Damian had a grin on his face as he watched Horace bow his head.
It was truly a pathetic sight for a so-called Duke.
He was tempted to do a bit more to please the women that would warm his bed tonight but found himself unable to as a familiar voice reverberated through the air.
Damian had a slight frown on his face as he noticed that the others had heard it as well.
"What was that!?" Horace seemed shocked at the sudden voice as he raised his head, his vigilance at a peak.
Damian clicked his tongue as he broke free of the embrace of the female Vampires. "I have to head somewhere."
"My lord, that voice..." Horace was left confused and unsure of what to make of the current situation.
Damian nodded. "It’s my benefactor. He must be here to check on me."
"Your benefactor?" Horace remained unconvinced.
Damian waved his hand in annoyance. "Just leave it be. I’ll be back so... enjoy yourself for now."
Taking a step forward, he suddenly paused before adding. "Oh yes, I quite enjoy the chamberlains so I do not wish to see any scratches on them until I return so make sure to ensure their safety... Do you understand?"
Then without waiting for a response, Damian rushed out of the chambers, leaving Horace with the three female Vampires who were slightly tensed to be left alone with Horace.
They heard Damian’s words to Horace but that didn’t change the fact that Horace was a man that once caused them great fear.
It wouldn’t be easy to rid themselves of that fear anytime soon.
Horace noted their expressions before a sinister smile appeared at the corner of his lips.
"He may be protecting you now but know that when he gets tired of you like I did... I will be the one to suggest the best way to dispose of you whores."
Leaving his words to linger for a bit longer, Horace clicked his tongue before turning and leaving the chambers.
Meanwhile, Damian moved from the chambers to the attic of Horace’s manor which was on the top floor.
The roof was largely made of glass intertwined with metal designs, ensuring that one had a clear view of either the Lightbringer or the Nighteye depending on the time.
Of course, Damian barely had the time to be impressed by the sight as he made his way to the center of the attic.
’Couldn’t he have been more subtle?... Why must that bastard use any and every opportunity to demean me!... Damn it!’
Cursing inwardly, Damian soon arrived at the center where a red coach was placed with a clear view of the Lightbringer ahead.
Doing well to avoid the direct rays of the Lightbringer, Damian glanced at the man currently seated on the red couch with a crow mask on his face and his legs crossed.
Letting out a sigh to calm his agitated nerves, Damian remarked. "Crow my friend... what brings you here today?"
"It’s a beautiful sight, isn’t it?" Crow Mask said, ignoring Damian’s greetings.
Damian bit down on his lower lip as he replied. "... We Vampires don’t have the privilege to be able to stare at the Lightbringer without making sufficient preparations."
"Ah, I see. What a shame." Crow Mask said, slightly regretful before adding. "In any case, I must still praise the master of the house for such a beautiful attic."
"Horace has always had a thing for art." Damian truthfully replied.
"He has a good eye for aesthetics."
"I’ll let him know you complimented him, so how about..."
"Make sure to let him know."
Crow Mask nodded, satisfied by Damian’s response before he spoke up. "Anyway, that’s beside the point. I came here to warn you."
"Hmm?" Damian furrowed his brows at the peculiar wording. "Warn me?"
"Indeed. Due to dare I say providence or fate, a troublesome individual has found his way to Krobridge but he should leave soon if no one gets in his way so I want to make sure that under no circumstances should you engage with that man."
"... Are you being serious?" Damian couldn’t help but ask.
Crow Mask let out a sigh before replying softly. "Do I look like I’m joking?"
"This is the man you should look out for." Crow mask cut Damian off while tossing a parchment at him. "As I’ve said, do your best to avoid him until he leaves."
Damian instinctively reached out and caught the parchment.
Frowning deeply, he unfurled the parchment and glanced at the drawn image.
Jet black hair with black irises and a handsome face, the man in the picture was quite easy on the eyes but Damian had no good words to say about him as he read the name written below the image.
Crow Mask spoke up. "He may be using a different name here but ensure you keep to my advice. Absolutely nothing should prevent the Blood God awakening from taking place."
"Tell me something," Damian muttered as he closed up the parchment to meet Crow Mask’s gaze. "Why should I avoid this man?... Are you indirectly saying that he is stronger than I am?... Stronger than you are, perhaps?"
Crow Mask remained silent for a moment before he suddenly disappeared and appeared behind Damian.
Before Damian could react, he found himself looking at the ceiling with his gaze on the glass ceiling while a sharp pain tore through his spine.
"You ask too many questions, Damian boy." Crow Mask said, a threatening undertone in his otherwise gentle voice. "I will not tell you again... either avoid that man or else, whatever happens, I will not hesitate to take away everything I’ve given you and return you to the weakling you once were."
Taking a brief pause, he added. "Do you understand?"
".... Yes," Damian replied amidst gritted teeth.
Crow Mask nodded in satisfaction before slowly rising to his feet and making his way toward the door.
Having taken only a few steps forward, he paused as he remarked. "Also, the man in that image is no simple man. He may not be as strong as me but he is strong enough to destroy the meager powers you think you have."
With that said, Crow Mask blended into the darkness before quietly fading away, leaving Damian still laying on his back, his face bloodied and his emotions in an upheaval.
A full minute passed before... "Ah!!!"
A shout, one filled with anger and frustration, tore through the entirety of Horace’s estate.