V3 Chapter 207

“It will be like a street brawl on a continental scale.”

Lucifalion sigh with gritted teeth.

“It all happened in an instant, when we are at war, suddenly the enemies retreated, and we are hit by a sudden attack coming from our should be allies. When we thought it was the plan of the enemy, they all too had been fighting each other—the central plain had become a massive arena where participants are against each other!”

Due to frustration and the bout of anger, Lucifalion punched the ground, causing it to crack—

“Every race suddenly possesses arms and weapons out of nowhere, and a renewed armed of anger and hatred. We don’t know what was happening now, and who the true enemy was. Hence, we could only retreat and held our weapons in confusion—but one thing I am certain. Someone orchestrated the chaos that was ensuing and spreading it like a plague. It cannot happen without reason; at least there is someone behind it. I’m sure. If not, it was too strange and all too sudden.”

"... ..."

“My people have been hard at work to obtain all this information—and from what I can gather; someone is igniting chaos, and spreading confusion purposely all over the continent. I had heard that many recent attacks occurred in every country, causing unprecedented destruction. Each country, however, denies its actions, despite clear evidence to the contrary and many witnesses that firmly place the blame on other countries. They all claimed that someone is impersonating them—or that; they are not the ones who started it and just paid back hot vengeance from killing many of their people. It would have been the best for us if the alliance broke, but instead, it rather inflamed us as well. Many countries, even those that were staying neutral have been eyeing us and putting baseless blame on us. And all because of this!”

Lucifalion clenched his fist, and his bones cracked with a sound like gunshots. His face and expression were full of intense fury, his hand even started to burn in flames.

“Despite so, doubt and suspicions have been planted. It seems like, even though they are placing us as the main culprit, they are also eyeing their respective allies as possible enemies. Now, the alliance of many nations is like a tinderbox. The slightest spark could explode the so-called alliance. A world at war is a genuine possibility.”

“This person behind the unrest, which you suspect… is there any clue on his identity?”

Sitana furrowed her brows and asked with a grave tone.

Lucifalion shook his head, “I apologize, but there is no clear answer. Many people stick out as primary suspects, but there is no clear evidence of their participation in this detestable scheme.”

“Not even a clue or hint of him?”

Lucifalion shook his head.

“However, we are doing what we can to uncover the truth and the people behind this nonsensical mayhem. Mother, mark my words, I shall have their heads in a silver platter as I present them to you! So be rest at ease, I will scour the land if need be.” Lucifalion’s face turned fierce and full of undisguised anger.

The temperature around him skyrocketed and it almost burned the air.

Sitana held her forehead and let out a helpless sigh.

“So be it—I shall give you a full authority on this matter. Do what you must,”

“I shall, mother…” Lucifalion stood up with an aristocrat bow. Then, as if he was about to turn around, he seemed to have recalled something and look at Sitana; “Whatever happens with my beloved Siblings, Mother? Are they coming to the coming banquet?” he asked, somewhat curious.

“They will,” Sitana smiled faintly. “Though, I’m certain that question is not what you want to ask,”

“…indeed, I heard stories about my little brother. Something about him, turning a new face lately? Rumors spread around about his transformation; it had reached every corner of the Empire—”

“Indeed, at least before he had departed from the Capital, he had shown traces of transforming into a better person. At least, that’s what I had seen. Why? Aren’t you happy that your brother had finally opened his eyes, and turned his back from his former debauchery?”

“Of course, I am. I’m very elated, in fact. I always had headaches cleaning after his mess. If he did become what I expected him to be, I will be the one to be dancing in joy,” Lucifalion smiled faintly. “The continent is entering the era of chaos; the Demon Empire will surely be at the center. Having him around should be a relief to the people,”

Lucifalion said with a smile. His expression genuine, though whether that's what he truly felt or not, even Sitana could hardly see through it. Lucifalion's act was unbelievably good.

“… …”

“…I will be excusing myself now, Mother.” Lucifalion bowed at Sitana. Then, he turned around and started walking away.

Looking at his back until he disappeared; Sitana’s face remained her smiling expression. Then, she waved her hand and the people around the Hall, including the Grand Duke as well as the Demon General to leave, remaining only Sitana, the Vampire Lord, and Somelia.

“It seems like His Highness Aanuel is not the only one that had changed.” The Vampire Lord muttered with a faint smile. “His Highness Lucifalion as well. Or was it his confidence showing itself?”

“Whatever the case, his growth had become a step harder for my Beloved Aanuel.” Sitana said.

“Are you not worried?”

“Me? Worried?” Sitana let out a chuckle of amusement. “Whether I am worried or not, it’s not a matter of importance, my dear sister. Since the beginning, Aanuel had always been facing a nigh impossible dream. My boy knows that as well. However, both of them differ greatly… Lucifalion’s ambition lies in the Empire, while that beloved of mine, spread across the horizon… they are not looking at the same thing, nor facing eye to eye…”

“Is that why it’s a ‘nigh impossible dream’ as you call it?”

The vampire Lord asked.

