Between the wilderness and the jungle, on a country path.
Karna and Aliris were hurrying forward.
"Let's take a detour this way to avoid running into monsters around Cape City."
After speaking, he pointed to the front right: "Go that way. I remember there's a small river there. Let's go clean up. We're really too dirty."
At this moment, both of them were covered in dirt, with traces of dried mud, unknown grass blades, and some blood.
After escaping from the village, they had no mood to sit down and rest.
"Your Highness, why are you so familiar with this place?" Aliris asked, a little confused.
How could he not be clear? It was a level three grinding spot, he knew it inside out.
Although there wouldn't be those monsters from two years later, the terrain was no different from two years later.
Of course, he couldn't say that, so he casually brushed her off: "I've been here before."
As soon as he finished speaking, Karna instantly froze.
Aliris also felt the slight ringing in her ears and immediately did the same.
The ringing in their ears gradually faded.
From a distance, sounds of cries and roars could be heard.
"Judging by the sound, it seems like someone is fighting them," Aliris said.
"Let's go take a look."
When the two went over, they could see from afar that a group of people by the river had been attacked by the blood Clan.
It seemed to be a refugee convoy, with many women and children.
Fighting the blood Clan were several Soldiers and a few people dressed as mercenaries.
"Your Highness, they might not be a match."
Karna also saw it.
On the blood Clan's side, there were three Giant Bats and six Ghouls.
As for the refugee team, even counting everyone, there were only about 10 people who could fight.
There were also those women and old people who were scared stiff, some even already fleeing in disarray.
"Let's go."
Hearing Karna's command, Aliris charged forward first.
Karna, who followed closely, thought for a moment, then took his knife and cut his arm.
Instantly, a wound appeared, blood gushed out, and pain followed.
Following the pain came power.
"Don't eat me, don't eat me! Save me!"
A thin farmer screamed in terror while running away.
Karna darted out from the side and kicked the Ghoul in the waist.
The kick directly sent the Ghoul tumbling several times on the ground.
Before it could even recover, its head was already pierced through.
The power boost effect was obvious; he could feel his attacks were more powerful.
With the two of them joining, the battle was resolved very quickly.
Of the three Giant Bats in the sky, two had their heads blown apart by stones thrown from afar by Aliris.
The other Giant Bat was shot in the head by a Soldier's crossbow bolt.
With the two of them joining, the few Ghouls were even simpler to deal with.
"Uncle Aroki, come quickly!" a Soldier shouted, kneeling beside a wounded person on the ground.
Among the refugees, a scrawny middle-aged man hurried over, his face still showing panic. Judging by his attire, he seemed to be a herbalist.
It was a pity; there was only that one casualty.
One person dressed as a mercenary died, and two other civilians also died.
A Soldier walked over: "Thank you for your help, thank you. If it weren't for you two, we might have been wiped out here today."
"My name is Nikumm, a Soldier captain from Cape City. Where did you two escape from?"
Aliris was about to speak, but Karna quickly stopped her and said to Nikumm: "We ran all the way from the Royal Capital. We used to do some dirty work in the Royal Capital."
Nikumm nodded understandingly, then apologized: "Now is not the time to talk. I need to quickly organize the team to leave here, otherwise, those monsters will catch up again soon."
Karna smiled and nodded.
While the refugee team was reorganizing, the two went directly to the river and began to clean the dirt from their bodies.
After cleaning up, the convoy was about to leave.
Karna turned his head and just happened to see Aliris, who had also finished cleaning.
Her short golden hair was casually draped, and her freshly washed face still had some water droplets.
Although she had undergone knight training for many years, her facial skin could be described as fair, and her large eyes, combined with her somewhat baby-fat cheeks, made her appear pure yet adorable.
He withdrew his gaze: "Let's go."
Walking towards the convoy, they happened to meet Nikumm walking towards them.
"Do you want to come with us?"
Karna nodded and followed, asking casually: "Where are you planning to go?"
"Where else? We can only go to Farn. The port fell into chaos immediately. The monsters' primary target was the port; I escaped from there."
Hearing Nikumm's words, Karna nodded.
Consistent with the plot.
"These damn skinless monsters, I don't know where they came from. And those noble Officials who should be hanged, I really hope these monsters gnaw their brains out."
Nikumm was saying some venting words.
Well, you're thinking too much. Those noble Officials either died or were transformed into blood Clan.
To be honest, most of those who escaped were commoners and some city guards.
Some armies used for defense and combat were the first to be transformed.
It's just that this process should still be ongoing now.
...
Safro Royal Capital.
This former capital of a foreign land had now become the Royal Court of the blood Clan.
The entire city reeked of decaying corpses and blood.
The entire city was enveloped in a shadow, as if all the storm clouds had gathered above it, blocking the entry of sunlight.
In the gloomy weather, only masses of black shadows could be seen flapping their wings over the city.
Those were swarms of Giant Bats.
Within the city, large numbers of Ghouls moved through the streets and alleys; they became the most numerous residents of this city.
There were also pale-faced, deathly pale Knights with crimson pupils, patrolling on horses draped in blood-red heavy armor.
And beside them were guards in the same state.
And within the city, in the Imperial Palace Castle on the cliff.
The blood Clan nobles gathered there.
"How are the preparations going?" In the throne hall, on the King's seat, sat a robust Blood Clan King, dressed in luxurious clothing.
Around this hall were many nobles and Officials, wearing their formerly luxurious clothes.
Looking at their pale, almost bluish skin and expressionless faces, one knew that they had also become blood Clan.
"Replying to Your Majesty, all three ports have been reclaimed, and four cities have also been completely taken. Large numbers of commoners and massive amounts of corpses are waiting for us to turn them into power."
A noble Official kneeling in front of the throne said.
The Blood Clan King sat on the throne and asked in a deep voice: "Four cities?"
The noble below quickly said: "There's one more, one more is Wayne Xia's territory.
He... the Earl he..."
"My son, what did he do?" the King asked, his voice showing no emotional fluctuation.
"The Earl executed the Sewing Master in his territory, executed those blood mages, and refused to be transformed into blood Clan. He is gathering his Soldiers to resist, gathering refugees, and sending his people and the refugees to Koen Kingdom."
"Hmph, he indeed doesn't want to step into new life."
Although the King was somewhat angry, he was not as furious as they had imagined, as if he had expected it.
He turned to his side: "Walter, my son, I told you long ago, you shouldn't be so lenient with your brother."
The one called Walter was Karna's father.
That was the previous King of the country, and the one sitting on the throne was the founding emperor of this country.
Clearly, he had not died as in normal circumstances, but had merely moved behind the scenes.
"He betrayed my trust, and he betrayed your grace, Father. Let me go capture him; I will make him a qualified blood Noble."
Hearing his son's words, the King waved his hand casually: "You have other things to do. Martin, my most loyal Knight. Lead your subordinates and bring me my son's head."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
With the clanging of armor and heavy footsteps.
The Knight walked out of the hall.