I Became the Progenitor Vampire Chapter 220

Chapter 220: Chapter 221 The Dwarves' Astonishing Journey in Dawn City

Valen Barbaric Hammer had already prepared himself for the possibility of being killed by the vampire.

Especially when his armor was taken off and replaced with rough hemp clothes, and the vampire imprisoned him with Magic Prohibition Chains.

Even at the moment when he was threatened by that Northern warrior, he had foreseen this day.

But dwarves never fear death.

There was no wavering in Valen's eyes.

The secret silver vein was their last card, and no one would extract that information from him.

Death would not make him submit.

However, the subsequent development took him by surprise; although he had angered that mysterious and powerful vampire, it seemed the creature had no intention of killing them.

After being imprisoned for a day, that vampire named Stanley, who was of the high level 15, took them out of Green City after nightfall.

Valen was forced to ride on a giant bat with a wingspan of ten blades, heading to an unknown destination.

He recognized this kind of bat; it was a demon beast exclusively bred by vampires, and in his youth, he had fought vampires in the underworld, knowing the characteristics of these creatures.

But as he realized this fact, his heart slowly grew heavy.

When such giant bats, called Magic Language Bats, appeared, there must be a vampire castle nearby.

Because only vampires of substantial power would breed these behemoths.

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Sure enough, during the conversation of the vampire guarding him, he learned that they were about to be sent to a vampire castle.

He faintly heard these vampires call this ancient fortress–Dawn City.

Valen sneered at this name.

A group of cruel, bloodthirsty vampires had chosen a name full of hope and light to call their lair.

It was enough to make the Forge God laugh.

Even merely hearing this name, Valen's mind conjured up the scene of the vampire castle.

Gloomy, bloody, terrifying,

A castle stood within a dark cave that never saw daylight.

The damp air could condense tiny droplets on the armor, gray rocks were covered in screeching little bats, the sound of dripping water echoed far in the vast cave, and the corpses surrounding the castle were all humans drained of their blood.

To call such a castle Dawn City?

Shouldn't it be named Blood Castle, Crimson City, or something dark like Shadow Fortress?

A hint of mockery crossed his face, and just as he was about to speak, whoosh–Valen felt darkness before his eyes and a suffocating sensation came over him.

A hood?! A tight one that didn't let any air through and made it hard to breathe.

Damn it! These cursed vampires actually put a hood over my head in the dead of night?!

If I live through this, I'll grind your ashes to dust and use it to light my stove!

Anger surged through Valen, but he sensibly kept quiet; provoking the vampires under these circumstances wouldn't benefit him apart from making himself suffer.

Whoosh, whoosh–

There was a jolt from beneath him.

The wind howled past his ears; the bat had taken off.

Valen almost fell from the air due to an unsteady center of gravity, but thankfully the vampire behind him steadied him.

Valen took a deep breath, and the expression beneath his helm was filled with bitterness.

As a Master Level Forging Master among the Dwarf Clan, he had never been treated like this, not even during the adventures of his youth had he encountered such a situation.

If it had been the younger him, he would have resisted against all odds, but now he was no longer the lone individual he once was, now he bore the hopes of the entire Dwarf Tribe on his shoulders.

Responsibility bowed Valen's prideful heart, the continuation of his race was far more important than his own life.

One Sunshine Hour, two Sunshine Hours,

Valen eventually lost track of time.

All he knew was that the bat beneath him kept flying.

Finally, unable to stand the stifling helm, Valen turned his head and shouted at the Bloodline behind him,

“With such a distant journey, you still insist on covering my head?

Do you think Dwarves are those damned Elves?

Only those effeminate ones who are close to nature have the ability to observe the directions of the trees below while flying in the sky!

We Dwarves are sons of the earth, lacking those effeminate capabilities!!

Damn it, take this helm off! I want to protest to your President Ilo!”

Unfortunately, the Bloodline behind him ignored his cry; they had little fondness for such obstinate fellows, not tormenting him was already a kindness.

Vampires were the quintessential Dark Creatures, and although under Lide's constraints they weren't as cruel, Dark Creatures were still Dark Creatures, it was in their Bloodline, not something that could just be erased.

