anwhile, in the calm sea of the red ocean, a fleet was sailing smoothly into the hidden land of vampires. Each ship raised a different flag of their proud nation as proof of their participation in the war of the century. A night that would dictate the new era.
In one of the ships, a man stood by the deck. His silver eyes glinted, gazing at the infinite darkness of the ocean. Ismael had gone into this land twice. Thus, he was aware of the deceptive ocean that hid the most cruel and powerful land in the world.
The Mainland.
The vampires' breeding ground is where all the vampires from all across the globe co from. That included Abel Grimsbanne. The man who was behind all of this.
"You might die tonight." Suddenly, a woman's voice ca from behind him until the woman stood beside him.
Ismael turned his head, only to see Veronika in her armor suit. "The sa goes for you. Your life might end tonight."
"I'm prepared." She cast him a side-eye. "Are you?"
"I owe my life to Her Majesty. When she sat on the throne instead of burning it to the ground, I pledged my loyalty to her." Ismael peeled his gaze from her, setting them ahead. "She needs . Therefore, I must do everything I can to help, even at the risk of my life."
"Then we share deeper mutual understanding than we thought."
"Moreover, she cannot die," he added quietly, sniffing the mild breeze blowing past his face. "If she did, that man would burn the world."
"Eustass Silvestri Abel Bloodworth, huh?"
"Hmm." Ismael humd a tune, allowing the silence to overtake this mont for a second. "Abel Grimsbanne is quite lenient, but the man who leads the Haimirich Empire isn't."
That was right.
Although both were the sa man, their nas spoke different anings. From what they heard so far, Abel Grimsbanne was quite a laid-back person before leaving the mainland. They didn't know the details of how laid back he was, but what was certain was he didn't deliberately cause trouble.
The emperor of Haimirich was the total opposite.
Bloodworth. A fake family na, but one couldn't deny the terror that the na brought into the hearts of many people, including Ismael and Veronika. Even now that they knew the truth, they still felt fear at the thought of how the emperor of Haimirich was.
"Anyway, do you think we can enter the territory without a problem?:" asked Veronika after so ti of silence.
"Are you scared that so vampires were waiting for our arrival at the fort?"
"Scared?" Veronika laughed. "My people were prepared for battle. Thanks to Her Majesty, we learned a good deal of crucial information regarding our enemy. We simply need to deliver those guys there, right?"
She cocked her head back, eyes falling onto Ismael. "I won't deny their existence shocked , but knowing there were vampires out there, I recovered. Do you think they can truly change the situation?"
"We won't know until we see it for ourselves." Ismael shrugged. "But that was what Abel told to do. We must arrive at the fort no matter what."
"I'm surprised he was able to go back and forth between the mainland and the Maganti Empire. How impressive."
"He only ca by once."
"Huh?"
"Morro was the one who had been our bridge to communicate."
"That strange man, huh?" Veronika rocked her head before smacking her lips. "Anyway, it is not a long journey from hereon. I will prepare my n and maybe have a quick chat with the pack."
With that being said, Veronika turned around to leave while Ismael stayed on his spot. Ismael didn't move, holding his hand behind him, eyes ahead.
Veronika had another ship that raised the flag of the Chivisea Dynasty. However, she ended up tagging along with Ismael to keep him company. Well, it was also her way of keeping herself sane before the bloody war they would take part in. Or perhaps she had another reason. Either way, that wasn't Ismael's concern.
"A bloody war…" Ismael took a deep breath as he closed his eyes ever so slowly. When he reopened his eyes, his eyelids drooped.
The ships sailed calmly, reminding Ismael of the night Abel appeared in the empire.
*
*
*
[FLASHBACK]
Ismael almost jumped as soon as he entered the emperor's chambers. His eyes landed on the man casually idling on the divan, enjoying a glass of wine.
"You're here, Your Majesty!" Abel smiled, reclining on the divan as if this was his own chamber.
"You surprised , Your Majesty," Ismael breathed out, patting his chest. He gulped and then marched to the seat near the divan. "Thanks to Morro, I am slightly used to soone suddenly appearing in my room. What brings you to this land, Your Majesty?"
"I went out to take so breath of fresh air."
"From the mainland to the Maganti? Just to have so breath of fresh air?"
"Yes. Is that strange?"
"For sure, it is not normal."
"Haha."
Ismael pressed his lips into a thin line. Until now, he couldn't believe he could casually converse with this man. After all, even though they had a friendlier relationship, Abel still scared him. Nothing could ever change that.
"Your Majesty, I doubt that is only your intention. You will not co here and leave the Queen in the mainland full of greedy and ambitious vampires just to breathe so fresh air," Ismael broke the brief silence as his curiosity was almost killing him. "What is it that you want? Or rather, what role do I have in your plan?"
Abel smirked, looking back at Ismael with satisfaction in his eyes. "You've sharpened your mind, I see."
"I cannot be dull, especially now that countless lives were in my hands." Ismael casually shrugged. "What can I do to help you and Her Majesty?"
Abel's smirk stretched broader as a red glint flickered across his eyes.
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