gh she pressed her hands firmly over her ears, burying her head in her legs, and repeated prayers to the goddess incessantly.If she hadn't already prepared herself mentally to deal with the great poet...Chapter 151: Ranch Welcomes You

Several hours later. [I hope the reader remembers our domain name at this point.]

The Ho-ning Empire flowed along the riverbank, on top of a mountain cliff.

With flickering lanterns and a veil of mist, the moon was often hidden behind clouds, casting an eerie glow upon Liechtenstein Castle in the dark night.

It is approaching midnight.

A figure streaked across the night sky, whipping up a fierce wind pressure and howling through the jungle air, accompanied by falling leaves and a biting chill.

That figure's flight speed was incredibly swift, the stars in the night sky seemed to transform into streaks of light under his gaze.

He lowered his eyelids slightly, the cliff face, bridge and castle rapidly drawing closer in his vision.

He gradually slowed down, as if he were approaching his destination.

Under the moonlight, this figure in mid-air became increasingly clear. With his handsome features and sculpted physique, nearly perfect lines depicted the best combination of elegance and power. Even among blood races, he would undoubtedly be an extremely skilled combatant.

Those eyes, glowing like rubies, pierced through everything with the icy grip of chains.

"My esteemed kin, have they perished here as well"

Count Palocas's voice was like a whisper from the abyss, filled with an undeniable majesty.

He swooped, flying over the precipice. The moment he did, he could clearly see Lichtenstein Castle, revealed after the clouds parted.

The murderer had no way to escape this cliff, there were no signs of life in the woods, and at this moment, the castle lights were still on. It seemed that these guys were hiding in the castle.

And this castle was very solid, and on top of that, there was a protective barrier that even Palokas felt was powerful. If you attacked with long-range magic, it probably wouldn't break the defenses, and might even scare the people inside.

In an instant, Count Palocas's body fell like a meteorite, landing in the distant land outside the castle.

Moonlight bathed his black suit, giving him a thin silvery cloak that made him appear more noble and mysterious in the night.

"…"

Count Palocas gazed upon the castle from afar, his countenance unusually stern.

The ground floor of the castle was still lit, and through the curtains that glowed with a faint yellow hue, one could even see a few figures flickering in and out.

They were enjoying themselves immensely, like guests at a grand feast, oblivious to the consequences of their actions and unconcerned about the potential wrath of the noble vampire count.

But soon, a glimmer of understanding flashed in Palocas' eyes.

"It's just a few tricks."

Count Palocas let out a soft, mocking chuckle, his voice laced with sarcasm and coldness, echoing unnaturally clear in the stillness of the night.

The answer is simple. This bunch of clever fools set a trap inside the castle, pretending to be relaxed and easygoing to make him let his guard down. Once he walked in, they would all jump out and fight him tooth and nail.

Humans, these weak and insignificant creatures, occasionally have a few who, with foolish minds, attempt to defy the blood race.

The ending will always point in one direction: dreams shattered, people dead.

But Palokas very much enjoyed the humans who were willing to rebel against him.

The more he crushes them, the more he experiences some timeless pleasures.

This is the difference between the dominant race and the worm-like races.

The earl walked slowly into the night, his reflection gradually lengthening.

His ability [Blood Frenzy] can cause his attributes to temporarily double and grant him a significant amount of control reduction mitigation.

This is also the capital he has always been fearless and proud of.

The powerful demons and werewolves that died at his hands numbered countless. Human beings, piled into mountains of corpses, were also beyond counting.

If the enemy is not completely superior in strength, he will be crushed like an insect.

Any wisdom, strategy, or strange control magic is meaningless!

Count Palocas soon arrived at the main gate of the castle's foundation level. He raised his hand and pushed open the castle gates without hesitation.

He was very interested in playing with this group of wriggling worms, the harder the worm, the crispier it would be to step on.

The doors swung open with a deafening boom, flooding the room with brilliant light and warmth. Count Palokas strode inside, his terrifying magical aura and oppressive presence causing the entire castle to tremble.

Where are the poor things hiding

The grand door slowly shut behind the Count, separating him from the biting wind and the stillness of the night.

He stood in the grand hall of the castle's chapel, his deep eyes slowly sweeping across the space, ready to greet the throng of weak and foolish humans as they stumbled towards him in terror.

But.

But the sight that followed made Count Pallock stop in his tracks.

His original confident and playful gaze now seemed slightly lost.

Everything was different from what he had imagined.

Count Palokas' gaze was drawn to the celestial brilliance above. The crystal chandelier, inlaid with golden floral patterns, shimmered like a thousand stars, casting a warm glow over every corner of the hall. The spectacle illuminated the dark stone carvings on the walls and left streaks of brilliant light on the polished white floor.

