''Kneel?''


    ''Did a mere crow make me bow down?''


    As anger rose within her Elizabeth''s form distorted as she slowly got up, and looked at the unexpected visitors.


    "Who are you?" Elizabeth''s voice resonated with an unprecedented seriousness, a tone that betrayed the weight of her apprehension. Never before in her cursed existence had she encountered something so sinister, so palpably dark, existing within this world. It surpassed even the darkest depths of the god of darkness and death.


    In a mere fraction of a moment, Elizabeth had peered into the crow''s essence, and what she saw shook her to her core.


    It was an abyss of darkness, unfathomable and consuming, a force that seemed to defy the veryws of existence.


    And as she gazed into that abyss, it gazed back at her, sending a chill down her spine.


    With resolve forged from the depths of her being, Elizabeth unleashed the hidden power within her, reverting to her original form—the form she had possessed since the dawn of her existence as the progenitor of vampires.


    No longer bound by the constraints of her mortal facade, her body transformed into a grotesque manifestation of blood and flesh, her arms elongating into deadly des.


    Her essence enveloped the chamber, a swirling maelstrom of blood and darkness that threatened to consume all who dared to stand in her way.


    In this moment, Elizabeth embraced the true nature of her being—the embodiment of the first sin.


    Yet, all it elicited from the crow was a gentleughter, a sound that seemed to echo ominously in the chamber.


    With a graceful p of its wings, the crow conjured a swirling vortex of feathers, from which emerged a woman—a being with the head of a crow.


    "You''re quite adorable for a progenitor, but I do admire your courage to threaten me with those fangs of yours," the woman with the crow''s head remarked, a smirk ying on her lips as she gently flicked Elizabeth''s forehead, causing her to revert back to her humanoid form.


    The sudden transformation left Elizabeth bewildered, her thoughts muddled as confusion clouded her mind. Before she could fullyprehend the situation, she attempted to revert back to her true form, only to find herself powerless, her body bound from within by an unseen force. It was as if her very soul was being ensnared by ck chains, trapping her essence within.


    "What...?" Elizabeth stammered, her voiceced with disbelief and a hint of fear, to forcibly revert her back to her human form despite her soul changing to its original state this was something that border lined impossible s only the primordial gods of life and death had such an authority but this woman in front of her did it with just a flick of a finger.


    "Don''t get too feisty now, progenitor," the crow-like woman spoke, her tone deceptively gentle yet carrying an unmistakable undertone of threat. "Although you are adorable, I''m not one to dismiss arrogance. So, calm down, okay? Unless you want to face permanent consequences?"


    Despite the seemingly benign nature of her words, the woman''s threat hung heavily in the air, underscored by the palpable aura of power that emanated from her. In that moment, Elizabeth realized that she was facing a force far beyond herprehension—a being not to be trifled with, one whose power could spell her doom with but a flick of her wrist.


    For the first time in her wretched existence Elizabeth truly felt powerless.


    "You... what do you want?" Elizabeth''s voice held a mix of curiosity and apprehension, her gaze fixed on the enigmatic woman before her.


    "Oh my, are you ready to talk now? I suppose you understand your position now, don''t you?" the woman chuckled softly, herughter echoing through the chamber as she dispelled the oppressive aura that had enveloped them moments before.


    "You should''ve done this from the start, you know, little vampire. Why did you have to make things moreplicated?"


    Elizabeth felt the urge to protest, to assert her authority as the progenitor of vampires, but she remained silent, recognizing the futility of challenging the being before her. She swallowed her words, realizing that now was not the time for defiance.


    "Are all the vampires here elder vampires, perhaps?" the woman inquired, her curiosity piqued by the abundance of highly powerful vampires gathered in the room.


    Though still wary, Elizabeth nodded in affirmation. "Yes, but somee from newborn families, so they may not have reached the title of elder yet."


    "I see... Then it''s more than enough," the woman muttered, her attention shifting momentarily before focusing back on Elizabeth with an intensity that sent a shiver down the queen''s spine.


    "Elizabeth Vespera Bloodraven, do you seek vengeance?" The crow-like woman''s question pierced through the air, hanging heavily with implication.


    "Wha nonsense are y—"


    "Gedril, the god of death... don''t you want vengeance against him?"Before Elizabeth could formte a response, the woman continued, her voice cutting through any protest.


    Elizabeth''s initial reaction was one of confusion, her mind reeling at the unexpected turn of conversation. But as the implications sank in, a surge of emotions washed over her—anger, bitterness, and a deep-seated desire for retribution.


    Though the woman before her had a beak for a mouth, Elizabeth couldn''t shake the feeling that she was smirking, as if she knew the answer before it was spoken.


