I Became the Progenitor Vampire

Chapter 168: Chapter 169: Today I Hold the Rein in Hand
 

Elvis Tavern, owned by Elves, was the finest tavern within Green City, without any peers.

No one would doubt the taste of Elves, just as no one would question a Dwarf’s ability to forge weapons.

With its elegant layout, the interplay of light and shadows from magic lamps, murals bright or refreshing, and an array of delicate, charming sculptures, the decor lent the entire tavern an otherworldly Elven charm.

Once Lide entered the tavern, his face gradually returned to normal, having confirmed that since the other party hadn’t made a move, his Power of Faith had completely hidden his Bloodline scent.

Aeriel, the level 17 Elf, hadn’t detected his true identity.

Otherwise, things wouldn’t be so peaceful right now.

A Nature Element Elf who detested evil discovering a Dark Type member of the Bloodline – it was impossible for Lide to believe they wouldn’t come to blows.

However, this incident only deepened his appreciation for the Power of Faith; without such pure energy today, he would have certainly encountered serious trouble.

The reason Aeriel had not detected Lide’s true identity was precisely because the Power of Faith within him was so extraordinarily pure.

What were the teachings of the Dawn Sect? To continuously strengthen oneself, to struggle tenaciously, to unite as one, to be brave and fearless, to love family and country.

Such positive teachings could never produce the negative, dark Power of Faith, so even the keen senses of the Elf could not detect Lide, whose scent was masked by a higher-level power.

With his mind settled, a strange expression emerged on Lide’s face.

Today’s encounter was absurd.

Not to mention running into this level 17 Master Level archer.

What startled him most was that Elves, known for their typically flat chests, could actually be so majestic??

It was utterly ridiculous.

Not even Earth’s artwork could be trusted, who said Elves couldn’t have tumultuous waves? Here was the proof.

Wild and sexy.

That fiery body, the epitome of a mature woman’s charm, was a far cry from the noble, elegant, and eternally snobbish cutie he had in mind. They were entirely different creatures.

However, his keen perception sensed that the Nature Element energy flowing within Aeriel was unmistakably genuine, a breath entirely different from humans.

Nature Element creatures were particularly sensitive to Dark Type beings, and the reverse was equally true.

So what exactly had caused these legendary, ordinarily unremarkable Elves to become so majestic? Was it a moral decay or a distortion of human nature…

Elvis Tavern, fifth floor.

Guided by the guards, Lide reached a finely decorated private room. There, already waiting for him, Emi bowed with a hand on her chest as soon as the guards left.

“Good evening, Ancestor Crown.”

Just as Lide was about to speak, Emi’s next words made his heart tighten.

“We have serious trouble, Your Crown,” Emi said with an unprecedented seriousness on her face.

From the eyes of Emi, this level 15 Shadow High Priest, who even dared to play with divine beings, Lide sensed a dangerous aura.

He glanced at the tightly shut door, then sat down at a table framed with green leaves beside the window, and without further ado, got straight to the point.

“Speak.”

Emi nodded and said solemnly,

“Do you know of the Dark Contract?” Her eyes fixed intently on Lide.

The Dark Contract?

Lide was slightly taken aback, then remembered that Emi’s attribute panel seemed to include a title of Vice President of Dark Contract, but he had never taken it seriously and had not inquired before.

But from the sound of it, was the trouble they faced related to this organization, which was obviously an Underground Force??

“The Dark Pact is the most mysterious and powerful force within Green City.

This organization includes Abyss Demons, Undead Mages, followers of Evil Gods, leaders of Underground Forces, and even many extremely evil beings who have never revealed their true identities,”

Emi began explaining without waiting for Lide to return.

“And I, over twenty years ago by a chance occurrence, was saved by a bigwig of the Dark Pact who also helped me convert into a Shadow Priest.

During these twenty years, I progressively became an entity in the Knight Temple second only to the bishop, with considerable help from the Dark Pact.

Of course, I also provided significant conveniences to the Dark Pact.

When I reached Level 14, with the approval of the Dark Pact’s president, I became the twelfth Vice President.”

Lide nodded; he had some recollection of this, as it was mentioned when he converted Emi into a Bloodline, though not in such detail.

“What is the connection between the Dark Pact and the Crimson Mage Tower?”

Although this underground power seemed very formidable, neither Dawn City nor the Crimson Mage Tower had any contact with this underground force.

