Chapter 26
Chapter 26
Episode 26.
"Sir Paladin, it would be better to proceed on foot from here."
It was the man who had been riding alongside Aiden.
The outskirts of the estate came into view, though there was nothing particularly remarkable about it. The snow-covered village showed signs of life, and a few livestock could be seen in the pastures.
Areas occupied by demons were usually littered with corpses or shrouded in oppressive demonic energy, but this place was different. It looked utterly ordinary.
This meant the vampires were carefully managing the human population—keeping their livestock alive to prevent extinction.
The higher a demon's rank and intelligence, the more likely they were to exhibit such tendencies. Recognizing this, Aiden felt the need to remain cautious.
"From here, we proceed on foot."
They stopped at a small hill a short distance from the village entrance. Under a large snow-covered tree, Aiden tethered Petra and removed the gags from the vampires' mouths.
"If you make a sound, I'll kill you in the most painful way possible."
The two vampires had already witnessed Aiden's combat prowess. They knew all too well that screaming for help would only get them killed instantly.
Aiden spoke in a low voice.
"Tell me your master's name."
Silence. When Aiden gripped one by the throat, the other hastily answered.
"W-we're under a geas."
A geas strong enough to be branded into them—this was no ordinary foe. Now I see why Tyren fled.
In these early stages, it was rare for a paladin to lose to a demon. The skills honed through trials were more than enough to slaughter most demons without issue.
Yet, he had lost. That meant his opponent was anything but ordinary.
Marching straight through the front gates and smashing the bastard's skull was tempting, but there were too many variables.
When Aiden pressed for details—the estate's layout, escape routes—the vampires refused to answer, even under threat of death.
Just as Aiden considered torture, Yuron stepped forward.
"Sir Aiden, I've learned a few things from Inquisitor Zeras."
Come to think of it, Zeras had taught Yuron various skills.
"May I handle this?"
Aiden doubted what that innocent face could accomplish, but Yuron's serious expression made him relent.
Yuron bound the two vampires tightly with chains.
"Deril, come with me for a moment."
"Tch, just do it here."
"It might disturb Sain's delicate sensibilities."
Deril glanced at Sain and coughed awkwardly.
"Right, right. Let's see what our noble young master can do."
"Rank means nothing to a recruit."
"Yeah, yeah. Let's go, Your Grace."
The two bickered as they disappeared into the woods.
Aiden called over the largest member of the militia.
"Your name again?"
"Lark. No family name."
"Lark. Have you ever encountered a Pureblood?"
"Ugh, I see those bastards almost every damn day."
Aiden nodded.
"Describe their appearance."
"Well... it changes every time. Sometimes a woman, sometimes a man. Other times, they turn into giant bats and fly over the territory."
The vampire Lark described exhibited all the traits of a Pureblood.
But a Pureblood vampire was a high-ranking demon that shouldn't exist on the continent.
Even in the Demon Realm, they were considered nobility—so much so that they ignored summons from the Demon Cult.
Moreover, the divine barrier surrounding the continent was lethal to high-ranking demons, making it impossible for Purebloods to cross over directly.
There was only one answer: a natural-born mutant. A vampire that had fed on human blood for at least a century, gaining enough power to evolve.
Though they could turn humans into thralls and spread their lineage like the original bloodlines, they were not Purebloods.
They were called Mutants.
Vampire society was rigid. Purebloods refused to acknowledge Mutants as equals, keeping them as subordinates at best.
Regardless, Mutants were undeniably stronger than ordinary demons—a fact that couldn't be ignored.
Leaving one alive was out of the question. If it expanded its influence, it would become a major obstacle.
A sudden suspicion about Tyren crossed Aiden's mind.
Why didn't he report this to the Order?
Was it simply because he didn't want to be labeled a deserter? A petty reason, but still better than what Aiden was imagining.
When Aiden scowled, Lark flinched.
"D-did I say something wrong?"
"No."
Just then, Yuron and Deril returned. Deril looked slightly pale. Aiden expected him to start ranting immediately, but for once, he kept his mouth shut.
"Sir Aiden, we've extracted all the information we could. They're still alive—for now. What should we do with them?"
The two chained vampires had empty, lifeless eyes, as if their wills had been shattered.
"Unnecessary."
Schlick. Black blood splattered across the snow.
Once, they had been human.
But unlike those corrupted by demonic energy, vampires were beings who had willingly abandoned their humanity.
Mutants and Purebloods chose their thralls based on the intensity of their desires.
Aiden didn't know what these two had sought in becoming vampires, but they were beyond salvation.
Purification wasn't an option—not even for the Saintess or Yufé.
Aiden turned to Yuron.
"Did they mention any hidden passages?"
"There's a tunnel connecting the underground dungeon to the outside. The vampires dug it as an escape route."
No doubt for when the Order came knocking. Aiden planned to use it against them.
