Ashen Dragon-Chapter 128 - 58 City Fengyun

Within the final city of Rackman Duchy, Northwind Castle.

At this moment, the people of Northwind Castle were in a state of panic. The news of various places being overrun by Ashen Nest was strictly sealed by the "Eagle’s Shield," but people could still make guesses or receive bits of news here and there.

"I, I have a secret to tell you all..."

"Mesc City, Trolo City, Arkan City..."

"They have all fallen."

Someone in the tavern said this drunkenly. He seemed to have drunk too much.

But that drunkard was quickly taken away by plainclothes spies, plunging the tavern into silence. No one else dared to speak.

In this atmosphere, everyone felt a looming disaster about to descend. The air in the city was heavy, almost stagnant.

The city was heavily guarded, with several "Eagle’s Shields" checking every important area. Any anomalies would be treated as traitors and captured.

Every household’s doors and windows were tightly shut, but that didn’t stop gray-robed spies from barging in for inspections. Any irregularities would lead to severe scrutiny, or even immediate capture.

No one knew where those so-called "traitors" were taken. There were even rumors that they were all executed.

This pervasive sense of fear spread throughout the city, not just the terror of Ashen Nest’s attack, but also the dread of the City Guard Army’s stringent searches and the unknown future.

"Damn it, where has he gone?"

"He should be in that direction. Chase him!"

"Catch him, dead or alive!"

In a dark alley, the Swashbuckler hid in the shadows, evading the pursuers once again.

He wiped the nonexistent sweat off his forehead—as a Vampire Variant with the Undying trait, he seemingly didn’t have the function to sweat. It was just a force of habit.

"Has that old vampire gone mad? Grabbing people like this..."

"But this guy’s end is near. When the Heavenly Soldiers from Ashen Nest descend, this Venerable Vampire will surely be brought to justice!"

Just thinking of Ashen Nest’s overwhelming military might crushing the Allied Forces made every player puff out their chests with pride.

Yeno also hid beside a trash bin.

Close association with the Swashbuckler over time had turned this former Earl into a shadowy manipulator, abandoning all so-called noble dignity.

Hearing the Swashbuckler, he curiously asked: "You’ve been hiding in the bunker. How do you know what’s happening outside?"

The Swashbuckler chuckled: "The wise have their ways."

"I even know that the entire Allied Forces sent by that old vampire have perished. Over thirty thousand have all become barbeque."

Thinking about the Battle of Triel, the Swashbuckler felt a pang of bitterness. Such an important faction battleground mission, and he hadn’t participated! Many players had gained tons of Faction Contribution and made a name for themselves. Even armored units were built, while he could only crawl in the dark dungeon, silently browsing the forums.

"This time, I have to show what I can do!"

The Swashbuckler silently vowed to himself.

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Yeno reminded him: "Don’t just stand there daydreaming. The pursuers will find us sooner or later. By then, we won’t be able to escape."

"Moreover... if things are really as you say, my father won’t go down without a fight.

"I know my father well. To achieve his goals, he will go to any lengths, reaching the point of obsession. He’s been planning for a whole century, and thousands have been forcibly sacrificed over these years."

The Swashbuckler was stunned and then asked:

"You mean... that old vampire is trying something big?"

"Exactly."

"I suspect those city residents labeled as traitors have been taken to the bunker to be made into Blood Slaves. My father must have realized his time is running out, so he’s no longer hiding, but openly using the entire city’s power to accomplish his so-called great Ascension."

The Swashbuckler immediately felt eager: "Looks like I have to become the hero who saves this city."

"Don’t get too excited. Although you’ve faced my father directly, you don’t understand his strength."

As though recalling some long-lost memory, a hint of fear flashed across Yeno’s pale face.

The Swashbuckler, however, scoffed indifferently: "Why are you scared again? PTSD acting up? We’ve been out for so long. Do you think that old vampire can control me?

"Besides, I have this—"

He pulled out an exquisite metal emblem stained with mottled blood.

[Rebel Crest]

Quality: Special

"A certain mage was once turned into a Vampire Variant. He tried to resist his master, spending all his effort to create this emblem.

Unfortunately, he failed, turning into a puddle of blood, and the emblem was quietly displayed in the Duke’s collection, waiting for the next rebel to appear."

Effect: Temporarily makes a Vampire Variant immune to its master’s control.

This was an item the Swashbuckler and Yeno had found in the Vampire Duke’s collection room, giving him tremendous confidence.

Yeno shook his head, a hint of resignation appearing on his pale face devoid of blood.

"Do you really think you can succeed?"

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"I knew the creator of this emblem. His name was Triss, the most talented mage I’ve ever met. He was always full of hope and passion. Even after being transformed into a Vampire Variant, he never gave up, tirelessly seeking ways to resist the Duke."

"But in the end, he still failed..."

A sense of nostalgia and regret flashed through Yeno Rackman’s eyes, but so did a fleeting trace of despair.

"Just because he failed doesn’t mean I will. I, the Swashbuckler, am... "

The Swashbuckler was boasting, but his words suddenly stopped, leaving only two words.

"Oh, crap—"

Yeno’s pupils suddenly darkened to a crimson hue, his eyes devoid of any sanity, radiating a chilling aura of death.

"Ascension..."

"For the great Ascension..."

"All sacrifices are worth it."

"Give everything—"

Yeno whispered in a low voice, his pale face showing an ecstatic expression.

At this moment, he seemed like a devout believer about to bask in the deity’s favor, unlike the awkward NPC the Swashbuckler knew.

His body stiffened, striking an odd posture, and he walked toward the Duke’s castle in the shadows.

The sky seemed to be tinged with blood.

The Swashbuckler noticed his "Rebel Crest" emitting a faint glow, as if struggling against some overpowering force.

"That old vampire has gone all-out?"

"But... this could be an opportunity."

After a moment’s hesitation, he hid the emblem in his pants pocket.

"Um... for the great Ascension?"

The Swashbuckler mimicked Yeno’s strange behavior, pretending to be a controlled Vampire Variant, and closely followed.