As Mavis recounted the harrowing events that led to her escape, Christine, Siena, and even Tristan listened with disbelief etched across their faces.


    "A demon let you escape?" Siena''s voice carried a tone of incredulity as she stared at Mavis, as if struggling toprehend the absurdity of the situation. Demons were renowned for their cruelty and malice, making it unfathomable that one would willingly aid in someone''s escape, especially someone as significant as Mavis.


    "Yes, as hard to believe as it is, the one who let me escape from that torturous ce was a demon," Mavis confirmed, her voice tinged with a mixture of gratitude and confusion. Even she couldn''t fullyprehend why the demon had chosen to help her, nor the motivations behind their actions. It only served to add moreyers ofplexity to her already dire circumstances.


    "Your Majesty, you mentioned being familiar with the queen of the demoness who aided in your escape... You didn''t mishear her name, did you?" Christine inquired, her expression filled with concern.


    "Unfortunately, no... Queen niel, that was what the demon surely said," Mavis affirmed, her voice heavy with sorrow at the memory.


    The revtion of Queen niel''s involvement only deepened the mystery surrounding her escape and added anotheryer ofplexity to their current predicament.


    Their were too many questions than answers.


    Siena already knew of Eleniel''s involvement with the demons already so she wasn''t that surprised.


    However knowing that she was alive was something she couldn''t fathom... she was sure that thing died back at the academy, the grip she had on her sword tightened as she looked at her disciple.


    If that monster makes a move she was prepared to abandon everyone here for Tristan''s sake.


    .....


    ''niel''


    The name resonated within Mavis''s mind, triggering a flood of memories of her friend and fellow queen, niel ris, the ruler of the forest elves.


    Princess Christine felt a sudden onset of unease as she processed the implications of what she had just heard. If Mavis''s ount was urate, then the situation was far more dire than she had ever imagined.


    There was only one individual in the entire world who bore the name mentioned: the queen of the elves in the great Kaksan Forest.


    The revtion that niel had sumbed to darkness and be a demon posed myriad challenges and raised countless questions. The knowledge of her transformation cast a shadow over everything they thought they knew about their world.


    ''Estelle Academy wasn''t the first tragedy…'' Christine mused, her thoughts racing as she connected the dots. "And the first invasion of the demons... it happened much sooner, right at the borders of our countries, within the great forest of Kaksan."


    Not that long ago, the Empire, the Holy Kingdom, and several other nations had conducted investigations into the anomalies within the Kaksan Forest. However, reports had suggested that nothing significant had urred.


    Now, with the revtion of niel''s fall, it became clear that the demons had seeded in concealing the forest''s downfall, hiding their dark influence beneath a veil of secrecy and deception.


    In a sudden surge of awareness, Christine''s draconic eyes activated instinctively, her senses sharpening as she perceived the looming threat drawing nearer.


    Her gaze pierced through the obstacles of ice and snow, scanning thendscape until it settled on two figures cloaked in darkness, leisurely making their way along the forbidden paths leading to their camps.


    Despite the presence of monsters and demonic entities scattered throughout the area, all seemed to instinctively avoid the two individuals. Their blood-red eyes, glowing beneath their dark cloaks, met Christine''s gaze with a sinister gleam, sending a shiver down her spine.


    As Christine observed them, a distinct scent filled the air, unmistakably identifying the approaching danger: vampires. But not just any vampires—these were of an exceptionally high level, their presence radiating an aura of power that sent a chill through Christine''s veins.


    ''Their aura alone indicates they are noble vampires…. But I''m not sure what rank''


    It was evident from the subtle emanations of mana that these two were formidable adversaries, likely ranking among the elite in terms of strength alone.


    Even Siena, who had been previously lost in thought, now opened her eyes with a more serious glint, recognizing the gravity of the situation unfolding before them.


    ''As expected of a sword master, she catches on quickly,'' Christine remarked, acknowledging Siena''s swiftprehension of the situation.


    While Siena possessed the skill to dispatch a vampire with rtive ease, high-ranking ones presented a far greater challenge.


    Not only were they nearly immortal, thanks to their unstoppable regenerative abilities, but they also held a special bond with their progenitor—a connection that would alert Elizabeth Vespera Bloodraven, the progenitor of vampires, upon their demise.


    Siena, the celestial de, harbored doubts about her ability to confront such a formidable foe, recognizing the immense power wielded by Elizabeth Vespera.


    After all, just like her Elizabeth was a transcended being… someone capable of shaking the whole world if she wanted to.


    There was a reason as to why the other transcended remained on their status quo…. As if aa fight happened the world would surely get destroyed beyond what mortal minds can think of.


