A Peaceful Encounter

Janus reacted quickly and tossed a lasso around an older boy. "Steve don't do it." I watched the boy struggle to present himself to the vampires. There was a desperate look to the boy's eyes.

"You can't understand Janus you aren't infected." On his knees Steve looked up at the vampire leader. "Please if you can save me, I'll pay any price." A grin split the vampires face exposing a set of fangs.

The vampire raised a clawed digit and slashed a thin line over Steve's cheek. He let a drop of blood linger on a finger before bringing it to his lips. After a taste he spat on the ground. The vampire glared down at Steve with a furious expression on his face.

"No aura or virginity you are fit only for the lowly turned and ghouls to feast on. Strap him in irons and take him away. He'll get the cure as promised and we'll extract payment." The vampire said.

Edwardo Silva lvl40 Noble Vampire

Rank: Knight

Cultivation: Refinery Stage 3

Job: Blood Duelist lvl60

That was knew. It seemed I could glean the jobs of other now. Whatever blood duelist sounded like a higher ranked job than just duelist. It sounded like a mixed class of warrior and mage. Only mage is a basic rank so blood mage might be a rank higher than that. I could estimate the job to be either two ranks higher than mage or three. That would be 60 times the number of stats the job increased per level including. For all I knew he might be around my strength. Stats worked on percentages which are based on parameters. I'm a higher type of knight than a noble vampire. He might be uncommon or rare. That didn't mean he didn't have at least one parameter better than me. My quests still tipped the balance.

Killing him would start a battle. My first move would be to take to the air and unleash Kur upon them. Then I'd handle the rest. Their horses could be bred on my farm. That would be convenient.

If I took their armaments into account, the scenario changes. Each rider was armed with a repeating auto crossbow. More than likely Edwardo would command them to disperse to decrease their casualties. He'd have his riders pass the inquisitor's retinue and open fire before retreating to the city. Sid, Lewis, and Janus could die. Doppel and Gwen could easily take to the air.

Star was adapted to this age. She could throw herself to Winter's aura.

How much would Winter's aura effect a fully powered Underworld Dragon's Wrath? If I unleashed one now, I could probably wipe out the whole cavalry. Unfortunately, we were still under surveillance. The city would be alerted regardless.

For now, I was in a poor position. If I didn't want to show my hand and lay down one of my greatest trump cards, then the only thing I could do was stay silent.

"Hello there, I'm not a virgin but my aura is quite powerful. Would some of my blood pay for a cure for my husband?" Star asked. My eyes widened at the sudden change. What was she doing? Did she want to start a fight? Star was a spiderling she wasn't a human and the vampires would notice. Or was this her way of saying its alright to show my hand?

"You are a brave woman to offer your blood for your husband. If what you say is true, then a cure can be provided. Blood is the price and the blood of those with awakened auras is valuable. But perhaps it would be better if you forgot your husband. Give me your blood and I'll grant you a life of luxury for the rest of your human life." Edwardo offered. My teeth ground at the implications. I thought vampires were supposed to be subtle.

Star pulled a fan from her dress and covered her face. I guessed Lewis must have given it to her. "I'm flattered but I am faithful to my husband. What is luxury if I can't share it with him?" Star said.

Edwardo looked perturbed. Sid approached on Kate's back. "Lord Vampire please do not throw more fire on an already scandalous situation. This is still human territory and if you think the blades aren't oiling their blades for the opportunity for an armed intervention, then you're a fool." The vampire pulled his blade with preternatural speed.

I drew my blade and moved to intercept the vampire knowing this would start a fight few would survive. Our blades clashed blasting sparks into the air. Demonic steel clashed with and unknown metal dripping with crimson liquid. Soul fire lit Diabla and I prepared to spark this battle.

"You're a fool to block my blade." The vampire's blade glowed with crimson aura and I knew a skill was coming. I'd already committed, and I had a skill of my own ready. Sparks continued to shower us while our blade began to heat up. Friction from our clash melted the snow around us. I was ready to drop an Underworld Dragon's Wrath point blank. Once it dropped Edwardo would die and his army would be leaderless.

"Enough!" A voice called through the rage of our clash. A powerful crimson aura came down upon us and all I could see was red. Oathkeeper flared his white aura and I flared my own to resist the might pressure upon us.

Mariana Silva lvl60 Noble Vampire

Rank: Knight

Cultivation: Foundry Stage 3

Job: Yin Blood Cultivator lvl206

On six bat wings glided a blond-haired elfin beauty. She hovered in the air with aura greater than any I'd ever felt from a humanoid. Her ears were pointed, her eyes blue jewels, and her lips a cut thin line. Authority washed from her like a tidal wave. Edwardo broke off his technique and I slowly let my own power dissipate. Diabla seemed a bit disappointed in my grasp.

"You didn't hunt down the invaders as ordered. Look at the damage you caused by allowing it to live." The lady vampire demanded.

"Countess Silva, no sister this land is in human territory. It is not my duty to protect the humans here. That is the job of the knightly orders, as a noble I refuse to shed vampire blood for no gain." Edwardo said.

Her aura was incredible. Its density weighted down on me without effort. This was the power of a cultivator an entire realm above me. Mariana was dangerous in ways I hadn't encountered on this world yet.

