Reincarnated as the Vampire Princess' Familiar
Chapter 22 - 21 - The strongest familiar

Chapter 22: 21 - The strongest familiar

«Kill those bastards! Don’t let them anywhere near Princesses Ayra and Daphne!» The strained yet resolute voice of a guard cuts through the chaos like a thunderclap, rallying his comrades who fall one by one under the unrelenting assault of the hooded attackers, though not without exacting a heavy toll. Despite their numerical advantage, the Scarlet Army soldiers’ superior combat skills would have crushed the insurgents if not for Vespera. That woman is a force of nature, single-handedly taking more lives than all her allies combined. Damn it...!

«Kajetan, assist them!» Daphne orders, her voice strained with visible distress over the battle’s grim progression.

«At once, my mistress.»

Sending a familiar to fight vampires? That’s a death sentence! I distinctly remember Ayra explaining that even the weakest vampire could effortlessly kill the strongest familiars. So why has Daphne sent him to his death?!

A surge of blue energy erupts from Kajetan’s body, its intensity both terrifying and controlled—like a dense but delicate armor, thin as silk. In a flash, he bolts out of the barrier, intercepting a hooded attacker before they can advance. The attacker strikes with a dagger, but Kajetan swiftly blocks the blow with a blade of blue energy extending from his right arm, igniting a fierce duel where neither gains the upper hand.

«But how... how is this even possible? How can a familiar stand against a vampire...?» I whisper, my voice trembling with both disbelief and terror at the chaos around me.

«Normally, it wouldn’t,» Daphne responds, her tone tinged with pride despite the worry in her voice. «But Kajetan’s strength far surpasses that of any other familiar—he’s strong enough to rival a mid-level vampire. It’s no accident he’s been at the top of the rankings for over three years.»

The top of the rankings... Is this the chasm that separates me from the summit?

With a swift strike of his energy blade, Kajetan lands the decisive blow, severing his opponent’s head. It falls to the ground at his feet in a spray of blood.

A human capable of defeating a vampire in single combat... I never thought such a thing was possible.

From the chaos, Vespera emerges with a powerful leap, her halberd raised high, poised to strike her target... Kajetan!

With Vespera’s lightning speed, the familiar barely manages to raise his arm, blocking the blow with his blue blade, though with great difficulty. Even so, for a human to endure such a strike is a testament to extraordinary strength.

«Why do you fight to defend that slave-driver?! Does serving her amuse you so much?!» Vespera snarls, her tone sharp with irritation. «How can you risk your life for her after all the humiliation, the abuse, the suffering you and others like you endure every day?!»

«Because Daphne isn’t like the other vampire nobles!» Kajetan snaps, his face contorted with the superhuman effort of holding back the halberd. «In the past twelve years, since I became her familiar, she has always treated me with respect, molding me into the fighter I am today with patience and understanding. She has more kindness and nobility of spirit than anyone I’ve ever known, even among humans! I would gladly give my life to protect her!»

At his words, a soft smile graces Daphne’s face, and a faint blush colors her cheeks as she clasps her hands over her chest.

«You’ve been so enslaved by that woman that you can’t even see the atrocities inflicted upon you anymore. Worse still, you’re ready to die for her! I wanted to spare you—a warrior of your caliber deserves a place of honor in the new world that will rise from the ashes of this one—but it’s clear now that you’re beyond saving. You’ve been irreparably brainwashed by those bastards. Don’t worry, though, I’ll end your torment myself!»

Vespera’s energy surges, pressing down with overwhelming force. Kajetan’s energy blade shatters, and the halberd slams violently into his shoulder, piercing several inches deep. The blue veil surrounding his body softens the impact but doesn’t stop it entirely, and blood pours profusely from the wound.

«Kajetan, retreat into the barrier! Quickly!» Daphne screams, her voice trembling with desperation and barely holding back sobs, as she extends her arm toward Vespera. «Blood Word: Interius!» A surge of intense Sanguis energy bursts from her palm, forcing Vespera to dodge and giving Kajetan the opportunity to retreat, seeking refuge inside the fragile barrier, now on the brink of dissolving.

Amid the chaos, Ayra stands frozen, silent, as if paralyzed by terror or fury. Her wide eyes and slightly parted lips reflect her shock, transfixed by the carnage unraveling before her. A macabre spectacle of death that her eyes—the eyes of a princess born and raised behind the secure walls of the royal castle—have likely never witnessed before.

When the barrier finally dissolves, the last guard collapses lifeless to the ground, leaving four of the Crimson Requiem and Vespera still standing. Kajetan is gravely wounded, Daphne is utterly drained of energy, and Ayra resembles a statue—an embodiment of terror, completely paralyzed yet consumed by an indescribable rage. And then there’s me, barely able to hold my own against low-ranking familiars. Calling this situation hopeless would be an understatement!

The atmosphere suddenly grows oppressively heavy, far more than before, and dark—terrifyingly dark—as if a veil of shadows has enveloped all of Noxscura. A chill runs through my body, from head to toe, as fear grips me. What’s happening now...?

«Attacking us in the middle of the city, endangering innocent citizens, is a truly vile act, but I expected no less from filth like you,-» Daphne mutters, her voice unsteady, as she kneels with Kajetan resting on her thighs, desperately trying to treat his severe wound with the last remnants of her energy.

I turn my terrified, resigned gaze toward Ayra, searching for a command, a signal, anything—given how desperate the situation is, I figure it’s up to me to act. I don’t plan on dying again without at least trying. But she... is that really Ayra?! Her clothing—a white fur coat just moments ago—is now as black as the deepest abyss. Her blood-red irises have turned completely black, and a storm of shadows swirls violently around her. Her icy, piercing gaze intimidates me to the point I have to look away.

«-but you’ve made a mistake that will cost you dearly...» A faint, exhausted smile spreads across Daphne’s face. «...you’ve unleashed the rage of my little sister!»

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