After the long flight, just when Valen was incredibly exhausted and even felt he might suffocate from his helm,

He heard the excited voices of the Vampires around him.

Dawn City, they had arrived.

“These cunning Vampires, building their lair so far from Green City, are they afraid of being captured by humans to be used as alchemy materials??”

Valen was furious, he had not a single ounce of fondness for the Vampires.

If it weren't for the heavy responsibility of saving his tribespeople he bore, he would have already fought these Dark Creatures to the death.

Dwarves never fear death!

In the legends of the Dwarves, they are the sons of the earth, who upon death will return to the embrace of the earth and many years later become precious ores.

Naturally, the Dwarves, who extremely love digging and forging, believe in this legend wholeheartedly.

As long as they can be buried in the earth after death, dying is not something difficult for them to accept.

Swoosh~

Valen's black helm was lifted off, just as the first hint of light was beginning to show in the sky.

Dawn was breaking.

Valen saw a massive city built between two colossal mountains.

At this moment, the light from the sky pierced through the gap between the mountains, shining over Dawn City, revealing the majestic appearance of the city to everyone's sight.

Magnificent, spectacular,

Especially the streak of light in the sky added a touch of sanctity to the city.

Valen's eyes widened, somewhat unbelievingly watching this scene.

The city before him was worlds apart from the dark and ancient castle he had imagined.

How could such a city possibly be a Vampire's castle??

Valen's eyes were somewhat hazy. What was the name of this city? Dawn City?

At this moment, he found the city to be incredibly fitting of its name, especially when the smattering of light from the clouds shone upon the upper reaches of the city.

Valen immediately shook his head. Thinking of the vampires' characteristic of feeding on human blood, a trace of scorn flashed in his eyes.

No matter how good the city was, it was ultimately a vampire's lair. He couldn't help but think that by now, the bones inside could fill the surrounding valleys.

He wouldn't believe that this city was truly as it appeared on the surface. Vampires, these dark creatures, were infamous for their cruelty and bloodthirst on the entire Main Plane of Glory.

“Release me, you damn vampires, I swear! I will chop off your heads!”

At this time, the angry curses of another Magic Language Bat drew Valen's attention, and the young Dwarf Prince, Anakin, was tightly bound by huge chains, his hood having been lifted off.

The young dwarf was furiously cursing the vampires around him, and naturally, they were not polite to the Dwarf Prince. After several punches, Anakin turned into a pained wail.

Seeing this, Valen shook his head. The prince was still too inexperienced. Without a readiness to die, angering these vampires only made one suffer more.

His gaze shifted to the side, where another Magic Language Bat carried an unconscious dwarf, fixed to the saddle.

That was the dwarf caught while negotiating with human merchants, perhaps heavily injured, as he had not regained consciousness all day.

Valen was helpless in this situation and could only pray in his heart for the other's safety.

“Lord Stanley, the guard army of Dawn City salutes you.”

Soon, two Bloodlines riding Magic Language Bats flew out from within Dawn City towards Stanley and his group.

As Dawn City got on the right track, many new disciplines had been introduced.

One of them was that everyone entering Dawn City must verify their identity, regardless of being from the Bloodline or not, and only after obtaining the Guard Army's consent could they fly into Dawn City.

Flying in without permission would be treated as an enemy invasion by the Guard Army, and the guards would launch an immediate attack.

This was an order personally issued by Lide.

The main purpose was to distinguish friend from foe; otherwise, what was the purpose of Dawn City's airspace if anyone could fly in at will?

Lide's orders were the iron laws of the Bloodline; no one dared to defy them.

“Yes, we are here under the orders of the Ancestor to escort the dwarves back to Dawn City.”

Stanley did not defy it, immediately reporting their purpose.

Although the opposing Bloodline was only Level 9, what they represented were the rules set by Lide.

The two Bloodlines flapped their wings and flew off the Magic Language Bats, nodding their heads after a few confirmations with the Bloodline around them.

“Lord Stanley, welcome home.”

With that said, they took the lead and flew towards Dawn City.

Valen sat on the back of the Magic Language Bat, silently watching this scene, feeling a growing heaviness in his heart.

These vampires were too well-behaved, nothing like the lax, even undisciplined vampire forces he had in mind.

