Chapter 38

The space where Xain had been standing moments ago was utterly obliterated, completely flattened. He would have met the same fate if Larkin hadn't acted swiftly to shove him out of harm's way. Wide-eyed, Xain stared at the flattened ground, realizing the gravity of how close he had come to death. Larkin's intervention had saved him, but it also resulted in the fake chains that Lennix had placed on them breaking apart.

"I knew it. Those chains didn't feel as heavy as they should," Eirisse commented, her smile unchanging as she questioned her younger brother, "Little brother, why did you put them in fake chains?" Her demeanor was oddly serene, as if she regarded them as no threat whatsoever.

Concerned, Zee rushed over to Xain, her voice filled with worry. "Are you okay?" she asked. Xain, though shaken, managed to respond, his voice trembling slightly, "I'm...fine." His gaze remained fixed on Eirisse, who seemed to dismiss them as insignificant.

Ercale's voice echoed in Xain's mind with a tinge of frustration, *Damn it, she's smarter than she looks. We should split now.* Xain, having witnessed the devastating power of the artifact, agreed. He wasn't sure if he even wanted to engage in a fight anymore.

As that familiar void of emptiness returned, Ercale, taking the form of Xain's shadow, was separated from him. What remained was a nearly perfect replica, the sole disparity being the eye color. Ercale stood at Xain's side.

Eirisse, still composed and unperturbed, redirected her focus toward the shadow. "Ah, the shadow returns. I wonder if you'll handle things differently this time," she pondered, preparing to unleash the power of her artifact. However, before she could execute her attack, Lennix launched a swift kick at her head. His assault, however, was effortlessly intercepted by his elder sister, who effortlessly snatched his leg, all the while maintaining her calm smile.

Eirisse's playful scolding continued as she waggled a finger at Lennix, her tone dripping with teasing mockery. "Oh, naughty little brother," she purred, her voice holding an edge of seduction. "But don't fret, dear. Your elder sister will see to your correction in due time." With that mischievous proclamation, she flung Lennix with surprising strength into a nearby wall, where he crashed through with a cacophonous shatter, landing amidst a cluttered storage room.

A bolt of crackling lightning surged toward Eirisse, seemingly emanating from Ercale's direction, charged with raw, elemental force. However, Eirisse's artifact once more displayed its remarkable power. The eye at its center shifted into a deep black hue, promptly nullifying the lightning attack. A sly, confident grin curled upon Eirisse's lips, her intentions clear—she was poised to strike back.

Yet, her impending retaliation was abruptly halted by Clarissa, who entered the fray with precise timing. She hurled a knife straight at Eirisse's eye. Eirisse's preternatural reflexes allowed her to catch the blade effortlessly.

"Bad little maid, you have to be punished," Eirisse declared with an unsettling blend of sensuality and menace, her gaze locked firmly on Clarissa. The vampire mayor's threats held no sway over the emotionless maid. With a casual yet deliberate motion, Eirisse aimed the artifact squarely at Clarissa, setting the ominous eye aglow with a menacing shade of blue.

Ercale, anticipating the imminent threat, prepared to unleash a different form of lightning-based magic, ready to counter Eirisse's power. However, Eirisse had a different plan in mind.

In the blink of an eye, she propelled herself toward Clarissa with astonishing speed, moving faster than sound itself. Clarissa's composed demeanor faltered as she struggled to react in time, attempting to block the oncoming assault.

Eirisse's strike landed with brutal precision, a powerful back kick that sent Clarissa hurtling through the air, crashing into a wall with bone-rattling force. The impact was strong enough to elicit a painful cough, as she regurgitated a spatter of blood.

Eirisse, her smile intact, taunted her fallen adversary. "I'm not a one-trick pony, you know?" she remarked, her tone laced with arrogance and superiority as she turned her attention back to the remaining combatants.

Ercale acted swiftly, conjuring twin streams of continuous lightning that crackled with raw energy. Lightning danced and crackled as it surged toward her, aiming to engulf her in its electric embrace. Eirisse, displaying remarkable agility, evaded their deadly dance, her movements a blur that left the others in awe. Only Ercale could keep up, relentlessly pursuing her with torrents of destructive energy. The room bore the scars of their battle, scorched and singed by the relentless onslaught.

But Eirisse had more tricks up her sleeve. She maneuvered behind Larkin in a heartbeat, her agility unmatched. Larkin, recognizing her intentions, muttered a curse, "Shit," and channeled his mana, reinforcing his body. He attempted to counter with an elbow strike, but Eirisse effortlessly halted his attack, using just two of her fingers to stop him in his tracks.

With a taunting tone, she ridiculed him, "Do you really think that will work?" Her sinister intent became evident as she attempted to gouge out Larkin's eyes with her fingers. However, before she could execute her gruesome act, Zee intervened with rapid precision. Her dagger sliced through the air, severing Eirisse's fingers and preventing further harm to Larkin.

Zee launched another attack, her daggers aimed at the vampire's throat. Yet, Eirisse effortlessly leaped away, keeping a calculated distance between herself and Ercale. Casually, she inspected her injured fingers, blood flowing from the maimed stumps, and nonchalantly shrugged.

"Tada! I'm a vampire, sweetie. Obviously, that wouldn't have worked," Eirisse quipped, her severed fingers slowly regenerating, the wounds healing without a trace. She then proposed, "How about all of you attack me at once? Unlike my dear little brother, I'm not particularly fond of extended battles. Let's bring this to a swift conclusion, shall we?"

With determined nods and shared glances, Zee, Larkin, and Ercale prepared to engage. Zee deftly wielded both her daggers, poised for rapid strikes. Larkin channeled his mana, empowering his entire body with strength. Ercale's form crackled with contained lightning, ready to be unleashed.

Eirisse, her anticipation evident in her smirk, goaded them on. "That's the spirit," she encouraged, bracing herself for the impending clash.