Hunter of the Evernight
Chapter 189: Verge of destruction

Chapter 189: Verge of destruction

"From today onwards, you will be my daughter and you shall call me father."

He looked just like she remembered, with the scholarly air about him that did nothing to hide his domineering nature.

She found herself drawn to him despite meeting him for the first time that fateful day.

With quivering lips, she muttered. "...Dad."

She was unsure then but now, looking back to that precious memory, she recalled him trembling after she’d called out to him.

Was it because he was surprised she readily agreed to his request?

It was strange but also... quite cute.

It showed a side that Claudia would come to love for the 50 long years of her life as a vampire.

Suddenly, she found herself standing at the edge of the world.

She assumed it to be so due to the dark curtain that extended as far as her eyes could see.

Then, she heard his voice once again.

"Yes. I hope you fulfill all your dreams, my daughter."

Turning toward the origin of the voice, she saw him.

"...Dad," she muttered as tears welled up in her eyes.

"At first I only saw you as a replacement but... thank you, You allowed me to atone for my sins of being a bad father while I was human."

"..." She felt choked by her emotions, unable to say anything as she watched her father approach slowly.

Embracing her gently, he continued. "But I believe this is where my journey ends. Live your life well, my daughter."

"No... don’t go."

"Be safe."

"Please... stay with me."

With tears trailing down her cheeks, Claudia fell to her knees, watching as he turned into dust and returned to the aether.

***

"Ah!" Claudia awoke to find herself in a strange place.

Placing a hand over her face, she tried to recall how she got here but pulled up blanks.

"...Where am I?" She asked no one in particular.

Of course, there was no one to ask in the first place.

Getting out of bed, she inspected her surroundings to find that she was in some sort of room reminiscent of a jail cell turned living quarters.

"Uhmm..." She placed her palm over her face as a slight headache caused her discomfort.

Then, flashes of images began to appear in her mind.

One in particular stood out.... It was the memory of the one who despite having no connections with her chose to become a father.

Without knowing it, tears trailed down her cheeks.

Just then, the door to the cell opened and Arwen walked in with a jug, cup, and some biscuits on a tray.

Seeing Claudia awake, Arwen managed a warm smile as she remarked. "You are awake."

"... Yeah, I am," Claudia replied weakly.

***

In the conference room of the Department of Special Relations, Alex was seated at the meeting table with Nadia, Elizabeth, Roland, and a few executives of the Department.

The atmosphere was rather tense as everyone exchanged looks with one another.

Maybe it was because of the strangers that were suddenly seated amongst them, the executives of the Department weren’t exactly in the best of moods, especially when one of the strangers was a Vampire.

Regardless, they couldn’t do anything about it since Elizabeth was the one who had brought them.

"Report," Elizabeth said as she sat at the helm.

Albeit unwilling, One of the executives rose to his feet and after taking a look around, began.

"The city is currently on high alert with the events of yesterday. This is the first time in the history of a Stronghold when the vampire population did something so brazen..."

"Get to the point," Elizabeth remarked in slight annoyance.

"Ahem." The executive coughed dryly before continuing. "News reaching us is that during the Madam’s clash with the Reawakened Silver Knights, the newborn Monarch, Damian, led a powerful army of Vampires to subdue the Vampire Dukes, capturing all 10 of them."

"And their dukedoms?" Alex inquired only to receive a glare from the executive.

However, he blatantly ignored this while waiting for a response.

Seeing as he had no choice, the executive let out an annoyed sigh before replying. "Their dukedoms were destroyed and their sired kin were most likely captured as well."

"He has gotten stronger," Elizabeth muttered with a frown.

Alex nodded. "I agree. It’s troubling."

"Go on."

Nodding imperceptibly, the executive continued. "Following Madam’s words, we tried to send word to the Great Families of the madness happening here but... we encountered a problem."

Alex had an inkling about what the problem might be but still decided to ask to be sure. "What problem?"

"... Krobridge has been isolated by a dark curtain, cutting off all contact from the outside world. We can’t go out and we aren’t sure if anything can come in at this point."

’Dark curtain... Crow Mask has made his move.’ Alex thought to himself.

’That means that Krobridge can only be saved by those currently in this building.’

It was a burdensome thought but there was nothing that could be done.

"Considering how large the barrier is, it won’t be long before word would reach the relevant authorities and we’d get back up." One of the executives seated commented but was quickly shut down by Roland.

"The Blood Ritual will take place on or before the Emperor’s birthday which is in two days. If we don’t stop it, everyone will die before any form of reinforcement can arrive."

"..." Despite it coming from the mouth of a vampire, the executive couldn’t say anything in response.

Elizabeth let out a sigh at that moment before leaning forward to address the table. "We can’t wait for reinforcements considering our current situation. The only thing we can do is make a plan to stop Damian before the Blood ritual is completed. If we can’t do this, then we have no choice but to succumb to our predestined deaths."

Her words resounded in the stone room, with silence reigning soon after she was done, each person taking the time to allow her words to sink in.

At that moment, they all realized the inevitable truth.

Krobridge was on the verge of destruction.