Chapter 141 Start of the Journey

Third Person's POV

She had even offered her help to prevent Virelle's arranged marriage to the Malakar Prince of the Empire of the Abyssal Dominion.

But Virelle had refused outright and explained to her the consequences of such a rash action. Recalling her words she went over Virelle's argument once more in her head.

If I did that, it was true with full certainty that I would form an enmity with one of the two great demon empires.

And that enmity would extend to the entire vampire clans and the resulting retaliation would affect the common members of our race too, the duchess recalled.

Even if I was willing to shoulder and risk all that, her father the Crimson Deluge Duke would definitely oppose my intervention, and even Keiran Vael would most likely side against me as well.

They might even join forces with the Empire of the Abyssal Dominion to attack me. Even if I and Virelle managed to escape, we would have to spend our lives in hiding.

And Virelle would never be able to live happily with her true lover if she ever happened to love someone. The empire would never let them be.

The memory of Virelle's tearful eyes as she rejected the offer still lingered in the duchess's mind.

Virelle had been deeply moved by her master's willingness to help, but she couldn't bear the thought of causing so much trouble and problems for her.

The duchess sighed softly as her heart suddenly turned heavy when she recalled that memory.

But now, remembering the shy tone in Virelle's voice during her sound transmission to Ethan, she couldn't help but feel a glimmer of happiness.

At least she has someone she truly likes now, the duchess thought.

Someone who can bring light to her otherwise bleak life. As for the empire… well, they will have another headache to deal with.

Nyx would never let anyone harm her disciple, and there is always the possibility that little Ethan could grow strong enough to protect his union with Virelle on his own.

As these thoughts swirled in her mind, the duchess didn't continue hanging on his back like a monkey and effortlessly flowed from Ethan's back as she transformed into a dark shadow and reappeared on her dark throne in the next instant.

The familiar feel of the thorny armrests beneath her hands brought a sense of calm and peace to her heavy heart. Your adventure continues at My Virtual Library Empire

She waved a hand dismissively at Ethan in a light but final tone.

"You can go now, little Ethan. And don't worry—your master will most likely arrive in the castle by today."

Ethan didn't react in any way to her sudden disappearance. He simply nodded and accepted her words as he made his way out of the throne room.

The heavy gates creaked open on their own and allowed him to pass into the shadowy corridors of the castle.

As he walked, his thoughts turned to his Master Nyx, who had gone somewhere to find a cure for him.

The duchess's hateful tone when she had referred to 'that bitch' suggested that Master Nyx had sought help from someone who was clearly not friendly to her and the duchess.

A flicker of worry clouded his mind as he navigated the dark hallways.

Where did Master go? And who is this person she had to approach for my sake?

The thought of his Master Nyx putting herself in a situation that she was clearly unwilling to face yet her doing so for his sake weighed heavily on his heart.

A pang of guilt and concern clouded his mind as his figure dissolved into the swirling shadows of the castle's dark corridors.

A week earlier...

Night fell over the Scarlet Hollow Peak, and the cold winds that swept across the mountain range grew fiercer and carried an icy chill that seeped into every corner of the dark castle nestled between the peaks.

The blood moon hung high in the sky and its dim crimson light cast an eerie glow over the landscape.

The castle that was already shrouded in darkness seemed even more foreboding under the moon's bloody hue and its halls devoid of warmth or light.

Suddenly, a deafening BOOM! shattered the silence.

A loud whooshing sound echoed through the mountains which was was followed by the sharp crack of a sonic boom.

A missile-like figure shot out from the tallest spire of the castle and its speed instantly broke the sound barrier as it tore through the clouds covering the tall mountain.

The cold winds parted as if bowing in reverence to the speeding figure as they created a path through the night sky.

The figure soared higher and pierced the dark clouds that blanketed the Scarlet Hollow Peak.

As it emerged into the clear night sky, it was illuminated by the full glory of the blood moon, and its identity was finally revealed.

It was Nyx, Ethan's master who currently had her dark leathery wings streamlined to reduce air resistance as she hurtled through the sky at an incredible speed.

Another thunderous boom echoed across the land and shook the forest below as she increased her speed further.

The creatures of the Stygian Bloodwoods and the neighboring Dark Forest froze as their heads snapped upward and they caught a glimpse of a small dark dot streaking across the sky.

To them, it was nothing more than a blur and a fleeting shadow that vanished almost as quickly as it appeared.

Nyx's speed only increased as she pushed herself to the limit.

Normally, she avoided traveling at such velocities as it created too much noise and required a significant amount of energy to mask her presence.

But tonight, she was in no mood for stealth.

Her thoughts were consumed by the well-being of her little disciple and she was willing to do whatever it took to ensure his safety.

It seems I am left with only one choice, she thought and her jaw tightened with determination.