    Despite her annoyance at the woman''s demeanor, the notion of seeking vengeance against the ursed being who had condemned her to this cursed existence stirred something within Elizabeth—a fierce determination to reim what was taken from her.


    "Tell me more…."


    ….


    Afterpleting my practice session of controlling my strength on Emilia, I rose to my feet, observing her crumpled and tattered form with a pang of satisfaction.


    I had indeed be too strong. A mere grip from me was enough to contort her limbs, and even a gentle touch seemed to emit a toxic effect on her skin.


    The thought of inadvertently harming a loved one in a moment of excitement weighed heavily on my conscience.


    "Are you done, Ian?" Sis inquired from beside me, her attention seemingly fixed on something within the magic crystal she held.


    "Yes," I confirmed, although I still struggled slightly to fully control my strength.


    Despite this, I had gained a better understanding of the force required to handle delicate bodies.


    Closing and flexing my hand, I could feel the power coursing through it with just a fraction of exertion.


    "Anyway, Sis, what are you watching?" I asked, curious about her focus.


    "Oh..." she replied, gesturing toward the transparent screen before us. "It''s the ongoing war happening within Duke Tellus''s borders. The demons have already initiated their attack there."


    ''Tellus... Ah, that''s right, that was part of my name'' I mused to myself, my thoughts drifting as I pondered the implications.


    The demons had already prated that far into the empire, considering Duke Tellus''s territoryy fairly close towards the royal capital.


    Reflecting on recent events, I realized I hadn''t sought out Aunt and sis to get a detailed overview of the current state of affairs in the world.


    While Loki and Aunt had provided a summary of what had urred during my absence, they hadn''t delved into the specifics of the overall situation.


    "Are you worried about Lilliana, Adrian?" sis inquired, her gaze fixed on me as we observed the ongoing battle disyed on the screen.


    There was the duke,manding his army, with my sister Lilliana casting sixth-circle magic from the rear.


    Even with just a bird''s eye view of the conflict, it was apparent they would likely emerge victorious from this engagement. However, the prospect of subsequent waves of attacks cast a shadow of uncertainty over their triumph.


    "No, not really," I responded, though my words rang hollow even to my own ears. While my feelings towards Lilliana had never truly blossomed into love, I couldn''t simply stand idly by and watch her perish.


    This sentiment echoed the sentiments of the original Adrian, whose emotions mirrored my own.


    "Make sure no harm goes to her, sis," I requested, my tone betraying the urgency of my concern. Sis seemed to catch on to my unspoken worry, chuckling lightly before assuring me with a nod.


    "I know... don''t worry. All the demons deployed there practically know what she looks like, so no harm wille to her. She might sustain a few scratches in battle, though," sis reassured me, her words offering some sce in the midst of my apprehension.


    "That''s more than enough," I replied, my voiceden with relief.


    Straightening my posture, I propelled myself upwards, attempting to leap into action.


    "Are you just going to leave her there, Ian?" sis queried, her gaze shifting to the pitiful figure of Emilia lying half-dead on the ground. Emilia appeared so battered and despondent, as if she had resigned herself to the suffering inflicted upon her.


    "Yes," I affirmed, my resolve firm despite the pang of guilt tugging at my conscience.


    "You''re not going to eat her?" sis pressed further, her curiosity evident.


    "No... I''ve lost my appetite," I admitted, suppressing the primal urge that stirred within me. Indulging in consuming souls was tempting, but I recognized the dangers of sumbing to such desires.


    "I see. Can I have her, then?" sis inquired casually, her demeanor unfazed by the gruesome prospect.


    "Do as you wish," I acquiesced, resigned to her request. "Oh, and sis, could you please open a portal?"


    Sis didn''t hesitate, immediately conjuring a dark portal before me, anticipating my needs without requiring further exnation.


    I couldn''t help but acknowledge her intuitive understanding of my intentions.


    "Thanks, sis"


    Her doll-like body simply nodded, a gesture of farewell as she waved goodbye. Stepping into the portal invoked a sense of nostalgia, an inexplicable feeling that washed over me as I traversed through the familiar darkness of sis''s domain.


    The sensation of being enveloped by her darkness was always strangely refreshing, but now, it seemed to possess an even greater intensity. Perhaps this was the culmination of countless days, perhaps even years, spent battling my inner demons within the confines of my void.


    Emerging from the other side of the portal, I was greeted by the faces I had longed to see. Aria, Louse, Ana—theyy before me, sleeping peacefully upon pristine white beds.


    Despite the chaos reigning outside, they appeared untouched by the turmoil, resting undisturbed.


    If only Elena was here, this scene would be perfect. The thought of the elf and angel who had kidnapped Elena fueled a burning anger within me.


    They would surely meet their end at my hands.


    ''I wonder how good their souls will taste like''