Academic gathering with a lich-Chapter 549 - 503

The fires ignited by Degonris blazed like hell itself, churning up sand and sulfur; the castle had become a colossal incinerator, and through the roar, one could faintly hear the screams of non-human creatures, as the Black Armored Knights reveled around this massive bonfire.

In an area untouched by the billowing smoke and shadowed clouds, the tranquil darkness of the night nurtured a secluded spot. Serio sat on the withered branches of an old tree, staring into the distance at the flames. The chaos born from Kevin’s power had dissipated, and his appearance remained that of an angel descended to the mortal realm.

A fiery shadow of a bat coalesced in front of him, the cloak burnt away in large patches, and Duke Delaries looked at the blaze with an expression of weariness.

"You have failed, Mr. Duke. I am surprised to see you return safely, that temperamental angel was kinder than I imagined," Serio remarked.

"My dragon has fled, my family has been slaughtered, my child is dead. You call this kindness? Messenger, they have destroyed everything I had!" Delaries threw his tattered cloak aside, revealing his solid upper body. His clothing was torn from battle, and the once pale vampire skin was replaced by charred flesh, still emitting the hissing sound of strong acid corrosion.

Mr. Dark did not hold back, but Delaries had still escaped from his clutches, bearing mortal wounds.

"To rebuild what has been destroyed, to claim what has been lost. You are still alive, Mr. Duke, there is still hope. Not refusing us, now it seems, was one of the few right decisions you’ve made," Serio continued.

Delaries turned to gaze up at Serio, his bloodshot eyes glowing menacingly. The Grand Duke of Vampires clenched his lips shut, as his fangs grew incessantly in their sockets, like unsheathed daggers.

"You’re right, Messenger. In time, I will rebuild a new Loshutar family. I am still the Vampire Duke, and thus, I shall receive the respect I am due," Delaries asserted.

Serio shifted his eyes from the flames to the Vampire Duke and smiled. "Of course, Mr. Duke, you will receive the respect you deserve, with our help. As for my personal attitude, I am sorry, the dynamics of need have changed, and this does not mean that those bloodthirsty liabilities are of any great importance; in fact, your power has not diminished by much. The real difference lies in my perception, please forgive me, my nature makes me unconsciously scornful of losers, such is my temperament. Delaries, you must accept it, and indeed you will."

Gurgle.

That was the sound of bubbles bursting; in the air, some bubbles rose in the sea created by Serio, and the deep-sea shadows smiled at the Vampire Duke along with Serio.

The temperature dropped.

After a long exchange of gazes, Delaries closed his eyes.

"You are more pragmatic than any follower I have met, no, you are not a follower, you are a... trader. In your eyes, there is no reverence for God, not even for me, who once believed in the Holy Light, but you do not, even though you have witnessed the power of the Sleeper."

Serio stroked his chin, nodding continuously.

"A trader of power, I like this expression. It’s hard for you to imagine what I have seen, so you probably can’t comprehend my point of view. For now, consider me a trader then, Mr. Duke. So, will you trade? Trade with us."

"Trading with madness is a foolish decision, but I do not have many choices. What do you wish to take from me?"

"Everything... I would like to say," Serio joked lightly, "but everything you have isn’t that valuable, Delaries. We need your information network, your web of darkness that infiltrates the human kingdoms and the Holy Light."

"What will I get in return?" Delaries looked at Serio, the messenger’s price was steep, and the fall of Loshutar had not changed the fact that he was once part of the Nobles of the Holy Light, retaining contacts with those old noble friends, even certain bishops. That was how Degonris had managed to survive till now. But the Crusaders were an exception; these warriors, including the angels, did not obey any cardinal, not even the Pope. The Crusaders followed the angels, and the angels followed Raymond, this was the privilege given to the Angel of Light by the Pope, an angel who brought about the Age of Holy Light.

"I will replace your fears, Duke. Your greatest fears, the ones you least desire to confront, the angels," Serio’s eyes revealed madness and excitement, as if the light within them wanted to devour everything. "I am quite interested in the angels, the only three remaining leaders of the Crusaders."

"You’re insane." Delaries had few thoughts on the matter. There had been countless people over the years wanting to extinguish the Holy Light, but the only force that could exist overtly in the world was the Holy Light. To Delaries, Serio’s suggestion was merely laughable.

"Your sanity hasn’t brought you victory, has it?" Serio stepped down from the tree branch, with dark bubbles rising from the ground forming his steps. With each step, a slimy tentacled creature fell from the bursting bubbles.

"So why not try once, believe in my power, believe in the Lord behind me?" 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝓮𝒘𝙚𝙗𝒏𝙤𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝒐𝙢

"Raymond Mellock, the Leader of Light. He is special; he will definitely not be defeated by you, I can assure that,"

Serio’s smile was as constant as ever.

"A week ago, you were also certain that you wouldn’t fail, that you wouldn’t be waiting like a stray dog for my charity, Duke," Serio taunted.

"...Raymond represents this era; you aim to upend it."

"Why not, the wheel of history is always moving forward, and beneath it, there are always a few crushed skeletons."

"...You don’t seem like a clueless calf. Hopefully, your power is a match for your madness, Serio."

...

The Wanderer’s carriage first stopped at Cassandra Cemetery, where Lyle bade farewell to Kevin and the man with no name.

"Lyle, you always bring me surprises," Kevin said with a smile, winking at Lyle.

"That’s exactly what I was going to say, Kevin. Thanks to the surprises you brought, we were able to escape from Degonris and incidentally destroy him."

The two exchanged a smile, and before parting, Kevin called out to Lyle.

"Lyle, I plan on inheriting Hamlet, taking on everything that land represents. I may not suit the role of a well-behaved noble, living a peaceful life with my ancestors’ wealth. This journey has told me that even if I pretend nothing’s up, the mysteries will come looking for me. I crave adventure, crave those surreal stories, and maybe I can even help you. What do you think?"

Kevin’s gaze was sincere as he earnestly sought Lyle’s opinion. Lyle even believed that if his own suggestion went against Kevin’s preferences, Kevin would still consider it. Even if it might disappoint him, Cassandra would certainly be much safer than Hamlet, and choosing the safer option, as a true friend, would never be wrong.

"We’ve had our disputes, Kevin. I always remember that taunt I used to mock you with; I’ve found it suits the present very well," Lyle said as he stepped onto the carriage, bringing a memory from the past into the present.

"Kevin is always right, you lucky bastard."