    Christine wasted no time, rising to her feet and grasping Mavis''s hand firmly. With urgency in her voice, she dered, "Excuse me, Your Majesty, but we must leave immediately."


    Mavis, sensing the gravity of the situation, nodded in agreement and followed Christine without hesitation. There was no time for idle conversation or deliberation—escaping the encroaching threat of bloody mana took precedence above all else.


    "Are the troops ready?" Princess Christine''s voice cut through the air,manding attention.


    "Yes, Your Highness," came the swift response from her knights and mages.


    "Prepare the teleportation spell," Christine ordered without hesitation, urgencycing her words.


    Quickly, her knights and mages sprang into action, executing Christine''s orders with practiced efficiency.


    By the time they returned to the main camp, preparations for the teleportation were well underway, and the camp appeared deserted, save for the flurry of activity surrounding the spellcasting.


    M, one of the mages assigned for the escape n, greeted Siena with frustration evident in her tone. "Boss, why were you guys sote?"


    Siena, unfazed by M''s irritation, shed a smile. "Oh,e on, M. We were discussing something important, you know?"


    M''s frustration only intensified as she struggled to maintain the celestial magic forming on the ground.


    The grand teleportation spell they were preparing was no small feat—it required intricate calctions and precise navigation, skills that M had honed back at Estelle Academy.


    While there were numerous mages proficient in celestial magic at the camp, M''s expertise made her the primary celestial mage among them.


    However, M couldn''t help but feel as though she was being relied upon too heavily for their escape n, a sentiment that weighed heavily on her as they raced against the encroaching threat.


    "Come on, all of you, hurry up and gather!" M''s voice echoed with frustration as she urged the knights to rally, their frantic movements resembling a chaotic swarm of insects scurrying to cover every nook and cranny, erasing any trace of their presence.


    With each passing moment, the weight of their mission bore down on her shoulders, and M found herself struggling to keep up.


    One... two... six... and finally, twelve magic circles hovered in the air, casting an eerie glow against the darkening sky. The group huddled together upon the designated circle, bracing themselves for the impending magic that would transport them to safety.


    As the red lightning crackled along the ground, signaling themencement of the spell, tension hung thick in the air. Momentster, the swirling red magic circles morphed into a tranquil blue hue, reminiscent of twinkling stars against the night sky.


    "Everyone, close your eyes. It''s about to get bright—" M''s instructions were cut short by the unexpected sound of shattering ss, followed by the splintering of two of the magic circles above them.


    Fragments rained down upon the group, sending shockwaves of panic rippling through their ranks.


    In the distance, two short explosions erupted, mere meters away from their location, before culminating in a devastating blood bomb that engulfed the towering trees in a fiery inferno.


    The once serene atmosphere was shattered, reced by chaos and uncertainty.


    "Oh, my, what''s the hurry?" A sensuous voice echoed through the air, halting their movements.


    Before them stood a woman with long ck hair cascading down her back and luscious red eyes that seemed to pierce through their souls.


    Her sharp fangs gleamed in the dim light, giving her an air of predatory elegance.


    Despite the chill in the air, her cloak billowed around her, adding to her aura of mystery and allure.


    Beside her lurked another figure, their features obscured by the shadows of their hooded cloak. Yet, the palpable aura of bloodlust that emanated from them was unmistakable—a chilling reminder of their true nature.


    "Vampires..."


    The whispered realization spread among the group like wildfire, apanied by a shiver of fear.


    These creatures, feared and reviled throughout history, embodied the darkest depths of humanity''s sins.


    "Sasha... you''re drooling," muttered the vampire standing behind the ck-haired one.


    "Ah-ah, I''m sorry, that was quite rude of me. Please forget that," the ck-haired vampire apologized hastily, cheeks flushing with embarrassment as she scrambled to her feet, iling her hands in the air.


    "Who are you two?"


    Siena''s voice resonated through the tense atmosphere, her aura pulsing with restrained power.


    She knew she shouldn''t reveal her full strength here, but the presence of these vampires demanded a response.


    Herpanions shifted uneasily, aware of the potential consequences of Siena''s disy of power.


    The vampires, seemingly unfazed by the aura emanating from Siena, exchanged nces, their expressions unreadable beneath their hoods.


    "Try to guess~?" The response was teasing, almost yful.


    Click...!


    With a sharp sound, a blinding white sh enveloped the scene. In the blink of an eye, Siena''s sword was drawn and then returned to its scabbard, leaving Sasha''s body sliced and diced, though her regeneration prevented the pieces from falling apart entirely.