These vampires were like a well-trained army, with strict discipline.

This realization added sudden weight to his mind.

Whoosh whoosh~

With the guidance of the two Bloodlines, the hovering bat steadily flapped its wings and slowly flew into Dawn City.

Valen took a deep breath, his gaze heavy as he looked down at the massive city below.

First came the black city walls, towering dozens of blades high atop cliffs hundreds of blades in height, like a natural barrier capable of stopping any powerful enemy.

Beyond the city walls were buildings of varying heights, broad manors, and two- or three-story residential houses in rows occupied the spots near the walls.

There was also the most conspicuous spire at the street corner, with semi-circular windows inlaid with colored glass, and vampire heroes carved into the roofs.

But what caught Valen's attention the most in this city was the human-sized statue, rising a dozen blades tall, at the center of the city–the tallest structure within.

Ordinary people standing before the statue seemed dwarf-like, and the statue itself was lifelike, its expression exuding benevolence.

Unparalleled grandeur.

Valen looked carefully and vaguely sensed that the statue bore some resemblance to the Vampire Clan Leader of the Dark Contract.

He averted his gaze, following the flight path of the bats to look upon the city beneath his feet.

Wind howled past his ears as Valen surveyed from above, the streets below neat and clean, with soldiers patrolling now and then.

Even residents who had just gotten up were greeting each other.

It seemed this vampire-ruled city wasn't much different from a human city.

Valen couldn't help but find the scene somewhat bizarre.

But just when he thought that was all, at the edge of his vision, near the city's edge, a huge figure flashed by.

The sight of the giant's single eye was shocking.

What was that? A One-eyed Giant?

As Valen thought to check again, the figure had already vanished behind a building.

At this moment, Valen's mind was filled with questions–could there really be a One-eyed Giant in this vampire city?

Whoosh whoosh~

Giant wings beat the air, whipping up gusts.

Valen let out a deep breath, starting to doubt if his eyes had deceived him, when the Magic Language Bat he was riding began to descend.

A broad square came into view.

“Why would the vampires build such a massive square?”

Valen's mind was full of confusion.

He had realized he could no longer understand this vampire city.

Everything here was unlike the vampire castles he had imagined.

The impact on Valen was significant–he had visited a vampire castle in his youth.

It was dark, terrifying, damp, and the stark white of human skeletons could be seen everywhere.

But this city was different, completely different, it didn't resemble an ancient vampire dwelling at all, but rather looked more like a city of humans.

But then, Valen witnessed a scene that astonished him even more.

After the bat landed, dozens of armored human soldiers crowded the square, and among these human soldiers, there were vampires with their wings folded.

What was going on?

The Dwarf's mind was a bit muddled.

Turning his head, Valen even saw a vampire chatting amiably with a human soldier, the scenery resembling two humans having a casual conversation during their leisure time, showing no distinction between vampire and human.

Moreover, he did not see the slightest trace of fear toward the vampire in the human's eyes.

It seemed that chatting with vampires was a perfectly normal thing for humans.

Valen felt his inner beliefs were about to shatter, his black eyes filled with bewildered stares at this scene.

Since when did vampires, who had always looked down on humans and saw them as food, become so intimate with them?

As a dwarf who had lived for over three hundred years, Valen had experienced a lot.

He had traveled the human world for decades, and he knew very well what vampires represented in the eyes of humans.

Bloodthirsty, savage, cruel; vampires were definitely among the top three most despised dark creatures by humans, even ranking first with barely any refutation.

But now, these natural enemies who could never coexist peacefully, these creatures where upon encountering one another it was either you die or I perish, were now like a family?

How was this any different from the undead getting cozy with those damn elves?

“By the Forge God above, I must have been enchanted by vampire magic and am having hallucinations!!”

No one came to resolve Valen's doubts. After handing him over to the Bloodline, Stanley who escorted him left.

Valen was also unable to observe more of the city as he was escorted away from the square by human soldiers and the Bloodline together.

Meanwhile, Dwarf Prince Anakin and another unconscious dwarf were not taken with Valen but were led to another place.

Valen had no power to resist these damn vampires and could only helplessly let them maneuver him.