“There had never been one that managed to completely conquer the entire Continent, not even the first ancestor managed it even with his power closer to the Gods. Even Lucifalion had treated it as an impossibility, and hence, his gaze only remained in the Empire. Though, after that, perhaps he would then set his ambition on the Continent after the Empire is in his hands. Well, anyway, this is already a testament that what Aanuel wanted is an impossible dream,”

All the races are too varied, and all powers too unique and mysterious. There’s no absolute in power—even her, who was feared by the entire continent, couldn’t easily waltz in, or those bastard monsters would awake from their slumber, with the slightest sign of her participating in the stage and appear before her.

She didn’t fear them, but confronting all of them is but a nightmare. Especially if they are united. More so, if the Demon Empire is not as united as it was once before.

What did Aanuel say about this situation—pressed between a rock and a hard place?

Sitana mused wryly.

Many had envied her power, but only a few know that even she has some limitations.

“Then, why didn’t you stop him? His great ambition would be his own doom,”

The Vampire Lord muttered with a frown.

“Because he wouldn't stop even if I did,” Sitana stood up and started walking towards the massive glass window that overlooks the entire city outside. Her expression solemn and gentle; “…he would never allow anyone to stop him. Those who block his way will become his enemies,” she grasped the white silken scarf wound around her shoulders; “And I would never hope to become his enemy."

"... ..."

"And besides, just because no one had done it before, doesn’t mean he would not be able to,”

“That’s just sophistry.”

“Perhaps, but aren’t you curious as to what kind of world does my boy envisions? Just what kind of idiocracy is he trying to achieve?” Sitana lovingly rubbed the white silken scarf that her beloved had given her when the Capital entered the Winter Season. “Only lunatics and idiots could change a world—not heroes, not Kings, not Emperors. And my Aanuel might not be an idiot, but he surely is the greatest lunatic I have ever seen.”

“Is that why you are trying to ignore what is currently happening right now?” The Vampire Lord furrowed her brows. “You know that this unrest is certainly related to him. And perhaps, even he was the one responsible for all of it,”

“… …”

“Sitana, Aanuel’s game had gone too far, don’t you think? Many people will die because of his ambition,”

“Countless people will perish, yes…” Sitana turned around and look at her close friend. Her expression remained impassive but gentle; “But what will change? My struggle against war itself has accomplished little, after all these years. Altrusia, you know how much we’ve struggled to stop this war from recurring… but we always failed. Now, look, the other races had rallied themselves, allied in a union, with but one goal. Extermination of our race. They had even resulted in summoning heroes from another world, just in hope of eliminating, each and every single drop of our blood in this world."

Sitana's expression turned grim, and anger dyed her face. It was obvious that the Humans summoning people from the other world had already gone beyond her patience.

"How many do you think have died because of this war? Thousands? Millions? Countless lives have been lost because of the nonsensical pursuit of power and supremacy, and we can’t do anything but watch as it all unveiled.”

“But that doesn’t mean Aanuel can toy lives, and kill millions as well!”

The Vampire Lord gnashed her teeth and cried out, “Have you changed, Sitana? Have your pursuit for peace waned all these years?”

Sitana smiled and shook her head, “No… and I’m still fighting for it, Altrusia. But this time, I’m going at it in a different way—his way.”

“…??”

“Do you know why I love Aanuel, much more than Lucifalion and the rest of his siblings?”

“… …?”

“Unlike Lucifalion, Aanuel didn’t pursue power and authority. Altrusia… you should be able to see it. Many, those who and will know everything about him in the future, might think that he’s just a monster who wanted to possess everything—a greedy tyrant and demonic being. And he might be. Hard to admit, but something inevitable. That runs deeply in our blood. And besides, his very own roots had already laid that path before him. Whatever he does, his blood will cloud the surrounding’s eyes, and paint him with the same color of those before him."

Sitana said with a sly smile.

"Even him, cannot escape that. No matter what."

"However, his goal is different than Lucifalion, that alone is I’m certain. His ambitions lie elsewhere. He didn’t want to conquer everything because he lusted for authority like his elder brother. In fact, you can even say, he was only doing all this because he deemed it necessary. What he wanted to pursue, is different from the beginning…Freedom, perhaps. But for sure, Power is just but a necessity, a way for him to obtain what he wanted. Not an end goal. Completely different from me. Different from Lucifalion. And that's why he's...different. The future he's trying to make is not something, I and Lucifalion would never be able to envision, or see. And with him trying to recruit different races in his forces, perhaps he was also aiming for coexistence, just like what we had always hoped…"

"...however, at the end of his goal, you can be relieved that peace will come,”

Sitana muttered with a faint, but confident smile.

“That’s just your assumption! Whatever occurs in that lunatic’s mind, even you can’t see it. Don’t delude yourself, Sitana. Aanuel can reap lives if he wishes it—someone like that can’t possibly bring forth peace!”

The Vampire Lord recalled the expression of the Second Prince when they had first met, and couldn’t help but felt a chill run down her spine as she saw that bloodthirsty smile hanging on his lips. That aura that seeks destruction, even she couldn’t help but feel intimidated.

