Ascendant Path of a Lustful Vampire

Speaking of which, the City Guards that had been taken were most definitely turned. A lot of them were already undergoing their induction which was to be fed as much as they wished before being given their orders.

According to the Tortured Vampire, a lot of the guards were resisting because they hated what they had become. Still, they had been instructed against harming themselves and were also being indoctrinated. I.e they were being told, no matter how much they resisted, the world would only ever really see them for what they were; monsters.

But why City Guards? Alexia had asked her torture victim.

It was mostly a courtesy question because the answer to that was obvious and the tortured vampire confirmed it;

The City Guards are among the best-trained militant forces in the Capital because Capital City is immensely important. The entire Capital is like a nation, in size and region distribution, and Capital City being the biggest region in that much space, is like its own State.

The Imperial Palace was far from where Caius and Alexia had roamed today and showed the sheer scope of territory that the City Guards had to encompass and yet, that hadnʼt made them careless in selection.

Only the best could become a City Guard. They were really outclassed in skill by Imperial Guards who served directly at the Imperial Palace.

In other words, the City Guards were already strong. The minimum Circle to join was the Fifth which could take decades to achieve. Low-ranking City Guards are very commonly at the Sixth Circle which means, that with just a few kidnappings, the Vampire coven could have new Sixth Circle militants to do their bidding.

They were amassing in size.

But for what?

Alexia had learned a lot from her torture victim, yes, but not enough. At least not as far as she was concerned.

Not even the hideout location delighted her to know because to go after it now would be to ignore the vampiric actions likely still happening all over the City. And it might even be empty because the tortured vampire hadnʼt been quite clear just how many of them used that particular hideout.

Caius had information the tortured victim hadnʼt revealed mostly because Alexia hadnʼt known to ask it. Because no one knows about Noble vampires except the Nobles and the Vampires close to them.

Only when they felt Caiusʼs authority did the Vampires ever divulge the information and it seemed forced out of them.

But Caius wasnʼt planning to tell Alexia about Vampiric Nobility. At least not yet. Sure he had told his father about it weeks ago but he didnʼt know Alexia that well and revealing that, when it had so much to do with him, seemed unwise.

Back to where the carriage was, the City Guards were nursing their injuries and seemed to be regaining the strength to walk.

”Get yourselves to safety,” Alexia told them after she left Caius leaning against the carriage for support.

”Thank you so much,” the Guards said with bows and went on their way before stopping in place.

Alexia was about to ask what was wrong when red lines appeared on their necks and their heads slid off their shoulders, hitting the ground with thuds before their bodies followed.

A foot away from the decapitated bodies stood a man—no, but a man, a Vampire—with a hulking figure and dressed in fine noble wear. His hair was slicked back and the smirk on his face was deadly. His fangs glinted as he turned his red eyes on Alexia who frowned.

”A Hunter,” he said in a slavering voice like he was gripped with delight, ”Oh, to meet a Hunter on this fine night.”

Alexia gripped her sword tighter as her eyes twitched. But her tone was level as she gestured at the dead City Guards and said,

”Iʼd think youʼd cart them away. That is what you lot are after, is it not? Strong militants to fill your ranks?”

”You and I have differing opinions on ʼstrongʼ it seems,” the Vampire said and then made a gesture as though he had forgotten something,

”Ah, silly me. Iʼm not observing proper etiquette. Allow me to introduce myself; I am Brogan Kraxia. And I will be your killer, tonight.”

An aura exploded from Broganʼs form, increasing the concentration of his Shifted Aura so much that Alexia flinched as it slammed purposely toward her.

But Caius understood that aura as more than just an increased concentration;

Brogan Kraxia was a Vampire Noble.