Because it was getting light, the quiet city began to slowly wake up, and the sleepy dawn started to revive.

The originally sparse crowd on the streets began to bustle as it got brighter.

The bakery that got up early to prepare food had already baked delicious honey bread, and the farmers ready to work the land were also carrying their tools, ready to set off.

Valen stepped onto the street from the square under the guard of five vampires and twenty patrol team members.

The moment he entered the street, Valen felt a boisterous atmosphere instantly fill his ears.

Looking at the scenes on the streets, his expression was shocked, his eyes filled with disbelief.

This is a vampire city?

The streets paved with bluestone were clean and tidy, without any extraneous trash, and the green plants and flowers on both sides exuded a faint fragrance.

Residents passing by had smiles on their faces as they talked, and the orderly queue of people at the bakery's door didn't have a single person cutting in line.

Just as Valen was stunned by the city, an even more shocking scene unfolded before him.

The passing residents greeted the vampires escorting him with smiles. At that moment, a child by a woman's side suddenly ran up and hugged one of the vampire's legs, even trying to jump up to grab the half-folded bat wings behind the vampire.

And that vampire was not the slightest bit annoyed, even picking up the child and affectionately kissing them on the face.

If humans patrolling together with vampires, chatting and laughing, had surprised Valen,

Then the city's residents being so close to vampires, these dark creatures of legend, had left him utterly dumbfounded.

By the Forge God above, this must be false, how could this ever happen?!! This is a thousand times more shocking than those effeminate elves cohabiting peacefully with dwarves.

Vampires living in harmony with humans?! Even the lamest wandering bard wouldn't dare boast so wildly!

Valen would bet that if he told anyone what he had seen, not a single person would believe him.

Yes, no one, not even members of his own clan.

Humans getting along so harmoniously with vampires was simply a prank by the Goddess of Calamity!!

But now, this scene that was impossible even in myths and legends was vividly unfolding before his eyes.

The shock to his psyche was impossible for outsiders to imagine, as if some long-held common sense had been overturned.

Valen felt as absurd and incredulous at this moment as someone telling him that ores did not come from beneath the ground but grew on trees instead.

All he could do was to try his best to widen his eyes and look around, hoping to find flaws in this illusionary realm.

But all his efforts were in vain.

At the florist lady bending over to arrange red roses outside the shop at Cross Street Corner, the walls nearby adorned with white bas-reliefs praising the Divine, and even the solid feel of the cobblestone pavement beneath his feet, and the warm aroma of freshly baked white bread wafting from the bakery.

All of this told Valen, with utter certainty, that this was no hallucination.

Valen felt that the road he was on was exceptionally short, so brief that in the blink of an eye, and with many details yet to be observed, he had already reached its end.

Then, at that moment, thump, thump, thump–the ground began to tremble.

Suddenly, around the corner of the street, an enormous figure appeared, nearly four spans in height.

Its gray and wrinkly skin was striking, and atop its hairless head was a single giant eye; with a muscular body full of power.

Could this be–a One-eyed Giant's offspring?!

Valen immediately recognized the creature; he was not unfamiliar with One-eyed Giants, having killed one himself during his youthful adventures.

But that wasn't the point, the key question was, why would such a ferocious beast like the One-eyed Giant appear within this city?

His heart was shocked once more.

Then he suddenly remembered the figure he had caught a glimpse of in the sky just moments ago; it turned out there really was a One-eyed Giant here.

Next, Valen watched as the juvenile One-eyed Giant, as if having discovered something, ran to the Bloodline group leader with a hint of joy.

“Good day, Lord Hill,”

The common language of the continent??

Cough, cough, cough, Valen choked on his own saliva.

What in the world–since when could the famously dim-witted One-eyed Giants speak the common language of the continent so smoothly?

“Soray, why didn't you attend class at the Mage Tower yesterday afternoon??”

Upon hearing this, a flicker of fear surfaced in the colossal eye of the One-eyed Giant juvenile, “The homework was too hard…”

Valen's mouth twitched violently at this conversation. These damned Vampires, what are they up to?? They're teaching One-eyed Giants Magic now???

