Chapter 409: Defection Upon Defection

“Come. Let’s see what you’ve got.”

Without giving the Vampire a moment to think, the Sword-Singing Lion Armor began to chant, independent of its master. At the same time, Jilannis swung her sword and closed in, Casting as she moved. The terrifying Magic Radiance emanating from Silence bore down on the Count, leaving him breathless.

‘She’s using Arcane Magic and Martial Arts at the same time?!’ The Vampire was utterly horrified. In his long life, he had only ever seen one and a half people who could truly accomplish such a feat.

The “half” was Ron, who stood right across from him. Since his Casting was channeled through his bow and arrows, he could only use ray-like Arcane spells, which was why he only counted as half.

As for the others, himself included, while they might be masters of both Swordsmanship and Magic, they were a far cry from being able to use them simultaneously!

“Who in the world are you?”

The Vampire Count cautiously used Blood Magic to protect himself, parrying the Moon Elf’s every assault with his greatsword. To an outside observer, it might have looked like an even match, but he knew with chilling certainty that if he didn’t change his strategy, his defeat was a foregone conclusion.

The Moon Elf completely ignored his question, her assault only growing more ferocious. A torrent of violent elements washed over his cold body, inflicting a pain and fear no different from what he’d felt as a mortal. Richthofen continuously shifted his form—from his original shape to liquid, gas, and even various small animals—yet he could only watch in despair as her blade drew ever closer to his heart.

That night, centuries of his life’s work had been stolen by another. Thrown off balance, he had fled back to the place that changed his family’s destiny, where he’d had another stroke of fortune.

His return coincided with the mass mutation of that strange Red Mould. Upon discovering he wasn’t considered prey by it, the Count decided to seize the opportunity. He would harness the great power of nature to make a comeback and reclaim everything that was rightfully his.

‘The good news was that he had run into Ron and his group ahead of schedule. He had the element of surprise!’

‘The bad news was, while they had indeed been caught off guard, they had an even more powerful ally by their side!’

‘What kind of rotten luck is this!’

The Vampire Count roared silently. Finally, after another near-death experience under Jilannis’s blade, he completely abandoned the idea of a one-on-one duel. He transformed into a black mist, riding the wind across the open fields toward the Night Howling Hounds, who had been watching from the sidelines, growing restless.

“My minions, hold them back! Tear them to shreds!”

Reforming into his humanoid shape, the Vampire let out a piercing shriek. The greatsword in his hands dissolved into two wisps of bloody mist, coalescing behind him to form a pair of wide bat wings.

‘Besides, these hounds aren’t mine. It’s no great loss to use them as cannon fodder…’

Though it hadn’t formally switched allegiance, the huge alpha, the strongest of the Night Howling Hounds, clearly sensed its new, evil master’s intent. It looked back, confused, only to be met by his vicious glare.

“What are you looking at! Get going!” Richthofen snarled, retreating even faster. “Come and find me after it’s done!”

“If you can’t even handle a simple task like this, you might as well die by their hands!”

The hounds grew restless. As Ron and the others tried to pursue the Vampire, the pack ultimately chose to form a line, blocking their path.

The alpha hound lowered its body, glaring menacingly at the eager Sera and Anastina. It was as if the moment they dared to charge, it would answer with fang and claw.

However, one person stepped between the two tense sides. A pale hand gripped the upper half of a Walking Stick, holding it between her companions and her own Magic Pets.

“Silvia, can’t you see they’ve turned on us?” Sera shot the Vampire Mage an annoyed look. “You’re wasting our time!”

Meanwhile, the Night Howling Hounds didn’t seem to appreciate the gesture. They continued to threaten their former master, a single thought away from a full-blown attack.

And these hounds were never short on aggressive thoughts.

“This won’t take long,” Silvia said, turning to face the hounds and entrusting her back to her companions. “I know what you bastards are thinking. We’re the true master and servants, aren’t we?”

“We are the ones with the Mind Link, aren’t we?”

As Magic Creatures—ones born specifically to serve a master—Night Howling Hounds possess a unique racial talent. When a Night Howling Hound is on the same plane of existence as its master, it can use a Magic Link to share sensory information. They can also communicate with each other through a Mind Link.

When Richthofen had ordered the hounds to cover his retreat just moments ago, Silvia had clearly perceived their reluctance. But it was, after all, their job.

As servants of evil, the Night Howling Hounds undoubtedly expected their master to be wicked, ruthless, and vile. But as living creatures, how could they willingly carry out what was so obviously a suicide mission?

‘They had followed Silvia for over half a year. How could they not know the extent of the power wielded by their master and her friends?’

But what could they do? A few of the Night Howling Hounds showed signs of conflict. Their sharp, pricked ears drooped as they looked listlessly at Silvia.

They didn’t intend to beg for forgiveness, but they were unwilling to continue their attack. They needed a justifiable reason to escape their current predicament.

“That Vampire has no intention of keeping you, can’t you see that?” Aive frowned at the hesitating hounds. “Even if you don’t want to serve Silvia anymore, just get out of our way!”

“Otherwise, don’t blame us for not holding back for old times’ sake!”

The Half-Elf’s words seemed to backfire. The Night Howling Hounds, who had only just been pacified by Silvia, grew agitated once more. This time, they even started to attack the Vampire Descendant! If Silvia weren’t so nimble herself, she would have been tackled to the ground.

“Damn it, did I say something wrong?” Aive scrambled forward, planting her tower shield in front of Silvia to stop the hounds’ frenzied attack.

The Vampire Mage frowned, but she didn’t blame Aive. She simply explained, “Night Howling Hounds must serve a master. They are born for it. When you said they didn’t want to serve me anymore, you practically pushed them toward the Count.”

“I’m sorry, I didn’t know…”

“Forget it. I never expected to persuade them to come back with just words anyway,” Silvia said, placing a hand on Aive’s shoulder and pushing the heavily armored Half-Elf aside. “Step back. I’ll handle this.”

“You lot, you like a powerful master, don’t you?” A large amount of black mist spilled from the crystal atop Silvia’s staff. The whites of her eyes seemed to be corroded by the mist, gradually turning black. Within the pitch-black sockets, two points of red light shone so brilliantly they seemed to absorb all surrounding light.

The Mage whispered, and it was as if something inside her had shattered its container and broken free. Within the black mist, countless strands of red and black Magic Radiance wove themselves into a magnificent, stately evening gown around her. It completed the transformation of Silvia, the former slave with a hint of nobility, into a true arch-aristocrat.

Silvia leaned back slowly, and the black mist behind her coalesced into a large armchair. She extended a hand, her gesture filled with unquestionable authority. Under the pressure of her aura, all the Night Howling Hounds became obedient. They prostrated themselves on the ground, whimpering to curry favor with their master.

“You like to serve the powerful and the evil…” Silvia stared at the hounds, her face an emotionless mask. Her immense power bore down on the creatures, soon rendering them unable to make a sound. “Perhaps I am not evil enough, but I am undeniably powerful.”

“At least, stronger than some pathetic Count who’s lost his own domain!”