"Can we believe the nonsense that Damian guy was spouting?" One of Elizabeth’s aides asked in a worried tone as he and his comrades escorted Elizabeth out of Damian’s castle.
Elizabeth didn’t immediately respond as she pondered what Damian had said.
Everything from the Dark Lord to the threat they posed was not something she wanted to take lightly no matter how much it sounded like a bunch of nonsense.
It was for one simple reason alone...The Great families also believed in the prophecy.
The prophecy in question was shared by the Ruler Spirit, Witch of Fables.
According to what Elizabeth knew, it was barely weeks after the Night Creatures were defeated and forced to hide out in the Eastern Highlands.
The defeated Monarchs summoned a Spirit to help their charge but unfortunately, their summon decided not to fight and instead left behind a prophecy that resonated across the entire continent.
A being that commanded the night capable of conquering all would appear and he would lead the Creatures of the Night to the pinnacle.
Even though Elizabeth had a feeling Damian was leading her on, on the off chance that the Dark Lord had risen, she couldn’t push it aside.
She wasn’t present during the Dark Ages but the stories told about that point in history... it was too terrifying to allow it to happen again.
So for the safety of mankind, Elizabeth chose to let Damian off with a warning while she checked out the situation regarding the Dark Lord.
If it was truly as Damian said, then it would do her right to nip the danger in the bud, and if not... she could always return for another meeting.
"You seemed out of it."
Elizabeth shook her head while gathering her thoughts. "I was just thinking about something."
"Alright. Should we call for the carriages?"
"Isn’t it obvious?" Elizabeth asked with a slight tilt of her head. "Back to the station, we need to make preparations."
"What do you think, Horace?... Will they take the bait?" Damian asked with a complicated expression as he stood close to a window in his bedroom, looking down at the sight below.
As he watched Elizabeth leave with her cronies, he couldn’t help but feel the urge to strike her down but of course, that was all wishful thinking.
Clicking his tongue, he turned to Horace only to discover that the latter was lost in thought.
Snapping his fingers to draw the latter’s attention, he asked. "Something on your mind you’d like to share with me?"
"Uhmm, that...." Horace stuttered, unsure of how to respond.
He was still reeling from Damian’s madness.
It was once known as genius but right now, Horace saw it as nothing more than madness.
No matter how much Damian craved power, was it smart to doom their entire race in turn?
The Dark Lord was their ticket to the top again but for some reason, Damian decided to turn the Liaison’s attention toward him.
If no one else knew, the Dukes were well aware of what would happen should the Great Families come after the Dark Lord.
Taking the time to collect his thoughts, Horace met Damian’s questioning gaze as he inquired. "Was it right, sire?... The Dark Lord..."
"What?... Are you part of those that believe the Dark Lord is our golden ticket to glory?... Are you?"
"It was a prophecy, Sire."
"I’d rather believe it to be the cowardice of a Spirit that chose to leave behind tasteless words instead of fighting for us. As for me, I will grab my future with my own hands and not with the help of some bastard parading as the master of our kin!"
"Enough, Horace!" Damian bellowed. "Do not think I do not know of your machinations against me!... I will not hesitate to end you if you make me explain myself again."
".... Understood, Sire." Horace could only bow his head in defeat, while hoping in his heart that whatever happens... if it is truly the Dark Lord, then let them escape before it’s too late.
Damian took a deep breath as he turned away to look down from the window only to discover Elizabeth entering a private coach.
Just as she was about to close the door, she seemed to notice his gaze as she looked in his direction.
Damian quickly pulled away, closing the curtains as he did so.
Gulping nervously, he turned to Horace. "We can’t leave everything in the hands of the Liaison."
"What do you wish for me to do, Sire?"
"It’s simple. We’ll summon the Silver Knights."
Horace raised his head in alarm as he remarked. "Sire!"
"Horace!" Damian unleashed his authority in a heartbeat, crushing Horace before he had a chance to escape. "Do not make me repeat myself."
"... Yes," Horace replied hoarsely before adding. "Sire."
"Hello, everyone, I’m sure you all are wondering why you are gathered here today." A middle-aged Vampire with a head full of white hair and a rather robust figure, spoke into a voice amplifier while floating in the air, calmly addressing a hall currently filled with young-looking Vampires.
"Scratch that, you all know why we are here today." The vampire jocularly remarked before adding. "Am I right?"
"Yes." Came the dull replies.
Fully expecting such a response, the Vampire chuckled lightly before he continued. "As we are a few days away from the new month, the board had a meeting and decided to go on break to celebrate."
One need only check the expressions of those that responded to figure out how they felt about the announcement.
It was understandable though.
Compared to a time when they could move on the surface as they liked, the Creatures of the Night were forced to remain underground for fear of drawing the ire of the Department of Special Relations.
The man stayed silent as he scrutinized everyone present.
He seemed to relate with what the students were feeling which was why he was even more excited about the news he was about to share with them.
"As you all know, a new month in Krobridge only means one thing and what’s that..."
"... Well, you would if I told you all that from today till after the festival and maybe even after, this hall will no longer be used as we all will be allowed to study on the surface once again!"
Silence reigned in the hall as the mouths of a few students dropped in shock.
After almost a full minute passed, a feminine voice rang out. "What!"