Just like that, Ian left the city. It took three days for him to arrive to the capital of the Blood Realm, Blood City. It could be said that the Blood City is the center of the Blood Realm. The strongest clans were all within. There is no King or Royalty in the vampire race. Instead, there was a ruling body known as the Blood Council. Everyone in the Blood Council had terrifying strength with the lower ones as Elders and the strongest ones who had lived 10,000 of years... The Grand Elders, the true powers behind the Vampire Council.
As one knows, to become a Higher Vampire, one needs to live 400 years, or in the usual method, devour blood of those stronger creatures than oneself. For elders, a thousand year. Elders in the vampire council could crush a squad of higher vampires with ease. Every one of them are powerful and had experienced the cruelty of battlefield, undergone the baptism of blood.
After all, how is it to live for a thousand year without experience hundreds of battles? Well, that was high-unlikely but it is possible. Most newborns of the strongest clan chose to slumber for 500 years and faced the world with the strength of a higher vampire.
In the vampire council, there are twelve elders that gives commands to the army and various powers within the Blood City. They are responsible for managing everything in the stead of Grand Elders who are sleeping underground. The Grand Elders priority is to accumulate strength and preservation after all.
"They're strong..." Ian looked at the guards in the gate.
The two guards wore standard helmets for knight with breastplate and silver armor. The armor had the insignia of crimson dagger in the center which represents one of the strongest clans, Nanayu Clan. They're vampires that follows the old-fashion tradition of the glory of knights. The reason? Well, they're family of knights in the human world before their founder was turned into vampire.
To become one of the strongest clans, it was a requirement to have at least three elders and not all elders in the Blood Realm can have a seat in the vampire council. Among the ranks of elders, the strength also varies. There are only twelves seats, that proves that the twelves elders are the strongest. The elders that are dissatisfied could challenge the elders in position anytime but that means death if they failed to win. If the win though, they could replace the elder in position and successfully become an Elder in the council.
"Purpose?" The two guards looked at Ian's clothing. "You're from the Scout Platoon?"
"Yes, I am here to report to the council."
Ian looked at the black swords sheathed on the trousers of the two knights. He couldn't help but become envious. The swords had the cross-mark in their hilt, they're known in the Curtained Imperium as curse swords, and there are only 20 of them.
'These two knights must be trusted by the Council to be able to possessed curse swords... Well, I don't need curse swords anyway. As long as I let my system analyze their materials, I can make my kagune and claws had the same properties as curse swords.'
Just like that, Ian had another goal added on the list of his goals. And that is to transform his Kagune and Claws to the same level as the materials of curse swords!
How strong are curse swords? Even an ordinary true vampires wielding a curse sword can defeat a higher vampire, and inflict a fatal wound on a "weak" elder if "given" a chance.
One of the guards assessed Ian for a while. He just stared blankly at Ian for a few second before saying. "I see... Well, the commander of the scout platoon is currently on a vacation. You should just have reported this to your team leader and he would relay it to our messenger."
"My team leader is dead." With clenched fist, Ian answered.
Hearing this, the two knights turned their eyes at Ian simultaneously. Although Ian couldn't see their face. He could feel that they were now serious. "What team are you?"
Ian opened his mouth. "Seven."
The two knights questioned after another with neutral tone. However, Ian could feel their anger. This made Ian think.
'Perhaps, they're close with Captain?'
"Go in... This matter must be reported to the vampire council. I'll inform one of subordinates and he will take you to them." Said the knight guard on the left.
Ian nodded. 'As expected. These guys aren't normal guards. They even had subordinates... I wonder how strong are they? Maybe higher vampire rank? Plus their curse swords... Must be formidable."
Just like that, the guard tapped the gate two times and murmured some words that Ian couldn't comprehend. In just a few moments, a man with wooden mask that has scaly fish design appeared in the gate like a puff of smoke.
Ian could only see the red eyes behind the mask, proving that the masked man was a vampire like them. He wore tightly-fitted red vest with black shirt underneath. There were various kunai and senbon strapped on the red vest which made Ian suspicious about the man's vampire identity.
"This is Ninja 1, one of our subordinates. Do not ask too much question or probe about anything. You just do your business." The knight guard on the left reminded with a casual tone. "Actually, Barseagle, is someone we admire. We had been with him in the last war, although only for a short time. He's death is unexpected to us."
"Indeed..." The knight guard on the Ian's right sighed wistfully. Although Ian couldn't see his face. He could feel his mood become melancholy.
"Captain died for us, for his team." Ian smiled.
Then, he looked at Ninja 1 who nodded at him. Ninja 1 pushed the door open and signaled Ian to follow him. Ian bowed towards the two knight guards that he suspect to be higher vampires and then followed Ninja 1.
As Ian left, the two knight guards looked at each other.
"We lost another legend."
"Barseagle can even escape against the likes of us with his golden light intangible state. How could he die? Did he encounter a werewolf equivalent to an elder? But the werewolf race won't send such powerful figure for no reason..."
"Well, let's hear it after that guy finished his report. The vampire council had given us authority and leverage over the army. We shall not let council elders down."