He was not as powerful as her, nor stronger than Sitana. And perhaps, to her, he was still a fledgling. And his aura still can’t even affect her…still, that night, something else entirely struck her. Like a beast that had been freed at last from its cage, and now longing for blood, seeking death and destruction.

That’s certainly not the Messiah she was hoping for.

However, Sitana shook her head. If someone else had called Aanuel a lunatic, their heads would have rolled on the ground. She’s the only one who could call his beloved son a lunatic. However, this was the Vampire Lord. She was Sitana’s close aid and friend. And she had always been there for her. All these years, she always treated her like a sister. Hence, she didn’t care about her outburst.

“Altrusia, you said that countless lives will perish. However, have you thought of how many will die if this war continues? Millions are but an understatement. This war would not end unless one completely exterminates the other.” She said with a grim expression.

“…??!”

Although she didn’t want to admit it, what the Empress said is true. The Vampire Lord wanted to argue, but in the end, she closed her mouth…not knowing what to say.

“Then, compared to an entire race, is millions big?” Sitana walked over, and stop before the Vampire Lord. “Sister… I admit I don’t know what Aanuel truly wants. No one perhaps would…not even he himself. He’s like a feather falling from the sky, easily swayed by the wind. Always, he’s been. He’s unpredictable. He’s beyond reason. And he’s hard to understand. However, I had a feeling that Aanuel could bring forth change. And I am betting on those feelings…” she said with a proud smile.

“As much as I despise the conflicts of nations, we too had done many unforgivable things and used many wicked methods ourselves. You and me, we have stood at the top of the mountains of corpses and created countless rivers of blood. For what? For the pursuit of peace, that we had always dreamed about. But all of them failed…only destruction and death had been the result of our efforts. For a change, why don’t we look at Aanuel’s method and see with our own eyes, what type of storm it will bring? For all we know after the storm is peace and tranquillity we so desire~”

“I hope it’s not because you love him so much, your emotions clouded your vision, Elder Sister,”

The Vampire Lord sighs.

“Oh, of course, it’s mainly attributed to that,” Sitana laughed happily. “Women are creatures of emotions, my dear sister. Whether we realized it or not, our decision is mixed with heart. The only problem is how much emotion was placed in the mixture of expectations—that’s a hard question to answer by the way. Nevertheless, I’m willing to bet on these biased feelings.”

“If you really do want him to succeed in his endeavor, why haven’t you supported him directly? With your support, even Lucifalion wouldn’t even be able to move around and Aanuel would be able to move freely. He wouldn’t do something sneaky like this, and he could stand above the masses. And all those fools who thought themselves smart and wise, but actually idiots fooled by the act of the vicious and scheming prince, will surely kneel and cry tears of blood in regret and stupidity. Pray tell, elder sister, what are you really planning?”

The Vampire Lord asked with a gaze full of suspicion.

“Believe me, I wanted to. But it’s not the matter of won’t…but couldn’t. Aanuel has his own destiny, and he too has his own plans. And most of those plans of his didn’t involve my help. If I recklessly move without caution, much less help, it will only give him trouble…” Sitana said with a wry smile.

And besides, even if he will fail in the end, I would still be here catching him safely. I could watch what he was doing, and at the same time, become his safe harbor when he needed it.

No matter what happens, I will stand tall, tower, and fortress.

“…He never accounted my help, to begin with. And look where he is now, slowly rising up behind everyone’s back. No one knows, how powerful he had become—the world still blinded by the mask of incompetence and debauchery. It was hard to believe that his prior unsightly behaviors were not an act,”

However, the Vampire Lord didn’t nod her head. Instead, she stared at Sitana with a glance full of doubt.

“Was it truly not an act? Perhaps he had planned this long ago…? To put wool in everyone’s eyes. Including yours, and mine. Him, suddenly appearing so dazzling can’t happen by chance. It’s as if he had become someone else in just one night,”

“I don’t know the answer to that. However, I felt it was not…”

Sitana said, soft and slow.

“I fear it’s not as simple as acting, or replacing someone in the position of my beloved. The Goddess Night had done something to my child when he was born—all these years I had suspected. He was so bright like the sun even that accursed Bluebird claimed he would change the entire world as his destiny claimed. But when he grew up, the brightness dimmed. Bluebird thought it was an illusion but I did not. I knew he was the one that can fulfill my dream. I keep hoping, and going, and wishing… that the brilliance would return. And now it did—now the light had returned. Surely, what the Goddess Night had stolen, she had returned it…of course, with added plans and schemes in the mix.” she said with exasperation.

“You had never trusted the Goddess, since a long time ago…if someone else hears what you had said, you will be scorned, Elder Sister. What you said doesn’t make any sense,”

“There’s nothing that has sense in this world of ours, Sister. What you think is real, is an illusion…and what you think is an illusion, is real. I had never trusted the Gods, not even once before. Not now, not in the future.”

Sitana said with an impassive expression.

“…They might be Gods, but they are not omnipotent—they are not the kind of Gods that people believe they are. They are more mortals than anyone could ever be in this world,”

… And they too possess desires like mortals.

Or perhaps, they are much more honest about their own desires than us mortals crawling in the ground?

… …