Unfortunately, he wasn't familiar enough with that female Elf; otherwise, getting the two to spar would have been an incredibly spectacular fight.
Soon after, the battlefield was cleared, and all the Vampires and Whispering Bats were standing by, awaiting Li De's command to take off.
Li De didn't hesitate.
Mounting the lead bat, he issued the order to ascend.
Supported by Betty, Isha also climbed onto a saddled Whispering Bat.
The girl, feeling a little shy, nestled into Li De's chest, her eyes sparkling with excitement as she glanced down at the magical beast she was riding.
This was Isha's first time flying on a magical beast, the little girl was both thrilled and a little scared, clutching tightly to Li De's robe.
Whooosh whoosh whoosh!
The giant bat wings flapped, stirring up thick black dust from the scorched valley floor below.
The massive bodies of the Whispering Bats slowly lifted off, and the ground below grew smaller and smaller.
At that moment, the moon, previously hidden behind dark clouds, emerged.
Silvery moonlight poured down like mercury, illuminating the world below.
The forests and mountains appeared draped in silver; the wind howled through the landscape, creating a mesmerizing, dreamlike scene.
The oppressive mood that had lingered after the battle faded considerably in the face of such serene beauty.
Isha leaned back slightly, feeling the solid warmth of the chest behind her, a profound sense of security blooming in her heart.
Her eyes curved into crescent moons.
Meanwhile, Betty sat idly behind Li De, finding the experience rather boring.
In the Northern Highlands, flying mounts were Snowy Griffins, and as a member of the royal family, Betty naturally had her own griffin.
Thus, flight was nothing new to her.
What she looked forward to more was seeing a Vampire castle.
In human legends, Vampires were symbols of mystery and bloodshed and their lairs, even more terrifying.
Since there were no Vampires in the North, there were naturally no ancient Vampire castles.
Four Sun-hours later, the massive bat swarm arrived at Dawn City.
Betty, still riding behind Li De, gazed ahead after they passed through a valley.
There, nestled among towering mountains thousands of Blades high, was a magnificent and awe-inspiring city.
A glimmer of admiration flashed through her eyes.
"As expected of a Vampire castle. Truly impressive."
Seeing his city come into view, a surge of deep joy filled Li De's heart.
At that moment, he felt like a wanderer returning home, a mix of excitement and inexplicable emotion welling within him.
After a grueling battle, all the Vampires were exhausted, but seeing Dawn City made everyone burst into excited shouts.
Their voices echoed far across the empty night sky.
Those who hadn't faced death could hardly comprehend the complex emotions of surviving the scythe of the Reaper.
When the Vampires finally landed in Dawn City atop the Whispering Bats, the patrolling members of the Security Squad immediately noticed.
Because most of the Vampires had been deployed during the past few days, patrols had been intensified.
Seeing the wounded Vampires and Whispering Bats, and especially the rows of corpses laid out in the plaza, the atmosphere among the Security Squad turned grim.
"Quick, report to Lord Harrison!"
"Where's the Medical Department? Hurry!"
"By the abyss... what have the Vampire lords been through?!"
Harrison, who had been stationed in Dawn City, rushed over as soon as he received the news.
"Good evening, Clan Leader," he greeted, his face solemn as he surveyed the battered Vampires.
"Clan Leader, did we win this battle?"
Li De fell silent for a moment before nodding gravely.
"We won.
Though the price was heavy, every hero who fell will be remembered.
Dawn City will grow stronger because of them."
"Harrison, immediately arrange for the wounded to be treated at the Blood Pool.
Also, inform the Livestock Farm to prepare pigs. The Whispering Bats are heavily injured as well.
I want everyone fully recovered within three—no, two days."
"And gather the remains of our fallen heroes.
In ten days, I will hold a public funeral for them."
Li De issued several commands in one breath.
Finally, he pointed at the still-unconscious Grote, guarded by Second-generation Bloodline Descendants, his voice steely.
"Take him to City Hall.
Tonight, Dawn City will gain another powerful Bloodline Descendant."
After issuing his commands, Li De deliberately glanced at Betty, but she showed no reaction at all, as if Grote, the Northern Warrior, had nothing to do with her.
"Yes, Clan Leader," Harrison immediately began organizing everything without question.
Having finished delegating, Li De turned to look at Isha who was yawning, and Betty, who was curiously taking in the sights of Dawn City.
"Isha, Betty, you two will stay at my estate tonight to rest.
I have important matters to handle."
Isha, clearly sleepy, nodded obediently.
"Yes, Teacher."
The girl never disobeyed Li De.
Betty, on the other hand, shrugged nonchalantly.
Compared to resting, she would have preferred wandering around the legendary Vampire fortress.
She was truly curious.
Once Isha and Betty left with a group of Vampires, Li De returned straight to his office at City Hall.
At the same time, the wounded Vampires were all taken to the Blood Pool.
As long as a Vampire wasn't killed outright on the battlefield, Li De didn't worry about their recovery.
The Vampires' innate talents ensured a formidable vitality.
No matter how serious the injuries, as long as there was fresh blood, they would recover swiftly.
The advantages of a Superior Race were just that unreasonable.
"Prepare ten bottles of Mana-Infused Blood for me."
"Yes, Clan Leader."
After instructing Harrison, Li De walked up to the unconscious Grote lying on the carpet.
Without hesitation, he crouched down and bit into Grote's wrist.
The mysterious power hidden within his bloodline began to pour into Grote's body.
Vampire Progenitor: As the progenitor of the vampires, you possess a powerful bloodline that grants immunity to sunlight. You can develop one bloodline descendant per month. All bloodline descendants and their offspring have unwavering loyalty to you, set to "fanatical devotion." Each bloodline descendant provides 1 character experience point per month.
Since long ago, he had only Embraced Emi. Thus, the bloodline power in him remained extremely rich and potent.
Grote had sustained massive injuries under the assault of nearly two hundred Vampires.
Had it not been for his powerful Northern Warrior physique, he would have already met death.
Now he could only lie there, accepting the infusion of Vampire blood.
As the blood entered his body, Grote's charred skin began to crack and peel away, revealing fresh, newly grown skin beneath, like a butterfly breaking free of its cocoon.
The previously fading life force began to stabilize, growing from a dying candle into a blazing bonfire.
The path of transformation and evolution had begun.
What wondrous changes would occur when a Northern Warrior became a Vampire?
Li De eagerly awaited the results.