"Eh…?"
Hearing the man's words, Bambi froze, as if she didn't understand what he meant. But for Duanmu Huai, that was already enough!
"Guleya!"
With his roar, Guleya quickly hugged Bambi tight and lowered her head. At the same time, Duanmu Huai tossed a flashbang into the air.
Since it was already clear that these vampires in the castle had nothing to do with Bambi, there was no reason to hold back. He would wipe them out first and sort out the hidden truths later!
"———————!!"
In an instant, blinding white light burst forth, illuminating the entire castle interior as if covered in snow. The vampires had never imagined such a weapon could exist, and they shrieked in agony, covering their eyes and stumbling backward. Duanmu Huai leapt upward, gripping his thunder warhammer, vaulting onto the second-floor balcony. At that moment, holy soul-flame exploded outward from him in all directions!
"Boom!!!"
Scorching fire engulfed the panicked vampires. Though they had speed and strength beyond humans, they were utterly powerless before the brilliance. These vampires were not like the perfect existence of Bambi, but pitiful creatures who even feared the sun, little more than savage beasts!
The holy flames consumed them in seconds. Screams echoed as vampires were reduced to charred husks. Those outside tried to rush in, but what they faced was a roaring dragon of fire.
Guleya had raised her right hand, transformed into a dragon's claw, spewing a torrent of flame that sealed the entrance. In mere moments, the outer hall became a blazing furnace.
If it had been an ordinary house, the vampires could have escaped. But this was a stone castle, built like a fortress, with windows no wider than ten centimeters. To make matters worse, the vampires had sealed the exits to trap Duanmu Huai and his companions inside—thus cutting off their own retreat.
Outside, vampires clawed at walls and floors, desperate to flee, but the narrow space only made them easier prey. Guleya's fire dragon surged back and forth, devouring all who stood in its way.
Within moments, nearly a hundred vampires who had occupied the castle were obliterated. Those who had been seated at the dining tables now remained as pitch-black corpses, frozen in mid-motion as though their last moments were carved in ash.
But not all had perished.
Duanmu Huai lifted his head. Thanks to his helmet shielding his vision, the flashbang hadn't blinded him. He had clearly seen that, when the fight began, the middle-aged man sensed danger and turned into a storm of blood, fleeing into the rear corridor.
But did you really think you could escape?
"Guleya, take care of Bambi. I'll be right back."
With those words, Duanmu Huai charged into the corridor, warhammer in hand.
"Bang!!!"
The heavy door burst open. Blood-colored winds swirled, depositing a grotesque figure onto the floor. It was the middle-aged man, no longer able to keep human form. His body was iron-blue, his head stretched like a dog's snout, with tattered wings protruding from his back.
His legs had already been scorched black. He lay collapsed on the floor, gnashing his teeth in despair.
Why? Why had it turned out like this? Who were those two?!
He had thought the ones with the Princess of the Night were mere adventurers, but how did they wield such overwhelming power? That blinding white flash, that soul-searing fire… were they even human?!
"Lord Molag! Lord Molag…!!"
The man could barely crawl, dragging himself toward an altar as he cried out in desperation.
Upon the altar stood a strange statue—right hand raised, left hand extended, as if frozen mid-dance, its beastlike features grotesque. Around it, thick streams of blood cascaded down.
"Save me… Lord Molag…"
He crawled onward, ears ringing with the sound of footsteps approaching from behind.
Thud—! Thud—! Thud—!
Each step struck his heart like a hammer, flooding him with terror. In that instant, he was no longer a vampire, but a helpless prey hunted by a predator.
He struggled forward. If he could just reach the altar—if only he could reach it—!
But suddenly, his leg was seized, and a chilling voice whispered in his ear.
"Sorry, but you're not going anywhere."
Behind him, Duanmu Huai loomed, one hand gripping the warhammer, the other clutching the vampire's leg—like a slasher villain dragging his victim in a horror film.
"Hehehe, we still have things to discuss. Don't rush off just yet…"
"Ah… ahhh… aaahhhhh…"
The man turned his head. In the flickering firelight, Duanmu Huai's rabbit helmet cast grotesque shadows, its painted grin twisted, scarlet eyes glowing. To him, the rabbit's face seemed ready to open its jaws and rip him apart. A rabbit—just a rabbit!—yet more terrifying than a dragon.
"No! Don't! Let me go! Help me! Lord Molag!!"
"Whoooosh!!!"
As if in answer, the blood pool on the altar exploded. A massive hand of coagulated blood surged forth, reaching to seize Duanmu Huai.
"Hm?"
Duanmu Huai's brows rose. The hand radiated immense power, far beyond any common specter or demon. Though weaker than the Chaos Gods, its aura still carried the weight of a Daedric Prince.
Good timing!
Duanmu Huai's eyes glinted. He hurled the man aside, raised his warhammer, and roared. Holy radiance burst from his form as he smashed the weapon down against the blood-hand.
"BOOOOM!!!!"
The clash shook the hall. The hand's power was thick, wild, and oppressive—enough to make mortals kneel and weep.
"Submit to me!!!"
A voice boomed in Duanmu Huai's mind, carrying crushing force that threatened to shatter his will.
But this was no ordinary man. He was an Inquisitor, destroyer of gods and demons alike, sworn to defend humanity.
A mere Daedric Prince dared to posture before him?!
With a cold snort, Duanmu Huai unleashed his aura of fear. Terror radiated in waves, halting even the Daedra's oppressive might. Seizing the moment, he swung the hammer again.
"Crash!!!!"
The blood-hand shattered, spraying crimson across the chamber. Cracks split the statue, which exploded in fragments.
"How… how can this be?!"
The vampire's eyes went wide. As a devotee of the Daedric Prince, he knew that aura better than anyone. Yet the unstoppable god he worshiped had been broken by this monstrous man?!
What is he?!
As the man trembled, the blood-soaked white rabbit turned slowly toward him. Blood dripped from its painted grin, scarlet eyes burning.
The vampire collapsed, shuddering. The rabbit strode forward, seized his head, and lifted him into the air. The grotesque face drew close, blood staining its teeth.
It was as if this rabbit had just devoured some beast alive. The sight alone nearly drove the vampire into madness. His body shook uncontrollably; he could not speak. He knew that if he opened his mouth, only screams of hysteria would come.
"All right, sir."
The voice from within the helmet growled like a beast.
"Now… we can have a proper talk."
(End of Chapter)