“Remember, no skipping class today, or I'll tell Lord Kosso about it,”

The name Kosso sent the young One-eyed Giant into a fright, it quickly nodded its head, and then turned around and bolted, apparently fearing it would truly be snitched on.

Valen was at a loss for words upon witnessing this scene. Was this truly a city ruled by Vampires??

Why did he feel like he was in a dream??

“Let's go, we will soon reach the forge shop,”

The Bloodline group leader wasn't surprised at all; having lived in Dawn City for such a long time, the One-eyed Giant juvenile had come into contact with humans and evidently gained intelligence.

Therefore, these “little fellows” not only learned everyday dialogues but were also selected by the Dawn City Mage Tower for a research study to see if such intelligent beings could become even smarter. Currently, they were learning magic at the Mage Tower.

Now the intelligence of these juveniles had reached a level equivalent to human adolescents of twelve or thirteen years of age, which meant communicating with them wouldn't be much trouble.

Valen took a deep breath, opened his mouth as if to ask something to his Bloodline companion, then shut it again.

This widely-traveled Dwarf, living three hundred years, was at a loss for words at that moment.

Soon enough, the forge shop was reached.

Upon seeing Ang Digger, who bore half Dwarf Bloodline, Valen showed a glimpse of surprise on his face.

He instantly found a sense of belonging in this strange city.

And Digger was very happy when he saw Valen, the Dwarf.

“Digger, the Clan Leader has ordered that this Dwarf will be under the watch of the smithy for the time being. His body is already bound by the Magic Prohibition Chains, and the smithy is fully capable of guarding him.

Moreover, the Clan Leader specifically instructed that this Dwarf does not currently acknowledge the Holy Light Bloodline as friends. Therefore, he is our spoils of war and must complete enough workload each day to receive food.

Digger, there are always patrol teams and Holy Light Bloodline outposts around the smithy. If you run into any trouble, please notify us just as before.”

After the instructions, the lead Bloodline left with their group, leaving behind Valen, who was bound with Magic Prohibition Chains.

Magic Prohibition Chains are a very powerful form of punishment device, and those bound by them will slowly weaken. Without a key, it is extremely difficult for even a Level 10 warrior to damage the solid Magic Prohibition Chains.

Mages will have their Magic Power dissipated by Magic Prohibition Chains, while warriors will find their strength blocked and their bodies continually weakened, at most exhibiting only a tenth of their power.

The Skeleton Mage Withered Bone, who had been imprisoned in Dawn Square, was also bound by the same Magic Prohibition Chains.

Currently, all of the high-end power in Dawn City belongs to the Bloodline, and the residents' combat strength is very weak, incapable of breaking the solid Magic Prohibition Chains.

As for the Security Team, those soldiers who receive indoctrination every day are nearly as loyal to Lide and Dawn City as the Bloodline.

So long as they guard the city walls and prevent outsiders from entering Dawn City, the city will be absolutely safe.

This is also why Lide can lock the Undead Mage Withered Bone in the Dawn City Square and send the Dwarf to the smithy with such confidence.

After the Bloodline left, Digger immediately became excited.

Looking at Valen, who was of similar height and also had a large beard, he clenched his fist tightly and thumped it against his chest.

“Esteemed sir, my name is Digger, and I possess half of the Dwarf bloodline.

My father was once a Dwarf in the Gold-mining Tribe, and after the tribe was destroyed by Demons, he escaped to the Human world; after I was born, my father named me Digger in memory of the destroyed tribe.”

It is a unique tradition among Dwarves for younger Dwarves to introduce their ancestry in detail when meeting an older Dwarf.

Upon hearing this, Valen's face revealed a hint of joy, “Child, I never imagined that Gold-mining Tribe blood flows in you.

If your father really was from the Gold-mining Tribe, you must have heard of my name…”

He paused, and even though he was wrapped in Magic Prohibition Chains, his expression remained proud.

He pounded his fist fiercely against his chest.

“Valen Barbaric Hammer,” although the Magic Prohibition Chains were binding him, they did not restrain his hands and feet, so they did not greatly affect Valen's movements.

Upon hearing this name, Digger's face froze, then quickly showed barely concealed elation.

“Master Valen?! It's you!!”

Saying this, he hurried forward to give Valen a tight hug.