"Location?"
"Memorized it."
"Good work."
Yuron's lips twitched, but he quickly schooled his expression.
"Just doing my duty."
Lately, he'd been imitating the adults—maybe even copying Aiden.
Sain giggled.
"Brother, it doesn't suit you."
Yuron scratched his head and coughed awkwardly. Deril snorted before addressing Aiden.
"Your Grace, shall we head in now?"
"No. First, we cut off all escape routes."
If the Mutant transformed into a bat and took to the skies, they'd be in trouble. Every possibility for failure had to be eliminated.
"Sain, we need a barrier around the estate before sunset. Can you manage?"
"Five... no, four hours should be enough." The ten-year-old was frighteningly competent. Aiden nodded.
"Lark, is there a set time when they gather people?"
"Yes. The bastards usually feed at midnight, so they round everyone up in the estate's hall about an hour before."
"Everyone?"
"Most of them."
Perfect. A crowd was the best cover for infiltration.
Aiden draped a black cloak over his paladin armor.
"Understood. Let's move."
After setting up the barrier around the estate, they slipped into the tunnel leading to the underground dungeon under cover of darkness.
Beneath the thick veil of night, a line of humans shuffled between sparsely placed torches.
They were being herded toward the grand hall in the estate's inner courtyard.
Despair and fear were etched into their expressions.
Yet no one screamed. Even the children clung to their parents, stifling their sobs.
The demon ruling this place despised noise.
Those who cried or begged for mercy were skinned alive—in full view of everyone.
The demon's cruelty spared no one, leaving parents anxiously praying their children wouldn't make a sound.
Tonight, dozens would be drained of blood, and a handful would die.
The people prayed the misfortune would pass them by.
Aiden's group blended into the middle of the procession.
Ideally, they would've gone unarmed, but against such an enemy, they couldn't afford to be unprepared.
Aiden hunched slightly, his paladin armor concealed beneath a long black fur cloak that reached his ankles—his stature might otherwise draw suspicion.
"Move faster!"
A few vampires darted around, herding the humans like sheep.
Lark, walking beside Aiden, whispered,
"The hall's brightly lit. They'll probably suspect you, Sir Paladin."
As long as they got inside, it wouldn't matter.
"Doesn't matter. Sain."
"Yes."
The girl walking ahead answered softly.
"Can you narrow the barrier's range?"
"Easy. Once activated, it'll shrink to just the hall."
Sain's barrier would only block demons. The humans could escape immediately.
Yuron and Deril would evacuate them while Aiden slaughtered every demon inside.
Even if a few escaped, the Mutant had to die. Letting it live would ensure the vampires kept coming.
Soon, they reached the hall's entrance.
Inside, people stood in orderly rows, filling the vast space. Yet the hall was eerily silent.
The humans stared at the ground, trembling.
Sain entered first, followed by Aiden and Lark. Deril and Yuron brought up the rear.
Aiden scanned the room.
Lesser demons cackled as they prowled, but the Mutant was nowhere in sight.
Lark murmured,
"They won't show themselves until everyone's inside."
After a long wait, the hall's doors slammed shut. The crowd flinched.
"Line up properly! Heads up!"
A demon with a grotesquely twisted face began checking names on a ledger.
Other vampires weaved through the crowd, selecting tonight's meals.
"You. Step forward."
A trembling woman and a child's father were singled out. An elderly man with a limp was dragged out like a dog.
The woman knelt, silently pleading, only to be kicked onto her back, gasping.
Still, she didn't scream.
Aiden's fingers twitched. But not yet.
The demon counting heads frowned.
"Why are there extras?"
"Impossible. Even counting today's runaways, the numbers don't match."
"If we included them, the count would be way off."
They recounted, but the discrepancy remained.
The vampires selecting prey eventually reached Aiden's row.
Lark tensed, breathing heavily.
One demon stopped right in front of Aiden and narrowed its eyes.
"Why's this one so damn big? Hey, get over here!"
The ledger-holder scurried over.
"I told you the count was off. Was this guy here before?"
"Look up."
Aiden raised his head.
The two demons scrutinized him.
"Ugh, who knows? These human brats all look the same."
They even poked his face. Aiden was this close to snapping.
If not for Deril's training in patience, he wouldn't have lasted this long. He owed the man for that.
The vampire grinned, revealing filthy teeth.
"Look at this guy's face. He's practically begging to die."
A grimy nail slowly scraped Aiden's cheek, drawing blood.
Deril and Yuron almost pitied the vampire.
Then, someone appeared on the platform—a man holding a wineglass, dressed to impress.
The glass contained something red. Blood or wine, it was impossible to tell.
Every vampire dropped to one knee.
—We greet Lord Brunyu.
Aiden wiped the blood from his cheek. Then, slowly, he removed his cloak.
"Sain. Activate the barrier."