Then, as if recalling something, Lide’s eyes narrowed slightly and he looked at Emi, saying word by word,

“Are you saying that the Abyss Demon who spied on the Crimson Mage Tower that day was from the Dark Pact?”

Emi’s expression grew increasingly solemn.

“Your Grace, although I hate to admit it, it’s true. The Dark Pact has set its sights on the Crimson Mage Tower,”

“The demon you encountered was one of the Dark Pact’s people,”

After saying this, Emi’s tone paused, and he spoke with an undeniable heaviness,

“The Dark Pact has at least five Level 15 beings, and Viscount Bernard, the president of the Dark Pact, may already be nearing Transcendent status.”

Lide’s heart clenched tightly.

Five Level 15s???

And among them, one nearing Transcendent status??

A wave of pressure hit him.

The Crimson Mage Tower, though thriving under his management and showing great potential,

inherently had a weak foundation. The Mage Tower had been established for just over three years and simply hadn’t had enough time to cultivate its own mages.

Moreover, the previous Blood Clan Ancestor hadn’t taken much interest in humanity, so even now with sufficient Gold Puck and ample resources, it would be difficult to rapidly increase the strength of his forces in a short period.

This was a process that any power looking to develop had to face. He was already fortunate enough to have a Great Mage of Level 19 openly protecting the Crimson Mage Tower.

What made Lide most helpless was that the Crimson Mage Tower was deeply entrenched within a human city; he could not mobilize too many Bloodline troops.

Aside from Emi, the formidable local snake, the only power he could use was Spark, the Great Mage.

However, facing off against an evil underground force, if a real fight broke out, Lide wasn’t sure Spark wouldn’t discover his true identity.

Thus, facing the Dark Pact, he even had to exclude the currently highest combat force on their side.

Emi continued, her face set with gravity,

“And this is merely the power that’s visible; the strength hidden in the shadows is likely far more terrifying.”

Lide looked deeply at Emi.

Fortunately, this blasphemer now became his Bloodline; otherwise, the list of enemies would have likely included another Level 15, the Shadow High Priest.

“What are their goals??”

Lide’s brow furrowed, looking at Emi’s hesitant expression, he slapped his forehead with a bit of resignation.

“`

“Could it be that they’re after the Magic Scrolls?”

“`

The Crimson Mage Tower could only offer Magic Scrolls of note now.

“Yes and no,” Emi shook her head, then nodded.

“Viscount Bernard, the leader of the Dark Covenant, believes that the reason the Crimson Mage Tower can produce Magic Scrolls on such a large scale is that they have likely obtained the legendary Divine Artifact—the Twelve Magic Scrolls.”

“So, they plan to attack the Crimson Mage Tower and seize the artifact.”

Something felt even more amiss to Lide after hearing this.

“Then why didn’t they attack while I was away?”

Emi shook her head.

“It’s because the people of the Dark Covenant are not certain whether you carry the artifact with you at all times,

and since the artifact has unimaginably powerful potential, they also fear that you might directly use the power of the artifact to escape if threatened. Once they alert you, it would become much more difficult for them to take action.

The Dark Covenant hasn’t made their move during this time because they are creating weapons that can limit the power of the artifact.”

Lide’s face grew solemn after hearing this. To be so cautious even with absolute power, the Dark Covenant was a formidable enemy.

“Besides, this is Green City, the home of an Extraordinary Mage! Once they reveal themselves and that Extraordinary being becomes aware of them,

even the leader of the Dark Covenant, who is close to transcendent status, will have to pay a dear price,” Emi’s expression was very serious.

“The power of the Transcendent must not be underestimated by anyone, nobody dares to ignore the Crown,” Lide nodded in understanding. In essence, the Dark Covenant wouldn’t dare to act rashly without certainty,

because they fear your supposed escape with the artifact, and once a Transcendent in Green City is alerted, the Dark Covenant would indeed not have an easy time.

Green City is the territory of humans, and no matter how strong the Dark Forces are here, they must dutifully stand aside.

Because it’s not just the Extraordinary here—Green City’s overt and covert powers outnumber those of the Dark Covenant by several times.

To launch an attack on Green City without full preparation would be suicidal, and even with full preparation, it would be like dancing on the edge of a knife.

After understanding this, Lide frowned involuntarily. Now the problem was, he didn’t possess any damned Twelve Magic Scrolls?

Isn’t this just being framed outright?

“What will they do if they find out the Crimson Mage Tower doesn’t have the artifact?”