So, how could I counter her. Could I dare to merge Dawn and Underworld Dragon's Wrath together? Despite my stronger body I'd have to take the technique to even greater heights to pierce her natural aura. That didn't take into account any barrier or defensive spells she might know.

"Lead them back to Gendry and let them be healed. We will attach a bill and they will pay it. That is how this exchange shall end. Because you're right this isn't our territory. We aren't brigands and we don't hold sovereignty here. Lead them and then return to your duties." Mariana ordered.

I lifted my sword and placed it on my back. She quirked a delicate eyebrow before frowning. "Girl your smell is satisfactory. I will accept two pints of your blood to heal your husband." Mariana said.

Star gasped in surprise. "How did you know about my husband or my offer?" Star said. I knew she was faking it but Mariana didn't seem to catch on.

A small twitch appeared on Mariana's lips. "A noble vampire has many powers. The ability to listen is merely one of them." Mariana said.

I could feel Star's desire from a distance. "Then listen to my counter proposal. Heal my husband and assist us in our land acquisition and I'll let you draw your pints from the source." Star said.

Star brushed her hair away and revealed her pale white neck. A small blush covered Mariana's cheeks. "How audacious, how could I agree to such a public and perverse request? You tempt me and try to trap me in the same breath. Perhaps my intervention was too early. Should I have only waited a few moments then your husband would have been slain by my brother and I'd have you all to myself." Mariana said.

The word slipped before I could stop them. "No, you would have one less brother." I said.

Mariana turned her attention to me. "Is that a fact? You don't seem very powerful to me. Are you perhaps a disgraced knight or a trainee who left their order?" The vampire lady crossed her arms. "I've been embarrassed by the both of you enough for one day. We will meet again after your husband is healed to discuss prices and bargains behind closed doors. Edwardo, guide them to town." Mariana commanded.

The countess turned and flew north. In-between the swirls of her dress I saw them flap up and for a split second I saw her panties. One mental snapshot later I took the panty shot and saved it. A literal mental image was saved in a file within my cloud hard drive. Maybe it was time to practice my womanizer job.

"You must think you're hot shit. I had you dead to rights. My Crimson Rose Storm would have stripped the flesh from your bones." Edwardo said.

"What are you talking about? I had you and your cavalry in range of my Underworld Dragon's Wrath. There was no contest." I crossed my arms and stared at the vampire. A small smile on my face. "Just curious but how much charge time did you need for your skill?" I asked.

The vampire chuckled. "Oh, I see through your bravado. Well former Knight, you were three second from seeing the majesty of my technique." Edwardo said.

"It's a shame I didn't get to see it, it sounds like a good skill." I paused. "For an amateur I mean. I said.

"Oh, what about your what was it. Underworld Dragon's Breath,"

"Wrath actually, and it was ready." I said.

"Right, of course it was. A shame, I may never see such an expert technique." Edwardo said.

"Too true your sister ruined what promised to be an interesting fight. We had clashed and were about to release our techniques. Now we may never have a second spontaneous meeting. Any fight from this point will be sullied by that interruption." I said.

I was trying to gauge this guy. Was he a possible ally, a milestone, or an outright enemy? This could all be a false face, or he could be the real deal. I sensed a lot from this guy. He was blood thirsty as hell but that could have just been his aura. Crimson was a mixture of black and red. So, it was all fight and power now. I suspected that the older more powerful vampires were stronger because they could resist such a pull. That was only from my initial interaction. Mariana didn't take Star immediately that proves she has the ability to hold off on gratification.

"To think there was a human in existence who gets it. You were going to lose of course. I'm certain I'd survive your skill and the more blood I lose before my skill is unleashed the stronger it is. You can rest assured that it would have ended in my victory." Edwardo said.

"Ashes on the ground can't give a reprisal. I suppose your sister might have killed me in revenge." I said and raised an eyebrow. "Take your wins where you can I guess."

"We should spar then to settle this. After you are healthy of course. I can't have the rabble whisper doubts of my victory. There will be not what ifs about your health." Edwardo said.

I coughed out a wad of blood covered in ash. Edwardo sniffed the air then quirked a black eyebrow. "You're burning the infection in your lungs to hold it back. That will scar your lungs and decrease oxygen intake. We must get you healed before your combat proficiency drops below an acceptable level. I will not have anyone say I won because I stalled and let an infection weaken my foe."

Ping!

Quest: Win A Spar with Edwardo

Reward: +10 STR +10 AGL +10 DEX

He rode out to his cavalry and they began to fall in line an escort us north. Sid galloped to my side.

"Lewis isn't doing well. He's strapped to a skid but won't be able to wield his inquisitorial power for some time. I'm going to have to handle the diplomatic front." Sid said.

I waited for him to continue but he didn't. "Do you want my help?" I asked.

"Yes, but I didn't want to ask. You seem to be able to speak to the vampires without making threats and drawing steel. Despite your initial meeting that noble vampire seems positively friendly to you. They may work with us more if you were present during the discussions." Sid suggested.

I nodded slowly. "I'll go but I can't promise much. After I'm cured, I'll need to contact the land office and possibly a bank to get a farming loan. Will you vouch for my capabilities?" I asked.

Sid smirked. "If you will sit on these diplomatic discussions with me, I'll praise your name and deeds before Sol himself." Sid said.