At the most prominent position in the hall, a grand and spacious long table occupied its space. Silver candlesticks glimmered in the firelight, casting dancing shadows across the air. On either side of the table, high-backed chairs meticulously carved from dark oak stood in neat rows.

In such a lavish banquet hall, brimming with symbols of power and status, numerous men and women were gathered around a central long table, sharing dinner. They raised their glasses to each other, laughter and conversation echoing through the hall.

The scene before the Earl was one of extravagance and opulence, causing him to recall nights of glittering splendor and boisterous merriment.

But the atmosphere at this banquet carried a strange sense of harmony, as if it were a feast for the most pompous and enduring villains in world history!

With the arrival of Count Palocas, their laughter gradually subsided, and they all turned their attention to Count Palocas.

Paloakas: ""

Could it be that these people...

Is a party really being held

……

At the stroke of midnight, etherea academy's Jeera Memorial Square was bathed in a soft white glow.

The hour hand on the clock tower is almost pointing to twelve.

However, at this very moment, the square became unusually agitated again.

Compared to the excitement and anticipation this afternoon, even though many students have gathered again in front of the open-air screen, the atmosphere is unusually heavy and somber.

Since Frey had defeated the Ruinous Maiden at dusk, Ranche only informed the clergy and three people from the Guild that he would be hosting a Count in the evening. Afterward, he shut down the 【World Shadow Recording Program】.

It wasn't until eleven o'clock that Lanche opened the live stream again.

Students who understand that the end is near, even knowing this is a dead end, some can't help but stay up late again and come to the square to watch.

And so they saw that nine people had really begun the dinner party.

Welcome!

"What did Lance mean by that"

"Didn't you even try at all"

Many students asked dumbly.

Actually, until Count Palocas arrived in person, people still believed that Rance would take action next and make key preparations.

If this group of challengers could endure the full five days of shadow world rampage in this cage-like desperate situation and come back alive, this shadow world would be considered a miracle.

The only hope now is to survive the night. Tomorrow, before nightfall, everyone works together to cut down trees and build a bridge. On the second night, we continue our escape from the pursuers by dispersing. Then, everyone will play a three-day and three-night game of cat and mouse with the vampire count within the Ho Ning Empire.

This is a glimmer of hope that comes from them being super ahead in catching the traitor and everyone surviving.

If there are still threats from traitors, they wouldn't even be able to repair the bridge or work together to flee the Honing Empire!

No matter what, everything boils down to getting through tonight.

And then there are four more days of nightmares.

Perhaps losing to the vampire count tonight would also be a kind of relief.

The result was—Lan Qi had long since lost the will to fight. He held a final banquet, calmly awaiting death.

On the road at the edge of the square.

Mordecai Gassiges looked serenely at the giant screen outdoors. Finally, as if he couldn't help himself, he let out a sneer.

As a viscount's son, he originally had a good opportunity to possess Huberlian, but Lanci intervened and even threatened him with the law.

He still remembers how Ranch had ridiculed him with the words "you admitted it yourself," leaving him utterly embarrassed.

He was unlike most students, feeling incredibly joyful at this moment!

"What a pity… finally at his wits' end, huh"

Mordan hummed softly, it's good that Lance is dead. It would be even better if Hubert-Lian and that wretched starseed went with him.

Overconfidence will inevitably lead to destruction.

Facing a blood clan earl, such a creature that completely overwhelms humanity in terms of race and is an irresistible natural disaster, all clever tricks seem as ridiculous as horns.

Next, a pitiful wretch will be terrified and sobbing, brutally ravaged until his face is disfigured, finally ending in a gruesome, gut-wrenching death!

Mordan can already imagine the future scene.

All he has now is curiosity —

How long can Lan Qi still hold on in front of the blood clan count!

However.

On the vast outdoor screen.

At the head of the long table, Lance sat in the master seat, gently swaying a highball glass filled with pale rose-colored liquid. A hint of fragrance, an intoxicating blend of wine's unique aroma - perhaps a fusion of spice, fruit, and clarity - seemed to rise and permeate the very air.

He never put the drink in his mouth.

Even though Count Palocas had arrived, Lance's expression remained unchanged.

He was like someone who had read through the prosperity and experienced the vicissitudes of life, his heart languid and weary, leaning against the back of a chair.

She glanced sideways at Count Palocas,

"Xiaopu, you're here!"

(The End)ne from the Southern Continent.That was as if a piercing gaze could be transmitted from the Otherworld, so sharp that it made the Annihilation Saint want to reduce her opponent to ashes.It is a stone'...