327. Misplaced Confidence

Defeated [Asmodai Incubus - Level 125]!

Less experience is awarded for defeating an enemy with the help of others!

Defeated [Sanguine Succubus of Lamael - Level 125]!

Less experience is awarded for defeating an enemy with the help of others!

Subspecies [Daeva Cambion] Level Up!

[Daeva Cambion – Lvl. 130] -> [Daeva Cambion – Lvl. 131]

Gained 5 Stat Points and 3 Skill Points!

Class [Grand Mystic of the Nexeus] Level Up!

[Grand Mystic of the Nexeus - Lvl. 94] -> [Grand Mystic of the Nexeus - Lvl. 95]

Gained 2 Secondary Skill Points!

Salvos (Secely’s Sentinel) (The Devil’s Daughter)

Species: [Archdemon of Pride]

Subspecies: [Daeva Cambion] - Lvl. 131

Class: [Grand Mystic of the Nexeus] - Lvl. 95

General Skills:

[Advanced Mana Manipulation] - Lvl. 8

[Identification] - Lvl. 6

[Racial Skill: Universal Language Comprehension] - Lvl. 2

[Rest] - Lvl. 5

[Lesser Enhanced Wisdom] - Lvl. 7

[Title Skill: General Status Effect Resistance] - Lvl. 1

[Ttle Skill: Invoke Wrath] - Lvl. 1

[Title Skill: Protection of the Sentinel] - Lvl. 1

[Title Skill: The Devil’s Grace] - Lvl. 1 (Maxed)

[Racial Skill: Divine Essence of the Daeva Cambion] - Lvl. 1 (Maxed)

Stats:

[Available Stat Points: 0]

[Vitality]: 150 (+30) (+10)

[Strength]: 140 (+30) (+10)

[Endurance]: 150 (+30) (+10) (+3)

[Wisdom]: 265 (+30) (+10) (+13)

[Agility]: 320 (+30) (+10) (+5)

Skills:

[Available Skill Points: 4]

[Barrage of Cinders] - Lvl. 20 (Maxed)

[Demon’s Mark] - Lvl. 20 (Maxed)

[Haste] - Lvl. 20 (Maxed)

[Intimidation] - Lvl. 10 (Maxed)

[Faux Limbs] - Lvl. 10

[Nebular Construct] - Lvl. 10

[Radiant Slash] - Lvl. 15 (Maxed)

[Salvo of Vanity] - Lvl. 15

[The Primordial Spark] - Lvl. 20 (Maxed)

[Wings of the Netherworld] - Lvl. 10 (Maxed)

[Passive - A Hunter’s Sense] - Lvl. 10 (Maxed)

[Passive - Blue Flames] - Lvl. 20 (Maxed)

[Passive - Weapon Mastery] - Lvl. 20 (Maxed)

[My Flame Shall Burn Until Eternity Ends] - Lvl. 1 (Maxed)

Secondary Skills:

[Available Secondary Skill Points: 7]

[Dimensional Pocket] - Lvl 10 (Maxed)

[Mass Particulate Modification] - Lvl 10 (Maxed)

[Mystical Projection] - Lvl 15 (Maxed)

[Long Range Teleportation] - Lvl 20 (Maxed)

[Planar Navigation] - Lvl. 10 (Maxed)

[Scattering Displacement] - Lvl. 20 (Maxed)

[Warped Time] - Lvl 20 (Maxed)

“That was that.”

I dusted my hands off as my pale fire dissipated. All that was left of Fictus were her ashes. I’d fortunately leveled up once in both my Class and my Subspecies from this encounter. Although, sadly, I still hadn’t reached my Class advancement.

It would’ve been nice to get an early Class advancement at Level 95. But… even if it gave me the ability to travel between the planes of the Nexeus, it wouldn’t have helped. Not right now. I still had yet to deal with Belzu.

So, I descended. Not unhappy or upset. I quite enjoyed that fight with Fictus and Mentior. They were strong for their levels. It was one of the first times I’d struggled so much against enemies who were 5 levels below me.

“I wonder what made them so strong…”

I tipped my head back as I landed at the very edge of the garden. The previously unconscious figures strewn about the grass were now waking up. I recognized a few of them. Like Feirdun Merryster. Or the other people my clone met like Roman Crimsonfang and Zin Norwood.

