As the sun sets, the sky is clear as the moon shines down along the fields and trees of Rampiel.
With only a couple of miles left to go, Cassiel and Albus walk along a long ago built path, one that's been weathered from the years it's been walked on.
The ambient noise of insects scattered across the grass lessens the tension Albus feels toward Cassiel. He still can't forgive him for what he had said the night before, following Cassiel only for the title of being his official hand.
…..
…..
As the noise of the bugs begins to die down into complete silence, Albus and Cassiel both stop walking at the same time.
"You feel it too, don't you? But where, Albus?" Cassiel says, almost in a mocking manner.
Closing his eyes, Albus does his best to focus on the presence of whomever is near.
"I'm sorry, Cassiel, I can't pinpoint the exact location of their presence, I can only sense that they are about ten meters away." Albus says, sighing before his hand instinctively moves to grab the hilt of the sword.
"Do not pull your sword out, Albus, this opponent is too strong." Cassiel warns, his sword forming in his hand.
Albus releases his sword, backing up a step from Cassiel.
Cassiel closes his eyes to focus in for just a brief second, before he uses his wind slash skill directly to the right of him.
Jumping over the slash, a feminine figure appears in a black cloak, just in front of Cassiel as she takes a wide slash at him with a dagger in hand.
Before reaching him though, Cassiel stops her, grabbing her wrist as he twists it sharply, making her to drop her dagger.
"You're a vampire too, aren't you?" Cassiel says, gleaming with joy as he puts his fake act on once more as he lets go of her.
"I-I'm sorry." The woman says, taking a couple of steps back.
As she pulls the hood off her head, it's revealed she was a young looking woman with short, black hair, and to settle it all off with a twist, her red eyes gleamed as the moon shone across her face for a short period of time.
"A noble?" Cassiel questions, taken aback that he'd found one so soon.
"Yes, I am Elysia Nyx, who may you sirs be? And why is it you're both out here during a human invasion?" Elysia says, almost in a demanding tone.
Cassiel chuckles just a bit, before he locks in.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Elysia Nyx, I am Cassiel, Cassiel Aeternus, former prince, and current king of Rampiel." Cassiel says, smirking.
"I am-" Albus attempts to say, before getting cut off.
Elysia instantly takes a kneeling stance.
"Forgive me for striking at you, my king, you may take my head as a fair price!" Elysia exclaims.
Both in shock, Albus' mouth hangs wide open as Cassiel stares at her for a moment.
"N-No... who the hell raised you?" Cassiel says, bursting out into laughter, making Albus cover his mouth to hold his laugh in.
Sweat drops down Elysia's face as she takes on a worried expression.
"Have I said something wrong, my king?" Elysia says, looking up.
"I'm sorry, forgive me for my laughter." Cassiel says, wiping a tear away as he lets out a deep breath.
"Elysia, you're a noble, you can call me by my name. Moving forth, however, could you tell me the current situation of Altanisar, and who is in charge?"
Elysia, flustered, hides her face for a moment, realizing her actions may have been a bit dramatic.
"Yes, my ki- Cassiel, Altanisar is currently being protected by me and one other noble, Kislev Mori, of the martial blood."
"The martial blood, strong warriors come from them, and you're from the Nyx family of assassins, correct?" Cassiel says, almost excited hearing the news of two nobles being here.
"Yes... that's correct, and the current city lord is Sebastian Stratix." Elysia says, an estranged expression on her face due to Cassiel's excessive excitedness.
"Sebastian Stratix, understood. Now, Elysia, walk with us to Altanisar." Cassiel says, walking forward before being stopped.
"I cannot, there is an infamous vampire hunter that's supposed to be on his way here, he just tore apart Bagnion." Elysia says, her tone completely serious and direct.
"He will not be appearing, I've dealt with him, now let's go." Cassiel demands, his act fading for a bit as his eyes narrow for a second.
Without saying another word, Elysia looks Cassiel up and down before turning around, giving a waving motion for the two to follow her.
…..
After another fifteen minutes of travel, Cassiel, Albus, and Elysia, finally reach Altanisar, the city of healing. The city earned its name because the castle was built around a pond as ancient as the world. A pond, that when stepped in, gave off healing effects that are unrivaled by even the greatest of mages known across the two continents, powerful enough that it could even resurrect the dead.
…..
Entering inside the city, the group of three decide to head straight towards the city castle, aiming to alert the city lord about Cassiel, the king, of his arrival to Altanisar.
On the way there, it's seen most of the civilian vampires are happy and joyful as the city has seen practically no wars or battles being taken place due to the two nobles guarding the city.
With vampires getting along and walking about normally, and few scattered guards around the area, it would make a perfect place for a thieves guild of sorts to appear, and would, in most cases, be normal.
However, there was something weird about the atmosphere, as if none of the vampires in the city had any of their natural bloodlust, as if their very DNA had been switched for less hostility.
All Cassiel could think of at the time was that it was most likely due to Altanisar being the safest city in all of Rampiel.
Without having much time to think any further, the three had finally arrived at the castle in the heart of the city.
Walking inside without any resistance with Elysia's presence, Cassiel, Albus, and Elysia herself all made their way to the city lord's office room, finally meeting face to face with Sebastian Stratix.