After musing for a moment, Lide slowly said, “Or say, their actual goal isn’t the artifact at all, but simply to pry into the Magic Scrolls…”

Lide’s words struck at the heart of the matter, he did not believe that those Dark Creatures would risk being hunted by the Extraordinary just for the elusive artifact within Green City.

By comparison, Magic Scrolls that could bring in a large amount of Gold Pucks every month were more alluring.

Emi gave a bitter smile and shook her head.

“Ancestor Crown, your wisdom is enough to astonish the Night Goddess.

The ultimate goal of the Dark Covenant is indeed to obtain the technology of mass-producing Magic Scrolls by the Crimson Mage Tower, which has quickly dominated the entire market of Green City these days. No one can resist the wealth it represents.

The artifact is just one of the speculations.”

Lide couldn’t help feeling a bit helpless when he heard this.

The temptation of a method for mass production of Magic Scrolls was something he had a clear understanding of for the nobles and other forces.

It’s like a money printing machine, merely requiring the investment of valueless Magic Apprentices to produce scroll after scroll of shimmering Gold Pucks.

In simple terms, this method could rapidly create immense wealth; speaking broadly, it would overturn the original magic production system.

The vast profits involved were enough to make anyone jealous.

“`

Lide had long been forewarned of this possibility, originally thinking that the nobles of Green City would be the first to make a move. For this reason, he had Vinna hold back a trump card, but unexpectedly, they managed to lure out a group of powerful and sinister beings.

Currently, only Spark, the Great Mage, was openly sheltering the Crimson Mage Tower, but even Spark’s strength was no match for the power of the Dark Contract.

He had already caught the attention of a pack of thirsty wolves.

A storm was brewing.

Lide’s eyes narrowed slightly as he thought this, and flames slowly began to rise in his dark, deep pupils.

How does it matter how strong you are?

The Dark Contract? What of it!!

As the Blood Clan Ancestor, he had never taken a step back!

Far from having thoughts of retreat under immense pressure, the blood in Lide’s heart was blazing fiercely.

Under the formidable pressure, his fighting spirit became incredibly intense.

That seemingly calm exterior housed a heart that never yielded. Retreat? Out of the question.

Even if facing an Abyssal Giant Beast towering a hundred blades high or a giant dragon with wingspans spanning dozens of blades, he would not be daunted.

“Have you brought the people I asked you to bring?”

“Ancestor Crown, all the advanced combat forces within Dawn City have arrived.”

Lide managed to compose himself, finally hearing some good news.

“Tell me.”

“The One-eyed Giant tribe, six individuals, with one 15th-level One-eyed Lord, and five 10th-level One-eyed Giant warriors.

Apart from Viscount Harrison, all second-generation Bloodlines are here, six second-generation Bloodlines, all at level 10.

In addition, 200 of the initial Bloodline and 400 Magic Language Bats were brought along.”

Lide’s eyes lit up. He had sent a message to Emi to bring all the high-end combat forces from Dawn City to prepare for the upcoming battle.

But he hadn’t expected Emi to be so reliable, not only bringing the high-end combat power, but also pulling in the Bloodline and Magic Language Bats.

The power that Dawn City now possessed was not weak.

With two individuals possessing level 15 high-end combat strength, the One-eyed Giant Lord—Koso, the Shadow High Priest, the blasphemer Emi.

Additionally, there were a full eleven high-level Professionals above level 10, five level 10 One-eyed Giant warriors, and six level 10 second-generation Bloodlines.

This lineup could already be considered luxurious.

As for the mid-level combat power, 200 of them had had their bloodline shackles removed by Lide; these Bloodlines had accumulated decades of experience and their levels had soared recently.

The levels of the third-generation Bloodlines were currently all between 8 and 9. Although none of the third-generation Bloodlines had reached level 10 yet, these 200 high-level Bloodlines were already formidable.

Finally, there were 400 Magic Language Bats with the highest level at 9, typically around level 7, and of massive size.

With this power in hand, Lide could even launch a mid-sized battle.

Even if still at a disadvantage when faced with the unfathomable Dark Contract,

they already possessed enough power to counteract.

Most crucially, Lide had an ace up his sleeve—Old Ghost Emi, this gold standard covert agent had become one of the leaders of the Dark Contract.

An underground worker who had infiltrated the enemy’s ranks was all too crucial.

With an insider present, even though at a disadvantage, a battle might yet be possible.

The long banner was already in hand.