The shocking statement of Diana startled the three. Who would have thought that the calm, kind and righteous Diana Redblade would harbor such thoughts and kill an innocent girl.

"Of course. The Blood Calamity is something that I won't ever underestimate. Her powers is unimaginable. Taking the appearance of a little girl like her is possible. It's also possible to fool you since this Blood Calamity is stronger than you as vampires. But tasting her blood helped me confirm her identity. After all, I don't underestimate the heritage you have from my son."

​​

"Heritage? Blood Calamity?" The girl asked.

"Right. She doesn't speak orc! She wouldn't know..." Scarlet realized it.

"This entire place is being attacked by a powerful Vampire called the Blood Calamity."

"A powerful vampire?"

"Yes. It has killed a lot of orcs and consumed towns and outposts here. Small squads of orcs have been massacred. Forgive Lady Diana's words. The vampire is quite powerful and could threaten all life in the Lowlands."

"She's not out of the clear yet. I haven't totally confirmed that she is not allied to the Blood Calamity."

"What do you mean, Lady Diana?"

"The reason why I will spare her is that her identity is not fake. We have not only heard her testimony by confirmed that her identity is real. This means she is a real girl, born of a real human family and who has been turned into a vampire due to her dying ailment by that generous and kind vampire. But this also means that the Blood Calamity could possess her. Remember that power she showed when we fought that clone? If my son couldn't resist it, we would have died."

"Of course! She could be using some mind-control power!" Avary exclaimed.

"Yes. I won't kill her because she's human. But we may have to look for ways to prove her claim further. Regardless, she becomes our captive for now." Diana decided.

"But Lady Diana!" Scarlet suddenly interjected.

"Isn't it safe to assume that she isn't someone that the Blood Calamity attacked? The time when she was kidnapped is right after the Blood Calamity went wild! By the time she was brought here, the Blood Calamity must have fallen into some deep sleep after bestowing her blood to that orc. Lord Kyros said so!" Scarlet explained.

"I understand your concern, Scarlet. You share similar experiences. But we have to put your Lord's safety as a top priority. Although Kyros never made any strict rules for you, it doesn't mean that your own emotions can act freely. What if this girl is a spy or somehow under the control of the Blood Calamity? Are you willing to let that happen? Kyros could die." Diana challenged.

Scarlet was stunned. But she had no words to answer Diana's challenge.

Scarlet couldn't help but glance back at Mechiel.

For some strange reason, there was a strange calmness in her words even as she heard Diana's declaration.

"You... You believe my story? But aren't you... Lady Diana Redblade? I thought that you were talking to me to get information and would have killed me regardless. Being a captive is better, of course." She smiled."

"Why are you so calm, child?" Diana asked. She was surprised at the girl's reaction.

"Dying by the hands of the righteous Diana Redblade is a far sweeter death. I first thought that I would die from orcs. Did you know that the reason I was spared was to be offered to one of the powerful orc merchants who control a vast merchant empire? And he has a taste for young human girls like me. Since I am a vampire, I would survive more punishment than other human girls. My father was burned right before my eyes." Mechiel tried to control her emotions. She shivered but dared not turn back to see the burnt corpses.

She took a few deep breathes to calm herself.

"The empire my father built was in chaos. I have no legacy to live in. I am happy to die through a sword. At least, only death will befall me and not shame and..." Mechiel trailed off as she couldn't bring herself to speak what she would have experienced.

Tears fell on her eyes, and the realization that she was alive finally dawned on her. It was then she also knew that she had to cry. Unlike before, she now won't meet her father just yet.

Mechiel broke down and finally started to cry.

Diana listened and could not help but sigh. The group waited for Mechiel to calm herself.

"I'm sorry... I... Lady Diana Redblade. I would be happy to be taken captive.

The three young nobles also sympathized with Mechiel.

"I go by Steele now." Diana smiled.

"Steele?" Mechiel asked in between her attempts to contain her sobs.

"The Steele family are more notorious than famous. That's why you wouldn't know the details about them. But I married into this family. In any case, your testimony proves that you are not any bonded familiar with the Blood Calamity. And since my sons Coven has tasted your Blood, I guess it's safe to bring you along."

"Coven? You are vampires?"

"No. They are. And my son. It's complicated."

"...I can imagine." Mechiel looked around and finally noticed the powerful blood swords that each had.

"You still look suspicious, though. So we might have to bind you in some way." Diana suddenly added.

"I understand."

"How are you so calm and intelligent? You seem to be more in control with your emotions for a girl of your age." Diana asked once more.

"This is not the first time I faced troublesome circumstances. I was brought up by my dad to not weep when in times of danger."

"Ah. So that's what it is. I didn't imagine it. You are also like us. Fate is attacking you." Diana realized it.

