditions.

With only moment of silent thought Qian Ye quickly responded: “Therefore Sun realm shall become our refugee settlement establishment, fitting all noble bloodlines and direct descendants while secondary population masses together with allied subraces shall relocated to Yungland. Presently, our Yungland land grants equally accepts various races as equals while labor job employment awaits their arrival. Before formal relocation though, I intend upon reaching out to Wiliam for negotiations determining Lycanth race’s intentions, or at best confirming their peak mountain stronghold alignment on neutrality. One thing constantly puzzles me: How might Werewolfs & Spider clans believe themselves not eventually targeted following Demonic campaign against bloodline kind? I wonder even those peak mountain dreadlords must reconsider future plans.”

“Then let the movement begin accordingly.” said Howard, having agreed upon overall plan.

But a further dilemma quickly occurred causing hesitation among the trio, “What regarding Pash clan situation?”

The problem left Nightgaze silent contemplation, while finally motioning slightly at Howard.

Howard then explained hesitantly. “Pash is blood child to The Queen Majesty’s herself. A most exceptional case. When Her Majesty’s slumber cycle commences, actual administrative clan leaderships typically handed into guardianship management conducted by active Dreadlords or crown prince class nobles. I actually managed a Pash sector briefly decades ago.”

QianYe was somewhat taken by surprise. “So their system entrust their most sacred blood legacy to outer nobles without suspicion? Interesting practice.”

Howard responded, “While technically ‘managing guardianship’, my previous Pash experience functioned as protecting rather than interfering with their private inner circle decisions as I had never dared to medding their real core Pash affairs even in decades long governance while more often they requested supply contributions and resource from me occasionally during their secret ritual works instead. Anyway nobody else will dared touching true royal lineage of Her Majesty while she slept. After all, She yet draws breath!”

Qian Ye slowly nodded, finally grasped meaning of those so-called guardians of Pash clan; such role not only lacked autonomy but required continuous external resource inputs yet bore almost nothing in returns making their guardian role a thankless one.

“Right, this cycle Meisan Duo likely assumed current management temporarily as Reno newly awoke and previously never partook active cycle participation. The actual trouble lies upon what exact infiltration level did Pash internal affairs had underwent by our spy enemy while nobody could determine how numerous internal pash betrayers might be remaining.”

Understanding finally settling in his thoughts caused Qian Ye to slowly nodded before stating calmly: “Hear that news means even further pressing us away from staying within twilight realm.

“Good. Let’s all divide efforts from now on. Although I am old my defensive capabilities still viable enough while I rescue those last few noble families as agreed I shall relocate toward the designated extraction location to await both of you.”

Agreeing silently Qianye nodded, since naturally the Dark Gospel Howard despite his weakening seals still remained powerful as any crown Prince meaning only dreadlord level opponent like former Macefeld master could truly challenge him therefore leaving Howard’s survival odds high as he traveled solo.

Naturally, QianYe and YETONG chose joint travel while each member divided patrol sectors across Twilight map to begin emergency vampire search missions, while agreeing that time shall strictly limited to span of no more than three entire sunsets where everyone must gather back inside an predetermined hidden sanctuary for bloodline extraction from this Twilight realm to the new sanctuary awaiting above Sun Continent.

But when Qian Ye disappeared into the Twilight skies, within that ruined keep, Ventlierr finished imprisoning survivors while looting treasures as though attempting to make amends for prior losses. His looters practically stripped nearly every valuable scrap from every possible corner, even stealing away personal treasures prepared as part of Elward’s personal grave offerings while even decorative murals and ornamental sculptures were disassembled and looted away.

By time Ventlierr also disappeared, the ancient Keep already had reduced nearly empty as if locust had stripped the land bare.

When the very last outsider departed, within the back chambers ruins inside the shattered blood pool storage chamber hidden somewhere forgotten and half collapsed deep beneath fortress halls, a coffin placed inside dark corner, long ago half-finished, had the lid suddenly thrust aside as slowly a sleeping Vampire Viscount emerged.

His was merely an ordinary iron coffin hastily assembled, lacking full inscription with ancient Prana runes and not even composed from bronze material itself which naturally failed to attract Ventlier’s interests thereby allowing the young noble opportunity to stay hidden until now.

Confirming the Keep now completely empty of all enemies, he quietly departed without further word.

So, twilight descended once more upon abandoned ancient keeps as silent ruins stood solemnly beneath moonlights while ancient war began casting its shadow across lands with many uncertain fate still sealed away in future.