After they separated, Digger laughed heartily, “Master Valen, my father was once your apprentice; his name was Ang Digger. He mentioned your great name to me countless times.

He said that among Dwarves, you truly are a Forging Master and he took pride in having been your apprentice.”

Hearing this name, Valen's face showed surprise too.

“I can't believe you're Ang's son, hahaha, by the Forge God above, meeting Ang's child here is surely the Ancestors' blessing.

If we were in the Barbarian Hammer Tribe, I would definitely treat you to the finest rum.”

Digger slapped his chest proudly, “Master Valen, the great Kachar City Lord once rewarded me with a barrel of fine drink, maybe tonight we could have a grand celebration…”

Hearing this, Valen frowned slightly, looking at Digger with some confusion.

“Child, why do you hold such respect for a cruel and dark Vampire?

You are a child of the Dwarves, you carry an ancient bloodline, no one can make us Dwarves bow our heads, and we should not forsake our Ancestors' Glory to submit to a Vampire.”

The words chilled the previously lively atmosphere to an icy standstill, as the smile froze on Digger's face.

The others in the forge, upon hearing Valen's words, instantly shifted from a respectful demeanor to one tinged with anger.

This damned bastard, to insult the great Kachar City Lord like this!

Had Digger not been there, the group would have surely taught this clueless dwarf a lesson.

Digger looked at Valen's serious expression and gradually suppressed his excitement from encountering his father's old teacher.

After taking a deep breath, he fixed his gaze on Valen and spoke in a deep voice, “Master Valen, I hope that you only say this in my presence once.

The Kachar City Lord has not only granted us new life, but has also given us hope and a future.

Without the Kachar City Lord, there would be no me, Digger, no forge, no all of my companions and brothers, and none of everything here!!

In Dawn City, the Kachar City Lord is a great existence that we would give our lives to defend, and no one is allowed to question him, no one!!

Not even you!! Even if you, Master Valen, are a legendary figure among dwarves, and a senior whom I respect.

To bear enmity toward the Kachar City Lord is to be an enemy of the whole Dawn City, to be an enemy to me!!”

Digger's words were resolute, without a hint of hesitation.

Had it not been for the great Kachar City Lord, how could they possibly have such a life?!

His own child had been specially recruited into the Mage Tower to study magic, and yet someone dared to challenge the Kachar City Lord.

Even if the doubter was a legendary figure from the dwarves whom he had once greatly respected, it was something he could not tolerate.

Seeing Digger and the other dozen humans glaring at him fiercely, Valen was every bit as shocked as when he had just seen humans and vampires coexisting peacefully on the streets.

The Kachar City Lord? That must be the mysterious vampire named Ilo.

Valen knew well the high reputation he held among the dwarves, but even so, a half-dwarf, with half dwarf blood, had just confronted him with the firmest stance over a mere sentence.

And what this half-dwarf was so desperately defending was a vampire??

This profoundly shocked Valen.

What kind of magic power did this mysterious vampire possess, that he not only brought about harmonious coexistence among humans, vampires, and even one-eyed giants in this city, but also commanded such reverence and worship from everyone?

Valen observed seriously; it wasn't just Digger whose eyes were filled with admiration when discussing the vampire. Everyone was the same.

It seemed that the title of Kachar City Lord here was a sacred and inviolable entity, and no one dared to disrespect him. And this respect was not forced; it stemmed from genuine admiration and reverence from within.

This was the most terrifying thing.

Since arriving in Dawn City today, Valen realized that his own principles were rapidly collapsing.

This vampire-ruled city was too different, as if there was a strong magic power that fused various races of the city together regardless of good and evil.

At the same time, he developed a great curiosity about Dawn City.

What sort of being was Ilo, or the vampire known as the Kachar City Lord, who was worshiped by everyone?

And what was the true face of the city named Dawn City?

From the initial disdain to now, Valen's curiosity was deeply piqued by the city's unfolding scenes.

The city, built by hand by Lide, proved its charm once more with its indescribable appeal.

And these residents, living and thriving here, had become the city's most effective assistants in assimilating newcomers after countless efforts by Lide.

Dawn City was just beginning.

Chapter end