"Is this why Fate led me here?" Scarlet asked.

"I am not certain. The knowledge that this outpost holds an entrance that can allow more people to move in and out is already enough for you to be led here. My son will surely use this place. The former exit was too risky. We might meet orc squads. But this place will have none. The Human Kingdom can even use this to bring powerful squads inside and use that other path to make ambushes and traps. We still have to look for the Path. Mechiel. Can you tell us where it is?"

"Yes. Lady Diana." Mechiel bowed.

"Lady Diana... What now? Do we tell Lord Kyros?"

"No. My guesses and suspicion shouldn't distract him. The identity of Mechiel and her circumstance makes it very unlikely for her to be the Blood Calamity. And seeing as that my son is a bit of a demon, I fear he would end up doing unnecessary things to Mechiel. He can't turn her into one of you since he's at his maximum, correct?"

"Yes. But we can turn her, Lady Diana!"

"Too risky. If she is stronger than you, you would be deceived. She needs to become directly under Kyros as a Coven member. And I don't think my dark, demonic son will allow it. You are his Coven, so you received his grace and kindness. But remember what else he did. He didn't even spare humans, remember?"

The Coven recalled their orders and how they killed humans in Airom Vagat and nodded.

"We understand."

"If I recall, there is nothing in your vows that urges you to hide secrets from Kyros, correct? He told me he respects your privacy, which is odd for a Coven leader. But please, in the name of Steele, hide this little secret for now. I want to spare this woman."

"We understand." The three nodded.

"It seems Lady Martha also completed her mission," Gregory spoke as he could see the notifications.

"Right! We were so busy. I didn't check!" Avary took a look.

"Lady Martha seemed to have awakened the Path of Combat for everyone and even reached a higher level!" Avary sighed.

"We need to work harder!" Avary suddenly frowned. His eyes flared up with passion.

"Relax. It's expected that they would go ahead of you. Martha has the Path of Combat. I don't." Diana chuckled.

"I'm sorry, Lady Diana. I was just... I got competitive."

"Oh, I, too, am competitive. But I already have a path for you to grow. While Martha is strong, that man is a monster in the art of Combat. He will be the one to teach you. He owes me this much. So you can surely catch up with those three H's."

"That man?"Avary asked.

"Oh? I thought you already saw him fight. Aron Branze."

Deep inside the Nephilim Sealing Temple...

Aron Branze had moved deep into the tunnels.

Behind him, the group of Golems could only watch in amazement.

"How... how did he become so strong in such a short time?" Stoph could not help but exclaim.

Behind Aron were nearly a hundred dead Char Vermillion Lizard and Lizardmen.

Several Lizard Captain was moving back and retreating. Each of these Lizardmen was similar in strength to the Lizard Captain that sliced off Kyros's arm.

And yet, these creatures that would roughly equal the might and potential of Dryklash were retreating before one human.

The lizard captains were horrified at his power. The man was clearly weaker than them, and their numbers should have easily been enough to kill him.

They also couldn't understand the specific class that the man had.

A few of the knights watched from the back.

"When did... Lord Branze become a Quick Blade?" One of the Knights asked.

At one point, Aron dropped his shield and charged forward towards the group, and used his sword to slash out with incredibly fast speed.

The stance and the use of force were similar to the power of that Swordsman class.

"Quick Blade? Didn't you see it at the end? His powers could slice a Char Vermillion Lizard! Only Blitzers have that speed and power!" Another argued. This knight was someone who yearned to be a Blitzer, just like Avary dreamed.

Blitzers relied on the decent speed with might that surpass the common knight. And Aron was able to harness both.

"No! That was too fast for a Blitzer! It was definitely a Quick Blade!" The first knight insisted.

"That power was not a Blitzer! I don't understand. That was the strongest hitting Swordsman class! He had the power of a Ravager!"

"He used one hand! How can he be a Ravager?" The first knight insisted.

"He's all of them." A voice spoke.

"Looks like Aron made progress." Branze nodded as he saw it.

"Lo-Lord Branze!"

"This is the Path of Combat. It goes beyond understanding the battle's flow or seeing what your enemies might do. I thought that was what it was. But seeing Aron, I knew it was so much more. The true Path of Combat is harnessing and challenging Fate by breaking the limitations set on humans. He doesn't need the blessings of idols or totems or any gods for that matter. Because when it comes to battle, he will challenge Fate itself!" Branze explained.

Aron stood before the several Lizard Captains.

"Fighting demi-humans sure are tough. You guys are Captains, but you could already challenge human Champions, can you?" Aron laughed.

The lizards all hissed in anger.

"Right. You can't understand me. Oh well... I'll just kill you all." Aron laughed as he charged forward.