Chapter 628: Infinite Vitality

This chapter is an extra update sponsored by the alliance leader "Battle Hymn of the Gods." [A patron's username in Chinese web novel culture.] By the way, Battle Hymn has switched to a new account to sponsor another alliance leader...

Vampires walking in the dark night, especially powerful pureblood vampires, rely on their blood magic—the ability to transform into bats—to escape, making ambushes and killings nearly impossible.

Thus, Famur the Black Knight was completely unsuspecting of Scarlet Mary's message. He directly transformed into a bat and followed her, flying toward the mountain opposite Dragon-Trapping Mountain. Moments later, they arrived in a dense forest. Just as he was about to land and revert to his human form, a net came crashing down over him.

Famur's reaction speed was no worse than Tubote's from before. He burst into a swarm of bats, scattering in all directions. However, the ambush, carefully planned against an unsuspecting target, managed to trap the majority of his bat forms. The trapped bats sizzled like frying meat.

Only four bat forms managed to escape.

At that moment, Liszt, who had cast the net, transformed into flames, instantly crushing one bat form before charging toward the second. Simultaneously, Scarlet Peggy and Bloody Hamil pounced on the third bat, while Night Demon Wimbledon and One-Eyed Uso lunged at the fourth.

Scarlet Mary fought to maintain control over the bloodlight net, preventing the bat forms from breaking through this magic equipment.

Crunch!

After crushing the second bat form, Liszt turned and successively destroyed the third and fourth bat forms that had been intercepted. He then returned to the bloodlight net, channeling his Dragon Aura to forcefully crush the remaining bat forms amidst their shrieks. The blood magic from all the bat forms flowed out, coalescing into Famur's body.

Unlike Tubote, he was already dead—an aspiring dragon knight ambushing a vampire was like a strong man bullying an infant.

Liszt took the handkerchief handed to him by Scarlet Peggy and wiped the blood from his hands. He signaled Scarlet Mary to act quickly, instructing her to extract the heart and retrieve the equipment before the corpse's blood magic dissipated.

The spoils were plentiful.

A pureblood vampire heart, pulsating with potent blood magic, made the blood servants stare greedily.

Three half-breed vampire hearts, stored in a box.

A set of vampire-exclusive attire styled like an evening gown.

A short sword resembling a bayonet, engraved with the phrase "Silver Oath," sharing the same name as Tubote's dagger. Both were family heirloom magic gear of the Black Knight family, differing only in design but serving the same purpose.

A blood mask, a reincarnation ritual book, and a blood-drawing needle.

A finger-length beast fang radiating thick blood magic; a spiked leather whip; and an amethyst ring.

Liszt squeezed the heart.

Famur's three followers—Phoebe the Enchantress, the black-clad Vansa, and Fang Seth—quickly arrived. Through Scarlet Mary's threats and explanations, they successfully joined the ranks of the blood servants. Among them, Phoebe’s only notable feature was her ample bust, and she knew Famur's equipment well.

"This fang belongs to a super magical beast—the Bloodthirsty Bat. It's a magic artifact passed down through generations of the Black Knight family. Not only does it greatly enhance a vampire's cultivation and spellcasting, but it can also be used in blood-exchange rituals to increase the purity of a pureblood's lineage."

Liszt raised an eyebrow. "A super magical beast? What does a Bloodthirsty Bat look like?"

"I've never seen one, my lord. The Black Knight family's history is ancient, and no one truly knows whether this fang actually belongs to a super magical beast." Phoebe continued neutrally, "This whip is called the Wailing Whip, mainly used for... pleasure."

"Skip that. Tell me about this amethyst ring."

"I don't know the name of this ring, but its effect is to boost stamina, greatly accelerating magic regeneration."

"It's excellent equipment." Liszt was very satisfied with the amethyst ring and slid it onto the index finger of his left hand.

In the customs of the Sapphire Duchy—or rather, the Kingdom of Steel Ridge—rings were traditionally worn two ways: on the left middle finger for men and the right middle finger for women, denoting engagement; or on the left ring finger for men and the right ring finger for women, denoting marriage.

Wearing a ring on any other finger was functional or purely decorative—rich knights and wizards often adorned all their fingers with gemstone rings, which was commonplace.

The mana surged through the amethyst ring.

Instantly, a mysterious power flowed from the gem into his body, filling him with an inexpressible energy, as if every cell in his body was boiling. Every type of gemstone held astonishing power.

Only then did he turn to Mary: "This hunting operation went smoothly, Mary. You’ve proved your worth to me, and I won’t leave you unrewarded. From now on, Tubote’s heart is yours. However, I don’t have time to guide your absorption process right now. Once we seize Dragonrest Mountain, you can properly assimilate this heart."

Mary battled down her hunger, replying, "Your will be done, my lord. Everything Mary has is your gift."

Her attitude pleased Liszt.

He looked at the other seven blood thralls: "Famur’s heart is in my hands, worthless to me. As long as you serve me loyally and earn enough merit, it will belong to you. Right now, there’s a task for you—from this moment onward, watch every egress of Dragonrest Mountain. Not a single messenger is to escape!"

He paused.

Liszt idly juggled Famur’s heart in his hand. "Complete this mission, and not only this heart but all these spoils will be yours—including you three newly joined blood thralls, Phoebe the Enchantress, Vansa the Black-Clad, and Seth the Fanged."

"Yes, my lord! We will strive to complete the task!" Mary led the way, dropping to one knee.

The other blood thralls followed suit, kneeling in unison.

In the pitch-black forest, the scene was unnervingly sinister.

...

The weather in mid-August remained sweltering.

Carrying the Thermostatic Pearl, Liszt enjoyed cool comfort wherever he went, much to the envy of Earl Li William.

Mexiro’s knights arrived swiftly, quickly taking control of Egret Fort, while Liszt led his reinforced contingent of eight hundred elite mixed knights on a trek across treacherous peaks. With the blood thralls scouting ahead, the journey proceeded smoothly, and by nightfall, they lay concealed not far from Dragonrest Mountain.

After resting overnight, they launched their assault.

Famur’s absence went unnoticed.

Phoebe the Enchantress, Vansa the Black-Clad, and Seth the Fanged managed to maintain the overseers’ duties. Moreover, under Mary’s direction, they redirected watch patrols and, just before Liszt’s charge, assassinated numerous sentries in the watchtowers.

Thus, the iron mine of Dragonrest Mountain lay completely vulnerable to the lances of the combined host.

"Charge!"

At dawn, with Liszt’s roar, the battle began. Yet his gaze swept past the defending knights of Dragonrest Mountain, locking onto the two sky knights scrambling to arms.

To him, they were not enemies.

They were shining coin, spirit bugs, food, serfs—the means to master wyrms.