Saffron Merryster stumbled out of the treeline as I perused the scene. Various heads turned to look at me, eyeing me with suspicion or confusion. They just stared as I leapt forward, hugging my companion.

“Saffron! I’m so glad you’re safe!”

The pink-haired woman paused. She slowly hugged me back, smiling.

“And it’s good to see you too, Salvos.”

We drew back from each other, and she patted me on the shoulder.

“The real you. I quite enjoyed the company of your clone, but it isn’t quite the same thing as hearing your voice.”

“Aw… but my clones are me!”

I grinned as she chuckled. Saffron took a step back, looking me over. She saw the flames wisping off my body— like sparks. It was just my usual blue fire since I didn’t have [Divine Essence] active. But it did its job. Neither Archdemon's magic could harm me. Even when combined.

There were a few points where I’d been worried. Like when I was caught by the [Blood Bindings]. I did have a clone waiting on the ready, and I trusted Saffron to destroy the [Blood Prison]. But the fact that I couldn’t break through the crimson threads had me concerned— especially if Saffron was too slow, or if the Archdemons dealt with my clone.

Then there was that brief power boost Fictus had towards the end of the fight. It was like she’d suddenly grown much stronger. The last of blood magic she struck me with was far stronger than even her combined casting with Mentior. I wasn’t sure if my Grand Skill would’ve held up for a moment. But thankfully it did.

“You really have grown quite a bit since I last saw you.”

Saffron shook her head as she used [Identification] on me. I nodded eagerly, giving her a thumbs-up.

“Yep! I killed an [Ancient Centinel]!”

“...why am I not surprised.”

“It was a very tough battle! It even had its own super powerful Grand Skill!”

She massaged her temples, turning away from me.

“I’d love to hear about your Centinel-slaying adventures, Salvos. But right now…”

Her lips pursed as she took in the scene. Her father worked alongside Zin, helping those who’d been injured by the [Blood Prison].

Saffron sighed.

“Right now, I’ll have to deal with that.”

Saffron followed her father, helping him restore peace in the garden. There was a lot of confusion, and they had to move to placate the growing misplaced anger. For a brief moment, the Crimsonfangs believed that this was another premeditated assassination attempt by the Norwoods. But after seeing the damage done to Norwood Keep, they realized the truth.

This attack was done by Demons. Unrelated to any of the Vampire Families. It had been an attempt at a swift, decisive strike to deal with the Four Greater Vampire Families, all at once. If Salvos hadn’t intervened… they’d have succeeded.

And that struck fear into the hearts of many. They realized— finally— that this threat was real. Garlen Crimsonfang shuddered as he sipped from a healing potion Saffron provided him.

“To think a pair of Demons could do this much damage all on their own.”

Are you serious? Saffron bit back the retort. A single Demon felled my country on its own. But the young noble understood that there was a difference between seeing the threat, and just hearing about it.

“That is why we need to work together. Lest all our families will fall.”

She spoke softly, meeting Garlen’s gaze. He closed his eyes.

“I understand now. I’ll ensure that my family cooperates with yours to ensure the defeat of the Primeval Demon. To prevent Regnorex’s return.”

“Thank you, lord Garlen Crimsonfang. It is good to have you on our side. And it is good to hear that your son is safe.”

Saffron was glad at least that was settled. It likely wasn’t going to be the end-all be-all of things, but she knew it was a step in the right direction. Anya Veridian expressed a similar sentiment— agreeing that this matter was urgent and action had to be taken immediately.

“I apologize for my family’s inaction during the fall of Nightsveil. It was inexcusable. We should’ve offered you our assistance when we could.”

She bowed to Saffron. The young noble shifted back. It was an uncomfortable topic, but she truly did not blame the Veridians or any of the other Vampire families for staying out of it then. The coalition army seemed like it’d have been more than enough to deal with the Primeval Demon, but they failed.

Saffron shook her head as she spoke.

“That does not matter anymore. What matters now is that our families work together to do whatever is necessary to prevent the Primeval Demon from acquiring another of Alexander’s Treasures.”

“Are we truly certain it is aiming for the Treasures of Alexander?”

Anya asked, pressing her lips into a thin line. Saffron nodded.

