Chapter 126: War and Rumors
After the fall of Telo City, the entire Anzeta region was thrown into shock—but in truth, it had been expected.
Without its most elite force, the "Eagle's Claw," the Lakanman Family stood no chance against the claws of the Dragon Vein Beasts. And with a terrifying Red Dragon—dubbed the Purgatory Cataclysm—looming over them, defeat was inevitable.
Yet what no one had foreseen was how effortlessly the so-called City of Valor, a fortress that had stood proud in the north of the Northern Union Kingdom for a hundred years without ever falling, had been overrun. It wasn’t even a true conquest—more like a swift, effortless occupation. Telo City hadn’t even managed to organize a single coherent defense.
With Dawson Vileur Earl slain by a mysterious weapon, the humiliating white flag fluttered above the city gate, and centuries of glory vanished like smoke.
For the following months, Ashen Hollow did not immediately assault the capital of the Duchy of Lakanman—Northwind Keep. Instead, it patiently dismantled the remaining eleven cities one by one: Havtsburg, Tern City, Meks City. The mighty Duchy of Lakanman—the Northern Union Kingdom’s most powerful of its three great duchies—was being consumed piece by piece. The sight sent tremors of fear through every noble court across Anzeta.
Of course, atrocities followed. Rumors spread of monstrous creatures like Ogres and Chimeras devouring humans. But under Kai Xiusu’s strict oversight, the Dragonline Followers maintained a surprising degree of order.
Compared to the human soldiers of this age—brutal, looting and raping at will, driven by bloodlust—and the Noble Knights who treated civilians as mere insects, delighting in slaughter for sport, these monsters under the Red Dragon’s Dictatorial Edict actually exhibited remarkable military discipline. At least the Ogres confined themselves to treating humans as delicious snacks—rather than tormenting them for fun.
Yet in every land across Anzeta, the image of Ashen Hollow’s followers had been carefully twisted into that of demonic hordes. Minstrels sang of Song of Ashen Embers, a long ballad that painted their rulers as pure evil.
Kai Xiusu—known as the Purgatory Cataclysm—had become the very symbol of original sin. Legends claimed he was the Dragon of Lust, the Dragon of Wrath, and the Dragon of Pride. In tales, he would transform into a towering, monstrous humanoid—several meters tall—ravaging beautiful maidens before shifting back to his true form and devouring them whole.
And Lanpu, the Dragonblood Ogre Mage and Head Steward of Ashen Hollow, was cast as the embodiment of insatiable hunger. He was said to gorge himself on anything within sight. Whenever a mortal trembled in fear before him, his jaws would be churning with human limbs.
The Military Commander, Great Goblin Dolo, became the personification of jealousy—perhaps simply to fit the poetic rhythm of the ballad.
Kai Xiusu remained unmoved. He neither denied nor cared.
Before he had fully conquered the Northern Regions, such twisted tales were not only expected—they were necessary.
Once he swallowed the remaining twelve kingdoms, all noise would vanish into silence. And he would stand alone—Anzeta’s sole, supreme sovereign.
Soon,
Once I deal with this old vampire...
Then it’s your turn, you decaying nobles of the Northern Regions.
The Red Dragon exhaled a breath thick with sulfur, murmuring to himself.
He lay sprawled within the Council Chamber of Telo City—vast and bright, spacious enough to accommodate his colossal dragon form.
Once, this hall had been the heart of Telo City’s governance, where noble magistrates gathered to debate the city’s fate, upholding a proud tradition passed down through generations. The carved eagles on the towering stone pillars had symbolized courage and authority.
Now, the chamber still ruled Telo City—but the eagles no longer stood for power. They were now emblems of defeat.
Only the Red Dragon remained to judge.
“Master,” a flickering image of Dolo appeared in the chamber.
Behind him loomed a city choked in smoke, Dragon Vein Beasts marching through its streets, distant gunfire echoing in the distance.
The Red Dragon gave a slight nod. “Good.”
At his side, Dailenna picked up her brush and marked a cross on the map at the corner of the Duchy of Lakanman—over the word Meks City.
Ten other cities had already been marked. Including the one they now stood in—Telo City.
Northwind Keep remained, isolated and alone, surrounded by the fallen cities. The last stronghold of the Lakanman Family.
Dailenna flattered, “Congratulations, Master. The centuries-long legacy of the Duchy of Lakanman is nearing its end. Your dominion shall stretch across their vast lands. Your deeds will be etched into history, and the entire Northern Regions shall tremble beneath your wings.”
“Now, only one remains,” he said. “Northwind Keep.”
Suddenly, Kai Xiusu turned to Lanpu. “When you took Meks City—did you capture any of the Vampire Offspring?”
He meant the heirs of the Lakanman Family. The highest tier of Vampire Offspring, who often called themselves Vampires—like Lord Todd, who had once been one.
But Todd was no longer a man. After enduring Lanpu’s endless tortures and experiments, the once-proud noble had lost his mind, reduced to a mindless beast.
With the cold precision of a scholar, Lanpu had tested every limit of the vampire’s utility—until the final, useless fragments were sliced into fine, delicate meat. He never recovered. So much for the myth of the undying Vampire.
After months of experiments, and countless variations of torment, Lanpu had uncovered many of their traits—such as the vulnerability to water.
Now, he was far more interested in the old vampire—Brad Lakanman, Duke of Lakanman—hiding in Northwind Keep.
Lanpu answered truthfully: “No. In Ketli Lakanman Baron’s mansion, we found only drained human corpses. The eldest son is gone. The same pattern repeated in every city governed by Lakanman scions. I believe they’ve all been gathered to Northwind Keep—for the so-called Ascension Rite.”
“Ascension Rite,” Lanpu added, assuming Kai Xiusu was asking.
“Yes, Master. Through interrogation of Todd Lakanman, we learned of this ritual—akin to a sacrifice. It’s said to be the path to true immortality for vampires.”
“Once complete, the vampire would no longer fear sunlight. They’d be immune to water, fire, and other weaknesses. And they’d wield a terrifying Shadowrot Power—unimaginable in strength.”
The Red Dragon slowly rose, spreading his mighty wings.
“The time has come. It’s time to end this.”
“Lanpu, summon all followers of Ashen Hollow. Draw your most elite forces from each conquered city. Prepare for the siege of Northwind Keep. I won’t tolerate a troublesome Ascended vampire rising from the shadows.”
“That old wretch… it’s time he returned to where he belongs.”
“Yes, Master!” Lanpu replied eagerly, his voice trembling with anticipation.
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