“I am certain. I believe that the Primeval Demon is collecting them for Regnorex. Without the Treasures of Alexander, what hope do we have of repelling Regnorex’s return?”

“That is troubling. Perhaps the Norwoods will have to evacuate. Last I heard, the Primeval Demon was at the edge of Inoria, right by Shedos’ border.”

“I had hoped for a way to stall the Primeval Demon here. But…”

Saffron glanced over at the destroyed castle. She sighed.

“It seems our only option now is to flee.”

“Wait, are you leaving again?”

A voice called out, interrupting Saffron’s conversation with Anya. Salvos walked up to them, frowning.

“But why?”

“That’s…”

Saffron opened her mouth, but caught herself when she saw the way Anya stare at Salvos. The young noble quickly introduced Salvos.

“Apologies for her interruption. This is Salvos. She’s—”

“I have heard of her. You’re Salvos, the Diamond Ranked adventurer who defeated the Lich, aren’t you?”

Anya raised a brow. Salvos beamed.

“Yep! That’s me!”

“Interesting. Your level is far beyond what I was led to believe. And you were strong enough to defeat both the Archdemons who’d assailed us here.”

“Well, I am amazing, yes.”

Saffron would’ve been more than happy to indulge Salvos’ ego any other time. Right now, though, there were other matters to attend to.

“I’m sorry, Salvos. But we cannot face the Primeval Demon head-on. There is far too much risk. Even with all the resources of our families combined, we cannot muster up a force equal to the one that was defeated at Nightsveil.”

“But wait— I have good news!”

Salvos clasped her hands together.

“You don’t need to rely on just your families’ resources.”

Saffron exchanged a glance with Anya. Salvos excitedly continued.

“I just came from Mavos Academy. We had a really long talk about this— about the Primeval Demon. The gist of it is that Regnorex and the Primeval Demon aren’t on the same side.”

There was a pause. Saffron’s eyes grew wide as she sputtered.

“What?”

Anya placed a hand on her chin, muttering to herself.

“This… this changes everything. Are you certain?”

“Yep! Belzu, that Primeval Demon, is working on his own. I’ll explain all the details later, but basically, I told Clayton Skyshredder, the Headmaster of Mavos Academy— Saffron, you know him— everything.”

Saffron listened to Salvos drone on. She was certain that Anya knew who Clayton was, but Salvos didn’t know that. And, well, the young noble was glad to see that Salvos had grown and now understood that not everyone understood the same things she did. But Salvos had grown a bit too far into the other direction, and was overexplaining things.

“Then we met the King of Traith— Lamarr— he’s part of the Seven Councilmembers of the Eastern Kingdom Alliances…”

“Salvos…”

Saffron interrupted her friend.

“Can you please get to the point.”

“Oh, um, right.”

Salvos tapped a finger on her chin. The silver-haired woman thought for a moment, before smiling as she spread her arms wide.

“Basically, what I’m saying is that a bunch of important people are more than happy to help you guys protect your families! Especially if it means Belzu doesn’t get his hands on the Treasures of Alexander. I’m sure Mavos Academy would take you guys in.”

“I… see.”

Saffron absorbed the implications of it all.

“It seems you’ve really been busy, Salvos.”

Was it selfish or manipulative of Saffron to be glad she befriended Salvos during moments like these? It was something the young noble often questioned about herself. Perhaps it was her ‘Lady’ showing through— deep down, she might’ve thrived in politics even though she hated it.

But she wasn’t going to reject Salvos’ help. Not right now.

“Then let us head to Mavos Academy and speak with Clayton Skyshredder.”

“Yep!”

Salvos pumped a fist into the air. Saffron smiled. Everything could be explained on the way. But for now, what mattered was securing the Greaves of Alexander and ensuring that the Norwood Family was safe.

“Clayton definitely will help us out!”

The silver-haired woman spoke excitedly.

—--

“Absolutely not.”

Saffron stared at Clayton Skyshredder as he spoke. They gathered in his office— Salvos had flown a few of the important Vampires with them to Mavos Academy. Only to be repudiated.

“Mavos Academy shall not harbor the Greaves of Alexander, no matter what.”

There was a sense of finality in his voice. Saffron glanced over at her friend. Salvos deflated.

“Huh. I didn’t expect that.”